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The Power of Truth, August 3
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness,
to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye
break every yoke.
Isaiah 58:6
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Truth, precious truth, is sanctifying in its influence. The sanctification of
the soul by the operation of the Holy Spirit is the implanting of Christ’s nature
in humanity. It is the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ revealed in character,
and the graces of Christ brought into active exercise in good works. Thus the
character is transformed more and more perfectly after the image of Christ, in
righteousness and true holiness. There are broad requirements in divine truth
stretching out interfacing into one line after another of good works. The truths
of the gospel are not unconnected; uniting they form one string of heavenly
jewels, as in the personal work of Christ, and like threads of gold they run
through the whole of Christian work and experience....
Let it be printed on the mind that mercy and the love of God are to be
expressed to the children of God. Search heaven and earth, and there is no
truth revealed more powerful than that which is manifested in mercy to the
very ones who need your sympathy and aid in breaking the yoke, and setting
free the oppressed. Here the truth is lived, the truth is obeyed, the truth is
taught as it is in Jesus.
There is a great amount of truth professed, but truth practiced in relieving
our fellow men is of great influence, reaching unto heaven, and compassing
eternity. Every soul in our world is on trial; every man’s experience, the
common life history, tells in unmistakable language whether he is a doer of
Christ’s words and His works. There is constantly recurring a large array
of little things that God alone sees; to act out in these things the principles
of truth will bring a precious reward. The great and important things are
recognized by nearly all, but the knitting of these things with the supposed
smaller things of life and closely connecting them as one, is too rarely done
by professed Christians. Religion is too much profession, and too little reality.
Divine truth exercises little influence upon our fellow men, when it should
exercise much influence through our practice. Truth, precious truth, is Jesus
in the life, a living, acting principle.—
Manuscript 34, August 3, 1894,
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