To be a Christian is to be Christlike
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy
place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; he who hath not lifted up
his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Ps. 24:3, 4.
What is it to be a Christian? It is to be Christlike; it is to do the works
of Christ. Some fail on one point, some on another. Some are naturally
impatient. Satan understands their weakness, and manages to overcome them
again and again. But let none be discouraged by this. Whenever little
annoyances and trials arise, ask God in silent prayer to give you strength
and grace to bear them patiently. There is a power in silence; do not speak
a word until you have sent up your petition to the God of heaven. If you
will always do this, you will soon overcome your hasty temper, and you will
have a little heaven here to go to heaven in.
God wants His people to cleanse their hands and purify their hearts. Will it
make them unhappy to do this? Will it bring unhappiness into their families
if they are kind and patient, courteous and forbearing? Far from it. The
kindness they manifest toward their families will be reflected upon
themselves. This is the work that should be carried forward in the home. If
the members of the family are not prepared to dwell in peace here, they are
not prepared to dwell in the family that shall gather around the great white
throne. Sin always brings darkness and bondage; but right-doing will bring
peace and holy joy. . . .
In the day of affliction, when the enemy presses us, we shall walk among the
angels. They will be like a wall of fire about us; and we shall one day walk
with them in the city of God. . . .
There has never been a time when the people of God have had greater need to
claim His promises than now. Let the hand of faith pass through the
darkness, and grasp the arm of infinite power. While we speak of the
necessity of separating from sin, remember that Christ came to our world to
save sinners, and that "he is able to also save them to the uttermost that
come unto God by him." It is our privilege to believe that His blood is able
to cleanse us from every spot and stain of sin. We must not limit the power
of the Holy One of Israel. He wants us to come to Him just as we are, sinful
and polluted. His blood is efficacious. I entreat you not to grieve His
Spirit by continuing in sin. If you fall under temptation, do not become
discouraged. This promise comes ringing down along the line to our time: "If
any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous." I feel that for this one promise a continual song of
thanksgiving ought to go forth from the lips of mortals. Let us gather up
these precious jewels of promise, and when Satan accuses us of our great
sinfulness, and attempts us to doubt the power of God to save, let us repeat
the words of Christ, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out"
(Historical Sketches, pp. 157, 158).
>From Lift Him Up - Page 342
_______________________________________
Devotional subscription administration:
http://egwlists.whiteestate.org/mailman/listinfo/devotional
0 comments:
Post a Comment