A High Standard

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In every trying situation we are to ask, «Were Christ placed as I am, what would He do?» We are to choose to do as He would do. He has made it possible for us to do this. «He took not on Him the seed of angels, but He took on Him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered being tempted, He is able also to succor them that are tempted.»

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Christ assumed human nature, that He might reach humanity, and at the same time through His divinity lay hold of divine power. He became a man, that men and women might become one with Him as He is one with the Father. While on this earth He was tempted and tried in all points like as we are. He says to every believing child, «Fear not; I have overcome the world. The victories that I gained make it possible for you to be more than a conqueror.»

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I present the rich and gracious assurance that by faith we may be partakers of the divine nature, having overcome the corruption that is in the world through lust. Christ has endured all the suffering and overcome all the temptations that we shall be called upon to endure and to overcome. He knows what it means to be tried and tested.

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The lives of Christ’s followers are to reveal the transforming power of His grace. Words of sympathy are to fall from their lips, strengthening, encouraging, and blessing the needy. Those whose hearts are filled with the love of Christ will express this love in word and deed.

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God is in earnest with us. Those only who are converted will enter into the kingdom of heaven. What would we think of Christ manifesting no warmth of love, no disposition to help those in need? Yet many who profess to be His followers are cold and unsympathetic. They make little effort to help those with whom they come in contact. They are not transformed in character. Their words show that they are not converted. They have none of Christ’s tenderness. Their unamiable traits of character, their lack of sympathy, show that they have lost their first love. They need to repent and be converted; for Christ is greatly dishonored by their selfishness. The Saviour does not abide in their hearts, or they would be touched with the feeling of others’ infirmities. They are self-centered, harsh, unaccommodating.

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If, when Christ comes the second time, they are as they are now,-harsh in words, coarse in spirit, destitute of Christlike love,-their candlestick will be removed out of its place. They will not be ready to meet their Lord. O, that they would feel the necessity of putting on the Lord Jesus! O, that they would seek to understand what is due from man to his fellow man!

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I tell you in the name of Jesus of Nazareth that there must be a reformation among us as a people. Unless men reveal Christlikeness in all their dealings with their fellow men, unless they obey the laws of heaven in every particular, they will never enter the city of God. There is no excuse for any one to fail. Christ’s character is before all, for study and imitation.

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If one does a piece of work that is not wholly perfect, shall his brethren pull it to pieces, speaking of it scathingly and contemptuously? The one who has made mistakes may be doing his very best. Did Christ treat the imperfect work of His disciples thus? If He should treat erring human beings as they too often treat one another, what would become of them? Well may we say, «Let us fall into the hands of the living God, rather than into the hands of men.» God is too wise to err, and too good to do us harm.

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Those who are connected with God’s service should be sanctified, body, soul, and spirit, else they will mar God’s work and put Christ to open shame. What does God’s Word mean when it declares that Christ will present to Himself a church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing? It means that God’s people can and must reach the standard of Christian perfection. But, in order to do this, they must learn of Christ His meekness and lowliness.

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By the sacrifice of Christ, every provision has been made for believers to receive all things that pertain to life and godliness. The perfection of His character makes it possible for us to gain perfection. Ellen G. White. —