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Jesus Provided A Model Of Character, November 3
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who
is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:3, 4
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Let your light shine forth in good works. Said Christ, “Ye are the salt of
the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is
thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of
men.” I fear that there are many who are in this condition. All have not the same
work to do; different circumstances and talents qualify individuals for different
kinds of work in God’s vineyard. There are some who fill more responsible
positions than do others; but to each one is given his work, and if he does his work
with fidelity and zeal, he is a faithful steward of the grace of God.
God does not intend that your light shall so shine that your good words or
works shall bring the praise of men to yourself; but that the Author of all good shall
be glorified and exalted. Jesus, in His life, gave to men a model of character. How
little power did the world have over Him to mold Him according to its standard!
All its influence was thrown off. He declared, “My meat is to do the will of him
that sent me, and to finish his work!” If we had this devotion to the work of God,
doing it with an eye single to His glory, we should be able to say with Christ, “I
seek not mine own glory.” His life was full of good works, and it is our duty to live
as our great Example lived. Our life must be hid with Christ in God, and then the
light will be reflected from Jesus to us, and we shall reflect it upon those around
us, not in mere talk and profession, but in good works, and by manifesting the
character of Christ. Those who are reflecting the light of God will cherish a loving
disposition. They will be cheerful, willing, obedient to all the requirements of
God. They will be meek and self-sacrificing, and will work with devoted love for
the salvation of souls....
All who are true lightbearers will reflect light upon the pathway of others. Let
those who have named the name of Christ, depart from all iniquity. If you yield
to the claims of God, and become permeated with His love, and filled with His
fullness, children, youth, and young disciples will look to you for their impressions
of what constitutes practical godliness; and you may thus be the means of leading
them in the path of obedience to God. You will then be exerting an influence
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which will bear the test of God, and your work will be compared to gold, silver,
and precious stones, for it will be of an imperishable nature.
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