Reflection
We have been baptized and we call ourselves Christian, yet how do we reflect the message of the Christ we claim to follow? Christ saw situations as they were and was not afraid to speak the truth. He knew what it was to be poor and homeless and so he had a compassionate welcoming heart. He did not despise those presumed to be sinners but called those who were outwardly holy and inwardly oppressive to accountability. What about us? Do we prefer to love the artist’s rendition of the sweet Jesus or to follow the man who loved with the love of God?
Prayer
Create a new heart within me, O God.
Action
I will examine myself to see how I can be recognized as a Christian.
Suggested Reading
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.
He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed …
for God was with him.
Acts 10:31-34
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
John 1:5
The secret of Christian living is love. Only love fills the empty spaces caused by evil
Pope Francis
There are many who preach Christ, but not so many who live Christ.
Robert Chapman
There is nothing more important to learn about Christian growth than this: Growing in grace means becoming like Christ.
Sinclair Fergusen
Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion – it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.
Billy Graham
A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian… and most of all, his family ought to know.
Dwight L. Moody
One of the most important responsibilities in the Christian life is to care about others, smile at them, and be a friend to the friendless.
James Dobson
You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood become a matter of life and death to you.
C. S. Lewis
Of all religions, the Christian should of course inspire the most tolerance, but until now Christians have been the most intolerant of all men.
Voltaire
I came to my Christian faith later in life and it was because the precepts of Jesus Christ spoke to me in terms of the kind of life that I would want to lead.
Barack Obama
Going to church doesn’t make you any more a Christian than going to the garage makes you a car.
Laurence J. Peter