He is like Me

I recently read this short story:

Pastor Mishki was imprisoned in a Communist prison for 22 years, not even knowing of the welfare of his wife and six little children. A Communist was in the prison cell with him. One day, the Communist asked Pastor Mishki “Tell me in one sentence, what is Jesus like?” The pastor thought for a moment and replied, “You wish to know what Jesus is like? He is like me.” The Communist considered this and said, “Then I will love Him and respect Him.”

The word “Christian” means “little Christ”. We identify ourselves with our Savior by using His name. We are to be like Him. People are to see Him in us. If we call ourselves Christians but don’t act Christ-like, it is like identity theft. None of us wants a stranger using our name, signature, etc. to do illegal activities, so why would we attach Christ’s name to ourselves if we are going to act in a manner that is not pleasing to God? We are to strive toward godliness and being more like Jesus Christ. If an unbeliever were to ask you to tell them in one sentence what Jesus is like, would you be able to give the same answer Pastor Mishki gave? While we will never be perfect this side of Heaven, “He is like me” is the answer we should be striving for. Even if no one ever verbally asks us what Jesus is like, our lives should be a testimony of what He is like. Unbelievers should be attracted to Christianity just by watching our daily lives. Your life, and mine, could mean the difference between someone rejecting Christ or “loving and respecting Him” forever.