Many of us have
neglected to study the Scriptures. We have failed to develop such
characters as Christ can use. The Son of God left the courts of glory
and came to our world to partake of its temptations and hardships that
He might lift us up and make us sons and daughters of God. He calls upon
us individually to take up our appointed work wherever we are. We are
to watch for souls as they that must give an account. We are to do what
we can to minister to the spiritual needs of mankind....
Every
day we are building character. Let us build on the Rock, Christ Jesus.
This sure foundation will stand for every one of us.—Manuscript 85, August 21, 1909, sermon preached at Nevada, Iowa.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11.
There
are many who profess to be followers of Christ who do not have an eye
single to His glory. They have their own ideas and standards, and they
keep these before them instead of the standard of the Word of God. What
we need is pure and undefiled religion. We need to plead for the
righteousness that comes to the truly converted soul who accepts the
life of the Redeemer as his example.
Let
us not think that we can pass through this world doing just as we
please and yet be accepted by God as followers of His Son. The gates of
the City of God will never be thrown open to those who have not lifted
the cross and followed after Christ in self-denial and self-sacrifice.
We are never to lose sight of the fact that if ever we come into
possession of the kingdom of glory, we must accept by faith the merits
of Jesus Christ.-The Upward Look,p247
There is a world to be saved. What are you doing to
cooperate with Christ? What are you doing to represent His humility of
spirit? Are you seeking to become acquainted with those who are
afflicted and suffering, and who need your help? Are you using your
opportunities and advantages and means in winning souls to Christ? You
may say, “I am not a minister, and therefore cannot preach the truth.”
You may not be a minister in the generally accepted sense of the word;
you may never be called to stand in the desk. Nevertheless, you can be a
minister for Christ. If you will have your eyes opened to see the
opportunities that present themselves for speaking a word to this soul
and to that, God will speak through you to lead them to Christ.-The Upward Look,p.247
Love for God should lead us to find true enjoyment in learning and doing His will. Thus we become every day better prepared to be overcomers, examples of the power that heavenly grace has to uplift and ennoble human beings. Christ was tempted in all points like as we are, yet He overcame. And today He waits to hear and answer the earnest requests of His children for the grace that will enable them to overcome.-UL,p248
Lose no time in becoming acquainted with the
principles that the children of God must follow. We are here to copy the
character of Christ, to become familiar with His gentleness, His
lowliness. This will place us where our record will be, “Ye are complete
in him.” (Colossians 2:10).
By patience, kindness, forbearance, we are to show that we are not of
the world, that day by day we are learning the lessons that will fit us
to enter the higher school.-UL,p248
The statement below just bowled me over. I heard a pastor say it but I've came across it for the first time and it's profound.In fact, I need to just meditate on it and evaluate my spiritual life more closely than I ever had.
"When God's redeemed ones are called to heaven, they
will not leave behind the advancement they have made in this life by
beholding Christ. They will go on, learning more and still more of God.
They will carry their spiritual attainments into the courts above,
leaving nothing of heavenly origin in this world. As the books of heaven
are opened, each overcomer is assigned his lot and place in heaven, in
accordance with the advancement he has made in this life. "-UL,p248
I am rebuked,challenged,convicted of my errors and encouraged.Encouraged because so long as the Holy Spirit still convicts me,I still have time to make peace with God!
Never should a man ... be too proud to make the
acknowledgment, “I have erred.” The least he can do, after he has
sinned, is to show his sorrow and repentance. Men who do this will be
honored by God, even though they make mistakes.—Manuscript 31, August 22, 1903, “Lessons From the Third Chapter of First John./UL,p248
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