Is spiritually prosperous, fearing the Lord, content with who he is in Christ and with the promise of His daily provision of all physical and spiritual needs.
Is a beggar in spirit--humbly resting in His grace as the power of faithfulness; has no confidence in the flesh--in his ability to be faithful apart from all-sufficient grace.
Mourns brokenheartedly the consequences of sin in the world, is deeply saddened by the evil that men do, and their love of it.
Stoops down to help the wounded, to lift up the fallen, to intercede for the struggling--and always with gentleness.
Can never get enough of God's Word--always hungers for more evidence of its transforming power in his daily walk.
Does not "strike back" in word or deed when injured--even the injury to the soul and spirit, seeks no revenge, despises the idea of "getting even." Soft answers not angry words of self-defense are his spontaneous response to angry words--and deeds--from others.
Strives for the Spirit's enabling to not only do the right things but to do the right things in the right way and for the right reasons--a pure love of the Savior, a pure love of other believers, and a pure love for the lost. Abhors spiritual masks.
Seeks to live at peace with all men, seeks to bring others into the kingdom of the Prince of Peace, wields the weapons of the cross--willing sacrifice, the lovingkindness of forgiveness, compassion for those who do not understand their actions, grace and mercy.
Knowing that "the more he becomes like Christ, the more he will be unlike everyone else," and knowing that, as a result, he will be despised, ridiculed, pitied, and scorned for his saltiness and the shining of the Light, continues to do good, to glorify Him, to make the Savior visible, to reveal His presence.
If anyone will be my disciple, let him first--once for all--totally
deny himself, then, daily take up his cross of sacrificial love for
others, and continually--to the very end--follow--imitate Me.
If . . .
If . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment