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Take Time to Think, August 15
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. Let us
lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.
Lamentations 3:40, 41
.
I would appeal to the youth to consider their ways, to take time to think,
to weigh their actions.... Compassed with temptation as you are, nothing
will be sufficient as a safeguard against evil except the indwelling of Christ
in your hearts through faith in His righteousness. You must practice His
virtues, making Him your daily pattern....
Good character does not come by chance; it is formed by persevering,
untiring effort. The youth should seek to make all that is possible of
themselves, by improving every entrusted talent and capability to the glory
of God. The world’s Redeemer says, “Without me ye can do nothing”
(
John 15:5
). Faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour will give
strength and solidity to your character. Those who have faith in Christ
will be sober-minded, ever remembering that God’s eye is upon them, that
angels of God are watching to see what manner of characters they will
develop....
Individually, probation is granted to you in order that you may form
characters for the future, immortal life. Precious, golden moments are
given you that you may improve them according to the light which the
Lord has graciously permitted to shine upon you from the throne of His
glory.... Christ is the greatest teacher the world ever knew. Where He
abides in the heart by faith, His spirit will become a vitalizing agent to
purify and vivify the soul....
The truth in the heart will surely have a correcting influence on the
character. Hold the truth as from God, as a treasure of the highest value,
that must not be dimmed or tarnished by evil practices that are wholly out
of harmony with its holy character. Under the divine influence of truth
the mind will be strengthened, the intellect invigorated, and that which
is useless will be discarded for that which is pure and beneficial. Under
the influence of truth the Christian character will develop through the
knowledge of the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent
[234]
20
The Youth’s Instructor, January 18, 1894.
240