A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. You've read biographies of Jesus, beautifully and eloquently written. But the best life of Christ is the living biography, written out in the words and actions of his people.

If we were what we profess to be, what we should be, we would be pictures of Christ. Yes, such striking likenesses that the world wouldn't have to study us for hours, saying, "Well, I suppose there's some resemblance." No! They would take one look and exclaim, "He has been with Jesus! He has been taught by him! He is like him! He has caught the very idea of the holy Man of Nazareth and works it out in his life and everyday actions!"

A Christian should be like Christ in his boldness. Never blush to own your religion. Your profession will never disgrace you—take care you never disgrace it! Be like Jesus, valiant for your God.

Imitate him in his loving spirit. Think kindly. Speak kindly. Act kindly. Let people say of you, "He has been with Jesus."

Imitate Jesus in his holiness. Was he zealous for his Master? So be you! Ever go about doing good. Don't waste time—it is too precious. Was he self-denying, never looking to his own interests? Be the same. Was he devout? Be fervent in your prayers. Did he defer to his Father's will? So submit yourself to him. Was he patient? So learn to endure.

And best of all, as the highest portraiture of Jesus, forgive your enemies as he did. Let those sublime words of your Master ring in your ears: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Forgive, as you hope to be forgiven. Heap coals of fire on your enemy's head through your kindness to him. Good for evil, remember, is godlike. Be godlike, then! In all ways and by all means, so live that all may say of you, "He has been with Jesus."