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To be a Christian is to be Christlike, November 23
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy
place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; he who hath not lifted up
his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
Psalm 24:3, 4
.
What is it to be a Christian? It is to be Christlike; it is to do the works of Christ.
Some fail on one point, some on another. Some are naturally impatient. Satan
understands their weakness, and manages to overcome them again and again. But
let none be discouraged by this. Whenever little annoyances and trials arise, ask
God in silent prayer to give you strength and grace to bear them patiently. There
is a power in silence; do not speak a word until you have sent up your petition to
the God of heaven. If you will always do this, you will soon overcome your hasty
temper, and you will have a little heaven here to go to heaven in.
God wants His people to cleanse their hands and purify their hearts. Will it
make them unhappy to do this? Will it bring unhappiness into their families if they
are kind and patient, courteous and forbearing? Far from it. The kindness they
manifest toward their families will be reflected upon themselves. This is the work
that should be carried forward in the home. If the members of the family are not
prepared to dwell in peace here, they are not prepared to dwell in the family that
shall gather around the great white throne. Sin always brings darkness and bondage;
but right-doing will bring peace and holy joy....
In the day of affliction, when the enemy presses us, we shall walk among the
angels. They will be like a wall of fire about us; and we shall one day walk with
them in the city of God....
There has never been a time when the people of God have had greater need to
claim His promises than now. Let the hand of faith pass through the darkness, and
grasp the arm of infinite power. While we speak of the necessity of separating from
sin, remember that Christ came to our world to save sinners, and that “he is able
to also save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.” It is our privilege
to believe that His blood is able to cleanse us from every spot and stain of sin. We
must not limit the power of the Holy One of Israel. He wants us to come to Him
just as we are, sinful and polluted. His blood is efficacious. I entreat you not to
grieve His Spirit by continuing in sin. If you fall under temptation, do not become
discouraged. This promise comes ringing down along the line to our time: “If any
man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” I feel
that for this one promise a continual song of thanksgiving ought to go forth from
the lips of mortals. Let us gather up these precious jewels of promise, and when
Satan accuses us of our great sinfulness, and attempts us to doubt the power of God
to save, let us repeat the words of Christ, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise
cast out” (
Historical Sketches, 157, 158
).
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