Christian Character
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his commandments” (
1 John 5:3
). The child who loves his parents will
show that love by willing obedience; but the selfish, ungrateful child
seeks to do as little as possible for his parents, while he at the same
time desires to enjoy all the privileges granted to the obedient and
faithful. The same difference is seen among those who profess to be
children of God. Many who know that they are the objects of His love
and care, and who desire to receive His blessing, take no delight in
doing His will. They regard God’s claims upon them as an unpleasant
restraint, His commandments as a grievous yoke. But he who is truly
seeking for holiness of heart and life delights in the law of God, and
mourns only that he falls so far short of meeting its requirements.
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We are commanded to love one another as Christ has loved us. He
has manifested His love by laying down His life to redeem us. The
beloved disciple says that we should be willing to lay down our lives
for the brethren. For “every one that loveth him that begat loveth him
also that is begotten of him” (
verse 1
). If we love Christ, we shall love
those who resemble Him in life and character. And not only so, but
we shall love those who have “no hope,” and are “without God in the
world” (
Ephesians 2:12
). It was to save sinners that Christ left His
home in heaven and came to earth to suffer and to die. For this He
toiled and agonized and prayed, until, heartbroken and deserted by
those He came to save, He poured out His life on Calvary.
Imitating the Pattern
Many shrink from such a life as our Saviour lived. They feel that it
requires too great a sacrifice to imitate the Pattern, to bring forth fruit
in good works, and then patiently endure the pruning of God that they
may bring forth more fruit. But when the Christian regards himself
as only a humble instrument in the hands of Christ, and endeavors to
faithfully perform every duty, relying upon the help which God has
promised, then he will wear the yoke of Christ and find it easy; then he
will bear burdens for Christ, and pronounce them light. He can look
up with courage and with confidence, and say, “I know whom I have
believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have
committed unto him” (
2 Timothy 1:12
).
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If we meet obstacles in our path, and faithfully overcome them;
if we encounter opposition and reproach, and in Christ’s name gain