Christ our Exemplar. 4

Christ was uniformly holy—at one time and place as well as another. The same even tenor of holiness ran through the whole of His life from first to last—so should it be with His followers, "As He who has called you is holy—so be holy in all you do" (1 Peter 1:15). Alas, what inconsistencies we have to bemoan—one part of our life heavenly, another earthly!

Christ was exemplary holy—a pattern to all that came near Him, so that even those sent to arrest Him had to return to their masters and say "never man spoke as this Man." And we are to imitate Him in this respect. The Thessalonian saints were commended because they "were examples to all who believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the Word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia—but also in every place your faith to Godwards is spread abroad" (1 Thess. 1:7, 8). Let none go out of your company, Christian reader, without their being either convicted or edified.

Christ was strictly holy—"Who of you convicts Me of sin?" was His challenge. The most observing and unfriendly eye could pick no flaw in His actions. It is our duty to imitate Christ in this, too, "That you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world" (Phil. 2:15).

Second, the obedience of Christ to His Father's will is a pattern for the Christian's emulation, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus . . . who became obedient unto death" (Phil. 2:5, 8).

Now Christ's obedience was free and voluntary, not forced and compulsory. "Then said I, Lo, I come . . . I delight to do Your will, O My God" (Psalm 40:7, 8). Nor did He waver, later, when suffering so grievously in the discharge of that will, "Therefore does My Father love Me, because I lay down My life" (John 10:17). So the Christian is to follow the steps of Christ, doing nothing grudgingly and counting not God's commands to be grievous. Our obedience must be rendered cheerfully if it is to be acceptable.

Christ's obedience was unreserved and entire, declining no part of His Father's will. See His perfect submission in Gethsemane. Here, too, he has left us an example—we are to do the most unpleasant task which God assigns us. Happy the Christian who can say with the Apostle "for I am ready not to be bound only—but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 21:13).

The obedience of Christ was entirely unselfish. It was wrought for no selfish ends—but for the glory of God, "I have glorified You on the earth—I have finished the work which You gave Me to do" (John 17:4). Christ sought no honor from men—but the great desire of His soul was "Father, glorify Yourname" (John 12:28). This quality must also characterize our obedience, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Phil. 2:4).

The streams of Christ's obedience flowed from the fountain of love to God. "But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do" (John 14:31). Let this also be true of us, for loveless obedience is of no value in the sight of God.

The obedience of Christ was constant, continuing unto His very last breath. A being not weary in well-doing is required of us, "Be faithful unto death" (Rev. 2:10).

Third, the self-denial of Christ is the pattern for the believer, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matt. 16:24).

Though there is to be a resemblance, there can be no exact equivalent. "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich—yet for your sakes He became poor" (2 Cor. 8:9). Who can gauge what Christ, for the glory of God and the love which He bore to the elect, gave up for us? How utterly trivial in comparison, is the greatest sacrifice we are called upon to make! Christ was under no obligation whatever to deny Himself for us—but He has placed us under the strongest obligations to deny ourselves for His sake. Though under no obligation, He denied Himself readily, making no objection to the severest part of it. Then let it not be said of us, "Everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 2:21). Let not SELF be loved, petted, pitied, pampered and indulged—rather renounce and mortify it, and make the pleasing and glorifying Christ your only business.

Fourth, the activity and diligence of Christ in fulfilling the work of God committed unto Him, was a pattern for all believers to imitate. It is said of Him, that "He went about doing good" (Acts 10:39), and what a glorious work He accomplished in so short a time!—a work which will be celebrated to all eternity by the praises of the redeemed. It was a work upon which His heart was intently set, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me." It was a work under which He never fainted, despite the greatest discouragements and opposition.

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