Chapter 264—Source of Right Influence
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall
spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the
glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.
Isaiah 58:8
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The Lord has a special work to do for us individually. As we see the
wickedness of the world brought to light in the courts of justice and published
in the daily papers, let us draw near to God, and by living faith lay hold of
His promises, that the grace of Christ may be manifest in us. We may have
an influence, a powerful influence, in the world.... We are to have an eye
single to the glory of God. We are to work with all the intelligence that God
has given us, placing ourselves in the channel of light, that the grace of God
can come upon us to mold and fashion us to the divine similitude. Heaven
is waiting to bestow its richest blessings upon those who will consecrate
themselves to do the work of God in these last days of the world’s history.
There is nothing in us of ourselves by which we can influence others for
good. If we realize our helplessness and our need of divine power, we shall
not trust to ourselves. We know not what results a day, an hour, or a moment
may determine, and never should we begin the day without committing our
ways to our heavenly Father. His angels are appointed to watch over us, and
if we put ourselves under their guardianship, then in every time of danger
they will be at our right hand. When unconsciously we are in danger of
exerting a wrong influence, the angels will be by our side, prompting us to a
better course, choosing our words for us, and influencing our actions. Thus
our influence may be a silent, unconscious, but mighty power in drawing
others to Christ and the heavenly world.
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.
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