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The Christian Soldier, April 26
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against
the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11
.
The Lord will work with every sincere, devoted soldier of the cross. But
no man can be a good soldier who thinks he must work independently of his
fellow worker, who regards his own judgment as the best. God’s workers
must blend together, one supplying what the other lacks....
Do we make the preparation it is our privilege to make to stand against
the wiles of the enemy? Do we realize the sacred character of God’s work
and the necessity of watching for souls as they that must give account? We
must be vigilant, “knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of
sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far
spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and
let us put on the armour of light” (
Romans 13:11, 12
).
Are we learning to forego our own wishes? Or is self still consulted so
much that in labor with our brethren we regard our judgment as best of all?
God forbid that we should allow self-supremacy to withhold from us the
blessings God gives to the meek and lowly. Those who truly glorify God will
hide self in Christ, rejoicing if God can be glorified by the labors of those
connected with them. No one can succeed in the work of God who has too
high an appreciation of himself. As time goes on, his feeling of supremacy
grows, and soon he comes to think that he would rather not unite with his
brethren in labor, but would prefer to work alone....
Let us put far from us every feeling of self-exaltation. Let us prepare to
be good soldiers of the cross by learning the lesson Christ gave, when He
said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (
Matthew 11:29
).
He who has crushed down all desire for self-recognition will most surely
be recognized by the unselfishness of his actions. In order to help and
encourage others, he is willing to put aside his own wishes, becoming all
things to all men that he may by some means save some. Such a man is a
noble leader in Christ’s army.—
Letter 67, April 26, 1900
, to Elder and Mrs.
S. N. Haskell, who were engaged in city evangelism.
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