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Christ Came to Seek the Lost Sheep, July 13
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Luke 5:32
.
While on earth, Christ accomplished the work for which He left the throne of
God in heaven. He worked for humanity, that through His work, humanity might be
elevated in the scale of moral value with God. He assumed human nature, that He
might elevate the human family, make them partakers of the divine nature, and place
them on vantage ground with God. His every action had been in behalf of the fallen
world—to seek the sheep that had strayed from the fold, and bring it back to God....
The Lord saw us in a sad condition, and sent to our world the only Messenger
that He could trust with His great treasure of pardon and grace. Christ, the only
begotten Son of God, was the delegated messenger. He was ordained to do a work
that even the angels of heaven could not accomplish. He alone could be trusted to
do the work required for the redemption of a world all seared and marred with the
curse. And in this gift the Father gave all heaven to the world.
What a change was this for the Son of God, Him who was the adored of angels,
the Light of heaven! He might have gone to the pleasant homes of the unfallen
worlds, to the pure atmosphere where disloyalty and rebellion had never intruded;
and there He would have been received with acclamations of praise and love. But
it was a fallen world that needed the Redeemer. “I came not to call the righteous,”
said He, “but sinners to repentance.” He came to represent the Father in bringing
the message of hope and salvation to our world. He lived not for Himself; He did
not consult His own ease and pleasure; He did not yield to temptation; and He
condescended to die in order that sinful men might be redeemed, and live eternally
in the mansions He was to prepare for them. His mission was to teach souls who
were dying in their sins.
This work Christ has laid upon every one whom He has purchased. The Lord
will give ample light to all who will be true and loyal to Him.... His mercy and the
gracious influences of His Spirit remain the same for all who will receive them. His
offer of salvation does not change. It is man who changes His relationship to God.
Many place themselves where they cannot recognize His grace and His salvation....
God has left nothing undone that He could do for us. He gave a perfect example
of His character in the character of His Son; and it is the work of Christ’s followers,
as they behold the incomparable excellency of His life and character, to grow in
His likeness. As they look unto Jesus and respond to His love, they will reflect the
image of Christ (
The Review and Herald, February 15, 1898
).
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