Personal Influence is a Power

You are a garden fountain, a well of flowing water streaming down from
Lebanon. S. of Sol. 4:15, NIV.

It is through personal contact and association that men are reached by the
saving power of the gospel. They are not saved as masses, but as
individuals. Personal influence is a power. It is to work with the influence
of Christ, to lift where Christ lifts, to impart correct principles, and to
stay the progress of the world's corruption. It is to diffuse that grace
which Christ alone can impart. It is to uplift, to sweeten the lives and
characters of others by the power of a pure example united with earnest
faith and love. . . .

Through sin, the whole human organism is deranged, the mind is perverted,
the imagination corrupted; the faculties of the soul are degraded. There is
an absence of pure religion, of heart holiness. The converting power of God
has not wrought in transforming the character. The soul is weak, and for
want of moral force to overcome, is polluted and debased.

To the heart that has become purified, all is changed. Transformation of
character is the testimony to the world of an indwelling Christ. The Spirit
of God produces a new life in the soul, bringing the thoughts and desires
into obedience to the will of Christ; and the inward man is renewed in the
image of God. Weak and erring men and women show to the world that the
redeeming power of grace can cause the faulty character to develop into
symmetry and abundant fruitfulness.

The heart that receives the Word of God is not as a pool that evaporates,
not like a broken cistern that loses its treasure. It is like the mountain
stream, fed by unfailing springs, whose cool, sparkling waters leap from
rock to rock, refreshing the weary, the thirsty, the heavy-laden. It is like
a river constantly flowing and, as it advances, becoming deeper and wider,
until its life-giving waters are spread over all the earth. . . .

So it is with the true child of God. The religion of Christ reveals itself
as a vitalizing, pervading principle, a living, working, spiritual energy.
When the heart is opened to the heavenly influence of truth and love, these
principles will flow forth again like streams in the desert, causing
fruitfulness to appear where now are barrenness and dearth.

As those who have been cleansed and sanctified through a knowledge of Bible
truth engage heartily in the work of soul saving, they will become indeed a
savor of life unto life. And as daily they drink of the inexhaustible
fountain of grace and knowledge, they will find that their own hearts are
filled to overflowing with the Spirit of their Master, and that through
their unselfish ministry many are benefited physically, mentally, and
spiritually. The weary are refreshed, the sick restored to health, and the
sin-burdened relieved (Prophets and Kings, pp. 232-234).

>From Lift Him Up - Page 286

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The True, the Frank, the Honest

Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Rev.
2:10. }

God's all-seeing eye notes the defects of all and the ruling passion of
each, yet He bears with our mistakes and pities our weakness. He bids His
people cherish the same spirit of tenderness and forbearance. True
Christians will not exult in exposing the faults and deficiencies of others.
They will . . . fix the mind upon that which is attractive and lovely. To
the Christian every act of faultfinding, every word of censure or
condemnation, is painful. . . .

Would all professed Christians use their investigative powers to see what
evils needed to be corrected in themselves, instead of talking of others'
wrongs, there would be a more healthy condition in the church today. Some
will be honest when it costs nothing; but when policy will pay best, honesty
is forgotten. Honesty and policy will not work together in the same mind. In
time, either policy will be expelled, and truth and honesty reign supreme,
or, if policy is cherished, honesty will be forgotten. They are never in
agreement; they have nothing in common. One is the prophet of Baal, the
other is the true prophet of God. When the Lord makes up His jewels, the
true, the frank, the honest, will be looked upon with pleasure. Angels are
employed in making crowns for such ones, and upon these star-gemmed crowns
will be reflected, with splendor, the light which radiates from the throne
of God. . . .

The Lord is testing and proving His people. You may be just as severe and
critical with your own defective character as you please; but be kind,
pitiful, and courteous toward others. Inquire every day: Am I sound to the
core, or am I false-hearted? Entreat the Lord to save you from all deception
on this point. Eternal interests are involved. While so many are panting
after honor and greedy of gain, do you, my beloved brethren, be eagerly
seeking the assurance of the love of God and crying: Who will show me how to
make my calling and election sure?

Satan carefully studies the constitutional sins of men, and then he begins
his work of alluring and ensnaring them. We are in the thickest of
temptations, but there is victory for us if we fight manfully the battles of
the Lord. All are in danger. But if you walk humbly and prayerfully you will
come forth from the proving process more precious than fine gold, even than
the golden wedge of Ophir. If careless and prayerless, you will be as
sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.

Some have become almost lost in the mazes of skepticism. To such I would
say: Lift your mind out of that channel. Fasten it upon God. The more
closely faith and holiness bind you to the Eternal One, the clearer and
brighter will the justice of His dealings appear to you. Make life, eternal
life, the object of your pursuit (Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 95-98).

>From Lift Him Up - Page 287

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The True, the Frank, the Honest

Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Rev.
2:10. }

God's all-seeing eye notes the defects of all and the ruling passion of
each, yet He bears with our mistakes and pities our weakness. He bids His
people cherish the same spirit of tenderness and forbearance. True
Christians will not exult in exposing the faults and deficiencies of others.
They will . . . fix the mind upon that which is attractive and lovely. To
the Christian every act of faultfinding, every word of censure or
condemnation, is painful. . . .

Would all professed Christians use their investigative powers to see what
evils needed to be corrected in themselves, instead of talking of others'
wrongs, there would be a more healthy condition in the church today. Some
will be honest when it costs nothing; but when policy will pay best, honesty
is forgotten. Honesty and policy will not work together in the same mind. In
time, either policy will be expelled, and truth and honesty reign supreme,
or, if policy is cherished, honesty will be forgotten. They are never in
agreement; they have nothing in common. One is the prophet of Baal, the
other is the true prophet of God. When the Lord makes up His jewels, the
true, the frank, the honest, will be looked upon with pleasure. Angels are
employed in making crowns for such ones, and upon these star-gemmed crowns
will be reflected, with splendor, the light which radiates from the throne
of God. . . .

The Lord is testing and proving His people. You may be just as severe and
critical with your own defective character as you please; but be kind,
pitiful, and courteous toward others. Inquire every day: Am I sound to the
core, or am I false-hearted? Entreat the Lord to save you from all deception
on this point. Eternal interests are involved. While so many are panting
after honor and greedy of gain, do you, my beloved brethren, be eagerly
seeking the assurance of the love of God and crying: Who will show me how to
make my calling and election sure?

Satan carefully studies the constitutional sins of men, and then he begins
his work of alluring and ensnaring them. We are in the thickest of
temptations, but there is victory for us if we fight manfully the battles of
the Lord. All are in danger. But if you walk humbly and prayerfully you will
come forth from the proving process more precious than fine gold, even than
the golden wedge of Ophir. If careless and prayerless, you will be as
sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.

Some have become almost lost in the mazes of skepticism. To such I would
say: Lift your mind out of that channel. Fasten it upon God. The more
closely faith and holiness bind you to the Eternal One, the clearer and
brighter will the justice of His dealings appear to you. Make life, eternal
life, the object of your pursuit (Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 95-98).

>From Lift Him Up - Page 287

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Hezekiah Humbled Himself

Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the
inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them
in the days of Hezekiah. 2 Chron. 32:26.

Filled with remorse, "Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart."
. . . But the evil seed had been sown and in time was to spring up and yield
a harvest of desolation and woe. During his remaining years the king of
Judah was to have much prosperity because of his steadfast purpose to redeem
the past and to bring honor to the name of the God whom he served; yet his
faith was to be severely tried, and he was to learn that only by putting his
trust fully in Jehovah could he hope to triumph over the powers of darkness
that were plotting his ruin and the utter destruction of his people.

The story of Hezekiah's failure to prove true to his trust at the time of
the visit of the ambassadors is fraught with an important lesson for all.
Far more than we do, we need to speak of the precious chapters in our
experience, of the mercy and loving-kindness of God, of the matchless depths
of the Saviour's love. When mind and heart are filled with the love of God,
it will not be difficult to impart that which enters into the spiritual
life. Great thoughts, noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth,
unselfish purposes, yearnings for piety and holiness, will find expression
in words that reveal the character of the heart treasure.

Those with whom we associate day by day need our help, our guidance. They
may be in such a condition of mind that a word spoken in season will be as a
nail in a sure place. Tomorrow some of these souls may be where we can never
reach them again. What is our influence over these fellow travelers?

Every day of life is freighted with responsibilities which we must bear.
Every day, our words and acts are making impressions upon those with whom we
associate. How great the need that we set a watch upon our lips and guard
carefully our steps! One reckless movement, one imprudent step, and the
surging waves of some strong temptation may sweep a soul into the downward
path. We cannot gather up the thoughts we have planted in human minds. . . .

On the other hand, if by our example we aid others in the development of
good principles, we give them power to do good. In their turn they exert the
same beneficial influence over others. Thus hundreds and thousands are
helped by our unconscious influence. The true follower of Christ strengthens
the good purposes of all with whom he comes in contact. Before an
unbelieving, sin-loving world he reveals the power of God's grace and the
perfection of His character (Prophets and Kings, pp. 347, 348).

>From Lift Him Up - Page 285

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Words are an Index

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things.
Matt. 12:35.

Your words are an index of your character. . . . Here we see the importance
of carefulness in the employment of speech. This talent is a great power for
good when it is used aright. . . . }

It is the privilege of all to fill the chambers of the soul with pure and
holy treasures by making themselves thoroughly familiar with the precious
words of Christ, spoken for our instruction. . . .

By heeding the reproof and encouragement given in God's Word, we may "walk
worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and
increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according
to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness."
Those who are thus strengthened will not walk with head bowed down. . . .

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of
the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power
of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in
whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins."
Then shall we not all, old and young, learn to converse in the language that
is spoken by those who are translated into God's kingdom? Shall not our
words be such as will be heard with pleasure by our heavenly Father?

As those who claim to be Christians, we are under solemn obligations to
reveal the truth of our profession by our words. The tongue is a little
member; but what an amount of good it can do if the heart is pure! If the
heart is stored with good things, if it is stored with Christlike
tenderness, sympathy, and politeness, this will be shown by the words spoken
and the actions performed. The light shining from the Word of God is our
guide. Nothing so weakens a church as a wrong use of the talent of speech. .
. .

The quality of our works is shown by our words. When our words and works
harmonize in Christ, we show that we are consecrated to God, perfecting
holiness in His fear. As we give ourselves, soul, body, and spirit, to Him,
He works in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

The love of Christ in the heart is revealed by the expression of praise.
Those who are consecrated to God will show this by their sanctified
conversation. If their hearts are pure, their words will be pure, showing an
elevated principle working in a sanctified direction. The mind will be
absorbed in holy contemplation, and there will be a sense of the presence of
God (Review and Herald, Jan. 18, 1898).

>From Lift Him Up - Page 284

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In Harmony with Christ

We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not
the grace of God in vain. 2 Cor. 6:1.

All heaven is interested in the work going on in this world, which is to
prepare men and women for the future, immortal life. It is God's plan that
human agencies shall have the high honor of acting as coworkers with Jesus
Christ in the salvation of souls. The Word of God plainly reveals that it is
the privilege of the instrument in this great work to realize that there is
One at his right hand ready to aid him in every sincere endeavor to reach
the highest moral and spiritual excellence in the Master's work. This will
be the case with all who feel their need of help. They should look upon the
work of God as sacred and holy, and should bring to Him, every day,
offerings of joy and gratitude, in return for the power of His grace, by
which they are enabled to make advancement in the divine life. The worker
should ever take humble views of himself, considering his many lost
opportunities for want of diligence and appreciation of the work. He should
not become discouraged, but should continually renew his efforts to redeem
the time. . . .

It is not necessary that anyone should yield to the temptations of Satan and
thus violate his conscience and grieve the Holy Spirit. Every provision has
been made in the Word of God whereby all may have divine help in their
endeavors to overcome. If they keep Jesus before them they will become
changed into His image. All who by faith have Christ abiding in them carry a
power into their labor which makes them successful. They will be constantly
growing more and more efficient in their work, and the blessing of God,
shown in the prosperity of the work, will testify that they are indeed
laborers together with Christ. But however much one may advance in spiritual
life, he will never come to a point where he will not need diligently to
search the Scriptures; for therein are found the evidences of our faith. All
points of doctrine, even though they have been accepted as truth, should be
brought to the law and to the testimony; if they cannot stand this test,
"there is no light in them."

The great plan of redemption, as revealed in the closing work for these last
days, should receive close examination. The scenes connected with the
sanctuary above should make such an impression upon the minds and hearts of
all that they may be able to impress others. All need to become more
intelligent in regard to the work of the atonement, which is going on in the
sanctuary above. When this grand truth is seen and understood, those who
hold it will work in harmony with Christ to prepare a people to stand in the
great day of God, and their efforts will be successful (Testimonies, vol. 5,
pp. 573-575).

>From Lift Him Up - Page 283

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