Chapter 326—Established
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which
hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope
through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good
word and work.
2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17
.
The Saviour made each work of healing an occasion for implanting
divine principles in the mind and soul. This was the purpose of His work.
He imparted earthly blessings, that He might incline the hearts of men to
receive the gospel of His grace.
For three years the disciples had before them the wonderful example of
Jesus. Day by day they walked and talked with Him, hearing His words of
cheer to the weary and heavy-laden, and seeing the manifestations of His
power in behalf of the sick and afflicted. When the time came for Him to
leave them, He gave them grace and power to carry forward His work in
His name. They were to shed abroad the light of His gospel of love and
healing....
The work which the disciples did, we also are to do. Every Christian
is to be a missionary. In sympathy and compassion we are to minister to
those in need of help.... The Saviour identifies Himself with every child
of humanity.... His followers are not to feel themselves detached from the
perishing world around them. They are a part of the great web of humanity,
and heaven looks upon them as brothers to sinners as well as to saints.... By
all that has given us advantage over another—be it education and refinement,
nobility of character, Christian training, religious experience—we are in debt
to those less favored; and, so far as lies in our power, we are to minister unto
them....
He who becomes a child of God should henceforth look upon himself as
a link in the chain let down to save the world, one with Christ in His plan of
mercy, going forth with Him to seek and save the lost.
The world needs a practical demonstration of what the grace of God can
do in restoring to human beings their lost kingship, giving them mastery of
463