What the person IS, often mars
the value of what he DOES!
(J.R. Miller, "The Glory of the Commonplace")
A pastor was commending CHRIST
to a boy, expressing the hope that
he would trust in CHRIST in his youth.
"Religion is a continual joy," he said.
"Look at your sister, Sarah. How much
that dear girl enjoys her religion!"
"Yes," drawled the boy, with frank
candor, "She may enjoy her religion--
but nobody else in the house enjoys it!"
There are professing Christians
of whom it is true that their families
do not enjoy their religion. It is
not sweet. It is not a comfort
to people. It is critical, rasping,
censorious, exacting.
It was a serious condemnation
of this girl's religion, that her
family did not enjoy it.
A keen observer has said,
"Many a woman spoils her
testimony in the church, by
her tongue in the kitchen!"
Another has said,
"There are people who
lead us Heavenward--
but stick pins in us
all the way!"
In a conversation overheard
on a railway train, one reports
catching this fragment of talk:
"Yes, I suppose she's a Christian--
but she certainly isn't pleasant
to live with!"
A Christian who isn't pleasant
to live with, is shameful. We may
do all our duties faithfully,
conscientiously, bearing our
share of the burdens and cares--
and yet, if we are not pleasant
to live with, we fail in the most
essential quality of love.
An unlovely spirit, frowns and
chilling looks, sharp impatient words--
overbalance the painstaking Christian
service that does so much to help
in practical ways. What the person IS,
often mars the value of what he DOES!
people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and
patience." Colossians 3:12
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
GraceGems has published Samuel Davies' challenging article,
"The Danger of Lukewarmness in Religion!"
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