RESISTING THE HONOR OF MEN.
SO natural is it for man to desire self-aggrandizement that comparatively few can resist the temptation of an opportunity. However, history reveals here and there a noble exception. One of these was John the Baptist, the forerunner and messenger of Christ. Among the Jewish people there could be no higher conception of honor and power on earth than would fall to the expected Messiah, even with their limited human idea of what He would be. There was a time when John could have secured a very large following by claiming to be the Messiah. True, his humble appearance was against him, but he could have changed that, and, had he been inclined to yield to the temptation of self-exaltation, would have done so. A sudden change in this respect would have added much to his opportunity. Despite his garb and manner of life, so fearless and powerful were his words of exhortation and reproof, that the people questioned whether he were not the Christ. In fact, he was obliged to declare, and to reiterate in positive terms, that he was not the Christ, in order to dissuade some of the people; and his own disciples manifested some disappointment because he did not contest the growing influence of the Galilean whom he had baptized, and introduced as the Lamb of God. One thing that would have given John advantage in his day, as it would to-day, is the fact that, had he made such a claim, he would have been an impostor. The great adversary of Christ has a wonderful influence over the natural mind, which was manifest in the apostasy of Israel, and their being swayed from the Word of God to the obedience of human—or, rather, satanic—tradition. For all human tradition that controverts the Word of God is inspired by this adversary. And in a time of special crisis, as at the advent of Christ, he could have thrown a powerful influence to such a gifted impostor. Moreover, he has a special desire to secure the service of men who have been effective as instruments for the truth; and, as the second advent of Christ approaches, it is not surprising to see influential and gifted clergymen and teachers opposing the preparation for it. Nor is it surprising that all manner of impostors are being injected into the field to deceive the people, and to "draw away disciples." The time was propitious for John; it was a time of universal peace politically, and the world was off guard. The freedom of the people is indicated by the fact that John could emerge from the wilderness, and create such a popular sensation without arousing any apparent suspicion on the part of the government. "Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan." But how came John to resist so great a temptation to self-exaltation?—There are three prominent reasons indicated in the Word: (1) "The hand of the Lord was with him." (2) His simple, temperate life kept him in a condition where the Spirit could control him. (3) He was reared away from the temptations of city life, having learned none of the arts of the higher social sets, and had not been in contact with the allurements of business or political circles. So, when he appeared before the public, inured to hardship by privation, endowed with wisdom acquired in the school of nature under the instruction of the Spirit through the Word of God, he knew only his God-given message. He went only as "the prophet of the Highest," going "before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins." It was of such a man, one whose purpose was single to the mission of his life, that Christ could say, "Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist." Such is the character of the one chosen to herald the first advent of Christ; will any less degree of self-denial, humility of heart, and singleness of purpose serve to effectually proclaim His final appearing in glory, unto the judgment of the great day of the Lord? The fidelity of John cost him a foul imprisonment4and the loss of his head; shall we, in face of the great consummation, shrink from any consequence that may come to faithful adherence to the Gospel work? When Christ was fulfilling His earthly mission He said, "I receive not honor from men." "If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing." Then, any desire for self-exaltation in the work of the Lord must come to nothing.