The world of men is frequently more easily moved by the force of
example than by precept.
Christ declared Himself to be the great exemplar of the Christian
life. He said, "I have given you an example that ye should do as I
have done to you" (John 13:15; 12:32; 1 Peter 2:21). He practiced what
He preached.
Personal Work.--In winning persons to the new life there is an
admitted need of a work of the individual for the individual, but it
is a task from which many draw back. Yet it is right here that the
most effective service may be accomplished. Every man who receives
Christ becomes in a certain sense a trustee to enlist others in His
service and to give to them the light of life. Christ said to His
followers, "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me" (Acts 1:8).
Jesus was no recluse, He went out amongst men and sought them (Mark
10:45) in the market-place, in the fields and by the lakeside.
Everywhere He entered into personal conversation, with those whom He
met, about the kingdom of God; now it was with Nicodemus (John
3:1-21), then again with the woman of Samaria (John 4:4-26) and
others. This personal work of Christ with individuals shows the
importance He attached to the winning of persons one by one to
Himself. Many of the most important teachings are brought out in His
personal conversations.
"The win one movement" which has been inaugurated in certain churches
is very important. It had its incentive in the narrative of John
(1:40-51), who tells us how Andrew won Peter and Philip won Nathanael
by personal appeals to follow Christ. If all the followers of Christ
in all the churches would each win one soul for Christ every year
there would be no more complaints about decadent churches.
Training Others for Service.--Personal work has its limitations in the
time and strength of the individual who does it. Jesus thoroughly
understood this fact and at the outset of His ministry began to train
a band of followers who would carry on His work after His
resurrection. Not only did He train a select company of twelve but
also other men. We read in Luke, the ninth chapter, that He sent out
His twelve disciples to do the work which He had been doing, and in
the tenth chapter we are told that "other seventy" were also appointed
to carry on a similar work. Careful instructions were given the
seventy as to what they should do. The need (Luke 10:2) and the danger
(v. 3) of the work were impressed upon them. They were instructed how
they were to approach the people, what they were to teach and what
they were to do in case they were rejected (vs. 4-11). They returned
from their journey with great joy over its success (v. 17).
This multiplication of self through the inciting and training of
others to do work in which the individual is interested often leads to
far-reaching results. There are many people who desire to advance a
cause and are willing to devote themselves to it, but they have no
power to set about it themselves. There is any quantity of this usable
and helpful material, in our churches, ready to be made of service for
the Master. Here is the waste that every professing Christian is not
set to advance the kingdom of God. It is not only what a Christian may
do himself, but what he can get others to do, which counts.
Teaching.--Many men go wrong from erroneous thoughts about God and the
importance of a right character. Too frequently those who have come
to a saving knowledge of Christ are content to rest satisfied with
it. No effort is made to instruct others in a belief which has helped
them. The church believes in a teaching ministry, but has not yet come
to fully believe in a teaching laity. The laity for the most part
assumes a receptive attitude. Our Bible-schools might be doubled in
numbers and effectiveness if Christian men and women, well qualified
for the task, could be induced to respond to the strong demand for
more teachers. There is no reason why Bible instruction and Christian
teaching should be wholly confined to Sunday. It is time that the
church made an aggressive move upon the week-days and began the
establishment of night schools (for a definite term) for the
systematic study of the Bible for adults and short after day school
catechetical classes for children. These classes could and should be
made auxiliary to the Sunday Bible-school. In them there would be time
for that larger instruction which is so much needed and for which no
opportunity is found under the present arrangement. Besides, much
talent not available upon Sunday, at the time of the session of the
Bible-school, might be utilized. This is an age of clubs organized for
the study of ancient and modern secular literature, where careful and
scholarly papers are read upon subjects given out long in advance.
This study-club idea ought to be utilized by the church for the
investigation of the best literature which the world knows, namely,
that found in the Bible.
Jesus said, "Go teach" (Matthew 28:19,20), and He Himself taught the
people in large and small groups (Matthew 5:1,2), on a mountain, in
the synagogue (Matthew 4:23; Mark 1:21), by the seaside (Mark 2:13),
in the temple (Matthew 26:55), as He walked through the fields and
when He went to feasts and social gatherings. He had ever in mind His
teaching mission. He set an example of persistent and painstaking
instruction of the people under bitter opposition and in adverse
circumstances. He said, in encouraging His disciples to persevere in
their teaching, "Remember the word that I said unto you, the servant
is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted Me they will
also persecute you; if they have kept My saying they will keep yours
also" (John 15:20).
Works of Mercy and Love.--Jesus was the supreme embodiment of mercy
and love. Possessed of almighty power He used it not for honour or for
selfish purposes, but to heal and help men (Matthew 11:5; 9:36; 14:14;
15:32; 20:34; Mark 1:41; 6:34; Luke 7:13). Modern philanthropy had its
origin in Him. All the modern state institutions for the care of the
poor, the blind, the crippled, the sick are in existence to-day
because of the teaching and example of Jesus Christ. Before He came to
earth and taught men how to be compassionate towards the unfortunate
ones there were no such institutions.
Wherever Jesus went, when He was in bodily form upon this earth, the
people thronged Him for the healing touch. This is another way in
which the followers of Christ may reach men, namely through the
healing touch. In the fierce struggle in the world, for a living and a
position, many men are worsted and trampled upon; such men need the
brotherly help of those who have been with Christ. There are many
sick, discouraged and poor; here is a large field for this service of
mercy and love.
Suffering.--There is a ministry of suffering in taking and bearing the
burdens of others. "For it became Him (Christ), for whom are all
things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory,
to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering"
(Hebrews 2:10). This suffering of Christ is represented by the New
Testament writers as having an object in the salvation of man and
bringing him to glory (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 1:5-7; Hebrews 2:9;
1 Peter 1:11; 4:13; 5:1; Philippians 3:10).
Isaiah said of Christ, "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was
bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon
Him; and with His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). We are urged
to follow the example set by Christ (Philippians 2:5-11) in His
humility and suffering for a great purpose. "In every age Christ's
sufferings attract to Him the hearts of men; for they prove the
boundless extent of His love, His absolute unselfishness, and His
loyalty to truth and principle even unto death. Thus they have power
with men." In following Christ, and placing Him in a right light
before men, Christians must have a devotion to Him which will endure
and stand steadfast through suffering. It is often only through the
sacrifice of self that the best things in life are attained. "If so be
we suffer with Him that we may be also glorified together. For I
reckon that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans
8:17,18).