38
The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is
appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying,
And what shall we do? And he said unto them, do violence to no man,
[56]
neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.”
John gave his disciples lessons in practical godliness. He showed
them that true goodness, honesty, and fidelity, must be seen in their
daily life, and that they should be actuated by unselfish principles, or
they would be no better than common sinners.
Unless others should be made better within the sphere of their
influence, they would be like the fruitless tree. Their wealth was not
to be used merely for selfish purposes. They were to relieve the wants
of the destitute, and to make free-will offerings to God to advance
the interests of his cause. They should not abuse their privileges, to
oppress, but should shield the defenseless, redress the wrongs of the
injured, and thus give a noble example of benevolence, compassion,
and virtue, to those who were inferior and dependent. If they made no
change in their conduct, but continued to be extravagant, selfish, and
void of principle, they would correctly represent the tree bearing no
good fruit. This lesson is applicable to all Christians. The followers
of Christ should evidence to the world a change in their life for the
better, and by their good works show the transforming influence of
the Spirit of God upon their hearts. But there are many who bear no
fruit to the glory of God; they give no evidence of a radical change
in their life. Although they make high profession, they have not felt
the necessity of obtaining a personal experience for themselves, by
engaging in Christian duties with hearts of love, intensified by their
new and holy obligations, feeling no weight of their responsibility in
doing their Master’s work with readiness and diligence.
[57]
The people thought that John might be the promised Messiah. His
life was so unselfish, marked with humility and self-denial. His teach-
ings, exhortations, and reproofs, were fervent, sincere, and courageous.
In his mission, he turned not to the right or to the left to court the fa-
vors or applause of any. He did not aspire to worldly honor or worldly
dignity, but was humble in heart and life, and did not assume honors
that did not belong to him. He assured his followers that he was not
the Christ.
John, as a prophet, stood forth as God’s representative, to show the
connection between the law and prophets, and the Christian dispensa-