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Bear a Living Testimony, June 24
As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the
world.
John 17:18
.
Because of the increasing power of Satan’s temptations, the times in which we
live are full of peril for the children of God, and we need to learn constantly of the
Great Teacher, that we may take every step in surety and righteousness. Wonderful
scenes are opening before us; and at this time a living testimony is to be borne in
the lives of God’s professed people, so that the world may see that in this age, when
evil reigns on every side, there is yet a people who are laying aside their will and are
seeking to do God’s will—a people in whose hearts and lives God’s law is written.
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....
The followers of Christ are to be separate from the world in principles 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.... So the Christian is to abide
among men, that the savor of divine love may be as salt to preserve the world from
corruption.
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.... Without this daily communion with God, no human being
can gain power for service. Christ alone can direct the thoughts aright. He alone
can give noble aspirations and fashion the character after the divine similitude. If
we draw near to Him in earnest prayer, He will fill our hearts with high and holy
purposes, and with deep longings for purity and righteousness....
God desires His people to show by their lives the advantage of Christianity over
worldliness; to show that they are working on a high, holy plane.... He longs to
make them channels through which He can pour His boundless love and mercy
(
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 322-324
).
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