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Present Something Better, October 20
Behold the Lamb of God!
John 1:36
.
To reach the people, wherever they are, and whatever their position or condition,
and to help them in every way possible—this is true ministry. By such effort you
may win hearts and open a door of access to perishing souls.
In all your work remember that you are bound up with Christ, a part of the great
plan of redemption. The love of Christ, in a healing, life-giving current, is to flow
through your life. As you seek to draw others within the circle of His love, let the
purity of your language, the unselfishness of your service, the joyfulness of your
demeanor, bear witness to the power of His grace. Give to the world so pure and
righteous a representation of Him, that men shall behold Him in His beauty.
It is of little use to try to reform others by attacking what we may regard as
wrong habits. Such effort often results in more harm than good. In His talk with the
Samaritan woman, instead of disparaging Jacob’s well, Christ presented something
better. “If thou knewest the gift of God,” He said, “and who it is that saith to thee,
Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee
living water” (
John 4:10
). He turned the conversation to the treasure He had to
bestow, offering the woman something better than she possessed, even living water,
the joy and hope of the gospel.
This is an illustration of the way in which we are to work. We must offer men
something better than that which they possess, even the peace of Christ, which
passeth all understanding. We must tell them of God’s holy law, the transcript of
His character, and an expression of that which He wishes them to become. Show
them how infinitely superior to the fleeting joys and pleasures of the world is the
imperishable glory of heaven. Tell them of the freedom and rest to be found in the
Saviour. “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst,”
He declared.
Lift up Jesus, crying, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of
the world!” (
John 1:29
). He alone can satisfy the craving of the heart and give peace
to the soul.
Of all people in the world, reformers should be the most unselfish, the most
kind, the most courteous. In their lives should be seen the true goodness of unselfish
deeds....
Christ’s disciples are to reveal the spirit that reigns in heaven.... The humblest
workers, in cooperation with Christ, may touch chords whose vibrations shall ring
to the ends of the earth and make melody throughout eternal ages (
The Ministry of
Healing, 156-159
).
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