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The Test of Sincerity, August 23
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves.
James 1:22
.
Of every soul the Lord demands service. Those to whom the living oracles
have been opened, who see the truth, and yield themselves body, soul, and
spirit to God will understand the words of the Saviour, “Go work to day in
my vineyard” (
Matthew 21:28
), to be a requirement, but not a compulsory
one. God’s will is made known in His Word, and those who believe in Christ
will act out their belief. They will be doers of the Word.
The test of sincerity is not in words, but in deeds. Christ does not say
to any man, “What say ye more than others?” but, “What do ye more than
others?” Full of deep meaning are His words, “If ye know these things, happy
are ye if ye do them” (
John 13:17
). Words are of no value unless they are
spoken in sincerity and in truth. The talent of words is made effective and
of value when they are accompanied by appropriate deeds. It is of vital
consequence to every soul to hear the Word and be a doer of it.
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the
way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat”
(
Matthew 7:13
)....
We have evidence that there are many deceivers in the world, men who
say, “I go, sir,” but go not. They may speak smooth words, and make fair
speeches; but they deceive; they reveal in their lives that their words are not
wrought in God. The practical life is a genuine index of the character. By our
words and works we reveal to the world, to angels, and to men whether we
believe in Christ as a personal Saviour.
Good works do not purchase the love of God, but they reveal that we
possess that love. If we surrender our will and way to God, we will not work
for God’s love; we will obey the commandments of God because it is right to
do thus. The disciple John wrote, “We love him, because he first loved us” (
1
John 4:19
). The true spiritual life will be revealed in every soul who is doing
service for Christ. Those who are alive to Christ are imbued with His spirit,
and they cannot help working in His vineyard. They work the work of God.
Let every soul think prayerfully, that he may act consistently.—
Manuscript
120, August 23, 1899
, “Go, Work Today in My Vineyard.”
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