214
Selected Messages Book 2
What is the fruit that we are to bear? “The fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
temperance: against such there is no law” (
Galatians 5:22, 23
).
As I meditated on these things, I felt more and more deeply the
sin of neglecting to keep the soul in the love of God. The Lord does
nothing without our cooperation. When Christ prayed, Father, keep
them in Thy name, He did not mean that we should neglect to keep
ourselves in the love and faith of God. Alive unto God, through a living
union with Christ, we trust in the promises, constantly gaining greater
strength by beholding Jesus. What can change the heart or shake the
confidence of the one who by beholding the Saviour is changed into
His likeness? Shall such a one be on the watch for slights? Shall
his imagination center on self? Shall he allow little things to destroy
his peace of mind? He in whose heart Christ abides is willing to be
pleased. He thinks no evil, and is content with the assurance that Jesus
knows and values aright every soul for whom He died. God says, “I
will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the
golden wedge of Ophir” (
Isaiah 13:12
). Let this satisfy the longing
of the soul, and make us careful and guarded, very ready to forgive
others because God has forgiven us.
[237]
The happiness of life is made up of little things. It is in the power
of everyone to practice true Christlike courtesy. It is not the possession
of splendid talents that will help us to overcome, but the conscientious
performance of daily duties. The kind look, the lowly spirit, the
contented disposition, the unaffected, sincere interest in the welfare
of others—these things are helps in the Christian life. If the love of
Jesus fills the heart, this love will be manifested in the life. We shall
not show a determination to have our own way, a stubborn, selfish
unwillingness to be happy or pleased. The health of the body depends
more upon heart healthfulness than many suppose.
One can imagine himself slighted, imagine that he is not in as high
a position as he is capable of filling, and so make of himself a supposed
martyr. He is unhappy, but who is to blame? One thing is certain—
kindness and amiability of temper will do more to exalt him than
any supposed smartness with the curse of an ungenial disposition.—
Manuscript 19, 1892
.