Flowery talking--without strict walking

[Coconut]

Flowery talking--without strict walking

(Arthur Pink, "Christ our Exemplar")

"Leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps." 1 Peter 2:21

"Whoever claims to live in Him--must walk as Jesus did." 1 John 2:6

If all professors forfeit their claim to a saving interest in Christ, who do not endeavor to sincerely and earnestly imitate Jesus in the holiness of His life--then how small a number of real Christians are there in the world! If flowery talking--without strict walking; if common profession--without holy practice; if Church membership--without denying self and treading the Narrow Way--were sufficient to constitute a Christian--then a large percentage of earth's population would be entitled to that name.

But if Christ owns none but those who follow the example that He has left--then His flock is indeed a little one. The vast majority of those who claim to be Christians have a name to live--but are dead (Rev. 3:1), being such as walk after the flesh, following the course of this world and yielding their members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin (Romans 6:13). The demands of Christ are too rigid for them--they prefer the Broad Road where the majority are found.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14

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[Coconut]

A Christian

Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area.

When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, “you'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.”

Then he thought, 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare,
they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet.'

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, 'Here, you gave me too much change.' The driver, with a smile, replied, 'Aren't you the new preacher in town?'

'Yes' he replied.

'Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship.
I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday.'

When the preacher stepped of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, 'Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.'


This is only an example of how much people watch us as Christians,
and will put us to the test! Always be on guard -- and remember --
You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself 'Christian.'

1Ti 1:16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.