Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

"Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."¹

Alan Smith tells the story about a dignified, elderly woman who was among a group viewing an art exhibition in a newly opened gallery. When one contemporary painting caught her eye, addressing the artist standing nearby, she gasped, "What on earth is that?"

He smiled condescendingly. "That, my dear lady, is supposed to be a mother and her child."

"Well, then," reasoned the little old lady, "why isn't it?"²

Having seen some modern art, I can appreciate her question.

Sadly, according to various reports I have read there is little difference in the life of the average Christian than that of the average non-Christian. If we don't act like Christians, behave like Christians, live like Christians, and look like Christians, how will we ever impact the world in which we live for Christ?

To "look like Christians" we need to know what God's Word teachesâ€"and obey it! A life full of faith in action will have a greater influence than a life full of empty words.

If our prayer and desire is to be more like Jesus, then we will strive to follow His example, especially when He said... "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."³

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to live in such a way that in everything I am and do I will 'look like a Christian'â€"a true Christ followerâ€"and be a consistent testimony to others that will lead them to You. Help me love and serve others the way you did, and in so doing, help to impact the world in which I live. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Ephesians 5:2 (NIV).
2. Alan Smith, Thought for the Day http://www.tftd-online.com/.
3. John 13:35 (NIV).

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