In
doing anything, it is always well to have a model by which
to fashion our work. In fact, nothing is done without a
pattern, either real or imaginary. The little boy making a
toy has in his mind a model by which he is framing his
work. Likewise, the sculptor has in his mind a model, and
as the "marble wastes, the image grows" into the
likeness of the vision in his soul.
To live this one life of ours as it
should be lived, we must have a perfect model after which
to pattern. Thank God, this perfect model of life can be
found. Of all the vast number of lives that have been
lived since Adam down to this present day, there has been
only one that we can take as a model. This one is the life
of Jesus. He says, "I am the life." To live this
life of ours well, to live it to the highest degree of
perfection, we must fashion it according to the glorious
life of Christ. The life of Jesus is the model life for
every other human life. He invites us, yea, commands us,
to follow Him, to step in His steps, to walk as He walked.
There have been many good men in
the world. but none of them afford us a true pattern of
life. There was a man who said, "Be ye followers of
me," but he immediately added, "even as I also
am of Christ." Man may so live as to reveal to us the
life of Christ. We can then follow, not them, but the
Christ-life they manifested through them.
Let me here say a word on a subject
on which we may have more to say hereafter. The grandest,
noblest work man has ever done is by his life to reveal
the life of Christ to another, thereby helping that person
to be fashioned more after the image of Jesus. A little
flower grew in a place so shaded that no ray from the sun
could fall directly upon it. A window was so situated that
al a certain time in the afternoon it refracted the sun's
rays and threw them upon the flower, thus giving it color
and beauty, and aiding it to bloom. Some people are living
in dense shade. No light from Christ has ever shined upon
them. If you so live as to refract the life of Christ and
turn it upon them and thus stamp upon them a holier life,
you have not lived in vain. To set the life of Christ in
its purity and beauty before some one and influence him,
though only a little, to live better and love Jesus more,
is a work the worth of which can never be computed. He who
helps another to a better way of living does more than he
who gains great worldly honor and riches. Blessed indeed
is that life which causes some other life to be more like
Christ. Oh, may this thought seize upon our hearts and
fill us with a greater passion to live the life of God.
We are told by the voice of
Scripture to be "followers of God as dear
children." When children are dear to the heart of the
parent, he loves to have them obey him. God's children are
dear to Him, and He would have them follow Him. To follow
God is to imitate Him, or be like Him. This is the true
way of life.
A text of Scripture as rendered by
the Revised Version is very appropriate here: "Like
as he which has called you is holy, be ye yourselves also
holy in all manner of living." 1 Peter 1:15. Only
those who live godly in their entire manner of life are
spending the days of their pilgrimage as they should.
Jesus has walked the true way of life; we are told to walk
in his steps. If we will step each day just where Jesus
stepped, then on looking back, we can not see a footprint
of our own; but if we take a single misstep, our footprint
will show our departure from the true way of life. How
deep and awful are the words of Scripture wherein we are
commanded to walk even as "Jesus walked!" Jesus
says, "I am the way." There is no other right
and perfect way. If we will walk as Jesus walked, then we
shall walk in the true path of life. This only is the
pathway that leads up to the golden gates of glory and the
sweet fields of heaven. That bright world of bliss
encourages us on. If we will follow Jesus and live as he
lived, God's approval will be upon us, and his
outstretched hand will help us along life's way and
finally over the turbulent river of death to the sunlit
shore of eternal rest.
Many times we may become wearied
and think the toils of the way almost too heavy; but when
we remember that it is the way that Jesus trod, then the
heavens open to our view, we look forward to the mansion
prepared for us, and the toils of the way grow lighter.
See that aged pilgrim journeying
down the western slope of life. The sun is nearing the
setting. Long and toilsome has been his pilgrimage, but he
has walked in the path his Savior trod. For many years his
life has been hid with Christ in God. In Him he has lived
and moved and had his being. Now he is making his last
step on the shore of time; he passes out of our sight
through the gates into that land where toils are ended and
the sun never sets. But his life was the life of Jesus. He
was holy as God is holy, he walked as Jesus walked. This
is how to live. This is the true way of life and the only
way to life eternal.
He who does not live with Christ on
earth can not live with Him in heaven, and he who does not
live as Jesus lived does not live as he should. The life
of Christ was the perfect life. Ours is perfect to the
degree that we imitate him.
Take my life, O Christ divine,
Make it holy, just like shine;
Every act and thought and word
Be an outflow from my God.
Guide my feet and keep my heart;
Let me not from thee depart;
Let me breathe thy warming love,
That my soul be drawn above.
Draw me, Jesus closer draw;
Thy strong arm around me throw;
Draw me to thy pierced side;
In thy bosom let me hide.
Teach me all thy will and word,
That my life be filled with God;
Teach me. Lamb of Calvary,
How to live this life for thee.
