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The Necessity Of Doing Our Best
The Lord has made provision that the nobler powers of the mind
should be trained for high pursuits. But instead of this, men pervert
the faculties of the mind and press them into the service of temporal
interests, as if the attainment of the things of this earth were of
supreme importance. In this way the higher powers are dwarfed
and men remain unqualified for the duties of life that devolve upon
them. If the nobler powers of the mind are not cultivated, they fail
to act with integrity, even in the obligations relating to this life. It is
Satan’s design that the faculties of the mind shall become belittled
and sensualized, but it is not God’s will that any should yield the
mind to the control of the evil one. In intellectual and in spiritual
pursuits, He would have His children make progress....
The lifework given us is that of preparation for the life eternal. If
we accomplish this work as God designs we shall, every temptation
may work for our advancement; for as we resist its allurements we
make progress in the divine life. In the heat of the conflict, unseen
agencies will be by our side, commanded of heaven to aid us in our
wrestlings; and in the crisis, strength and firmness and energy will
be imparted to us, and we shall have more than mortal power.
But unless the human agent brings his will into harmony with
the will of God, unless he forsakes every idol and overcomes every
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wrong practice, he will not succeed in the warfare, but will be finally
overcome. Those who would be conquerors must engage in conflict
with unseen agencies; inward corruption must be overcome, and
every thought must be brought into subjection to Christ.
The Holy Spirit is ever at work, seeking to purify, refine, and
discipline the souls of men, in order that they may become fitted for
the society of saints and angels.... As children of God, we should
make earnest efforts to be overcomers; and as students who seek to
honor and glorify God, we should study to show ourselves approved
of Him, workmen that need not to be ashamed.
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