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The Renewed Heart Bringeth Forth Good Things, April
5
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth
good things.
Matthew 12:35
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True sanctification unites believers to Christ and to one another in
bonds of tender sympathy. This union causes to flow continually into the
heart rich currents of Christlike love, which flows forth again in love for
one another.
The qualities which it is essential for all to possess are those which
marked the completeness of Christ’s character,—His love, His patience,
His unselfishness, and His goodness. These attributes are gained by doing
kindly actions with a kindly heart.... Christians love those around them
as precious souls for whom Christ has died. There is no such thing as a
loveless Christian; for “God is love.” ... “This is my commandment, That
ye love one another as I have loved you.” This is the fruit that is to be
given back to God
The Lord will help every one of us where we need help the most in the
grand work of overcoming and conquering self. Let the law of kindness
be upon your lips and the oil of grace in your heart. This will produce
wonderful results. You will be tender, sympathetic, courteous. You need
all these graces. The Holy Spirit must be received and brought into your
character; then it will be as holy fire, giving forth incense which will rise
up to God, not from lips that condemn, but as a healer of the souls of men.
Your countenance will express the image of the divine.... God requires
every soul in His service to kindle their censers from the coals of sacred
fire. The common, severe, harsh words that come from your lips so readily
must be withheld, and the Spirit of God speak through the human agent.
By beholding the character of Christ you will become changed into His
likeness. The grace of Christ alone can changed your heart and then you
will reflect the image of the Lord Jesus. God calls upon us to be like
Him,—pure, holy, and undefiled. We are to bear the divine image
[103]
12
Ellen G. White
Manuscript 133, 1899
.
13
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 3:1164
.
104