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In God’s Workshop, May 24
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by
Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:5
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The Word of God has served as a mighty cleaver to separate the children
of God from the world. As they are taken out of the quarry of the world
they are as rough stones, unfit for a place in the glorious temple of God.
But they are brought into the Lord’s workshop, to be hewed and squared
and polished, that they may become precious, accepted stones. This work
of preparation for the heavenly temple is going on continually during
probationary time. We are naturally inclined to desire our own way and
will, but when the transforming grace of Christ takes hold upon our hearts
the inquiry of our souls is, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” When
the Spirit of God works within us, we are led to will and to do of the Lord’s
good pleasure, and there is obedience in heart and action....
Christians are to be God’s noblemen, who will never grovel in bondage
to the great adversary of souls, but will bind themselves to God, catching
inspiration from Him whom they love, who is high and lifted up. The
soul that loves God rises above the fog of doubt; he gains a bright, broad,
deep, living experience, and becomes meek and Christlike. His soul is
committed to God, hid with Christ in God. He will be able to stand the test
of neglect, of abuse and contempt, because his Saviour has suffered all this.
He will not become fretful and discouraged when difficulties press him,
because Jesus did not fail or become discouraged. Every true Christian
will be strong, not in the strength and merit of his good works, but in the
righteousness of Christ, which through faith is imputed unto him
We are to occupy some place in the Lord’s spiritual temple, and the
important question is not as to whether you are a large or a small stone, but
whether you have submitted yourself to God that He may polish you and
make you emit light for His glory. If we are in the Lord’s temple we must
emit light. Are we permitting the heavenly Builder to hew and square and
polish us? Have we faith to rest in Him
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29
The Review and Herald, December 3, 1889
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30
The Review and Herald, May 19, 1891
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153