Appeal to the Young
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need not expect that they can follow their own inclinations. The prize
will cost them something, yes, everything. They can now have Jesus
or the world. How many dear youth will suffer privation, weariness,
toil, and anxiety in order to serve themselves and gain an object in this
life! They do not think of complaining of the hardships and difficulties
they encounter in order to serve their own interest. Why, then, should
they shrink from conflict, self-denial, or any sacrifice in order to obtain
eternal life?
Christ came from the courts of glory to this sin-polluted world
and humbled Himself to humanity. He identified Himself with our
weaknesses and was tempted in all points like as we are. Christ
perfected a righteous character here upon the earth, not on His own
account, for His character was pure and spotless, but for fallen man.
His character He offers to man if he will accept it. The sinner, through
repentance of his sins, faith in Christ, and obedience to the perfect law
of God, has the righteousness of Christ imputed to him; it becomes his
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righteousness, and his name is recorded in the Lamb’s book of life.
He becomes a child of God, a member of the royal family.
Jesus paid an infinite price to redeem the world, and the race
was given into His hands; they became His property. He sacrificed
His honor, His riches, and His glorious home in the royal courts and
became the son of Joseph and Mary. Joseph was one of the humblest
of day laborers. Jesus also worked; he lived a life of hardship and
toil. When His ministry commenced, after His baptism, He endured
an agonizing fast of nearly six weeks. It was not merely the gnawing
pangs of hunger which made His sufferings inexpressibly severe, but
it was the guilt of the sins of the world which pressed so heavily upon
Him. He who knew no sin was made sin for us. With this terrible
weight of guilt upon Him because of our sins He withstood the fearful
test upon appetite, and upon love of the world and of honor, and pride
of display which leads to presumption. Christ endured these three
great leading temptations and overcame in behalf of man, working
out for him a righteous character, because He knew man could not
do this of himself. He knew that upon these three points Satan was
to assail the race. He had overcome Adam, and he designed to carry
forward his work till he completed the ruin of man. Christ entered the
field in man’s behalf to conquer Satan for him because He saw that
man could not overcome on his own account. Christ prepared the way