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Testimonies for the Church Volume 7
though human beings have abused their mercies and destroyed their
God-given dignity, yet the Creator is to be glorified in their redemption.
The Sermon on the Mount is an example of how we are to teach.
What pains Christ has taken to make mysteries no longer mysteries,
but plain, simple truths! There is in His instruction nothing vague,
nothing hard to understand.
“He opened His mouth, and taught them.”
Matthew 5:2
. His words
were spoken in no whispered tones, nor was His utterance harsh and
disagreeable. He spoke with clearness and emphasis, with solemn,
convincing force.
“And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the
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people were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as one
having authority, and not as the scribes.”
Matthew 7:28, 29
.
An earnest, prayerful study of the Sermon on the Mount will pre-
pare us to proclaim the truth, to give to others the light we have
received. We are first to take heed to ourselves, receiving with humble
hearts the principles of truth and working them out in perfect obedi-
ence. This will bring joy and peace. Thus we eat the flesh and drink
the blood of the Son of God, and we grow strong in His strength. Our
lives are assimilated to His life. Our spirit, our inclinations, our habits,
are conformed to the will of Him of whom God declared: “This is My
beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:17
.
Throughout all time the words that Christ spoke from the mount
of Beatitudes will retain their power. Every sentence is a jewel from
the treasure house of truth. The principles enunciated in this discourse
are for all ages and for all classes of men. With divine energy Christ
expressed His faith and hope as He pointed out class after class as
blessed because of having formed righteous characters. Living the life
of the Life-giver, through faith in Him, everyone can reach the standard
held up in His words. Is not such an attainment worth lifelong, untiring
effort?
The Outlook
We are nearing the close of this earth’s history. We have before us
a great work, the closing work of giving the last warning message to a
sinful world. There are men who will be taken from the plow, from
the vineyard, from various other branches of work, and sent forth by
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