Christ our Exemplar. 7
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If we shall be conformed to Him in glory—how logical it is that we should now conform ourselves to Him in holiness. "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2), like Him not only in our souls—but our bodies, too, will be transformed like unto His (Phil. 3:21). What a motive is this to bring us into conformity with Christ here, especially seeing that our conformity to Him in holiness—is the evidence of our conformity to Him in Glory (Romans 6:5). The conformity of our lives to Christ is our highest excellence in this world, for the measure of our grace is to be estimated by this rule. So far as we imitate Christ, and no farther, are we of any real help and benefit to those around us! Contrariwise, the less we are conformed to Christ, the greater hindrances and stumbling blocks are we both to the saved and unsaved. What a weighty and solemn consideration is this! How it should drive us to our knees, seeking grace to become closer followers of Christ.
"That you would walk worthy of God—who has called you unto His kingdom and glory" (1 Thess. 2:12). By "worthiness" the Apostle had no reference to what is meritorious—but to that loveliness and decorum which befits a Christian. As Davenant has pointed out, "The word 'worthy' as used in Scripture does not always denote an exact proportion of equality between one thing and another—but a certain suitableness and fitness which excludes inconsistency." Now to walk worthy of God is to walk as Christ walked, and any deviation from that standard is a reflection upon our profession, and a reproach upon Him. It is for our own peace and joy, that we be conformed to Christ's pattern—the answer of a good conscience and the smile of God's approbation are rich compensation for denying the flesh. A comfortable death is the ordinary end of a holy life, "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright—for the end of that man is peace" (Psalm 37:37). Then let us make every effort unto a closer following of Christ.
In drawing to a CONCLUSION let us seek to pen a few lines of comfort to those who are cast down by the realization of how far, far short they come to measuring up to the standard which Christ has set before them. According to the yearnings of the new nature, you have sincerely endeavored to follow Christ's example, but being weak in grace and meeting with much opposition from the flesh and temptations from the Devil, you have been frequently turned aside from the holy purposes and designs of your honest hearts, to the great grief and discouragement of your souls. You can heartily say with David, "O that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes!" (Psalm 119:5), and you have tried hard and long to follow after exact holiness, "If by any means" you might attain unto it. But your efforts have been repeatedly thwarted, your aspirations dashed and you have to cry "O wretched man that I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin?" (Romans 7:24).
First, let us assure the genuinely exercised soul, that such defects in obedience do not invalidate your justification, or in any way affect your acceptance with and standing before God. Your justification is built not upon your obedience—but upon Christ's. However imperfect you are in yourself, you are "complete in Him" (Col. 2:10). Woe had it been to Abraham, Moses, David, and Paul—if their justification had depended upon their own holiness and good works. Let not, then, your sad failures dampen your joy in Christ—but rather be increasingly thankful for His robe of righteousness which hides your filthy rags!
Second, your heart-anguish over your unlikeness to Christ, evidences that you have a sincere acquaintance with your heart, a deep loathing of sin, and truly love God. The most eminent saints have made the bitterest lamentation on this account, "My sins have flooded over my head; they are a burden too heavy for me to bear. My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness!" (Psalm 38:4-5)
Third, the Holy Spirit makes an excellent use of your infirmities, and turns your failures unto your spiritual advantages. By those very defects—He humbles you, subdues your self-righteousness, causes you to appreciate more deeply the riches of free grace, and to place a higher value upon the precious blood of the Lamb. By your many falls—He makes you to long more ardently for Heaven—and gradually reconciles you to the prospect of death. The more a holy soul is buffeted by sin and Satan—the more sincerely will he cry out, "Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest!" (Psalm 55:6). "O the blessed chemistry of Heaven, to extract such mercies—out of such miseries!" (John Flavel), to make sweet flowers—spring up out of such bitter roots!
Fourth, your bewailed infirmities do not break the bond of the Everlasting Covenant! That holds firm, notwithstanding your many defects and corruptions. "Iniquities prevail against me" said David—yet in the same breath he added, "You shall purge them away!" (Psalm 65:3)
Fifth, though the defects of your obedience are grievous to God—yet your deep sorrows for them are well-pleasing in His sight, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit—a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise!" (Psalm 51:17)
Sixth, your very grief is a conformity to Christ—for when here He was "the Man of sorrows." If He suffered because of our sins—shall we not be made to weep over them?
Seventh, "Though God has left many defects to humble you—yet He has given many things to comfort you. This is a comfort—that your sins are not your delight as once they were—but your shame and sorrow! This is a comfort—that your case is not singular, but more or less the same complaints and sorrows are found in all gracious souls in the world!" (John Flavel, to whom we are indebted for much of the above).
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