Unlimited: They Grew Like Jesus
Aug 7, 2019 1852
To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:7, NIV).
All are “saints” whom God has called by His grace, and sanctified by His Spirit. We are apt to look upon the apostles as extraordinary beings without the same weaknesses and temptations as ourselves. If we had seen the apostle Paul, we should have thought him remarkably like the rest of the chosen family: and if we had talked with him, we should have said, “We find that his experience and ours are much the same. He is more faithful, more holy, and more deeply taught than we are, but he has the same trials to endure.”
Do not, then, look upon the ancient saints as being exempt either from infirmities or sins. Their holiness is attainable even by us. We are “called to be saints” by that same voice which constrained them to their high vocation.
It is a Christian’s duty to force his way into the inner circle of saintship. Let us follow them. Let us emulate their ardour and holiness. We have the same light that they had. The same grace is accessible to us. Why should we rest satisfied until we have equalled them in heavenly character? They lived with Jesus, they lived for Jesus, therefore they grew like Jesus.
Let us live by the same Spirit as they did, “looking unto Jesus,” and our saintship will soon be apparent.
– Charles Spurgeon (adapted)
Eli’s Reflection: As you look at someone like Paul, the author of much of the New Testament, how can you be encouraged in your own walk with Jesus?
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