The character of the Christian is shown by his daily life. Said Christ, "Every good tree bringeth forth
good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit" (Matt. 7:17). Our Saviour compares Himself to a
vine, of which His followers are the branches. He plainly declares that all who would be His disciples
must bring forth fruit; and then He shows how they may become fruitful branches. "Abide in me, and I in
you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye
abide in me" (John 15:4).
The apostle Paul describes the fruit which the Christian is to bear. He says that it "is in all goodness
and righteousness and truth" (Eph. 5:9). And again, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Gal. 5:22, 23). These precious
graces are but the principles of God's law carried out in the life.
The law of God is the only true standard of moral perfection. That law was practically exemplified in
the life of Christ. He says of Himself, "I have kept my Father's commandments" (John 15:10). Nothing
short
of this obedience will meet the requirements of God's word. "He that saith he abideth in him ought
himself also so to walk, even as he walked" (1 John 2:6). We cannot plead that we are unable to do
this, for we have the assurance, "My grace is sufficient for thee" (2 Cor. 12:9). As we look into the
divine mirror, the law of God, we see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and our own lost condition as
transgressors. But by repentance and faith we are justified before God, and through divine grace
enabled to render obedience to His commandments.
Those who have genuine love for God will manifest an earnest desire to know His will and to do
it. Says the apostle John, whose epistles treat so fully upon love, "This is the love of God, that we keep
his commandments" (1 John 5:3). The child who loves his parents will show that love by willing
obedience; but the selfish, ungrateful child seeks to do as little as possible for his parents, while he at the
same time desires to enjoy all the privileges granted to the obedient and faithful. The same difference is
seen among those who profess to be children of God. Many who know that they are the objects of His
love and care, and who desire to receive His blessing, take no delight in doing His will. They regard
God's claims upon them as an unpleasant restraint, His commandments as a grievous yoke. But he who
is truly seeking for holiness of heart and life delights in the law of God, and mourns only that he falls so
far short of meeting its requirements.
We are commanded to love one another as Christ has loved us. He has manifested His love by
laying down His life to redeem us. The beloved disciple says that we should be willing to lay down our
lives for the brethren. For "every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him"
(verse 1). If we love Christ, we shall love those who resemble Him in life and character. And not only
so, but we shall love those who have "no hope," and are "without God in the world" (Eph. 2:12). It was
to save sinners that Christ left His home in heaven and came to earth to suffer and to die. For this He
toiled and agonized and prayed, until, heartbroken and deserted by those He came to save, He poured
out His life on Calvary.
Imitating the Pattern
Many shrink from such a life as our Saviour lived. They feel that it requires too great a sacrifice
to imitate the Pattern, to bring forth fruit in good works, and then patiently endure the pruning of God
that they may bring forth more fruit. But when the Christian regards himself as only a humble instrument
in the hands of Christ, and endeavors to faithfully perform every duty, relying upon the help which God
has promised, then he will wear the yoke of Christ and find it easy; then he will bear burdens for Christ,
and pronounce them light. He can look up with courage and with confidence, and say, "I know whom I
have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him" (2 Tim.
1:12).
If we meet obstacles in our path, and faithfully overcome them; if we encounter opposition and
reproach, and in Christ's name gain the victory; if we bear responsibilities and discharge our duties in the
spirit of our Master--then, indeed, we gain a precious knowledge of His faithfulness and power. We no
longer depend upon the experience of others, for we have the witness in ourselves. Like the Samaritans
of old, we can say, "We have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour
of the world" (John 4:42).
The more we contemplate the character of Christ, and the more we experience of His saving power,
the more keenly shall we realize our own weakness and imperfection, and the more earnestly shall we
look to Him as our strength and our Redeemer. We have no power in ourselves to cleanse the soul
temple from its defilement; but as we repent of our sins against God, and seek pardon through the merits
of Christ, He will impart that faith which works by love and purifies the heart. By faith in Christ and
obedience to the law of God we may be sanctified, and thus obtain a fitness for the society of holy
angels and the white-robed redeemed ones in the kingdom of glory.
Union With Christ Our Privilege
It is not only the privilege but the duty of every Christian to maintain a close union with Christ
and to have a rich experience in the things of God. Then his life will be fruitful in good works. Said
Christ, "Herein
is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit" (John 15:8). When we read the lives of men who have
been eminent for their piety we often regard their experiences and attainments as far beyond our reach.
But this is not the case. Christ died for all; and we are assured in His word that He is more willing to
give His Holy Spirit to them that ask Him than are earthly parents to give good gifts to their children.
The prophets and apostles did not perfect Christian character by a miracle. They used the means which
God had placed within their reach; and all who will put forth the same effort will secure the same results.
Paul's Prayer for the Church
In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul sets before them the "mystery of the gospel" (Eph.
6:19), the "unsearchable riches of Christ" (Eph. 3:8), and then assures them of his earnest prayers for
their spiritual prosperity:
"I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, . . . that he would grant you, according to
the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell
in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all
saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which
passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Eph. 3:14-19).
He writes to his Corinthian brethren also, "to them
that are sanctified in Christ Jesus. . . : Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from
the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you
by Jesus Christ; that in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; even as
the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 1:2-7). These words are addressed not only to the church at Corinth but
to all the people of God to the close of time. Every Christian may enjoy the blessing of sanctification.
The apostle continues in these words: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be
perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment" (verse 10). Paul would not have
appealed to them to do that which was impossible. Unity is the sure result of Christian perfection.
In the Epistle to the Colossians also are set forth the glorious privileges vouchsafed to the children of
God. "Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, . . .
we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled
with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the
Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
strengthened with all might, according to
His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness" (Col. 1:4-11).
The Standard of Holiness
The apostle himself was endeavoring to reach the same standard of holiness which he set before
his brethren. He writes to the Philippians: "What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my
Lord: . . . that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings,
being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may
apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have
apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto
those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ
Jesus" (Phil. 3:7-14). There is a striking contrast between the boastful, self-righteous claims of those
who profess to be without sin, and the modest language of the apostle. Yet it was the purity and
faithfulness of his own life that gave such power to his exhortations to his brethren.
The Will of God
Paul did not hesitate to enforce, upon every suitable occasion, the importance of Bible
sanctification. He says: "Ye know what commandments we gave you by the
Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification" (1 Thess. 4:2, 3). "Wherefore, my
beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will
and to do of His good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be
blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse
nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world" (Phil. 2:12-15).
He bids Titus instruct the church that while they should trust to the merits of Christ for salvation,
divine grace, dwelling in their hearts, will lead to the faithful performance of all the duties of life. "Put
them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good
work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. . . .
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed
in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men" (Titus
3:1-8).
Paul seeks to impress upon our minds the fact that the foundation of all acceptable service to God,
as well as the very crown of the Christian graces, is love; and that only in the soul where love reigns will
the peace of God abide. "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another,
and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do
ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of
God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of
Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father of him" (Col. 3:12-17).