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The Lost Sheep a Special Burden, July 14
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not
leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost,
until he find it?
Luke 15:4
.
It is important work to deal with human minds. Man is God’s property, and
angels are looking with intense interest to see how man will deal with his fellowman.
When heavenly intelligences see those who claim to be the sons and daughters
of God putting forth Christlike efforts to help the erring, manifesting a tender,
sympathetic spirit for the repentant and the fallen, angels press close to them, and
bring to their remembrance the very words that will soothe and uplift the soul. Holy
angels are on the track of every one of us. We are not to despise the least of God’s
little ones, not to exact homage for anyone toward ourselves. The angels are all
ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation.
Shall we be privileged to cooperate with heavenly intelligences? Will God accept
us as light bearers to the world?
Jesus Christ has taken the position of one who came to seek and to save that
which is lost, and He has exalted the world inasmuch as He died to redeem it, to
bring back the one lost sheep to the fold. Jesus has given His precious life, His
personal attention, to the least of God’s little ones; and angels that excel in strength
encamp round about them that fear God. Then let us be upon our guard, and never
permit one contemptuous thought to occupy the mind in regard to one of the little
ones of God. We should look after the erring with solicitude, and speak encouraging
words to the fallen, and fear lest by some unwise action we shall turn them away
from the pitying Saviour.
Those who love Jesus will love those for whom Christ died. If many of the
sinners that are around us had received the light which has blessed us, they would
have rejoiced in the truth, and have been in advance of many that have had a long
experience and great advantages. Take these lost sheep as your special burden, and
watch for souls as they that must give an account. Draw not a glance to yourself, but
cry with earnest, heartfelt interest, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the
sin of the world.” This is the Christian’s message to the world. This is the effective
argument. Encourage your heart to put forth earnest endeavors to induce perishing
souls to fix their eyes upon Him who was uplifted upon the cross; and remember
that as you do this, unseen angels are ... impressing it upon the heart, and leading
the soul to believe in Jesus. The sinner is enabled to see Jesus as He is—full of
compassion, pity, and love—and he exclaims, “Thy gentleness hath made me great”
(
Psalm 18:35
) (
The Review and Herald, June 30, 1896
).
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