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To God be the Glory, December 25
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s
name is to be praised.
Psalm 113:3
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The Bible has little to say in praise of men. Little space is given to recounting
the virtues of even the best men who have ever lived. This silence is not without
purpose; it is not without a lesson. All the good qualities that men possess are
the gift of God; their good deeds are performed by the grace of God through
Christ. Since they owe all to God the glory of whatever they are or do belongs
to Him alone; they are but instruments in His hands. More than this—as all the
lessons of Bible history teach—it is a perilous thing to praise or exalt men; for
if one comes to lose sight of his entire dependence on God, and to trust to his
own strength, he is sure to fall. Man is contending with foes who are stronger
than he.... It is impossible for us in our own strength to maintain the conflict;
and whatever diverts the mind from God, whatever leads to self-exaltation or to
self-dependence, is surely preparing the way for our overthrow. The tenor of the
Bible is to inculcate distrust of human power and to encourage trust in divine
power
The truly converted soul is illuminated from on high.... His words, his
motives, his actions, may be misinterpreted and falsified; but he does not mind it
because he has greater interests at stake.... He is not ambitious for display; he
does not crave the praise of men. His hope is in heaven, and he keeps straight
on, with his eye fixed on Jesus. He does right because it is right
By their good works, Christ’s followers are to bring glory, not to themselves,
but to Him through whose grace and power they have wrought. It is through
the Holy Spirit that every good work is accomplished, and the Spirit is given to
glorify, not the receiver, but the Giver. When the light of Christ is shining in the
soul, the lips will be filled with praise and thanksgiving to God. Your prayers,
your performance of duty, your benevolence, your self-denial, will not be the
theme of your thought or conversation. Jesus will be magnified, self will be
hidden, and Christ will appear as all in all
[366]
42
Patriarchs and Prophets, 717
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43
Testimonies for the Church 5:569
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44
Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 80, 81
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380