THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST by George B. Thompson

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Nov 14, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 46.

THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST.

By George B. Thompson

"For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps." 1 Peter 2:21.

IN Christ we have a perfect rule of life; He is man's example in all things. He came to show us how to live, and in His life magnified the precepts of the law. Isa. 42:21. He did no sin. When reviled, He did not revile in return, nor "stand up for His rights." When reviled, buffeted, and spit upon, He "opened not His mouth." When men lied about Him, He did not waste His time running from place to place to have it straightened up; He simply lived the lie down. His life was a complete refutation of all the vilification of His adversaries. He did this for us; He was our example.

Speaking of a certain ordinance, He said, "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." John 13:15. Reader, we believe that Christ is the only perfect rule of life this world has ever had, and that we should follow Him in all things. This is why the writer observes the seventh day as the Sabbath. Jesus kept this day during the whole of His life on earth. "And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and, as His custom was, He went into the synagog on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read." Luke 4:16. Mark you, this was the "custom" of the Saviour. It was the way He lived. Every Sabbath found Him, not at secular work, but resting, and going to the house of worship. Is His example right in this matter? Do we err when we follow the example of Christ in reference to the Sabbath?

The writer was holding a meeting a year or so ago, and a number embraced the Sabbath. During one of our services a clergyman came in, and before the services closed, arose and rebuked us for being so foolish and deluded as to observe the seventh day for the Sabbath. During the course of his conversation I asked him the following questions: Do you believe that Jesus is man's example in all things? No answer. Do you believe that we will do wrong if we do as He did? He evaded the question. I continued: Do you believe that a man will do right every time if he follows the example left by Jesus while here in the world? To my astonishment this professed shepherd of Israel said, "No." He further said: "I know what you are getting at. If I say, Yes, you will ask me why I do not observe the day for the Sabbath which He observed." Shame and pity for him filled my heart, to think that, to escape a plain duty, a professed minister of Christ turned from the example of the Son of God and declared His life not a perfect pattern for us.

I could not refrain from wondering what must be the spiritual status of the congregation over which he ministered. But this was the only way, seemingly, left for him to retreat; for if Jesus is man's example, it is plain that He is our example in Sabbath-keeping, and we should observe the same day that He did,—the seventh day.

And, further, He declares that He is the same "yesterday, and to-day, and forever." Heb. 13:8. We have an unchangeable Saviour, praise the Lord! He is the same now as when He was on earth. Then if He was on earth to-day, He would still keep the same day. This must be true, else He has changed. So, then, if He kept the seventh day when on the earth, and would keep it to-day were He here in the flesh, why should not His children who are here keep the seventh-day Sabbath? He says He is the "Lord even of the Sabbath day." Matt. 12:8.

Reader, will you follow the example of the Saviour in reference to the Sabbath? If not, why not? G. B. THOMPSON.