"For even Christ pleased not Himself."--Rom. xv. 8.
Too legibly are the characters written on the fallen heart and a fallen
world--"All seek their own!" Selfishness is the great law of our
degenerated nature. When the love of God was dethroned from the soul,
self vaulted into the vacant seat, and there, in some one of its Proteus
shapes, continues to reign.
Jesus stands out for our imitation a grand solitary exception in the
midst of a world of selfishness. His entire life was one abnegation of
self; a beautiful living embodiment of that charity which "seeketh not
her own." He who for others turned water into wine, and provided a
miraculous supply for the fainting thousands in the wilderness, exerted
no such miraculous power for His own necessities. During His forty days'
temptation, no table did He spread for Himself, no booth did He rear for
his unpillowed head. Twice do we read of Him shedding tears--on neither
occasion were they for Himself. The approach of His cross and passion,
instead of absorbing Him in His own approaching suffering, seemed only
to elicit new and more gracious promises to His people. When His enemies
came to apprehend Him, His only stipulation was for His disciples'
release--"Let these go their way." In the very act of departure, with
all the boundless glories of eternity in sight, _they_ were still all
His care.
Ah, how different is the spirit of the world! With how many is day after
day only a new oblation to that idol which never darkened with its
shadow His Holy heart; pampering their own wishes; "envying and grieving
at the good of a neighbor;" unable to brook the praise of a rival;
establishing their own reputation on the ruins of another; thus
engendering jealousy, discontent, peevishness, and every kindred unholy
passion.
"But ye have not so learned Christ!" Reader! have you been sitting at
the feet of Him who "pleased not Himself"? Are you "dying daily;"--dying
to self as well as to sin? Are you animated with _this_ as the high end
and aim of existence--to lay out your time, and talents, and
opportunities, for God's glory, and the good of your fellow-men; not
seeking your own interests, but rather ceding these, if, by doing so,
another will be made happier, and your Saviour honored? You may not have
it in your power to manifest this "mind of Jesus" on a great scale, by
enduring great sacrifices; nor is this required. His denial of self had
about it no repulsive austerity; but you can evince its holy influence
and sway by innumerable little offices of kindness and good-will; taking
a generous interest in the welfare and pursuits of others, or engaging
and coöperating in schemes for the mitigation of human misery.
Avoid _ostentation_--another repulsive form of self. Be willing to be in
the shade; sound no trumpet before you. The evangelist Matthew made a
great feast, which was graced by the presence of Jesus; in his Gospel he
says not one word about it!
Seek to live more constantly and habitually under the constraining
influence of the love of Jesus. Selfishness withers and dies beneath
Calvary.
Ah, believer! if Christ had "pleased Himself," where wouldst _thou_ have
_been_ this day?
"ARM YOURSELVES LIKEWISE WITH THE SAME MIND."
Eighth Day.