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We Are Not to Glory in Ourselves, August 16
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and
knoweth me, that I am the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:24
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All boasting of merit in ourselves is out of place
The command is not, Let him that glorieth glory in himself, but in
God.... There is, then, no ground for men to take glory to themselves. For
every blessing which they enjoy, for every good quality which they possess,
they are indebted to the grace of Christ. None should exalt themselves as
possessing wisdom or righteousness....
Those who have the deepest experience in the things of God, are the
farthest removed from pride or self-exaltation. They have the humblest
thought of self, and the most exalted conceptions of the glory and excel-
lence of Christ.... When we have our eyes fixed upon heaven, and have
clear views of the character of Christ, we shall exalt the Lord God in our
hearts.
As one becomes acquainted with the history of the Redeemer, he
discovers in himself serious defects; his unlikeness to Christ is so great
that he sees the necessity for radical changes in his life. Still he studies
with a desire to become like his great Exemplar. He catches the looks, the
spirit, of his beloved Master. By beholding ... he becomes changed into
the same image.
It is not by looking away from Him that we imitate the life of Jesus,
but by talking of Him, by dwelling upon His perfections, by seeking to
refine the taste and elevate the character, by trying, through faith and love,
and by earnest, persevering effort, to approach the perfect Pattern. By
having a knowledge of Christ,—His words, His habits, and His lessons of
instruction,—we borrow the virtues of the character we have so closely
studied, and become imbued with the spirit we have so much admired.
Jesus becomes to us “the chiefest among ten thousand,” the One “altogether
lovely.
[236]
31
Christ’s Object Lessons 401
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32
The Review and Herald, March 15, 1887
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243