Exercise of the Will
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power, an earnestness, and a simplicity that will make you a polished
instrument in the hands of God.
You need to drink daily at the fountain of truth, that you may
understand the secret of pleasure and joy in the Lord. But you must
remember that your will is the spring of all your actions. This will,
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that forms so important a factor in the character of man, was at the fall
given into the control of Satan; and he has ever since been working
in man to will and to do of his own pleasure, but to the utter ruin and
misery of man.
But the infinite sacrifice of God in giving Jesus, His beloved Son,
to become a sacrifice for sin, enables Him to say, without violating
one principle of His government, “Yield yourself up to Me; give Me
that will; take it from the control of Satan, and I will take possession
of it; then I can work in you to will and to do of My good pleasure.”
When He gives you the mind of Christ, your will becomes as His will,
and your character is transformed to be like Christ’s character. Is it
your purpose to do God’s will? Do you wish to obey the Scriptures?
“If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, and follow Me.”
There is no such thing as following Christ unless you refuse to
gratify inclination and determine to obey God. It is not your feelings,
your emotions, that make you a child of God, but the doing of God’s
will. A life of usefulness is before you, if your will becomes God’s
will. Then you may stand in your God-given manhood, an example of
good works. You will then help to maintain rules of discipline, instead
of helping to break them down. You will then help to maintain order,
instead of despising it, and inciting to irregularity of life by your own
course of action.
I tell you in the fear of God, I know what you may be, if your will
is placed on the side of God.
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“We are laborers together with God,” You may be doing your work
for time and eternity in such a manner that it will stand the test of the
judgment. Will you try? Will you now turn square about? You are
the object of Christ’s love and intercession. Will you now surrender to
God, and help those who are placed as sentinels to guard the interests
of His work, instead of causing them grief and discouragement?—
Testimonies for the Church 5:513-516
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