The Character of Christ
Maranathamedia.com note: This article reveals the Spirit that we long to see displayed in all our interactions on the Maranatha Media online community. Let us meditate regularly on these words and pray for the sweet Spirit of Jesus to guide every thought and action of our lives.
THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST
NOTE: This transcript is taken from E. G. White’s THE DESIRE OF AGES. The page reference have been placed alongside each statement.
HIS COMPASSION
At all times and in all places he manifested a loving interest in men, and shed about Him the light of a cheerful piety. 86
He worked to relieve every case of suffering that He saw. 87
He spoke a word of sympathy here and a word there, as He saw men weary, yet compelled to bear heavy burdens. 90
The life of Christ was marked with respect and love for His mother. 90 (There are mothers in Israel that uphold the trinity, but to whom I owe love and respect).
The healing power of love went out from Him to the sick and distressed. 92
He manifested an interest in men’s secular affairs. 151
He spoke with solemn dignity, and both look and tone expressed such earnest love, that sinners were not offended as they realized their humiliating position. 173
His tender compassion fell with a touch of healing upon weary and troubled hearts. 254
His character expressed love in look and tone, and a sweet sympathetic spirit. 254
When He saw men refuse the message of peace, His heart was pierced to the very depths. 255
His heart, that loved and pitied, was a heart of unchanging tenderness. 319
His heart overflowed with love for the whole human race, but He never became indulgent about sin. 356
He who taught the people the way to secure peace and happiness was just as thoughtful of their temporal necessities as of their spiritual needs. 356
His love was not circumscribed to race or nation. 402
He sought not to condemn, but to save. He spoke words of comfort and hope. 462
He was a lover of children. His gentle and kindly manner won their love and confidence. 511
His tender, pitying heart was ever awakened to sympathy by suffering. 533
His enemies read in His calm, solemn face love, benevolence and quiet dignity. 581
During every hour of His life upon the earth, the love of God was flowing from Him in irrepressible streams. 678
His every feature expressed gentleness, and resignation and the tenderest pity for His cruel foes. 735
HIS UNSELFISHNESS
In principle firm as a rock, His life revealed the grace of unselfish courtesy. 69
From His earliest years He was possessed of one purpose; He lived to bless others. 70
He labored earnestly for humanity 86
He did not contend for His rights. 89
He was always sacrificing Himself for the good of others. 90
He was so emptied of self that He made no plans for Himself. 208
He was so fully surrendered to the will of God that the Father alone appeared in His life. 389
He did not manifest selfish sorrow. 576
His whole life was a life of unselfish service. 642
He did not think of Himself. His care for others was uppermost in His mind. 643
HIS TACTFULNESS
Jesus carried into His labor cheerfulness and tact. 73
He reached the hearts of the people by going among them as one who desired their good. 151
His strong personal sympathy helped to win hearts. 151
He did not meet argument with argument. 171
He had tact to meet the prejudiced minds. 254
He made truth beautiful by presenting it in the most direct and simple way. 253
In all His contacts with rude and violent men, He did not use one unkind or discourteous expression. 515
When He reproved, His words were spoken with the utmost gentleness. 535
It was not His purpose to humiliate His opponents. 594
HIS HUMILITY AND MEEKNESS
He shunned display. 74
He did not strive for worldly greatness, and in even the lowest position He was content. 88
He did not contend for His rights. 89
He weeded all vanity from life. 91
He took no measures to bring Himself into notice. 137
His manners were gentle and unassuming. 138
In that life there was no noisy disputation, no ostentatious worship, no act to gain applause. 261
He was never elated by applause, nor dejected by censure or disappointment. 330
He remained true to the humble lot He had accepted. 571
His every feature expressed gentleness and resignation and the tenderest pity for his cruel foes. 735
HIS PATIENCE AND COURAGE
He never manifested an impatient word or look. 88
In His work He was willing and uncomplaining. 89
He did not retaliate when roughly used, but bore insult patiently. 89
He never became discouraged. 89
He was still of good courage when amid the greatest opposition and most cruel treatment. 330
He was not impatient even though interrupted and robbed of rest. 364
He spoke no words of retaliation. 619
His heart was patient and gentle, and would not be provoked. 700
HIS PURITY
Neither gain nor pleasure, applause nor censure, could induce Him to consent to a wrong act. 72
He was wise to discern evil, and strong to resist it. 72
He hated but one thing in the world, and that was sin. 88
He could not witness a wrong act without pain, which it was impossible to disguise. 88
His presence brought a purer atmosphere into the home, and His life was a leaven working amid the elements of society. 90
He was the embodiment of purity. 243
He dwelt among men as an example of spotless integrity. 243
His language was pure, refined, and clear as a running stream. 253
He was surrounded with an atmosphere of peace, even amid the turbulence of angry enemies. 254
In the heart of Christ, where reigned perfect harmony with God, there was perfect peace. 330
His life was a rebuke to men’s sins. 587
HIS DIGNITY AND MANLINESS
In principle He was firm as a rock. 69
He possessed a dignity and individuality wholly distinct from earthly pride and assumption. 88
He spoke with solemn dignity. 173
He never purchased peace by compromise. 356
His enemies read in His calm, solemn face, love, benevolence, and dignity. 581
Even under disgraceful treatment, He bore Himself with firmness and dignity. 742
HIS DILIGENCE AND INDUSTRIOUSNESS
In His industrious life there were no idle moments to invite temptation. 72
He was perfect as a workman, as He was in character. 72
He labored earnestly for humanity. 86
A wise purpose underlayed every act of Christ’s life on earth. 206
His life was crowded with labor and responsibility. 362
HIS MINISTRY
He would not enter into controversy, yet His example was as constant lesson. 89
He passed by no human being as worthless, but sought to apply the saving remedy to every soul. 91
To the discouraged, sick, tempted, and fallen, Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could be understood. 91
He would not betray secrets that were poured into His sympathizing ear. 92
He saw in every soul one to whom must be given the call to His kingdom. 151
He did not sermonize as men do today. 152
As people heard His words they were warmed and comforted. He spoke of God not as an avenging judge, but as a tender Father. 205
He had nothing to do with subjects of dissension among the Jews. It was His work to present the truth. 253
He taught the Scriptures as of unquestionable authority. 253
He was earnest rather than vehement. 254
He loved to gather the people about Him under the blue heavens, on some grassy hillside, or on the beach beside the lake. 291
He rested by faith in His father’s care. 336
His life was crowded with labor and responsibility; yet how often He was found in prayer. 362
He taught men not to place themselves needlessly in antagonism to establish order. 434
He was not presumptuous, nor would He rush into danger or hasten a crisis. 451
It was not His purpose to humiliate His opponents. 594
“Christ is sitting for His portrait in every disciple.” D.A. 827.
“He is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” C.O.L. 69
At the time when the danger and depression of the church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church, because its members are doing after the manner of the world. {CET 186.4}
Dan 9:17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, (without a literal Son, High Priest and Savior) for the Lord's sake.
Dan 9:18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, (has the glory departed?) and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.
Dan 9:19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.
