Christ our Exemplar. 6

First, if all who claim a saving interest in Christ are strictly bound to imitate Him, then it follows that Christianity is very unjustly charged by the world with the evils and scandals of empty professors. Nothing can be more unrighteous and unreasonable, for Christianity severely censures loose and scandalous actions in all professors and therefore is not to be blamed for them. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:11, 12). Really, it is an argument greatly in favor of Christianity, that even wicked men covet the name of it, though they only cloak their sins under it.

Second, if all professors forfeit their claim to a saving interest in Christ, who do not endeavor to sincerely and earnestly imitate Him in the holiness of His life—then how small a number of real Christians are there in the world! If flowery talking without strict walking, if common profession without holy practice, if Church membership without denying self and treading the Narrow Way, were sufficient to constitute a Christian—then a considerable percentage of earth's population would be entitled to that name. But if Christ owns none but those who follow the example that He has left—then His flock is indeed a little one. The vast majority of those who claim to be Christians have a name to live—but are dead (Rev. 3:1), being such as walk after the flesh, following the course of this world and yielding their members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin (Romans 6:13). The demands of Christ are too rigid for them—they prefer the Broad Road where the majority are found.

Third, what blessed times we would witness, if true Christianity once generally obtained and prevailed in the world! How it would humble the proud, meeken the self-willed, and spiritualize those that are carnal! A perverse world has often charged Christianity with being the cause of all the tumults which are in it; whereas nothing but pure Christianity, in the power of it, can cure those epidemics of evil! If the great majority of our fellows were regenerated by the Spirit and brought to walk after Christ in holiness, living in meekness and self-denial, then would our prisons be closed—armies and navies would be done away with, jealousies and animosities would be removed, the wilderness and solitary places would be be glad, and the desert would rejoice and blossom as the rose. That is what constitutes the great difference between Heaven and a world that lies in the WickedOne—holiness is the very atmosphere of the former, whereas it is hated and banned here.

Fourth, it also follows that real Christians are the best companions. It is a blessed thing to consort with those who are genuinely seeking to follow the examples of Christ, for the holiness, heavenly-mindedness, and spiritual graces which were in Him, in their measure, are to be found in all true disciples of His. They show forth the praises of Him who has called them out of darkness into light. Something of the fruit of the Spirit is to be seen in all those whom He indwells. Yet it must be remembered, that there is a great deal of difference between one Christian and another—and that the best Christian, is sanctified but in part.

If there is something engaging and sweet, there is also that which is distasteful and bitter in the most spiritual and mature saints. This it is which gives us occasion to forbear one another in love. Nevertheless, this is most certain, that notwithstanding all their infirmities and corruptions, the Lord's people are the best companions to be found on this earth. Happy are they who are now enjoying fellowship with those in whom can be discerned the likeness of Christ.

Fifth, if no man's claim to being Christ's is warranted, except so far as he is walking according to Him, then how groundless and worthless are the expectation of all unsanctified people who walk after their own lusts. "None are more forward to claim the privileges of religion than those that reject the duties of it. Multitudes hope to be saved by Christ, who yet refuse to be governed by Him. But such hopes have no Scripture warrant to support them; yes, they have many Scripture testimonies against them. 'Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.' (1 Cor 6:9, 10). O how many thousand vain hopes are laid in the dust, and how many thousand souls are sentenced to Hell by this one Scripture!" (John Flavel, 1660).

Then how it behooves those of us who profess to be Christian—to be not conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. How we should strive to follow Christ's steps. That should be the great business of our lives, as it is the chief scope of the Gospel. If Christ has conformed Himself to us by taking upon Him our nature, how reasonable it is that we should conform ourselves to Him in a way of obedience and sanctification. He came under the Law for our sakes (Gal. 4:4), then the least we can do in return is to gladly take His yoke upon us. It was Christ'sabasement to conform Himself to those who were infinitely beneath Him—it will be our advancement to conform ourselves to Him who is so high above us. Surely the love of Christ must constrain us to spare no efforts to "grow up into Him in all things" (Eph. 4:15).

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