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  OH, TO BE WITH CHRIST
  by Mary Wilder Tileston
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Summary: To rest on the loving heart of Christ, we must be transformed
into His image through constant contemplation and a deep desire to
emulate His character.

Topics: "Christ Likeness", "Spiritual Transformation"
Scripture References: John 13:23, Acts 4:13, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 2:5, Colossians 3:10

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DESCRIPTION
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Mary Wilder Tileston, preaching on the transformation into the image of
Jesus Christ, emphasizes the importance of hearts and souls that reflect
the love and truth of Christ, as seen in Acts 4:13 where people
recognized the disciples had been with Jesus. To rest on the loving
heart of Jesus like St. John, one must contemplate Christ's meekness,
humility, love for friends and foes, and obedient resignation to God's
will. By earnestly seeking to be transformed into the likeness of Christ
through deep contemplation and self-reflection, one can find solace and
richness in Christ's image.

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CONTENT
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They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

ACTS 4:13

O HEARTS of love! O souls that turn

Like sunflowers to the pure and best!

To you the truth is manifest;

For they the mind of Christ discern

Who lean like John upon His breast.

JOHN G. WHITTIER

WILT thou with St. John rest on the loving heart of our Lord Jesus
Christ, thou must be transformed into the beauteous image of our Lord by
a constant, earnest contemplation thereof, considering His holy meekness
and humility, the deep, fiery love that He bore to His friends and His
foes, and His mighty, obedient resignation which He manifested in all
the paths wherein His Father called Him to tread. And now ye must gaze
much more closely and deeply into the glorious image of our Lord Jesus
Christ than I can show you with my outward teaching, and maintain a
continual, earnest effort and aspiration after it. Then look attentively
at thyself, how unlike thou art to this image, and behold thy own
littleness. Here will thy Lord let thee rest on Him. In the glorious
likeness of Christ thou wilt be made rich, and find all the solace and
sweetness in the world.

JOHN TAULER

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/mary-wilder-tileston/oh-to-be-with-christ/
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