The Signs of the Times
August 31, 1904
Looking at the Mistakes of Others
There are those who say, “I might have been a Christian could I have seen in the lives of professing Christians anything better than I have seen in the lives of those making no profession.” They endeavor to excuse their own defects by pointing to the defects of others. ST August 31, 1904, par. 1
To such ones I would say, Do not keep your eyes fixed on the defective example of professing Christians. You will, of course, see in their lives things that are wrong. But if you keep looking at their faults, you will become like them. Look instead at the life of Jesus. There you will see perfection, goodness, mercy, and truth. Take the Saviour as your example. It is in looking at the mistakes of others, instead of to Christ, that you have made your great mistake. ST August 31, 1904, par. 2
Christ came to this world, subject to His Father's will, to show men and women what God desires them to be, and what, through His grace, they may be. He came to develop for man a perfect character. It is His purpose that we shall gain perfection,—not by keeping our eyes fixed on the defective lives of professing Christians, but by constantly beholding Him, the Sent of God, who in this world and in human nature lived a pure, noble, perfect life. ST August 31, 1904, par. 3
Do not allow yourselves to think that you are justified in sinning because others sin. It is your privilege to place yourself where you may reach the highest point of Christian excellence. Remember that in your life, religion is not to be an influence among others. It is to be an influence dominating all others. Resist every temptation. Make no concessions to the wily foe. Listen not to his suggestions. You have a victory to win, you have nobility of character to gain; but this you can not gain while you are looking at the faults of others. You gain nothing when you attempt to excuse your own defects by pointing to the defects of others. ST August 31, 1904, par. 4
As we move forward in obedience to Christ's commands, His light shines on our way, and His strength sustains us. Thus we go on from strength to strength, from grace to grace, by obedience becoming more and more Christlike. ST August 31, 1904, par. 5
We are not to follow human leading. Christ is our leader. At all times and in all places we shall find Him a present help. Because there are professing Christians who dishonor Christ in thought, word, and deed, we are to give plainer evidence than ever before of our completeness in Him. We are to walk in the light of His countenance. We are to show that He is light, and that in Him is no darkness at all. If we will submit to His guidance, He will lead us from the low level on which sin has left us, to the loftiest heights of grace. And as we strive for the crown of immortal life, praying that we may be made strong in the strength of Him who is invincible, we can help those who seem to have no power to escape from the snare into which they have fallen. ST August 31, 1904, par. 6