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The Sanctified Life
lives, but to save them” (
verses 55, 56
). John and his fellow disciples
were in a school in which Christ was teacher. Those who were ready
to see their own defects, and were anxious to improve in character, had
ample opportunity. John treasured every lesson and constantly sought
to bring his life into harmony with the Divine Pattern. The lessons of
Jesus, setting forth meekness, humility, and love as essential to growth
in grace, and a fitness for his work, were of the highest value to John.
These lessons are addressed to us as individuals and as brethren in the
church, as well as to the first disciples of Christ.
John and Judas
An instructive lesson may be drawn from the striking contrast
between the character of John and that of Judas. John was a living
illustration of sanctification. On the other hand, Judas possessed a
form of godliness, while his character was more satanic than divine.
He professed to be a disciple of Christ, but in words and in works
denied Him.
Judas had the same precious opportunities as had John to study
and to imitate the Pattern. He listened to the lessons of Christ, and his
character might have been transformed by divine grace. But while John
was earnestly warring against his own faults and seeking to assimilate
to Christ, Judas was violating his conscience, yielding to temptation,
[60]
and fastening upon himself habits of dishonesty that would transform
him into the image of Satan.
These two disciples represent the Christian world. All profess to be
Christ’s followers; but while one class walk in humility and meekness,
learning of Jesus, the other show that they are not doers of the word,
but hearers only. One class are sanctified through the truth; the other
know nothing of the transforming power of divine grace. The former
are daily dying to self, and are overcoming sin. The latter are indulging
their own lusts, and becoming the servants of Satan.
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