For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
Even Christ did not live to please Himself by seeking His own pleasure, comfort, ease, or advantage, but lived for the good of others. He left the honor, riches, and glory of heaven, emptied Himself and took the form of a servant, becoming poor so that fallen people might become rich and become sons and daughters of God. Though pure and without sin, He took humanity's place and bore the guilt, reproach, and penalty due for breaking God's law, taking upon Himself the reproaches directed against God and the Father. Therefore those who are strong ought not to please themselves but to bear the infirmities of the weak and please their neighbor for his good to edification. To be Christian is to be Christlike in this same way, denying self daily, taking up the cross, and spending time, strength, and means in unselfish service instead of self-gratification and pursuit of pleasure.
Meaning of Pleased Not Himself
Christ did not live to please Himself, seeking His own pleasure, comfort, ease, advantage, or benefit, but lived for the good of others. He did not seek His own comfort or advantage or to live for His own ease, but accepted and bore the reproach directed against God and the Father. Reproaching the Lord's servants falls upon Christ Himself, so those who claim to serve God must stop finding fault and criticism of others. His self-denying example calls those who are strong to bear with the infirmities and weaknesses of others and to seek a neighbor's good to edification and spiritual growth rather than pleasing themselves. This is the pattern for a shepherd's tender care for the flock, especially the tempted, afflicted, desponding, and discouraged, putting aside self-indulgence to bear with others in love and unity.
His not pleasing Himself was a life of disinterested love, pure benevolence and unselfishness, meek and lowly in heart. It was marked by humility, love, sympathy, and self-sacrifice, and by perfect freedom from selfishness. His whole life expressed pure, unselfish love and care in loving service, doing good, comforting the sorrowful, helping the needy, lifting up the oppressed, and remaining patient, cheerful, and faithful to God through trials and temptations. Though pure and without sin, He took humanity to associate with fallen people, to redeem what was lost through disobedience, to reveal God's character and glory so that people might be uplifted, and to demonstrate that human nature united with divinity can obey God's law completely. Those united to Him are to seek Him at all times, learn His spirit, let His mind be in them, look not on their own things but on others, love in deed and truth, lift hanging hands and feeble knees, make straight paths so the lame are healed, and follow peace and holiness, so that love and compassion flow through cleansed hearts to the world and the church is made holy through truth.
He did not come to live a life of pleasure and self-indulgence, but to seek and to save that which was lost. The Son of the infinite God honored the earth with His presence, emptied Himself of His glory and clothed divinity with humanity, so that humanity might touch humanity and fallen man might see the perfect love of God. He gave up ease and the enjoyments of life, took the place of a servant, and spent His life in pure, unselfish service doing good and relieving suffering. To live to do good to others is His example, and pleasing and gratifying self is incompatible with His approval. His self-denying service requires complete self-surrender, bearing the infirmities of the weak, pleasing one's neighbor for good to edification, using ability and influence to help others and bear responsibilities and burdens in God's work, and following what makes for peace, so that believers are like-minded according to Christ and with one mind and mouth glorify God.
Bearing Reproach Against God
The reproaches that fell on him were those directed against God and the Father, which he took upon himself and bore rather than seeking his own comfort, advantage, pleasure, or self-indulgence. His not pleasing himself in this way is self-denial and patient endurance, the example for believers to put aside self-interest and an intolerant spirit and to bear with others in love and unity. It grounds the duty of the strong to bear the weaknesses of others and to seek a neighbor's good and spiritual growth rather than pleasing themselves, as part of a shepherd's tender care for the flock, especially the tempted, afflicted, and desponding.
Reproaching the Lord's servants falls upon Christ himself, for to criticize them is to reproach him. Those who claim to serve God must therefore stop finding fault with others.
Those who honor God and are maligned and despised share in Christ's sufferings and in the sufferings of the Reformers. They are to wait in calm patience and trust, knowing hidden things will be manifested and those who honor God will be honored. Christ understands their grief, no one bears the cross alone, the suffering Man of Calvary feels their woes, and because he suffered being tempted he is able to help those who are in sorrow and trial for his sake.
Taking advantage of a needy worker wrongs Christ himself, for he did not live to please himself but lived for the good of others, calling his followers to reject selfishness and to treat those who serve them with kindness, fairness, and generosity. Disparaging people whom God has accepted, regardless of background or former work, is warned against in light of his example of self-denial and bearing others' burdens.
He bore reproach without retaliation or faultfinding. He never finds fault to tear down, but only lays open perils to deliver from them. Following him therefore means guarding the door of the lips, refusing to hear criticism of others, speaking only kind, tender, encouraging words, keeping silent when spoken to harshly or provoked, quarreling only with self, and humbly confessing personal sins to God for forgiveness.
Humiliation and Redemptive Sacrifice
Not pleasing Himself meant leaving heaven's honor, riches, glory and royal courts, laying aside heavenly riches, emptying Himself of glory, taking the form of a servant and humanity's lowly condition, clothing divinity with humanity so that humanity might touch humanity, taking human nature and suffering in fallen humanity's stead, and becoming poor and accepting poverty and hardship so that fallen people might be made rich and become sons and daughters of God. He did not seek His own ease, pleasure, benefit or advantage in this, but came to a fallen world to save fallen humanity and restore humanity from sin to righteousness. His self-denial in giving up even honor and heavenly glory exposes selfishness as the sin of the world and calls for corresponding self-denial, sacrifice, and work for God's glory rather than personal advantage, and for not letting hardship or personal comfort prevent helping those in need.
Though pure and without sin, He took humanity's place and humanity's nature to associate with fallen people, suffered in fallen humanity's stead, and as the Sin-bearer bore the guilt of the world with its affliction, reproach, and penalty due for breaking God's law, purchasing redemption through self-denial and humiliation and redeeming what Adam's disobedience caused humanity to lose. Through that self-denial alone all of God's rich bounties and favors come to His people, and He made a plain path for His followers. He humbled Himself to endure humiliation and abuse, with the reproaches directed against God falling on Him, even to death on the cross to bear the penalty of transgression and sin.
In doing good He revealed God's character, glory, and perfect love, displayed the perfect, humble obedience God requires, and demonstrated that human nature united with divinity could obey God's law completely. His self-denial and sacrifice in bearing reproach and penalty reveal the Father's character, draw all people to Him, uplift people, and show that God can uphold His law while justifying those who believe in Jesus. Those who follow His meekness and lowliness through self-denial, self-sacrifice, and humble obedience will have God's glory manifested to them, with love and compassion flowing from Him to humble, contrite people to cleanse their hearts and flow through them to the world in love and unity, answering His prayer that the church would be made holy through truth as people are transformed into God's likeness.
His humility and obedient life make Him a model showing that a holy, unselfish life is possible in this world, revealing the character God calls His children to form and showing what human nature may become through receiving Him as Saviour, for He came to give an example of a Christlike life. From His earliest years and childhood He worked earnestly, laboring as a carpenter with Joseph, bringing perfection to His ordinary work as well as to the characters He transformed, giving an example that all human powers belong to God by creation and by redemption. His selfless, faithful labor is the pattern to follow, meaning energy, tact, sinew and muscle are to be turned to most useful account in doing good, and youth are to be rightly educated as in the schools of the prophets in education and holiness to do righteousness, such as useful labor in clearing land, helping the worthy poor, and building houses under a builder, rather than setting in operation absorbing games and amusements which by repetition become more and more absorbing.
Strong Bearing With Weak
Paul's rule stands that the strong are to carry the infirmities and weaknesses of the weak instead of pleasing themselves, with each one pleasing his neighbor for his good to edification and spiritual growth. Christ is the pattern for this, for He did not seek His own pleasure, ease, comfort, or advantage but accepted reproach rather than living for Himself, setting an example of selfless care for others. His self-denial therefore calls strong believers to sacrifice their own ease for the good of others, to bear with the weak and help the erring rather than reject them.
This bearing means tender sympathy and compassionate care for the tempted, afflicted, desponding, and discouraged. It reaches those troubled by doubt, weak in faith, burdened with infirmities, or unable to grasp unseen things, and those sinful in infirmity. A compassionate, visible friend comes in Christ's stead to fasten trembling faith upon God. Such sympathy is not to draw sympathy to self but to show disinterested love, pure benevolence and unselfishness, meek and lowly in heart, looking not on one's own things but on the things of others and loving in deed and in truth.
In practice this is giving a tried, weak brother a chance and giving earnest interest to lift him above thinking of himself, helping the very ones who need help so they do not sink in temptation and Satan does not triumph. It is being pitiful and courteous, kind, patient and tender, speaking pitifully and tenderly, correcting errors, lifting hanging hands and feeble knees, and making straight paths for the lame so they are healed rather than turned aside. It is never making sport of infirmities or any man's weakness, never judging, refusing to put a stumbling block or occasion to fall in a brother's way, overcoming hereditary and cultivated faults, cultivating confidence rather than suspicion, drawing nigh to brethren, respecting and loving them, and being doers of the Word and not hearers only. It also means rejoicing not in iniquity but in the truth, speaking and acting the good that can be reported of another, educating the tongue to speak pleasant words, and never indulging a murmuring, faultfinding spirit.
Ministers and shepherds especially are to follow this pattern as under-shepherds with tender care for the flock, particularly the tempted, afflicted, and desponding. They are called to self-denial and self-sacrifice even to giving life if needed to save others, doing what is opposed to personal inclination rather than seeking ease, comfort, or sympathy for self. They are to carry the responsibilities of the work rather than choose only when and how to work, giving up a secured place of retirement and rest to answer earnest calls for help and laboring according to the strength and grace given of God. This requires drawing near in sympathy joined to fellowship with the Father, serving others with compassion, and adapting labor to people's differing needs instead of insisting on exact rules or becoming too exacting.
What was written aforetime was written for learning, that through patience and comfort of the Scriptures hope, instruction, and encouragement might be had. The God of patience and consolation grants likemindedness one toward another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one mind and one mouth believers glorify God, even the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. In that unity they receive one another as Christ received them to the glory of God, walk in love as followers of God, cure lack of unity and lack of love, support the weak because it is more blessed to give than to receive, and turn to earnest labor for souls precious in God's sight as laborers together with God. The Lord observes and blesses every act of such self-denial for others.
Unity Love and Speech
Even Christ did not act to please himself, and his example calls believers to overcome selfishness and live in unity with one another. Self must be surrendered to God, and the fierce, self-centered spirit that disrupts the church is opposed to his spirit, so that those united to Christ live in unity and love. His self-sacrifice exposes selfishness as the sin of the world that has become widespread in the church, for he took human nature and suffered in fallen humanity's place, giving up even his honor and heavenly glory for others, and calls his followers to corresponding self-denial, sacrifice, and work for God's glory rather than personal advantage. To be Christian is to be Christlike, learning of him daily, working as he worked, and denying self as he denied himself, putting self aside, seeking God's glory, and overcoming selfish desires rather than excusing them. This means surrendering the soul to God to be purified and made fit for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, for unless the fountain is cleansed the stream will be impure, but a pure fountain cannot send forth bitter water.
It means cultivating meekness and lowliness, performing kindly thoughtful acts for others when no human eye sees and no human praise stimulates, hiding self in Jesus, letting his gentleness appear in the home life, exercising patience when provoked, and giving a soft answer when tempted to be harsh, overbearing, and vindictive, leaving the unmistakable impression on children that father and mother are Christians. He lived with disinterested love, pure benevolence, and unselfishness, meek and lowly in heart, and believers must seek him at all times and in all places, learn his spirit, and let his mind be in them, looking not on their own things but on the things of others. Those who are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not please themselves, loving not in word or tongue but in deed and in truth, lifting up hanging hands and feeble knees, making straight paths so the lame are healed rather than turned aside, and following peace and holiness. Believers must not live for self but keep the Redeemer continually in view, hiding in God and seeking purity of heart, meekness and lowliness of spirit, in order to be refined and sanctified and made fit for the Master's use in this life and for the heavenly home of the blest and holy hereafter.
His followers must have the mind of Christ, walk as he walked, work as he worked, and follow him in self-denial rather than self-indulgence, with careful and prayerful consideration of his selfless life bringing great reformation and restoring righteousness and truth where they are scarce, with the promise that those who follow will not walk in darkness. His life was marked by humility, love, sympathy, and self-sacrifice, and he came to display God's glory so that people might be uplifted, so those who follow his meekness and lowliness through self-denial, self-sacrifice, and humble obedience will have God's glory manifested to them. Everything must be viewed in the light of his example, for he is the truth and the true light, and his followers listen to his words and copy his example in self-denial and self-sacrifice, and look to his merits for the glory in character which he possessed to be bestowed on them, since human standards are like feeble reeds while the Lord's standard is perfection of character.
Even Christ bore reproach without retaliation or faultfinding, for he never finds fault to tear down but only lays open perils to deliver from them. Following him means guarding the door of the lips, refusing to hear criticism of others, speaking only kind, tender, encouraging and pleasant words, keeping silent when spoken to harshly or provoked, quarreling only with self, and humbly confessing personal sins to God for forgiveness. Believers must not please themselves or rely on finite sufficiency but take hold of the Mighty One and fall on the Rock and be broken, bearing with brethren by drawing nigh to them, respecting them, loving them, and cultivating confidence rather than suspicion. They overcome hereditary and cultivated faults of character, never indulging a murmuring faultfinding spirit, rejoicing not in iniquity but in the truth, speaking and acting the good that can be reported of another, and educating the tongue to speak pleasant words.
As a servant he did not live to please himself but made God's will his will and kept it prominent, giving the principles that form the standard of correct management in temporal as well as spiritual things. He lived to glorify his Father rather than himself, and by his life of service he exalted all service. There is not one rule for the Master and another for servants. Brain-power and the talent of speech must be sanctified before a person is fitted for service.
Daily Self-Denying Service
To be Christian is to be Christlike, and to be Christlike is to live not to please self. The pattern pleased not Himself but lived a life of self-denial and self-sacrifice, and His followers must have that same character, denying self daily, taking up the cross and following Him. That life rejects self-pleasing, self-gratification, selfish indulgence and seeking only personal pleasure, and stands in contrast to worldliness and the pursuit of pleasure. It requires complete consecration to God, living for the good of others to benefit humanity and be a blessing to society, or else to be found wanting in the day of God.
Amusements loved for their own sake are not innocent when they make people less faithful in ordinary duties. Training and discipline for games is rejected when it does not fit a person to be a faithful soldier of Christ to fight His battles and gain spiritual victories. Spending money on showy garments for match games is rejected when that money might have advanced God's cause in new places by bringing the word of truth to souls in darkness of error. Absorbing games and amusements set in operation by repetition become more and more absorbing, instead of turning energy, tact, sinew and muscle to most useful account in good work of doing good. Time as a precious talent is therefore not to be employed in self-pleasing or mere amusement but in the very useful, needful work in which Christ was engaged from His childhood, for all human powers belong to God by creation and by redemption. Youth are to be rightly educated as in the schools of the prophets in lines of education and holiness to do righteousness, such as useful labor in clearing land, helping the worthy poor, and building houses under a builder, and those who use time and strength in useful work are happier.
Time, strength, means, energy and capabilities are talents to be used in doing good, practicing economy, and choosing what pleases God and considers others rather than pride or personal gratification. The cross cuts across every tendency to wrong, whether hereditary or cultivated, teaching to seek first the kingdom of God, to sell what is owned and give alms to provide unfailing treasure in heaven, and to live like servants with loins girded and lights burning who watch for their lord and open immediately when He returns. The truly converted soul will not live to please self nor follow selfish ways, nor let the lust of the eye absorb the Lord's money in self-indulgence and things that only please the unsanctified pleasure lover.
True character is not determined by possessions, costly buildings, decorations, expensive mirrors and furniture, but by purity of heart, steadfast purpose, and good and noble deeds done for others. A character built with good and noble deeds is the monument the angelic host respect, and such a life lives after death in memory through the good done for others. The self-denying life spent for the good of others is the pattern for character formation in the short time remaining, calling each person in meekness and humility not to seek the largest place but the fittest place to serve God and become one with Christ, rather than seeking the highest place or putting self first. Pride that scorns the meek and lowly in heart scorns Christ Himself, and the test of a life is whether people can stand around the grave and tell of good deeds done in following Him.
Parents are to teach children by example to come to God as a heavenly Father and to learn self-control and helpfulness in managing the home. Mothers are to live not for self-pleasing but to glorify God, following the humility, service, diligence in work and care for those entrusted to charge shown in leaving heaven's royal courts, taking humanity's lowly condition and the form of a servant, that people might become sons and daughters of God and of the heavenly King. A woman joined to one God has chosen as His laborer together with Him must learn self-denial so that self does not clamor for attention and she does not become unhappy unless great devotion is shown to her. By an unconsecrated course she would tire her husband's heart, sadden his soul, and greatly hinder him in his work.
Those considering marriage must not let self-will, fancy, or emotion direct the choice, but seek God's approval and submit plans to Him, giving God supreme place in affections and decisions. This does not mean marrying someone not loved.
Serving others after such an example means not putting personal comfort first and not letting hardship or personal comfort prevent helping those in need, for He left heaven's honor and riches and became poor so people could be made rich. As a man He endured sorrow and grief and had no home of His own, showing that obeying God may require hardship, without seeking an easier path or claiming great sacrifice when scarcely bearing the cross. Following the Pattern means doing what is opposed to personal inclination, refusing selfishness and seeking of ease, giving up a secured place of retirement and rest, laying aside desire for rest and personal gratification to meet the needs of others, and responding to earnest calls for help among the churches by bearing testimony and laboring according to strength and grace given. It supports undertaking demanding work even when daunting, dreaded, difficult or unwelcome, such as travel to serve churches and hard labor, including personal missionary work and giving for the third angel's message.
Duty to Him never leads in the smoothest paths and never walks in paths of self-pleasing and self-indulgence. Though in the world He was not of the world, refusing to conform to worldly practices even to reach the object of His life and maintaining the highest standard, because any deviation from strict moral rectitude would have marred His whole life work. Those bought with a price must therefore never sacrifice Christian principle to meet the world's standard or criterion, but be firm and faithful, follow Him in going without the camp bearing reproach, trust God to give strength to stand firm in the faith wherever Providence has placed them, and let nothing come between the soul and God.
In public decisions this means not pleading convenience, not choosing the most convenient task, and not continuing selfish practices, specifically not erecting more buildings and centering more interests in Battle Creek, but denying self daily, taking up the cross, and dealing with humanity as He did. It means refusing ambitious projects that bind up the work by misappropriating means, beholding Him to gain knowledge of His life of self-denial and guilt-bearing sacrifice, and with understanding anointed with heavenly eyesalve viewing things no longer as the world views them. As stewards given capabilities for work in many branches, those in responsible positions must put aside all selfishness in weighing probabilities and placing workers where ability can best be used, including meeting the great need for canvassers. The strong are to bear the infirmities of the weak and not please themselves but please the neighbor for good to edification, supporting the weak because it is more blessed to give than to receive, turning to earnest labor for souls precious in God's sight as laborers together with God with heavenly intelligences beside them, so converts are won and both worker and converted glorify God.
Even Christ did not live to please Himself by seeking His own pleasure, comfort, ease, or advantage, but lived for the good of others. He left the honor, riches, and glory of heaven, emptied Himself and took the form of a servant, becoming poor so that fallen people might become rich and become sons and daughters of God. Though pure and without sin, He took humanity's place and bore the guilt, reproach, and penalty due for breaking God's law, taking upon Himself the reproaches directed against God and the Father. Therefore those who are strong ought not to please themselves but to bear the infirmities of the weak and please their neighbor for his good to edification. To be Christian is to be Christlike in this same way, denying self daily, taking up the cross, and spending time, strength, and means in unselfish service instead of self-gratification and pursuit of pleasure.
Meaning of Pleased Not Himself
Christ did not live to please Himself, seeking His own pleasure, comfort, ease, advantage, or benefit, but lived for the good of others. He did not seek His own comfort or advantage or to live for His own ease, but accepted and bore the reproach directed against God and the Father. Reproaching the Lord's servants falls upon Christ Himself, so those who claim to serve God must stop finding fault and criticism of others. His self-denying example calls those who are strong to bear with the infirmities and weaknesses of others and to seek a neighbor's good to edification and spiritual growth rather than pleasing themselves. This is the pattern for a shepherd's tender care for the flock, especially the tempted, afflicted, desponding, and discouraged, putting aside self-indulgence to bear with others in love and unity.
His not pleasing Himself was a life of disinterested love, pure benevolence and unselfishness, meek and lowly in heart. It was marked by humility, love, sympathy, and self-sacrifice, and by perfect freedom from selfishness. His whole life expressed pure, unselfish love and care in loving service, doing good, comforting the sorrowful, helping the needy, lifting up the oppressed, and remaining patient, cheerful, and faithful to God through trials and temptations. Though pure and without sin, He took humanity to associate with fallen people, to redeem what was lost through disobedience, to reveal God's character and glory so that people might be uplifted, and to demonstrate that human nature united with divinity can obey God's law completely. Those united to Him are to seek Him at all times, learn His spirit, let His mind be in them, look not on their own things but on others, love in deed and truth, lift hanging hands and feeble knees, make straight paths so the lame are healed, and follow peace and holiness, so that love and compassion flow through cleansed hearts to the world and the church is made holy through truth.
He did not come to live a life of pleasure and self-indulgence, but to seek and to save that which was lost. The Son of the infinite God honored the earth with His presence, emptied Himself of His glory and clothed divinity with humanity, so that humanity might touch humanity and fallen man might see the perfect love of God. He gave up ease and the enjoyments of life, took the place of a servant, and spent His life in pure, unselfish service doing good and relieving suffering. To live to do good to others is His example, and pleasing and gratifying self is incompatible with His approval. His self-denying service requires complete self-surrender, bearing the infirmities of the weak, pleasing one's neighbor for good to edification, using ability and influence to help others and bear responsibilities and burdens in God's work, and following what makes for peace, so that believers are like-minded according to Christ and with one mind and mouth glorify God.
Bearing Reproach Against God
The reproaches that fell on him were those directed against God and the Father, which he took upon himself and bore rather than seeking his own comfort, advantage, pleasure, or self-indulgence. His not pleasing himself in this way is self-denial and patient endurance, the example for believers to put aside self-interest and an intolerant spirit and to bear with others in love and unity. It grounds the duty of the strong to bear the weaknesses of others and to seek a neighbor's good and spiritual growth rather than pleasing themselves, as part of a shepherd's tender care for the flock, especially the tempted, afflicted, and desponding.
Reproaching the Lord's servants falls upon Christ himself, for to criticize them is to reproach him. Those who claim to serve God must therefore stop finding fault with others.
Those who honor God and are maligned and despised share in Christ's sufferings and in the sufferings of the Reformers. They are to wait in calm patience and trust, knowing hidden things will be manifested and those who honor God will be honored. Christ understands their grief, no one bears the cross alone, the suffering Man of Calvary feels their woes, and because he suffered being tempted he is able to help those who are in sorrow and trial for his sake.
Taking advantage of a needy worker wrongs Christ himself, for he did not live to please himself but lived for the good of others, calling his followers to reject selfishness and to treat those who serve them with kindness, fairness, and generosity. Disparaging people whom God has accepted, regardless of background or former work, is warned against in light of his example of self-denial and bearing others' burdens.
He bore reproach without retaliation or faultfinding. He never finds fault to tear down, but only lays open perils to deliver from them. Following him therefore means guarding the door of the lips, refusing to hear criticism of others, speaking only kind, tender, encouraging words, keeping silent when spoken to harshly or provoked, quarreling only with self, and humbly confessing personal sins to God for forgiveness.
Humiliation and Redemptive Sacrifice
Not pleasing Himself meant leaving heaven's honor, riches, glory and royal courts, laying aside heavenly riches, emptying Himself of glory, taking the form of a servant and humanity's lowly condition, clothing divinity with humanity so that humanity might touch humanity, taking human nature and suffering in fallen humanity's stead, and becoming poor and accepting poverty and hardship so that fallen people might be made rich and become sons and daughters of God. He did not seek His own ease, pleasure, benefit or advantage in this, but came to a fallen world to save fallen humanity and restore humanity from sin to righteousness. His self-denial in giving up even honor and heavenly glory exposes selfishness as the sin of the world and calls for corresponding self-denial, sacrifice, and work for God's glory rather than personal advantage, and for not letting hardship or personal comfort prevent helping those in need.
Though pure and without sin, He took humanity's place and humanity's nature to associate with fallen people, suffered in fallen humanity's stead, and as the Sin-bearer bore the guilt of the world with its affliction, reproach, and penalty due for breaking God's law, purchasing redemption through self-denial and humiliation and redeeming what Adam's disobedience caused humanity to lose. Through that self-denial alone all of God's rich bounties and favors come to His people, and He made a plain path for His followers. He humbled Himself to endure humiliation and abuse, with the reproaches directed against God falling on Him, even to death on the cross to bear the penalty of transgression and sin.
In doing good He revealed God's character, glory, and perfect love, displayed the perfect, humble obedience God requires, and demonstrated that human nature united with divinity could obey God's law completely. His self-denial and sacrifice in bearing reproach and penalty reveal the Father's character, draw all people to Him, uplift people, and show that God can uphold His law while justifying those who believe in Jesus. Those who follow His meekness and lowliness through self-denial, self-sacrifice, and humble obedience will have God's glory manifested to them, with love and compassion flowing from Him to humble, contrite people to cleanse their hearts and flow through them to the world in love and unity, answering His prayer that the church would be made holy through truth as people are transformed into God's likeness.
His humility and obedient life make Him a model showing that a holy, unselfish life is possible in this world, revealing the character God calls His children to form and showing what human nature may become through receiving Him as Saviour, for He came to give an example of a Christlike life. From His earliest years and childhood He worked earnestly, laboring as a carpenter with Joseph, bringing perfection to His ordinary work as well as to the characters He transformed, giving an example that all human powers belong to God by creation and by redemption. His selfless, faithful labor is the pattern to follow, meaning energy, tact, sinew and muscle are to be turned to most useful account in doing good, and youth are to be rightly educated as in the schools of the prophets in education and holiness to do righteousness, such as useful labor in clearing land, helping the worthy poor, and building houses under a builder, rather than setting in operation absorbing games and amusements which by repetition become more and more absorbing.
Strong Bearing With Weak
Paul's rule stands that the strong are to carry the infirmities and weaknesses of the weak instead of pleasing themselves, with each one pleasing his neighbor for his good to edification and spiritual growth. Christ is the pattern for this, for He did not seek His own pleasure, ease, comfort, or advantage but accepted reproach rather than living for Himself, setting an example of selfless care for others. His self-denial therefore calls strong believers to sacrifice their own ease for the good of others, to bear with the weak and help the erring rather than reject them.
This bearing means tender sympathy and compassionate care for the tempted, afflicted, desponding, and discouraged. It reaches those troubled by doubt, weak in faith, burdened with infirmities, or unable to grasp unseen things, and those sinful in infirmity. A compassionate, visible friend comes in Christ's stead to fasten trembling faith upon God. Such sympathy is not to draw sympathy to self but to show disinterested love, pure benevolence and unselfishness, meek and lowly in heart, looking not on one's own things but on the things of others and loving in deed and in truth.
In practice this is giving a tried, weak brother a chance and giving earnest interest to lift him above thinking of himself, helping the very ones who need help so they do not sink in temptation and Satan does not triumph. It is being pitiful and courteous, kind, patient and tender, speaking pitifully and tenderly, correcting errors, lifting hanging hands and feeble knees, and making straight paths for the lame so they are healed rather than turned aside. It is never making sport of infirmities or any man's weakness, never judging, refusing to put a stumbling block or occasion to fall in a brother's way, overcoming hereditary and cultivated faults, cultivating confidence rather than suspicion, drawing nigh to brethren, respecting and loving them, and being doers of the Word and not hearers only. It also means rejoicing not in iniquity but in the truth, speaking and acting the good that can be reported of another, educating the tongue to speak pleasant words, and never indulging a murmuring, faultfinding spirit.
Ministers and shepherds especially are to follow this pattern as under-shepherds with tender care for the flock, particularly the tempted, afflicted, and desponding. They are called to self-denial and self-sacrifice even to giving life if needed to save others, doing what is opposed to personal inclination rather than seeking ease, comfort, or sympathy for self. They are to carry the responsibilities of the work rather than choose only when and how to work, giving up a secured place of retirement and rest to answer earnest calls for help and laboring according to the strength and grace given of God. This requires drawing near in sympathy joined to fellowship with the Father, serving others with compassion, and adapting labor to people's differing needs instead of insisting on exact rules or becoming too exacting.
What was written aforetime was written for learning, that through patience and comfort of the Scriptures hope, instruction, and encouragement might be had. The God of patience and consolation grants likemindedness one toward another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one mind and one mouth believers glorify God, even the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. In that unity they receive one another as Christ received them to the glory of God, walk in love as followers of God, cure lack of unity and lack of love, support the weak because it is more blessed to give than to receive, and turn to earnest labor for souls precious in God's sight as laborers together with God. The Lord observes and blesses every act of such self-denial for others.
Unity Love and Speech
Even Christ did not act to please himself, and his example calls believers to overcome selfishness and live in unity with one another. Self must be surrendered to God, and the fierce, self-centered spirit that disrupts the church is opposed to his spirit, so that those united to Christ live in unity and love. His self-sacrifice exposes selfishness as the sin of the world that has become widespread in the church, for he took human nature and suffered in fallen humanity's place, giving up even his honor and heavenly glory for others, and calls his followers to corresponding self-denial, sacrifice, and work for God's glory rather than personal advantage. To be Christian is to be Christlike, learning of him daily, working as he worked, and denying self as he denied himself, putting self aside, seeking God's glory, and overcoming selfish desires rather than excusing them. This means surrendering the soul to God to be purified and made fit for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, for unless the fountain is cleansed the stream will be impure, but a pure fountain cannot send forth bitter water.
It means cultivating meekness and lowliness, performing kindly thoughtful acts for others when no human eye sees and no human praise stimulates, hiding self in Jesus, letting his gentleness appear in the home life, exercising patience when provoked, and giving a soft answer when tempted to be harsh, overbearing, and vindictive, leaving the unmistakable impression on children that father and mother are Christians. He lived with disinterested love, pure benevolence, and unselfishness, meek and lowly in heart, and believers must seek him at all times and in all places, learn his spirit, and let his mind be in them, looking not on their own things but on the things of others. Those who are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not please themselves, loving not in word or tongue but in deed and in truth, lifting up hanging hands and feeble knees, making straight paths so the lame are healed rather than turned aside, and following peace and holiness. Believers must not live for self but keep the Redeemer continually in view, hiding in God and seeking purity of heart, meekness and lowliness of spirit, in order to be refined and sanctified and made fit for the Master's use in this life and for the heavenly home of the blest and holy hereafter.
His followers must have the mind of Christ, walk as he walked, work as he worked, and follow him in self-denial rather than self-indulgence, with careful and prayerful consideration of his selfless life bringing great reformation and restoring righteousness and truth where they are scarce, with the promise that those who follow will not walk in darkness. His life was marked by humility, love, sympathy, and self-sacrifice, and he came to display God's glory so that people might be uplifted, so those who follow his meekness and lowliness through self-denial, self-sacrifice, and humble obedience will have God's glory manifested to them. Everything must be viewed in the light of his example, for he is the truth and the true light, and his followers listen to his words and copy his example in self-denial and self-sacrifice, and look to his merits for the glory in character which he possessed to be bestowed on them, since human standards are like feeble reeds while the Lord's standard is perfection of character.
Even Christ bore reproach without retaliation or faultfinding, for he never finds fault to tear down but only lays open perils to deliver from them. Following him means guarding the door of the lips, refusing to hear criticism of others, speaking only kind, tender, encouraging and pleasant words, keeping silent when spoken to harshly or provoked, quarreling only with self, and humbly confessing personal sins to God for forgiveness. Believers must not please themselves or rely on finite sufficiency but take hold of the Mighty One and fall on the Rock and be broken, bearing with brethren by drawing nigh to them, respecting them, loving them, and cultivating confidence rather than suspicion. They overcome hereditary and cultivated faults of character, never indulging a murmuring faultfinding spirit, rejoicing not in iniquity but in the truth, speaking and acting the good that can be reported of another, and educating the tongue to speak pleasant words.
As a servant he did not live to please himself but made God's will his will and kept it prominent, giving the principles that form the standard of correct management in temporal as well as spiritual things. He lived to glorify his Father rather than himself, and by his life of service he exalted all service. There is not one rule for the Master and another for servants. Brain-power and the talent of speech must be sanctified before a person is fitted for service.
Daily Self-Denying Service
To be Christian is to be Christlike, and to be Christlike is to live not to please self. The pattern pleased not Himself but lived a life of self-denial and self-sacrifice, and His followers must have that same character, denying self daily, taking up the cross and following Him. That life rejects self-pleasing, self-gratification, selfish indulgence and seeking only personal pleasure, and stands in contrast to worldliness and the pursuit of pleasure. It requires complete consecration to God, living for the good of others to benefit humanity and be a blessing to society, or else to be found wanting in the day of God.
Amusements loved for their own sake are not innocent when they make people less faithful in ordinary duties. Training and discipline for games is rejected when it does not fit a person to be a faithful soldier of Christ to fight His battles and gain spiritual victories. Spending money on showy garments for match games is rejected when that money might have advanced God's cause in new places by bringing the word of truth to souls in darkness of error. Absorbing games and amusements set in operation by repetition become more and more absorbing, instead of turning energy, tact, sinew and muscle to most useful account in good work of doing good. Time as a precious talent is therefore not to be employed in self-pleasing or mere amusement but in the very useful, needful work in which Christ was engaged from His childhood, for all human powers belong to God by creation and by redemption. Youth are to be rightly educated as in the schools of the prophets in lines of education and holiness to do righteousness, such as useful labor in clearing land, helping the worthy poor, and building houses under a builder, and those who use time and strength in useful work are happier.
Time, strength, means, energy and capabilities are talents to be used in doing good, practicing economy, and choosing what pleases God and considers others rather than pride or personal gratification. The cross cuts across every tendency to wrong, whether hereditary or cultivated, teaching to seek first the kingdom of God, to sell what is owned and give alms to provide unfailing treasure in heaven, and to live like servants with loins girded and lights burning who watch for their lord and open immediately when He returns. The truly converted soul will not live to please self nor follow selfish ways, nor let the lust of the eye absorb the Lord's money in self-indulgence and things that only please the unsanctified pleasure lover.
True character is not determined by possessions, costly buildings, decorations, expensive mirrors and furniture, but by purity of heart, steadfast purpose, and good and noble deeds done for others. A character built with good and noble deeds is the monument the angelic host respect, and such a life lives after death in memory through the good done for others. The self-denying life spent for the good of others is the pattern for character formation in the short time remaining, calling each person in meekness and humility not to seek the largest place but the fittest place to serve God and become one with Christ, rather than seeking the highest place or putting self first. Pride that scorns the meek and lowly in heart scorns Christ Himself, and the test of a life is whether people can stand around the grave and tell of good deeds done in following Him.
Parents are to teach children by example to come to God as a heavenly Father and to learn self-control and helpfulness in managing the home. Mothers are to live not for self-pleasing but to glorify God, following the humility, service, diligence in work and care for those entrusted to charge shown in leaving heaven's royal courts, taking humanity's lowly condition and the form of a servant, that people might become sons and daughters of God and of the heavenly King. A woman joined to one God has chosen as His laborer together with Him must learn self-denial so that self does not clamor for attention and she does not become unhappy unless great devotion is shown to her. By an unconsecrated course she would tire her husband's heart, sadden his soul, and greatly hinder him in his work.
Those considering marriage must not let self-will, fancy, or emotion direct the choice, but seek God's approval and submit plans to Him, giving God supreme place in affections and decisions. This does not mean marrying someone not loved.
Serving others after such an example means not putting personal comfort first and not letting hardship or personal comfort prevent helping those in need, for He left heaven's honor and riches and became poor so people could be made rich. As a man He endured sorrow and grief and had no home of His own, showing that obeying God may require hardship, without seeking an easier path or claiming great sacrifice when scarcely bearing the cross. Following the Pattern means doing what is opposed to personal inclination, refusing selfishness and seeking of ease, giving up a secured place of retirement and rest, laying aside desire for rest and personal gratification to meet the needs of others, and responding to earnest calls for help among the churches by bearing testimony and laboring according to strength and grace given. It supports undertaking demanding work even when daunting, dreaded, difficult or unwelcome, such as travel to serve churches and hard labor, including personal missionary work and giving for the third angel's message.
Duty to Him never leads in the smoothest paths and never walks in paths of self-pleasing and self-indulgence. Though in the world He was not of the world, refusing to conform to worldly practices even to reach the object of His life and maintaining the highest standard, because any deviation from strict moral rectitude would have marred His whole life work. Those bought with a price must therefore never sacrifice Christian principle to meet the world's standard or criterion, but be firm and faithful, follow Him in going without the camp bearing reproach, trust God to give strength to stand firm in the faith wherever Providence has placed them, and let nothing come between the soul and God.
In public decisions this means not pleading convenience, not choosing the most convenient task, and not continuing selfish practices, specifically not erecting more buildings and centering more interests in Battle Creek, but denying self daily, taking up the cross, and dealing with humanity as He did. It means refusing ambitious projects that bind up the work by misappropriating means, beholding Him to gain knowledge of His life of self-denial and guilt-bearing sacrifice, and with understanding anointed with heavenly eyesalve viewing things no longer as the world views them. As stewards given capabilities for work in many branches, those in responsible positions must put aside all selfishness in weighing probabilities and placing workers where ability can best be used, including meeting the great need for canvassers. The strong are to bear the infirmities of the weak and not please themselves but please the neighbor for good to edification, supporting the weak because it is more blessed to give than to receive, turning to earnest labor for souls precious in God's sight as laborers together with God with heavenly intelligences beside them, so converts are won and both worker and converted glorify God.