Character of John
39
A New Creature Through Grace
The confiding love and unselfish devotion manifested in the life
and character of John present lessons of untold value to the Christian
church. Some may represent him as possessing this love independent
of divine grace; but John had, by nature, serious defects of character;
he was proud and ambitious, and quick to resent slight and injury.
The depth and fervor of John’s affection for his Master was not the
cause of Christ’s love for him, but the effect of that love. John desired
to become like Jesus, and under the transforming influence of the love
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of Christ, he became meek and lowly of heart. Self was hid in Jesus.
He was closely united to the Living Vine, and thus became a partaker
of the divine nature. Such will ever be the result of communion with
Christ. This is true sanctification.
There may be marked defects in the character of an individual, yet
when he becomes a true disciple of Jesus, the power of divine grace
makes him a new creature. Christ’s love transforms, sanctifies him.
But when persons profess to be Christians, and their religion does not
make them better men and better women in all the relations of life—
living representatives of Christ in disposition and character—they are
none of His.
Lessons in Character Building
At one time John engaged in a dise with several of his brethren as
to which of their number should be accounted greatest. They did not
intend their words to reach the ear of the Master; but Jesus read their
hearts, and embraced the opportunity to give His disciples a lesson of
humility. It was not only for the little group who listened to His words,
but was to be recorded for the benefit of all His followers to the close
of time. “And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them,
If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant
of all” (
Mark 9:35
).
Those who possess the spirit of Christ will have no ambition to
occupy a position above their brethren. It is those who are small in
their own eyes who will be accounted great in the sight of God. “And
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he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had
taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive