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Jesus Our Best Friend, February 18
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a
friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24
.
How few are constantly beholding the unseen Guest, realizing that He
is at their right hand! How many ignore His presence! Did we treat others
as we treat Jesus, what discourtesy it would be thought!
Suppose a friend were with us, and we should meet an acquaintance
on the way and direct our whole attention to our new-found acquaintance,
ignoring the presence of our friend, what opinion would men have of our
loyalty to our friend, of our degree of respect to him? And yet this is the
way we treat Jesus. We forget that He is our companion. We engage in
conversation, and never mention His name.... We talk of worldly business
matters, and where it does not bruise the soul, where it is essential, we do
not dishonor Jesus, but we do dishonor Him when we fail to mention Him
in our intercourse with our friends and associates. He is our best friend,
and we should seek for opportunities to speak of Him.... We should ever
keep Him in view. Our conversation should be of a character that would
be of no offense to God.
I know that in many hearts the inquiry arises, “Where shall I find
Jesus?” There are many who want His presence, want His love and His
light; but they know not where to look for Him for whom their hearts
yearn. And yet Jesus does not hide Himself away; no one need search
for Him in vain. “Behold,” He says, “I stand at the door, and knock: if
any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and
will sup with him, and he with me.”
Revelation 3:20
. Jesus invites us to
accept His presence; we are to open the door of the heart, and let Him
in. But He will not share a divided heart. If it be given to the service
of mammon, if selfishness and pride fill its chambers, there will be no
room for the heavenly Guest; He will not take up His abode with us until
the soul-temple has been emptied and cleansed. Yet there is no need of
making a failure in the Christian life. Jesus is waiting to do a great work
for us, and all heaven is interested in our salvation.
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