ARE WE CHRISTIANS? by Parrie L. H. Roberson

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 16, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 36.

ARE WE CHRISTIANS?

By Parrie L. H. Roberson

BY PARRIE L. H. ROBERSON.

ALL will admit that, to be a true Christian, one must be Christlike, and if we are such, our life and character will be like unto those of Christ. Let us study some of the leading characteristics of his life while here upon earth.

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." He came to seek and save that which was lost. He went about doing good. "He pleased not himself." His times were in the hands of his Father. No earthly possessions were his; at night, with weary feet and throbbing temples, he had not where to lay his sacred head. He was "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." Traveling on foot over the rough hill country of Judea, he lifted up the fallen, ministered unto the sick, spoke words of comfort to the broken hearted, and loosed those who had long been bound by the cruel power of Satan; and as many as touched him with the finger of faith were healed of their infirmities. He was more patient and tender than the most affectionate mother, more considerate than any earthly father, the kindest master, the wisest

counselor, and the mightiest warrior that ever trod this sin-cursed earth.

Christ, the meek and lowly Nazarene, was the greatest search light this world has ever seen. For more than a quarter of a century his steady, burning rays pierced the darkest gloom; yet how few appreciated that glorious light from God's own hand! His words, like the rays of the sun, enlightened and melted at the same moment, revealing all the hidden machinery of the mind, all the mystery of its divine relations and future progression.

Wonderful is the fervent self-forgetfulness which characterized the life of our divine Saviour. How nobly unselfish of him to leave the glorious kingdom of his Father, the society of holy angels, and the pure and life-giving atmosphere of heaven, to come to this wretched world of misery and death, for our sakes! His great charitable soul was filled with beautiful compassion for the weak and erring.

Mortal tongue and pen are inadequate to express the divine sublimity and grandeur of his faithful ministry here upon earth. His patient endurance was miraculous in the extreme. "He was bruised for our iniquities," "and with his stripes we are healed." "He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter," yet "he opened not his mouth." If his physical sufferings were great, his mental agony and heartache were greater. He was "exceeding sorrowful, even unto death."

For others' guilt The Man of Sorrows wept in blood.

Cruel wretches mocked and spit upon the Majesty of heaven. Then, in order to satisfy their fiendish desire, he was scourged and led away and cruelly nailed upon the cross, between two thieves; yet not one murmur of complaint escaped his sacred lips, and his last prayer was for his persecutors. His life bore fruits of a heart filled with the very essence of unselfish love and patient forbearance.

The perfect character of our Redeemer is beautifully portrayed all through written inspiration.

But are we striving to show our appreciation of his noble example of self-sacrifice by doing deeds of kindness every day? Are we willing to sacrifice our own pleasure for that of others? Are we doing all we possibly can to relieve the suffering? Are we patient with the erring, and willing to suffer for Christ's sake? If so, then are we worthy of the name Christian. It means something to be a real Christian; it means that we must live a godly life; and we are plainly told in 2 Tim. 3: 12 that all such shall suffer persecution. And our Saviour tells us to "rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven."

But the carnal heart cannot rejoice in afflictions. It can covet that great "reward in heaven," but will never receive it. Therefore we must have a change of heart before we can be real Christians. Shall we have it? "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him." 2 Tim. 2: 12. Surely this should inspire every soul who wears the name of Christ to "cast earth's transient joys behind," and let not "sore afflictions and trials dismay."

St. Helena, Cal.