Qualifications for Successful Christian Service
241
with Him while He works through us.—
The Review and Herald, July
12, 1887
.
We are to strive to enter in at the strait gate. But this gate does not
swing loosely on its hinges. It will not admit doubtful characters. We
must now strive for eternal life with an intensity that is proportionate
to the value of the prize before us. It is not money or lands or position,
but the possession of a Christlike character, that will open to us the
gates of Paradise. It is not dignity, it is not intellectual attainments,
that will win for us the crown of immortality. Only the meek and lowly
ones, who have made God their efficiency, will receive this gift.—
The
Southern Watchman, April 16, 1903
.
When you return from doing missionary work, do not praise your-
self, but exalt Jesus; lift up the cross of Calvary.—
Testimonies for the
Church 5:596
.
Before honor is humility. To fill a high place before men, Heaven
chooses the worker who, like John the Baptist, takes a lowly place
before God. The most childlike disciple is the most efficient in labor
for God. The heavenly intelligences can co-operate with him who is
seeking, not to exalt self, but to save souls.—
The Desire of Ages, 436
.
Temperate
Would that every child of God might be impressed with the neces-
sity of being temperate in his eating, dressing, and working, that he
may do the best work for the cause of God. When the laborer has been
under a pressure of work and care, and is overworked in mind and
body, he should turn aside and rest awhile, not for selfish gratification,
but that he may be better prepared for future duties. We have a vigilant
foe, who is ever upon our track, to take advantage of every weakness,
that he may make his temptations effective for evil. When the mind is
overstrained and the body enfeebled, he can take advantage, and press
the soul with his fiercest temptations, that he may cause the downfall
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of the child of God. Let the laborer for God carefully husband his
strength; and when wearied with toil that must come upon him, let
him turn aside and rest and commune with Jesus.—
The Review and
Herald, November 14, 1893
.
The misuse of our physical powers shortens the period of time in
which our lives can be used for the glory of God. And it unfits us to