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The most compelling influence on the Christian should be
the example of Jesus.
What He thought and taught, the quality and purpose of His
life and the significance of His actions, for "Jesus
is the pattern person upon whom the Christian must mould his
life." St. Peter, in a memorable phrase, encouraged the
first Christians to "walk in His steps." The thought
conjured up the picture of the Christmasy Good King Wenseslas
trudging through the deep snow with his little pageboy treading
in his foot steps so that he could journey with him more safely.
The Christian has the advantage of having Jesus to lead him
in the way he should go. His attitudes to God and life and
living are to be the motivations of those who call themselves
Christians.
SELFLESSNESS: the selflessness of Jesus is the reminder constantly
that we are expected to be as He was in character and conduct.
The qualities which endeared Him to others should be those
that we show and that persuade people to see us as Christians
in word and deed. The Christlikeness of Christians is effective
in bringing individuals and communities to the knowledge of
God and into the paths of righteousness.
St. Paul in Romans 15:1-6 provides us with what are the distinctive
marks of the Christian, and of the Church
- consideration one for the other; common sharing to mutual
advantage;
- the offering of everyone's abilities and talents for the
progress of the faith;
- constant use of the Scriptures, God's ordinary means of
communication with people.
The selflessness of Christians has brought much benefit to
humanity in every facet of human thought and activity. The
histories of many nations admit their indebtedness to Christians
who copied Christ to provide standards of character and conduct
and service to others which brought everlasting benefit to
them. Too often, though, Christianity has not been well served
by Christians who have displayed all the weaknesses, inefficiencies
and ineffectiveness of their unChristlikeness. While the benefits
of the faith have been brought by some others have given it
a bad name for all the reasons so roundly condemned by Jesus
in the behaviour of religious men in the days of His flesh.
It is a sad indictment on Christians when they are described
as being very little different in attitudes and emotions to
their non religious neighbours.
SCRIPTURES: Emphasis on the place and purpose of the Scriptures
is always necessary for the book is not much used even by
those as deeply committed to the faith. The question was posed:
"If God is a reality, and the soul is a reality, and
you are an immortal being, what are you doing with your Bible
shut?"
The message of the Bible is that God is and faith in Him
is the one way to appreciate the fullness of life. A simple
and practical use of the Scriptures is to rely on the promises
of God to us.
Alexander Whyte, the Scottish preacher, started off each
day, rhyming what he called his "promise text."
He described how he "put them on his tongue and sucked
them like a wee sweetie." He had many of them like, "If
God can be for us who can be against us." "My God
shall supply all your need," and "Lo, I am with
you always," among them. An old jingle had it, "A
verse a day keeps the devil at bay."
The Scriptures provide us with the priorities of Christ and
the principles the Christian lives by - fortitude is needed,
not the passive acceptance of whatever happens but making
every experience of value for future use. C.H. Spurgeon said,
"No one ever outgrows Scripture, the Book widens and
deepens with the years."
EXPECTATION: St. Paul's fortitude had its basis in hope,
the confidence that no matter how awful the situation it has
an end and the promise of something better to come. He was
never a pessimist. He had faced and lived through many terrifying
experiences and was able to say: "I have been knocked
down many times but I have never been knocked out." (1
Corinthians 11:16). The hope that allowed Paul to do great
things for God was God inspired and God centred. He had no
delusions about people even when he admired them for their
goodness, generosity, courage, endurance and achievements.
His dependence was on God and the knowledge that He would
look after him.
FELLOWSHIP: St. Paul had things to say about the fellowship
among believers, the harmony necessary for them to work together
for Christ and Church and people. An original himself he would
bind no one in a mental straight jacket of belief and practice.
He recognised the special gifts and abilities of others and
paid compliment to them in their work. The church is only
being effective when it uses willingly whatever its members
contribute to it. How they view their commitments to Christ
and to the church is to be the governing factor in their relationships.
Differences should not be disruptive, not allowed to have
a divisive effect on the fellowship.
The splintering of Christendom has been a grave disability
in the work and witness of the church. Made even less justifiable
by those who value themselves so highly that faith and fellowship
are to be shared only with those who think and act as they
do.
ENJOYMENT: St. Paul struck another note of praise to God,
the joy of believing in Him and sharing it with fellow believers.
The happy spirit is an attraction when joylessness is off-putting
and repelling. We have to pose the question constantly, "How
do I and my church compare with the patterns set for us by
Christ and the first Christians?"
Canon Dr. S.E. Long
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