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Selected Messages Book 1
crucified for their sins. They know that they are to wash their robes of
character in His blood, to find acceptance with the Father in His name,
if they would be in the bright assembly of the saints, clothed in the
white robes of righteousness.
One in Christ
Then as the children of God are one in Christ, how does Jesus
look upon caste, upon society distinctions, upon the division of man
from his fellow man, because of color, race, position, wealth, birth, or
attainments? The secret of unity is found in the equality of believers
in Christ. The reason for all division, discord, and difference is found
in separation from Christ. Christ is the center to which all should
be attracted; for the nearer we approach the center, the closer we
shall come together in feeling, in sympathy, in love, growing into the
character and image of Jesus. With God there is no respect of persons.
Jesus knew the worthlessness of earthly pomp, and He gave no at-
tention to its display. In His dignity of soul, His elevation of character,
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His nobility of principle, He was far above the vain fashions of the
world. Although the prophet describes Him as “despised and rejected
of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (
Isaiah 53:3
), He
might have been esteemed as the highest among the noble of the earth.
The best circles of human society would have courted Him, had He
condescended to accept their favor, but He desired not the applause of
men, but moved independent of all human influence. Wealth, position,
worldly rank in all its varieties and distinctions of human greatness,
were all but so many degrees of littleness to Him who had left the
honor and glory of heaven, and who possessed no earthly splendor,
indulged in no luxury, and displayed no adornment but humility.
The lowly, those bound with poverty, pressed with care, burdened
with toil, could find no reason in His life and example which would
lead them to think that Jesus was not acquainted with their trials, knew
not the pressure of their circumstances, and could not sympathize with
them in their want and sorrow. The lowliness of His humble, daily life
was in harmony with His lowly birth and circumstances. The Son of
the infinite God, the Lord of life and glory, descended in humiliation
to the life of the lowliest, that no one might feel himself excluded from
His presence. He made Himself accessible to all. He did not select a