The Example of Christ

Christ gave no stinted service. He did not measure His work by hours. His time, His heart, His soul, His strength were given to service for the benefit of humanity. Through weary days He toiled, and through long nights He bowed in prayer for grace and endurance that He might do a larger work. With strong crying and tears He sent His petitions to heaven that His human nature might be strengthened, that He might be braced to meet the wily foe in all his deceptive workings and be fortified to fulfill His mission of uplifting humanity. To His workers He says, “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done.” John 13:15.MHH 294.2

“The love of Christ,” said Paul, “constrains us.” 2 Corinthians 5:14. This was the actuating principle of his conduct. It was his motive power. If ever his ardor in the path of duty flagged for a moment, one glance at the cross caused him to gird up anew the loins of his mind and press forward in the way of self-denial. In his work for others he relied much upon the manifestation of infinite love in the sacrifice of Christ, with its subduing, constraining power.MHH 294.3

How earnest, how touching, was his appeal: “You know the grace of ourMHH 294.4

Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9. You know the height from which He stooped, the depth of humiliation to which He descended. His feet entered upon the path of sacrifice and turned not aside until He had given His life. There was no rest for Him between the throne in heaven and the cross. His love for the human family led Him to welcome every indignity and suffer every abuse.MHH 294.5

Paul admonishes us, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” He bids us possess the mind “which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:4-8.MHH 294.6

Paul was deeply anxious that the humiliation of Christ should be seen and realized. He was convinced that if people could be led to consider the amazing sacrifice made by the Majesty of heaven, selfishness would be banished from their hearts. The apostle lingers over point after point, that we may in some measure comprehend the wonderful condescension of the Savior in behalf of sinners. He directs the mind first to the position that Christ occupied in heaven in the bosom of His Father. He reveals Him afterward as laying aside His glory, voluntarily subjecting Himself to the humbling conditions of human life, assuming the responsibilities of a servant, and becoming obedient unto death—the most ignominious, revolting, agonizing death—death on the cross. Can we contemplate this wonderful manifestation of the love of God without gratitude and love and a deep sense of the fact that we are not our own? Such a Master should not be served from grudging, selfish motives.MHH 294.7

You know, says Peter, “that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold.” 1 Peter 1:18. Oh, had these been sufficient to purchase our salvation, how easily it might have been accomplished by Him who says, “‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine’”! Haggai 2:8. But the sinner could be redeemed only by the precious blood of the Son of God. Those who, failing to appreciate this wonderful sacrifice, withhold themselves from Christ’s service, will perish in their selfishness.MHH 295.1