 
Illustration. A Teacher Of Righteousness. "He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Heb. 4:15. 1. What testimony is borne concerning Christ's life on earth? “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.” 1 Peter 2:22. 2. What is true of all other members of the human family? “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:23. 3. With what question did Christ challenge His enemies? “Which of you convinceth Me of sin?” John 8:46. 4. To what extent was Christ tempted? “[He] was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4:15. 5. In His humanity, of what nature did Christ partake? “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Heb. 2:14. 6. How fully did Christ share our common humanity? “Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high [pg 174] Note.—In His humanity Christ partook of our sinful, fallen nature. If not, then He was not “made like unto His brethren,” was not “in all points tempted like as we are,” did not overcome as we have to overcome, and is not, therefore, the complete and perfect Saviour man needs and must have to be saved. The idea that Christ was born of an immaculate or sinless mother, inherited no tendencies to sin, and for this reason did not sin, removes Him from the realm of a fallen world, and from the very place where help is needed. On His human side, Christ inherited just what every child of Adam inherits—a sinful nature. On the divine side, from His very conception He was begotten and born of the Spirit. And all this was done to place mankind on vantage-ground, and to demonstrate that in the same way every one who is “born of the Spirit” may gain like victories over sin in his own sinful flesh. Thus each one is to overcome as Christ overcame. Rev. 3:21. Without this birth there can be no victory over temptation, and no salvation from sin. John 3:3-7. 7. Where did God, in Christ, condemn sin, and gain the victory for us over temptation and sin? “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” Rom. 8:3. Note.—God, in Christ, condemned sin, not by pronouncing against it merely as a judge sitting on the judgment-seat, but by coming and living in the flesh, in sinful flesh, and yet without sinning. In Christ, He demonstrated that it is possible, by His grace and power, to resist temptation, overcome sin, and live a sinless life in sinful flesh. 8. By whose power did Christ live the perfect life? “I can of Mine own self do nothing.” John 5:30. “The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works.” John 14:10. Note.—In His humanity Christ was as dependent upon divine power to do the works of God as is any man to do the same thing. He employed no means to live a holy life that are not available to every human being. Through Him, every one may have God dwelling in him and working in him “to will and to do of His good pleasure.” 1 John 4:15; Phil. 2:13. 9. What unselfish purpose did Jesus ever have before Him? “For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.” John 6:38. Have I need of aught, O Saviour! Aught on earth but Thee? Have I any in the heavens, Any one but Thee? Though I have of friends so many, Love, and gold, and health, If I have not Thee, my Saviour, Hold I any wealth? Corie F. Davis. |
|
