Chapter 6—Cautions for Aging Persons
Age No Excuse for Relaxing Self-Discipline
I have heard those who have been in the faith for years, say that they
used to be able to endure trial and difficulty, but since the infirmities of
age began to press upon them, they had been greatly distressed when
brought under discipline. What does this mean? Does it mean that
Jesus has ceased to be your Saviour? Does it mean that when you are
old and gray-headed, you are privileged to display unholy passion?
Think of this. You should use your reasoning powers in this matter,
as you do in temporal things. You should deny self, and make your
service to God the first business of your life. You must not permit
anything to disturb your peace. There is no need of it; there must be a
constant growth, a constant progress in the divine life.
Christ is the ladder that Jacob saw, whose base rests upon the earth,
and whose topmost round reaches into the highest heaven; and round
after round, you must mount this ladder until you reach the everlasting
kingdom. There is no excuse for becoming more like Satan, more
like human nature. God has set before us the height of the Christian’s
privilege, and it is “to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in
the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye,
being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with
all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and
to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might
[68]
be filled with all the fulness of God” (
Ephesians 3:16-19
).—
Selected
Messages 2:222, 223
.
Be Content Where You Are
Dear Brother and Sister [Sawyer],
In the night I seemed to be conversing with you, and saying, The
lesson you need to learn is to be restful in the Lord. If you encourage
a spirit of uneasiness and discontent, you will mar your religious
experience.
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