The Perfect Pattern by Lydia J. Shaw

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 28, 1863

The Perfect Pattern.

By Lydia J. Shaw

“THERE is no friend like Jesus, So gentle, kind, and true; This Friend is always near us, And sees whate’er we do.”

Dear reader, do you want an example, beautiful, safe, heavenly, perfect as perfect can be, without spot, blemish, or any such thing—a pattern to imitate in all you think, say, and do—calculated to make you happy here, and happy in the new earth? Where will you look for such a pattern? Where will you find it? On earth? No. There have been great men, good men, wise men—very great, good, and wise—from the days of Enoch until now; but where, among all the sons and daughters of Adam, can we point you to one, even one, that would be safe to imitate in all things? The greatest, wisest, and best men on earth have nothing save what God gives them, and are subject to like passions as we are, liable to err and mistake in judgment. They have nothing good or praiseworthy save that received. If the greatest, wisest, and best men that ever lived were unsafe guides, where shall we look for a safe and perfect pattern, one that it is safe to follow always, everywhere, but the footsteps of our blessed Saviour?

Yes, that is it. Look to Jesus, the bright image of his Father, full of grace and truth. The voice from the excellent glory said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” One great design in his assuming our nature was to set us a perfect example in all things. Holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners, Christ was a perfect pattern from his childhood; perfect in patience, in meekness, in love, in humility, in self-denial, in doing good, in submission. All the Christian graces were in him and abounded—“love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance; against which there is no law.” Is it not safe and wise to imitate Jesus in all these things? He gave himself for us that he might redeem us from iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. He teaches us that denying ungodliness and worldly lust we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present evil world.

We must be like Jesus. Like him in prayer—the stillness of night and early morn witnessed his earnest supplication for his disciples. Like him in teaching—the hearts of his disciples burned within them, and their souls were quickened at his words. Like him by the way—ever uttering words of kindness and comfort to all who came to him troubled. Like him in good works—at all times doing the will of our Father in heaven. Like him in knowledge—possessing the knowledge of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps; who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to Him who judgeth righteously. 1 Pet. ii, 21-23.

Reader, will you take this blessed Jesus for your example? Strive to imitate him in all things. Follow him through evil report, and good report. He invites you freely: “I love them that love me, and they that seek me shall find me,” saith the Lord. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments; but who so keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected. Will you not imitate the example that Jesus has set us, heed the admonitions of our great Teacher, and follow on to know the Lord, whom to know aright is life eternal? LYDIA J. SHAW. Strykerville, N. Y.