The Signs of the Times
December 9, 1903
A New Commandment
Just before His crucifixion, Christ said to His disciples, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples.” ST December 9, 1903, par. 1
By this badge they were to be recognized as Christ's followers and friends. The manifestation of His love was to distinguish them from the world. ST December 9, 1903, par. 2
Why was this a new commandment? The disciples had not loved one another as Christ had loved them. They had not yet seen the fulness of the love that Christ was to reveal in man's behalf. They were yet to see Him dying on the cross for their sins. Through His life and death they were to receive a new conception of love. In the light shining from the cross of Calvary, they were to read the meaning of the words. “As I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” ST December 9, 1903, par. 3
After His resurrection, they were to take the name of Christian. They were not to be recognized as members of some secret society. By their unselfish love they were to be known as Christians. They were without wealth, learning, or fame. They were not to aspire to be recognized as the great men of the world. ST December 9, 1903, par. 4
The Son of God took human nature upon Him, and came to this earth to stand at the head of the fallen race. He lived here as a man among men. He died on the cross that men and women might live in glory. His work stands before us as the work of the greatest medical missionary that the world has ever known. If we would study His love, and try to comprehend its greatness, we should reveal more of it in our lives. ST December 9, 1903, par. 5
The seventeenth chapter of John is an unfolding of the love that we are to cherish for one another. In this prayer Christ said, “I have glorified Thee on the earth; I have finished the work that Thou gavest Me to do.” Christ came to represent the Father by revealing a love that is without a parallel. So untiring were His efforts, that when time came for Him to leave the earth, He could say, “I have finished the work that Thou gavest Me to do. ST December 9, 1903, par. 6
“And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was. I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world: Thine they were, and Thou gavest them Me; and they have kept Thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever Thou hast given Me are of Thee. For I have given them the words which Thou gavest Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me. I pray for them; I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine. And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am glorified in them.” ST December 9, 1903, par. 7
This prayer touches my heart, and thrills my whole being. Shall we not strive to make our lives, which cost the Son of God so much, such that He can be glorified in us? ST December 9, 1903, par. 8
“Neither pray I for these alone; but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.” ST December 9, 1903, par. 9
Many are to believe on Christ through the communication of truth by His servants. As they see the beauty of the Word of God, and as they see Jesus revealed in the lives of His children, they will praise Him with heart and soul and voice. ST December 9, 1903, par. 10
“I beseech you therefore, ... that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Let us gather up our gifts, and bring them to the Master, to be used in His work. ST December 9, 1903, par. 11
Shall those for whom Christ's prayer was offered be careless and indifferent? The angels of heaven have their appointed part to act in answering this prayer. We, too, have a part to act. We are to be faithful and true, showing Christlikeness in all that we do and say. The world needs light. Darkness has covered the earth, and gross darkness the people. We are to be light-bearers, carrying the light of heaven to those in darkness. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” We are to be witnesses for God, revealing in the daily life the love that led Him to suffer and die for sinners. ST December 9, 1903, par. 12
The world has an abundance of professors of religion. What it needs today is men and women, whose practise is in harmony with their profession, whose lives are fragrant with Christlike love. ST December 9, 1903, par. 13