To Be Like Jesus

To be like Jesus “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 “By beholding we become changed. The character is softened, refined, and ennobled for the heavenly kingdom.” MB 85 “as we meditate upon the perfections of the divine Model, we shall desire to become wholly transformed, and renewed in the image of His purity.” MH 492 “As you behold Him you will be charmed with the riches of the glory of His divine love.” Lt. 97, 1895 “Through the merits of Christ, through His righteousness, which by faith is imputed unto us, we are to attain to the perfection of Christian character. Our daily and hourly work is set forth in the words of the apostle: "Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith." While doing this our minds become clearer and our faith stronger, and our hope is confirmed; we are so engrossed with the view of His purity and loveliness, and the sacrifice He has made to bring us into agreement with God, that we have no disposition to speak of doubts and discouragements. The manifestation of God's love, His mercy and His goodness, and the work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart to enlighten and renew it, place us, through faith, in so close connection with Christ that, having a clear conception of His character, we are able to discern the masterly deceptions of Satan. Looking unto Jesus and trusting in His merits we appropriate the blessings of light, of peace, of joy in the Holy Ghost. And in view of the great things which Christ has done for us, we are ready to exclaim: "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God."”5T 744 “As we associate together, we may be a blessing to one another. If we are Christ's, our sweetest thoughts will be of Him. We shall love to talk of Him; and as we speak to one another of His love, our hearts will be softened by divine influences. Beholding the beauty of His character, we shall be "changed into the same image from glory to glory." 2 Cor. 3:18. DA 83 “Christ came to reveal God to the world as a God of love, full of mercy, tenderness, and compassion.” 5T 738 “All who long to bear the likeness of the character of God shall be satisfied… If the eye is kept fixed on Christ, the work of the Spirit ceases not until the soul is conformed to His image.” DA 302 “As the perfection of His character is dwelt upon, the mind is renewed, and the soul is re-created in the image of God. What education can be higher than this? What can equal it in value?” ED 18 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1,2 “Let the mind dwell upon His love, upon the beauty, the perfection, of His character. Christ in His self-denial, Christ in His humiliation, Christ in His purity and holiness, Christ in His matchless love --this is the subject for the soul's contemplation. It is by loving Him, copying Him, depending wholly upon Him, that you are to be transformed into His likeness.” SC 70 “Not for Himself, but for others, He lived and thought and prayed. From hours spent with God He came forth morning by morning, to bring the light of heaven to men. Daily He received a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit.” COL 139 “But the Eternal One Himself proclaims His character: "The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty."” Exodus 34:6, 7. GC 500 “Christ gave no stinted service…His love for men led Him to welcome every indignity, and suffer every abuse.” MH 500-1 “The Saviour’s entire life was characterized by disinterested benevolence & beauty of holiness. He is our pattern of goodness…He showed consistency without obstinacy, benevolence without weakness, tenderness & sympathy without sentimentalism. He was highly social, yet He possessed a reserve that discouraged any familiarity. His temperance never led to bigotry or austerity.” CPT 262 “The Christian life does not consist merely in the exercise of meekness, patience, humility, and kindness. One may possess these precious and amiable traits and yet be nerveless and spiritless, and almost useless when the work goes hard.” TMK 155 “He fearlessly denounced hypocrisy, unbelief, and iniquity, but tears were in His voice as He uttered His scathing rebukes.” DA 353 “Jesus was our example in all things, and He was an earnest and constant worker…Loving words fell from His lips to comfort, encourage, and bless…Jesus was a silent and unselfish worker. He did not seek fame, riches, or applause, neither did He consult His own ease and pleasure. ... He did not shirk care and responsibility,” TKH 155 “Christ represented the character of God to the world…Christ never flattered any one. He never deceived or defrauded, never changed His course of straightforward uprightness to obtain favor or applause. He ever expressed the truth. The law of kindness was in His lips, and there was no guile in His mouth…Those who follow Christ will be continually looking into the perfect law of liberty, and through the grace given them by Christ, will fashion the character according to the divine requirements.” TMK 156 Remember, “repetition of acts form habits, & habits, character.” The Life of Christ from The Desire of Ages by E.G. White: “He shunned all outward display. Riches, worldly honor, and human greatness can never save a soul from death;” P. 43 “As a child, Jesus manifested a peculiar loveliness of disposition. His willing hands were ever ready to serve others. He manifested a patience that nothing could disturb, and a truthfulness that would never sacrifice integrity. In principle firm as a rock, His life revealed the grace of unselfish courtesy.” P. 68 “From His earliest years He was possessed of one purpose; He lived to bless others.” P 70 “It was necessary for Him to be constantly on guard in order to preserve His purity.” P. 71 “In His industrious life there were no idle moments to invite temptation… Temptation, poverty, adversity, is the very discipline needed to develop purity and firmness…He was a willing servant, a loving, obedient son. He was perfect as a workman, as He was perfect in character. By His own example He taught that it is our duty to be industrious,” P. 72 “Throughout His life on earth, Jesus was an earnest and constant worker. He expected much; therefore He attempted much…Jesus did not shirk care and responsibility… The positiveness and energy, the solidity and strength of character, manifested in Christ are to be developed in us, through the same discipline that He endured. And the grace that He received is for us…Jesus carried into His labor cheerfulness and tact…Often He expressed the gladness of His heart by singing psalms and heavenly songs…He held communion with heaven in song; and as His companions complained of weariness from labor, they were cheered by the sweet melody from His lips. His praise seemed to banish the evil angels, and, like incense, fill the place with fragrance. The minds of His hearers were carried away from their earthly exile, to the heavenly home.” P. 73 “There was nothing beneath His notice, nothing to which He disdained to minister…The atmosphere of hope and courage that surrounded Him made Him a blessing in every home…Yet Jesus shunned display…He sought no high position and assumed no titles.” P. 74 “In every gentle and submissive way, Jesus tried to please those with whom He came in contact…Jesus seemed to know the Scriptures from beginning to end, and He presented them in their true import.” P. 85 “Jesus worked to relieve every case of suffering that He saw…He often denied Himself of food in order to relieve those who appeared more needy than He.” P. 87 “He did not strive for worldly greatness, and in even the lowliest position He was content.” P. 88 “But to every temptation He had one answer, "It is written."… Jesus did not contend for His rights. He was willing and uncomplaining. He did not retaliate when roughly used, but bore insult patiently. He never became discouraged; He would not enter into controversy… The early morning often found Him in some secluded place, meditating, searching the Scriptures, or in prayer.” P. 89 “He passed by no human being as worthless, but sought to save. He taught all to look upon themselves as endowed with precious talents, which if rightly employed would secure for them eternal riches.” P. 90 “He would not betray the secrets they poured into His sympathizing ear.” P. 91 Christ taught that “the claims of God are paramount.” P. 147 “We cannot discern the character of God, or accept Christ by faith, unless we consent to the bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ. To all who do this the Holy Spirit is given without measure.” P. 181 “The Saviour cannot withdraw from the soul that clings to Him, pleading its great need.” P. 198 “So utterly was Christ emptied of self that He made no plans for Himself. He accepted God's plans for Him,” P. 208 “He was the embodiment of purity,”… and “of spotless integrity.” P. 243 “He made truth beautiful by presenting it in the most direct and simple way. His language was pure, refined, and clear as a running stream. His voice was as music” P. 253 “Yet He was earnest, rather than vehement…Jesus sought to break the spell of infatuation which keeps men absorbed in earthly things…His messages of mercy were varied to suit His audience.” P. 253-4 “Jesus was revealing to men the character of God. He was breaking Satan's power, and setting his captives free.” P. 256 “In His life no self-assertion mingled… He was seeking to draw men to Him as their Saviour… He desired to turn their minds away from the earthly to the spiritual.” P. 260 “In His life no noisy disputation, no ostentatious worship, no act to gain applause, was ever witnessed. Christ was hid in God, and God was revealed in the character of His Son…Quietly and gently the daylight breaks upon the earth, dispelling the shadow of darkness, and waking the world to life. So did the Sun of Righteousness arise, "with healing in His wings."” Mal. 4:2. P. 261 “"Learn of Me," says Jesus; "for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest." We are to enter the school of Christ, to learn from Him meekness and lowliness. Redemption is that process by which the soul is trained for heaven. This training means a knowledge of Christ… In the heart of Christ, where reigned perfect harmony with God, there was perfect peace. He was never elated by applause, nor dejected by censure or disappointment. Amid the greatest opposition and the most cruel treatment, He was still of good courage.” P. 330 “As Jesus rested by faith in the Father's care, so we are to rest in the care of our Saviour.” P. 336 “He… who had met Satan (in the wilderness & conquered him on the point of appetite) did not flee before these demons, but cast them out. P. 337 “Christ Himself did not suppress one word of truth, but He spoke it always in love. He exercised the greatest tact, and thoughtful, kind attention in His intercourse with the people. He was never rude, never needlessly spoke a severe word, never gave needless pain to a sensitive soul. He did not censure human weakness. He fearlessly denounced hypocrisy, unbelief, and iniquity, but tears were in His voice as He uttered His scathing rebukes.” P. 353 “Jesus Himself never purchased peace by compromise. His heart overflowed with love for the whole human race, but He was never indulgent to their sins. He was too much their friend to remain silent while they were pursuing a course that would ruin their souls,--the souls He had purchased with His own blood… Jesus assures His disciples of God's sympathy for them in their needs and weaknesses. Not a sigh is breathed, not a pain felt, not a grief pierces the soul, but the throb vibrates to the Father's heart.” P. 356 “As a man Christ supplicated the throne of God till His humanity was charged with a heavenly current that should connect humanity with divinity. Through continual communion He received life from God, that He might impart life to the world. His experience is to be ours… We need more simplicity, more trust and confidence in our Saviour. He whose name is called "The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace;"… We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, "Be still, and know that I am God."” Ps. 46:10. P. 363 “Christ taught them not to place themselves needlessly in antagonism to established order…they should avoid controversy whenever it is possible to do so.” P. 434 “The world for Christ was not a place of ease and self-aggrandizement. He was not watching for an opportunity to seize its power and its glory…But He was not to be presumptuous, not to rush into danger, not to hasten a crisis…He must wait patiently.” P. 451 “Though Christ had been repulsed, His love toward them was unchanged.” P. 488 “Christ spoke as one having authority, and His word was with power; yet in all His intercourse with rude and violent men He did not use one unkind or discourteous expression.” P. 515 “His tender, pitying heart is ever awakened to sympathy by suffering. He weeps with those that weep, and rejoices with those that rejoice.” P. 533 “His garments were travel stained; His face was pale, and expressed a patient sadness; yet written there were dignity and benevolence…It was not Christ’s purpose to humiliate His opponents.” P. 594 “Christ's indignation was directed against the hypocrisy, the gross sins, by which men were destroying their own souls,… He spoke no words of retaliation. He had a holy wrath…He manifested no irritated temper.” P. 619 “Christ expressed His love for His disciples…His love for them was not easily disturbed or quenched…One of the last acts of His life on earth was to gird Himself as a servant, and perform a servant's part.” P. 644 “Jesus alone could read Judas’s secret. Yet He did not expose him.” P. 645 “Christ neared Gethsemane…with a heart so full of sorrow…He was numbered with the transgressors. So dreadful does sin appear to Him, so great is the weight of guilt which He must bear, that He is tempted to fear it will shut Him out forever from His Father's love. Never before had they seen Him so utterly sad and silent.” P. 685 “As the substitute and surety for sinful man, Christ was suffering under divine justice.” P. 686 “Behold Him contemplating the price to be paid for the human soul. In His agony He clings to the cold ground,” P. 687 “The words fall tremblingly from the pale lips of Jesus, "O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done."… His decision is made. He will save man at any cost to Himself. He accepts His baptism of blood, that through Him perishing millions may gain everlasting life.” P. 690 “Christ calmly replied, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou Me?" He spoke no burning words of retaliation. His calm answer came from a heart sinless, patient, and gentle, that would not be provoked. Christ suffered keenly under abuse and insult. At the hands of the beings whom He had created, and for whom He was making an infinite sacrifice, He received every indignity.” P. 700 “Caiaphas was struck with admiration for His noble and dignified bearing…The people compared the excited and malignant deportment of Annas and Caiaphas with the calm, majestic bearing of Jesus.” P. 704 “Patiently Jesus listened to the conflicting testimonies. No word did He utter in self-defense…Jesus held His peace. "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth."” Isaiah 53:7 P. 706 “Yet Jesus spoke no word of condemnation. He looked pityingly upon Judas,” P. 722 “On His face Pilate saw no sign of guilt, no expression of fear, no boldness or defiance. He saw a man of calm and dignified bearing, whose countenance bore not the marks of a criminal, but the signature of heaven. P. 724 “Herod questioned Christ in many words, but throughout the Saviour maintained a profound silence…But Christ was as one who heard and saw not. The Son of God had taken upon Himself man's nature. He must do as man must do in like circumstances. Therefore He would not work a miracle to save Himself the pain and humiliation that man must endure when placed in a similar position.” P. 729 “He came to heal the brokenhearted…Those eyes that had ever rested upon the penitent sinner in pitying, forgiving love had no look to bestow upon Herod. Those lips that had uttered the most impressive truth, that in tones of tenderest entreaty had pleaded with the most sinful and the most degraded, were closed to the haughty king who felt no need of a Saviour.” P. 730 “Christ's enemies had demanded a miracle as evidence of His divinity. They had evidence far greater than any they had sought… His meekness and patience exalt Jesus above humanity, and prove His kinship to God. His abasement was the pledge of His exaltation. The blood drops of agony that from His wounded temples flowed down His face and beard were the pledge of His anointing with "the oil of gladness" (Heb. 1:9.) as our great high priest.” P. 734 “Satan's rage was great as he saw that all the abuse inflicted upon the Saviour had not forced the least murmur from His lips. Although He had taken upon Him the nature of man, He was sustained by a godlike fortitude, and departed in no particular from the will of His Father…His face was stained with blood, and bore the marks of exhaustion and pain; but never had it appeared more beautiful than now. The Saviour's visage was not marred before His enemies. Every feature expressed gentleness and resignation and the tenderest pity for His cruel foes. In His manner there was no cowardly weakness, but the strength and dignity of long-suffering.” P. 735 “"And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him." "That He might sanctify the people with His own blood," Christ "suffered without the gate."” Heb. 13:12. P. 741 “From insult to renewed insult, from mockery to mockery, twice tortured by the scourge,--all that night there had been scene after scene of a character to try the soul of man to the uttermost. Christ had not failed. He had spoken no word but that tended to glorify God. All through the disgraceful farce of a trial He had borne Himself with firmness and dignity.” P. 742 “He looked upon these women with tender compassion…He did not despise their sympathy, but it awakened in His heart a deeper sympathy for them. "Daughters of Jerusalem," He said, "weep not for Me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children."” P.743 “Jesus made no resistance…The Saviour made no murmur of complaint. His face remained calm and serene, but great drops of sweat stood upon His brow… No curses were called down upon the soldiers who were handling Him so roughly. No vengeance was invoked upon the priests and rulers, who were gloating over the accomplishment of their purpose. Christ pitied them in their ignorance and guilt. He breathed only a plea for their forgiveness,--"for they know not what they do."” P. 744 “Order and perfection are seen in all His work.” P. 789 “Christ's first work on earth after His resurrection was to convince His disciples of His undiminished love and tender regard for them. To give them proof that He was their living Saviour, that He had broken the fetters of the tomb, and could no longer be held by the enemy death; to reveal that He had the same heart of love as when He was with them as their beloved Teacher, He appeared to them again and again. He would draw the bonds of love still closer around them.” P. 793 “Christ never forces His company upon anyone. He interests Himself in those who need Him. Gladly will He enter the humblest home, and cheer the lowliest heart.” P. 800 “The Saviour's manner of dealing with Peter had a lesson for him and for his brethren. It taught them to meet the transgressor with patience, sympathy, and forgiving love…The question that Christ had put to Peter was significant. He mentioned only one condition of discipleship and service. "Lovest thou Me?" He said. This is the essential qualification…without the love of Jesus in the heart, the work of the Christian minister is a failure.” P. 815 “The absence of devotion, piety, and sanctification of the outer man comes through denying Jesus Christ our righteousness. The love of God needs to be constantly cultivated. . . Let this point be fully settled in every mind: If we accept Christ as a Redeemer, we must accept Him as a Ruler. We cannot have the assurance and perfect confiding trust in Christ as our Saviour until we acknowledge Him as our King and are obedient to His commandments.” FW 16 Circuit of Beneficence: “But turning from all lesser representations, we behold God in Jesus. Looking unto Jesus we see that it is the glory of our God to give. "I do nothing of Myself," said Christ; "the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father." "I seek not Mine own glory," but the glory of Him that sent Me. John 8:28; 6:57; 8:50; 7:18. In these words is set forth the great principle which is the law of life for the universe. All things Christ received from God, but He took to give. So in the heavenly courts, in His ministry for all created beings: through the beloved Son, the Father's life flows out to all; through the Son it returns, in praise and joyous service, a tide of love, to the great Source of all. And thus through Christ the circuit of beneficence is complete, representing the character of the great Giver, the law of life.” DA 21 “This could not be done by force. The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God's government; He desires only the service of love; and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened. To know God is to love Him; His character must be manifested in contrast to the character of Satan. This work only one Being in all the universe could do. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it known. Upon the world's dark night the Sun of Righteousness must rise, "with healing in His wings."” Mal. 4:2. The plan for our redemption was not an afterthought, a plan formulated after the fall of Adam. It was a revelation of "the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal." Rom. 16:25, It was an unfolding of the principles that from eternal ages have been the foundation of God's throne…God did not ordain that sin should exist, but He foresaw its existence, and made provision to meet the terrible emergency. So great was His love for the world, that He covenanted to give His only-begotten Son, "that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."” John 3:16. DA 22 (See also COL 415)