Page 239 - Maranatha (1976)

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Honorable in Motive and Action, August 8
Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even
as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32
.
Principle, right, honesty, should ever be cherished. Honesty will not
tarry where policy is harbored. They will never agree; one is of Baal, the
other of God. The Master requires His servants to be honorable in motive
and action.... Those who choose honesty as their companion will embody
it in all their acts. To a large class, these men are not pleasing, but to God
they are beautiful.
Satan is working to crowd himself in everywhere. He would put asunder
very friends. There are men who are ever talking and gossiping and bearing
false witness, who sow the seeds of discord and engender strife. Heaven
looks upon this class as Satan’s most efficient servants. But the man who
is injured is in a far less dangerous position than when fawned upon and
extolled for a few of his efforts which appear successful. The commendation
of apparent friends is more dangerous than reproach.
Every man who praises himself brushes the luster from his best efforts.
A truly noble character will not stoop to resent the false accusations of
enemies; every word spoken falls harmless, for it strengthens that which
it cannot overthrow. The Lord would have His people closely united with
Himself, the God of patience and love. All should manifest in their lives
the love of Christ. Let none venture to belittle the reputation or the position
of another; this is egotism....
Never speak disparagingly of any man, for he may be great in the sight
of the Lord, while those who feel great may be lightly esteemed of God
because of the perversity of their hearts. Our only safety is to lie low at the
foot of the cross, be little in our own eyes, and trust in God; for He alone
has power to make us great....
The judgment and ability of all are needed now. Every man’s work is of
sufficient importance to demand that it be performed with care and fidelity.
One man cannot do the work of all. Each has his respective place and his
special work, and each should realize that the manner in which his work is
done must stand the test of the judgment.
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