Leaving you an example so that
you should follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2 verse 21 He who says
he abides in him should walk just as he walked. 1 John 2 verse
6 We see in our divine leader the
several precepts of God's word drawn out in living characters.
We behold them reduced to practice and represented to the life,
in the whole of his conduct towards God and man. We see one in our
nature, amidst all the assaults of temptation, amidst all the
opposition which malignity could invent. and all the allurements
of this glittering world behaving in a manner exactly agreeable
to the dictates of the divine law and leaving us an example
that we should follow his steps. Surely it must be delightful,
not only to contemplate his character, but to the utmost of our power
to imitate the most perfect pattern which was ever exhibited. It
must be desirable, by constant and strenuous exertions, according
to our measure, to endeavor to trace the steps of His lovely
feet. It is impossible to contemplate
the character of Jesus with serious and devout attention, and not
be charmed with it. We see in Him all the human virtues
in the highest perfection. His joys were grave, His griefs
were just. His gentleness and His severity,
His holiness and His humanity, were in perfect harmony with
each other. He manifested great tenderness
and genuine affection and sensibility to human woe on all occasions. As he did no sin, so, on the
other hand, every shining virtue was exemplified in him to the
highest degree, his humility and meekness, his contempt of
the world. His heavenly temper. His love
to the Father and zeal for His honor. His activity and diligence
in doing good. His submission to the Father's
will. His patience amidst the heaviest
and severest sufferings. his constancy in the exercises
of retired devotion, and his praying for his enemies, who
spilt his blood, can never be sufficiently admired. When you
are tempted to any vanity, set the Blessed Redeemer before you,
consider His example, and ask yourself, How would Jesus, my
Lord and Master, have acted in such a case? Would he have spent
his time upon such trifles? Would he have spoken such and
such, or done this or the other thing which I am solicited to
do? And shall I give way to that
which would be a manifest deviation from his example? God forbid! O Christians, fix your eyes intensely
on the great Exemplar. Thus you will, through divine
grace, daily grow in love with meekness, patience, and lowliness
of heart. The more I contemplate His lovely
character while He sojourned on earth, the more I am delighted
with it. To have the same mind in me which
was in Christ Jesus, and to tread in His steps, should be my constant
aim. Those who are received by Him
to the possession of everlasting felicity in heaven, have humbly
traced His footsteps upon earth. Of them, it is said, these are
the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They are forever
led by Him, even in the celestial world, to the enjoyment of ever
new delights and pleasures. This Puritan devotional has been
brought to you by Grace Gems, a treasury of ageless Sovereign
Grace writings. Please visit our website at www.gracegems.org,
where you can browse and freely download thousands of choice
books, sermons, and quotes, along with select audio messages. No
donations accepted. Thank you. you