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Selfishness Rebuked
481
are decidedly a lazy man. You can eat your rations regularly, but
you have no special love for physical labor. No man can fill his
position as a minister unless he is industrious, diligent in business,
and faithful in the performance of all the social and public duties
of life. God has chosen us, as His servants, to His work, which
requires persevering energy. We are not to become pets and shun
toil, hardship, and conflicts.
I was referred to the following words of inspiration: “For we
preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your
servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine
out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we
have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power
may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet
not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but
not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about
in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus
might be made manifest in our body.” The sufficiency of the apostle
was not in himself, but in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit,
whose gracious influences filled his soul, bringing every thought
into subjection and obedience to Christ. His ministry was fruitful.
The first great commandment is: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy
God with all thy heart.” “And the second is like, namely this, Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” On these two commandments
the whole interest and duty of moral beings hang. Those who do
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their duty to others as they would that others should do to them are
brought into a position where God can reveal Himself to them. They
will be approved of Him. They are made perfect in love, and their
labors and prayers will not be in vain. They are continually receiving
grace and truth from the Fountainhead, and as freely transmitting to
others the divine light and salvation they receive. In them is fulfilled
the language of the Scripture: “Ye have your fruit unto holiness, and
the end everlasting life.”
Selfishness is abomination in the sight of God and holy angels.
Because of this sin many fail to attain the good which they are
capable of enjoying. They look with selfish eyes on their own things,
and do not love and seek the interest of others as they do their
own. They reverse God’s order. Instead of doing for others what