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A New Life (Revival and Beyond)
After My Best—What?
When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to
this end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as man’s best service,
and He makes up for the deficiency with His own divine merit. But
He will not accept those who claim to have faith in Him, and yet are
disloyal to His Father’s commandment.
[37]
We hear a great deal about faith, but we need to hear a great deal
more about works. Many are deceiving their own souls by living an
easy-going, accommodating, crossless religion. But Jesus says, “If any
man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross,
and follow Me.” [
The Signs of the Times, June 16, 1890
(Morning Talk
at Basel, Switzerland, September 17, 1885.)]
Like Two Oars
If we are faithful in doing our part, in cooperating with Him, God
will work through us [to do] the good pleasure of His will. But God
cannot work through us if we make no effort. If we gain eternal life,
we must work, and work earnestly.... Let us not be deceived by the
oft-repeated assertion, “All you have to do is to believe.” Faith and
works are two oars which we must use equally if we [would] press our
way up the stream against the current of unbelief. “Faith, if it hath not
works, is dead, being alone.” The Christian is a man of thought and
practice. His faith fixes its roots firmly in Christ. By faith and good
works he keeps his spirituality strong and healthy, and his spiritual
strength increases as he strives to work the works of God. [
The Review
and Herald, June 11, 1901
.]
Present a Balanced Message
Let my brethren be very careful how they present the subject of
faith and works before the people, lest minds become confused....
Let no man present the idea that man has little or nothing to do in
the great work of overcoming; for God does nothing for man without
his cooperation. Neither say that after you have done all you can on
your part, Jesus will help you. Christ has said, “Without Me ye can do
nothing” (
John 15:5
). From first to last man is to be a laborer together
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with God. Unless the Holy Spirit works upon the human heart, at