THE CHRISTIAN'S OBLIGATION TO IMITATE CHRIST'S WALK.
By C. A. O.
“He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk even as he walked.” 1 John ii, 6. The term “to walk” in the sense of this text, refers to the conduct of the individual. “He that saith he abideth” in Christ, means he who professes to be a disciple of Christ. The sentiment, then, of this passage is, that every professed disciple of Christ is bound to imitate him in all his imitable examples. We should do this “lest the light that is in us become darkness.” We must do this in order to be the true representatives of the Saviour. We must do this to prevent men from mistaking the road to death, for the road to heaven.
Let us then for a little while contemplate the manner of Christ’s walk while dwelling among men. First, with reference to the treatment of his enemies. “When he was reviled he reviled not again; when he suffered he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb dumb before his shearers, so he opened not his mouth.” When dying he cried out in behalf of his murderers, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Here then is an example for every disciple to imitate. Are we opposed, persecuted, slandered, insulted? So was Jesus, and much more than this. Yet he endured all his sufferings and insults with meekness and patience. And he has said, “Love your enemies; do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you.” Jesus gave the highest proof of love to us, in that “while we were enemies he died for us.” Reader, it is highly important, if you would receive the forgiveness of your sins, if you would gain a fitness for the kingdom of heaven, that you get all hatred of your fellow men out of your hearts, that you cherish no hard spirit towards those you think have injured you, or those who have really injured you.
Second, his meekness and resignation amid all his trials and sorrows. Though trials beset him on every hand, he exhibited at all times a spirit of perfect meekness. Though poverty was his lot, he complained not. Though his flesh shrunk back in view of the cup he must drink, though he agonized in prayer and said, “O my Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me,” nevertheless, he added, “not my will, but thine be done.” Thus should the disciples of Christ, amidst the poverty, trials and distress of this life, endure with meekness, patience and resignation, these sorrows, looking to Jesus who endured the cross and despised the shame; and more especially those trials that come upon them for Christ’s sake.
Third, his resistance of temptation. Satan strove to draw him from the path of rectitude, but he resisted and overcame the great enemy. “Christ was tempted in all points like as we are yet without sin.” And as “he suffered, being tempted,” “he is able to succor them that are tempted.” Satan is still going about to seduce the people of God from the right way, in a thousand places, presenting baits of honor, wealth, ease, pleasure, &c., but by the grace of God we must contend against him, relying on the word of truth and never yield to any of his unholy influences. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
Fourth, Jesus wept over sinners. At one time as he came near the devoted city of Jerusalem, he wept over it and said, “If thou hadst known, even thou, in this thy day, the things which belong to thy peace, but now they are hid from thine eyes.” “He wept that we might weep.”55How unbecoming, how unlike the Saviour, to spend our time in vain, mirth and folly, while sin continues to curse the earth! while oppression in various forms continues! while man’s inhumanity to man, makes millions mourn! while profanity, Sabbath-breaking, and every form of intemperance still exists in our guilty land! while piety languishes, and the judgments of God hang over our own guilty nation! How becoming that we weep before the Lord in view of the condition and prospects of a guilty world!
Fifth, his condescension and humble spirit. “Though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might become rich.” “The glory he had with the Father before the world was,” he laid aside. “He made himself of no reputation, and humbled himself to death, even the death of the cross.” He was born in a stable, and cradled in a manger. In other years he was a homeless wanderer. He associated much with the poor, and with publicans and sinners. To the poor especially he preached his own gospel. He said truly, “I am meek and lowly in heart.” Here Christian reader, is an example for you and me to imitate, to be lowly in heart as Jesus was, to seek the moral elevation of the poor and the vicious, rather than our own elevation in the esteem of those called great on earth. Then shall we be content to occupy the humble sphere God has designed for us. Then shall we be willing to spend all our time, our influence, our possessions and talents in the service of God and humanity. Then we shall not desire to imitate our proud and fashionable neighbors in buying splendid carriages, building costly houses, or in putting on ornaments or costly clothing, or in procuring superfluities of any kind. We shall then have “the mind which was in Jesus.” We shall feel that we are stewards only of these earthly goods, which we are commanded to occupy upon till the Lord shall come. Yea, we shall feel when we have done all that is commanded us, that we are unprofitable servants, that we have done no more than our duty.
Sixth, his prayerfulness. “The midnight air witnessed the fervor of his prayer.” “He poured out his supplications unto him that was able to save, with strong crying and tears.” What a rebuke to those professors who have no retired place for secret prayer, and but few and faint desires for help from God!
Seventh, his self-denying benevolence. While here on earth he “went about doing good,” healing diseases, removing suffering, comforting the afflicted, preaching truth; and this in the midst of derision and poverty; and finally, he endured the cross and suffered death for man’s salvation. His benevolence was of the self-sacrificing kind. We are commanded to follow him. How then can we be satisfied to live in this world of ignorance, sin and suffering, where so much is to be done to save the lost, to make the accumulation of wealth, the gratification of pride and vanity, the indulgence of appetite, any or all combined, the object of life, and thus seek our own things and not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.
Eighth, Jesus was emphatically “not of this world.” He said of his disciples, “They are not of this world even as I am not of this world.” So should we be. We should seek those things which are above. We should not listen to the vain world’s captivating sights and sounds. We should do nothing through strife or vain glory. We should gratify no vain curiosity, but avoid all associations that would have a tendency to turn our thoughts away from duty, and communion with God. May we follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, and finally reign with him.
C. A. O.