Video Ministries

God's Chosen People

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each
other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Col.
3:12, 13, NIV.

Love "rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." He whose heart
is imbued with love is filled with sorrow at the errors and weaknesses of
others; but when truth triumphs, when the cloud that darkened the fair fame
of another is removed, or when sins are confessed and wrongs corrected, he
rejoices. . . .

Love not only bears with others' faults, but cheerfully submits to whatever
suffering or inconvenience such forbearance makes necessary. This love
"never faileth." It can never lose its value; it is the attribute of heaven.
As a precious treasure it will be carried by its possessor through the
portals of the city of God.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, and peace. Discord and strife are the
work of Satan and the fruit of sin. If we would as a people enjoy peace and
love, we must put away our sins; we must come into harmony with God, and we
shall be in harmony with one another. Let each ask himself: Do I possess the
grace of love? Have I learned to suffer long and to be kind? Talents,
learning, and eloquence, without this heavenly attribute, will be as
meaningless as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. Alas that this precious
treasure is so lightly valued and so little sought by many who profess the
faith! . . .

If we would not build our hopes of heaven upon a false foundation we must
accept the Bible as it reads and believe that the Lord means what He says.
He requires nothing of us that He will not give us grace to perform. We
shall have no excuse to offer in the day of God if we fail to reach the
standard set before us in His Word.

We are admonished by the apostle: "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor
that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one
to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another." Paul would
have us distinguish between the pure, unselfish love which is prompted by
the spirit of Christ, and the unmeaning, deceitful pretense with which the
world abounds. This base counterfeit has mislead many souls. It would blot
out the distinction between right and wrong, by agreeing with the
transgressor instead of faithfully showing him his errors. Such a course
never springs from real friendship. The spirit by which it is prompted
dwells only in the carnal heart. While the Christian will be ever kind,
compassionate, and forgiving, he can feel no harmony with sin. He will abhor
evil and cling to that which is good, at the sacrifice of association or
friendship with the ungodly. The spirit of Christ will lead us to hate sin,
while we are willing to make any sacrifice to save the sinner (Testimonies,
vol. 5, pp. 169-171).

>From Lift Him Up - Page 313

_______________________________________
Devotional subscription administration:
http://egwlists.whiteestate.org/mailman/listinfo/devotional