Self-respect
135
Christ. He is the Alpha and Omega. Truth is the only panoply for the
covering of any soul. Our convictions need daily to be reinforced by
humble, sincere prayer and reading of the Word. While we each have
an individuality, while we each should hold our convictions firmly, we
must hold them as God’s truth and in the strength which God imparts.
If we do not, they will be wrung from our grasp.
We need to be self-reliant; it is the duty of all to respect self; but we
are to remember that we are God’s property, that we are bought with a
price, body, soul, and spirit. We must guard the living machinery, and
keep it in the very best condition, that we may glorify God. It is to be
daily oiled by His grace, to run at His touch, without friction. To trust
in ourselves, to become boastful as if we had created and redeemed
ourselves, is to dishonor God. Human wisdom, aside from God, will
prove itself to be foolishness, and will bring confusion and perplexity.
We need to have on the whole armor of God. The holy influence of a
Saviour’s loving protection is our sure defense. There is but One who
can prove a safeguard against the schemes of Satan.—1888 Materials
1626 (1896).
Respect Self, for You Are Bought With a Price—This feeling
of guiltiness must be laid at the foot of the cross of Calvary. The sense
of sinfulness has poisoned the springs of life and of true happiness.
Now Jesus says, “Lay it all on Me; I will take your sins. I will give
you peace. Banish no longer your self-respect, for I have bought you
with the price of My own blood. You are Mine. Your weakened will
I will strengthen; your remorse for sin I will remove.”—
Manuscript
Releases 9:305 (1896)
.
A Letter of Encouragement
[145]
Written to Martha Bourdeau, a woman afflicted with feelings of
self-doubt, despondency, worthlessness, and discouragement. [Martha
Bourdeau was the younger sister of George I. Butler, a prominent
leader in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She was first married to
William Andrews, brother of J.N. Andrews. They had three children,
among whom was Edith Andrews, who would soon die of tuberculosis.
A.C. Bourdeau went to Europe in 1884, and Martha, now a widow,
married him. They labored together in Italy.
]
Dear Sister Martha,