Who Is our Pattern? by S. B. Whitney

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 11, 1871

Who Is our Pattern?

By S. B. Whitney

It may seem unnecessary to raise this inquiry, as all Christians admit that Christ is the pattern for all believers; but while this is true, yet he is not the only one, as is shown by Paul’s words in 1 Tim. 1:16: “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”

Here is a point where Infinite Wisdom has seen fit to consider human weakness, by giving us a pattern in the person and experience of a man of like passions as ourselves, that, whereas we might be tempted to think it impossible to conform to the divine standard in this respect, with only the example of the Son of God for a pattern, and therefore excuse ourselves from doing so. We may be reproved for our want of faith, patience, and submission, and be encouraged to endure and overcome, until, as did Paul, we can “rejoice” in our “sufferings,” and “fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ” in our “flesh.” Col. 1:24.

The example of Paul is worthy of imitation, as is also that of the prophets, James 5:10, and, having the divine sanction, is not only commendable but obligatory; and when we are disposed to be “weary in well-doing” or in suffering for Christ’s sake, let us remember the “bonds and afflictions,” “stripes,” “imprisonments,” “perils,” &c., &c., which the apostle endured, and, repenting of our weakness, seek God earnestly for faith and courage to “endure as seeing Him who is invisible.” S. B. WHITNEY.