The subject worked out for this month is—Christ our Example.
We are sure from the numerous letters we have received, that the search has much refreshed the hearts of those engaged in it, and we earnestly trust that the result now printed as a whole, may be used for blessing to all who read it, stirring up many in real desire to be more like. The One who has left us so perfect an example, to the end that we might walk in His footsteps.
We may add that the subject being Christ Himself as our example, we have not included in the references passages which record only His precepts.
With a view to making the subject of real practical value we have added an exhortation from one of the Epistles, to most of the divisions.
Obedience to Parents. — “Children obey your parents in the Lord? Ephesians 6:1. “ And Jesus went down with His parents, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them.” Luke 2:51.
Obedience to God. — “As obedient children.” 1 Peter 1:14. “For I do always those things that please my Father.” John 8:29. “Even as 1 have kept my Father’s commandments.” John 15:10.
Faithfulness to God. — “Be thou faithful unto death.” Revelation 2:10. “Who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession.” 1 Timothy 6.13.
Submission to God and Devotedness to His Will. — “That good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2. “But for this cause came I unto this hour.” John 12:27. “Nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt.” Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42. “The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” John 18:11.
Choosing God’s Time for everything. — “And he straightly charged them to tell no man that thing.” Luke 9:21. “My time is not yet come, but your time is alway ready.” John 7:6.
Prayer, the expression of dependence on God, and the source of Strength. — “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17. “He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12; Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35, and other passages.
Thanksgiving. — “In everything give thanks.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18. “For every creature of God is good if it be received with thanksgiving.” 1 Timothy 4:4. “He took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and brake.” Matthew 14:19; Mark 6:41; Luke 9:16 John 6:11, and other passages.
Rejoicing in God. — “Rejoice in the Lord alway.” Philippians 4:4. “ In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit.” Luke 10:21.
Confidence in God. — “We are always confident.” 2 Corinthians 5:8. “ There arose a great tempest but he was asleep.” Matthew 8:24; Mark 4:38; Luke 8:23.
Zeal for the House of God. — “Jesus went into the temple of God and cast out all them that sold and bought.” Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15; Luke 19:45; John 2:15.
Seeking the Glory of God. — “Do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31. “He that seeketh His glory that sent Him.” John 7:18.
Being guided by the Word of God. — “All Scripture ... . is profitable.” 2 Timothy 3:16. “He answered and said, It is written.” Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:8. “He answered and said unto them, have ye not read?” Matthew 19:4. “Why do ye transgress the commandment of God by your tradition” Matthew 15:3; Mark 7:8.
Giving up all for God. — “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” Philippians 3:7. “The Son of Man hath not where to lay his head.” Matthew 8:20; Luke 9:58. “At night he went out and abode in the mount of Olives.” Luke 21:37.
The Service of God, the food of the soul. — “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his word.” John 4:34.
Zeal in the service of God. — “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season.” 2 Timothy 4:2. “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” Luke 2:49. “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” Matthew 9:35; Mark 1:38; Luke 8:1; and many other passages.
The blessing of others an object in life. — “I will gladly spend and be spent for you,” 2 Corinthians 12:15. “For the Son of Man is come to save that which is lost.” Matthew 18.11. “The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto but to minister.” Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45.
Faithfulness in reproving evil. — “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Ephesians 5:11; Leviticus 19:17. “Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites.” Matthew 23:13; Luke 11:43, &c. John 4:18; 7:7.
Wisdom in Speech — “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:6. Matthew 22:15, 46; Mark 11:27; 12:13; Luke 7:22; 10:26; 13:23; 20: 3, 21, &c.
Worldly recognition to be refused. — “By whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14. “I receive not honor from men.” John 5:41. “When Jesus perceived that they would come and take him by force to make him a king, he departed.” John 6:15.
Obedience to God taking the precedence of natural ties. — “Follow me.” Matthew 8:22. “Jesus said unto her (his mother), Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.” John 2:3.
Endurance of weariness in the service of God. — “In weariness and painfulness.” 2 Corinthians 11:27. “ Jesus being wearied with His journey, sat thus on the well.” John 4:6.
Graciousness in dealing with the unsaved. — “He that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30. Matthew 9:10; Mark 2:15; Luke 15:2. “Jesus said to the woman, “Give me to drink.” John 4:7.
Respect for the law of God. — “The law is holy, and just, and good” Romans 7:12, but “The priesthood being changed there is made of necessity a change also of the law.” Hebrews 7:12. “ Jesus saith unto him show thyself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded.” Matthew 8:4. “ Now when He was at Jerusalem at the passover.” John 2:23; 5:1.
Subjection to the powers that be. — “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake.” 1 Peter 2:13. “Notwithstanding lest we should offend them.” Matthew 17:29. “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are acmes.” Matthew 22:21; Mark 12:17; Luke 20:25.
Compassion and Sympathy. — “Weep with them that weep.” Romans 12:15. “When He saw the multitudes he was moved with compassion.” Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34. “And when the Lord saw her he had compassion on her.” Luke 7.13. “When Jesus therefore saw her weeping He groaned in spirit.” John 11:33.
Love. — 1 Corinthians 13 “That he who loveth God, love his brother also.” 1 John 4:21. “Lord, behold he whom thou lowest is sick.” John 11:5. “Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” John 13:1. “As I have loved you.” John 15:12.
Patience with the ignorance of others. — “Be patient toward all men.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14. Matthew 15:15-20; 16:9.
Kindness. — “Put on therefore as the elect of God......kindness.” Colossians 3:12. “Suffer little children to come unto me.” Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:14; Luke 18:16.
Meekness. — “The servant of the Lord must not strive in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves.” 2 Timothy 2:24, 25. “But he answered nothing.” Matthew 26; 27; Mark 14; 15, &c. “ Who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered he threatened not.” 1 Peter 2:23.
Appreciation of good in others. — “Charity believeth all things, hopeth all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:7. “Then Jesus beholding him loved him.” Mark 10:21. “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.” John 1:47.
Encouragement of the Timid. — “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble knees.” Hebrews 12:12. “He saith unto them, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” Mark 6:50; John 6:20.
Thoughtfulness for others. — “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Philippians 2:4. “They need not depart; give you them to eat.” Matthew 14:16; John 6:5. “He saith to his mother, Woman, behold thy son.” John 19:26, 27.
Prayer for Enemies. — “Pray for them that despitefully use you.” Matthew 5:44. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Luke 23.34. “Pray for them which despitefully use you.” Matthew 5:44.
Slowness to impute evil. — “Charity shall cover a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8. “Neither do I condemn thee; go and sin no mere.” John 8:11.
Desire for the spiritual welfare of others. — “Ye which are spiritual restore such an one.” Galatians 6:1. “If I then, your Lord and master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” John 13:14.
Joy when others are used in God’s service. — “Notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached, and —I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1:18. “Forbid him not for he that is not against us is on our part.” Mark 9:39.
Care that nothing shall be wasted. — “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” John 6:12.
The Truth of God the rule of doctrine. — “As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them.” Galatians 6:16. “My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me.” John 7:16.
Holiness. — “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16. “ Who did no sin.” 1 Peter 2:22.