Chuck Fattore

"Living as the Light in this World "

Acts 4:13 "…they took knowledge of them, they had been with Jesus."

Does the world see the likeness of Jesus in the lives of His followers? Are our words and deeds reflective of Christ's living biography? If we lived our life by what we profess to be shouldn't the world view Christianity as being deeply rooted in love and humility?

Could it be that the chaos and the growing influence of wealth and power cause many Christians become entangled with the world's value system? If this is true it stands to reason that Christians are forsaking their first love and embracing the idolatry the permeates our world? The importance of Christians imitating Jesus's life has never been more needed than in our present age.

We need to imitate Jesus by demonstrating a loving spirit, think kindly and do kindly things! Jesus was zealous for doing His Father's will. How passionate am I about following Jesus's example of self-denial? Or am I primarily concerned about fulfilling my own interests. Do I practice the same level of self-sacrifice and submit to His will daily?

Jesus was fervent in His prayers. Do I approach the altar of prayer with unfailing dedication to do His will? In our highest portraiture of Jesus do we try to forgive our enemies as he did? Do you let the sublime words of our Master, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do," reside in the back of our minds? Kindness to our enemies may make us look weak to the world but remember God's word informs us that God uses what appears to be weak to overcome sins bravado. Exchanging good for evil are Christlike behaviors. Be loving and humble in your ways so that our lives lived before others will cause others to say of you, "he/she has been with Jesus."