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As Lights in the World
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Representatives of Christ
God expects those who bear the name of Christ to represent Him.
Their thoughts are to be pure, their words noble and uplifting. The
religion of Christ is to be interwoven with all that they do and say.
They are to be a sanctified, purified, holy people, communicating
light to all with whom they come in contact. It is His purpose that
by exemplifying the truth in their lives they shall be a praise in the
earth. The grace of Christ is sufficient to bring this about. But let
God’s people remember that only as they believe and work out the
principles of the gospel can they fulfill His purpose. Only as they
yield their God-given capabilities to His service will they enjoy the
fullness and the power of the promise whereon the church has been
called to stand.
Before Christ went to His final conflict with the powers of dark-
ness, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and prayed for His disciples.
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He said, “I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world,
but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the
world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Thy
truth: Thy word is truth.”
John 17:15-17
.
The followers of Christ are to be separate from the world in prin-
ciples and interests, but they are not to isolate themselves from the
world. The Saviour mingled constantly with men, not to encourage
them in anything that was not in accordance with God’s will, but to
uplift and ennoble them. “I sanctify Myself,” He declared, “that they
also might be sanctified.”
John 17:19
. So the Christian is to abide
among men, that the savor of divine love may be as salt to preserve
the world from corruption.
Strength in Prayer
Daily beset by temptation, constantly opposed by the leaders
of the people, Christ knew that He must strengthen His humanity
by prayer. In order to be a blessing to men, He must commune
with God, pleading for energy, perseverance, and steadfastness.
Thus He showed His disciples where His strength lay. Without
this daily communion with God, no human being can gain power
for service. Christ alone can direct the thoughts aright. He alone