The Spirit of Christ by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 20, 1913

The Spirit of Christ

By F. M. W.

“Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Rom. 8:9. There has ever existed in connection with the church a class of professed Christians who, disregarding the plain requirements of God’s truth, claim to receive authority for such a course of action from a higher source than the Word,—to be guided directly by the Spirit of Christ. In Luther’s day this class, with Thomas Munzer at its head, came near ruining the cause of truth by its fanaticism; and had it not been for the providential return of Luther from the Wartburg, a far different mold might have been given to the work of reform.

The same class exists in the world to-day. In it are men who, tired of restraint placed upon them by the truth of God, seek an easier way of Christian living than the path marked out by the lowly Man of Nazareth. To them the Word of God in its plain, literal sense has no meaning. Like Origen, they seek for its hidden, spiritual signification, revealed, they say, directly to them by the Spirit of Christ. They cry with Munzer, “The Spirit, the Spirit!” But when we see their inconsistent lives and actions, and witness their ruthless rejection of truth simply because it condemns their wrong course, we feel to exclaim, as did Luther: “Most assuredly we will not follow where their spirit leads them.”

“He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:6. Here is the test of man’s relationship to God. It is not his lofty professions nor the piety accorded him by his brethren, but the fact that he walks in the ways of the Lord, which marks him as the child of God. He who has the Spirit of Christ will be Christlike. He will do as Christ did, and walk as he walked. Let us note a few of the many characteristics of the life and walk of Jesus, and determine, if possible, what fruits will appear in the life of him who is led by the Spirit.

Christ kept the law of the Lord. He says, through his Spirit: “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” Ps. 40:8. This delight in the commands of God led him to regard each of the ten great precepts of equal importance and obligation. If the Spirit that was in Jesus led him to keep the law, and that same Spirit is in us, will not the principles of the law dwell in our hearts and govern our lives likewise?

Christ was “meek and lowly in heart.” Matt. 11:29. Meek means to be “submissive to the divine will, gentle, yielding, unswerving, and humble.” He who has the Spirit of Christ will manifest the fruit of meekness in his life. Gal. 5:23. He will not be proud and boastful, holding his own opinions in opposition to the plain “Thus saith the Lord,” exalting self and his own righteousness, but will be “submissive to the divine will,” “humble,” and “yielding,” even though the truth of God may cut across his way and condemn his course. He will not compromise with evil, but will be “unswerving” for God and right, anxious to know the way of the Lord, and delighting to walk therein.

He who has the Spirit of Christ will manifest a forgiving disposition. When wronged by others, spit upon, and reviled, he will be enabled to say, as did Jesus when suffering at the hands of cruel men, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” He will not hold for years some old grudge against a brother in the church, but will forgive even as he expects Christ to forgive him. Mark 11:25. He will go even farther than this. If he knows that his brother has aught against him, he will go to that brother and try to effect a reconciliation. Matt. 5:23, 24. It is only by complying with these conditions that God has promised to hear the prayer of the suppliant.

The Spirit of Christ will be shown in his followers through their missionary efforts. Christ “went about doing good,” and all who are actuated by his Spirit will do as he did. It may not be to preach the gospel in foreign lands, nor to contribute thousands of dollars to the support of missions; but every man who has the love of Jesus burning in his soul, will, according to his several ability, help swell the tide of missionary effort. Christ has given to every man his work. Mark 13:34. Each should determine where his place is in the work of God. Nor is it alone to strangers that the missionary spirit will be shown, but in the home and among friends as well. Helping the weary wife or mother in her duties, making the home pleasant for the tired husband or father, reclaiming with gentle words the backslidden son or daughter, are only a few of the many ways in which the Spirit of Christ will manifest itself in him who is guided thereby.

As the artist can produce a better picture by closely studying the scene before him, so may the Christian better model his character after the divine image by carefully studying the great Example. We become like that about which we think. As a man thinketh, so is he. Like begets like. The man whose mind continually runs in a low channel of thought will become low in nature. But he who is endeavoring by a right course of action to climb upward toward God, will almost unconsciously to himself approach so near to the Source of light that, permeated and transformed by the divine rays, his life will become like the life of God, and on his heart will be painted the living image of Christ our Lord.

Do you wish to become like Jesus? Study his life and character. Meditate upon his wondrous words of instruction. Treasure up his teachings in your heart; live them out in your life. Think of Jesus, talk of Jesus, act like Jesus. Do in all things just as Jesus would do under similar circumstances. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31. Do this, and his Spirit will come into your heart in unstinted measure; and in your life will be manifest that love of God, that loyalty to every principle of right, which is in him who is the way, and the truth, and the life. F. M. W.