The Love of the Redeemer.
By Ellen G. White
THE life of Christ was characterized by disinterested benevolence. Precious Saviour! What sacrifices has he made for us that we should not perish but have everlasting life. Heaven will be cheap enough if we resign every selfish interest to obtain it. Can we afford to have our own way and take ourselves out of the hands of God because it is more pleasing to our nature? God requires a perfect submission and perfect obedience. Eternal life is worth everything to us. We may come in close connection with God if we will agonize to enter into the strait gate. The Saviour of the world was the adored of the angels, he was a prince in the royal courts of Heaven. But he laid aside his glory and clothed his divinity with humanity. He became the meek and lowly Jesus. His riches and glory he left in Heaven, and he became poor that we, through his poverty, might be made rich. Three years he was going from place to place, a homeless wanderer. But selfish men will repine and murmur if called to leave their little earthly treasure for Christ's sake, or to labor in the work of saving souls for whom Christ gave his precious life. Oh, what ingratitude! No one can appreciate the blessings of redemption unless he feels that he can joyfully afford to make any and every sacrifice for the love of Christ. Every sacrifice made for Christ enriches the giver, and every suffering and privation endured for his dear sake increases the overcomer's final joy in Heaven. We know but little of real sacrifice and genuine denial of self. We have had but little experience in hardships compared to those of Christ. The young man who asked Jesus what he should do that he might have eternal life, was answered “Keep the commandments.” He confidently and proudly replied, “All these have I kept from my youth up. What lack I yet?” Jesus looked pityingly upon the young man, he loved him and he knew the words which he spoke would separate him from himself forever. Nevertheless Jesus touches the plague-spot of his soul. He says to the young man, “Go sell that thou hast and give to the poor, take up thy cross and follow me and thou shalt have treasure in heaven.” The young man wanted Heaven but not enough to withdraw his affection from his earthly treasure. He refused to yield to the conditions required by God in order to enter into life. He was very sorrowful, for he had great possessions which he thought were too valuable to exchange for eternal rewards. He had asked what he must do to be saved and the answer had been given. But his worldly heart could not make the sacrifice of his wealth to become Christ's disciple. His decision was to give up heaven and to cling to his earthly treasure. How many are now making the very same decision which fixed the destiny of this young man. Have we any of us an opportunity of doing something for Christ, how eagerly should we seize it and with the greatest earnestness do all we can to be co-workers with him. The very trials that task our faith most severely, and make it seem that God has forsaken us, are to lead us more closely to Christ, that we may lay all our burdens at his feet and experience the peace he will give us in exchange.