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Counsels on Sabbath School Work
Nicodemus wondered that Christ should speak to him in the way which
he did, not respecting his position as ruler in Israel, and he was not
prepared to receive the truth, and he answered Christ in words full
of irony. “Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when
he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and
be born?” He revealed the fact, as do many, when the cutting truth is
brought home to the conscience, that the natural man receiveth not the
things of the Spirit of God. There is nothing in them that responds
to spiritual things; for spiritual things are spiritually discerned. But,
although Nicodemus did not comprehend His words, Jesus did not
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become impatient or discouraged, but sought to make more plain His
statement of truth. In solemn, quiet dignity, Jesus repeated His words
in a manner that would convince him of their divine truth: “Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,
he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the
flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not
that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
As a Living Fountain
Every true Christian is a living fountain, ever receiving of the
unfailing streams of grace, ever refreshed and ever refreshing those
that are around him. Those who are coworkers with God manifest a
missionary spirit; for they are ever receiving, that they may ever be
giving to others the light and blessing of heaven. Those who open their
hearts to receive largely will be able to give largely. [
This paragraph
from the
Sabbath-School Worker, August, 1892
, was omitted in TSS.]
How sad it is to think of the great amount of mechanical work that
is done in the Sabbath school, while there is little evidence that there
is moral transformation in the souls of those who teach and who are
taught! When the work of the Spirit of God is felt upon the heart, we
shall see many earnestly seeking first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness. Then earthly things will find their proper, subordinate
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position, and heavenly things will be supreme in the affections of the
children of God.—
Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work, 72
(Sabbath
School Worker, August, 1892).