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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
But Brother S is weak in many things. If God required him to
expose and condemn a neighbor, to reprove and correct a brother, or
to resist and destroy his enemies, it would be to him a comparatively
natural and easy work. But a warfare against self, subduing the desires
and affections of his own heart, and searching out and controlling the
secret motives of the heart, is a more difficult warfare. How unwilling
is he to be faithful in such a contest as this! The warfare against
self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self,
surrendering all to the will of God and being clothed with humility,
possessing that love that is pure, peaceable, and easy to be entreated,
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full of gentleness and good fruits, is not an easy attainment. And
yet it is his privilege and his duty to be a perfect overcomer here.
The soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in knowledge
and true holiness. The holy life and character of Christ is a faithful
example. His confidence in His heavenly Father was unlimited. His
obedience and submission were unreserved and perfect. He came not
to be ministered unto, but to minister to others. He came not to do His
own will, but the will of Him that sent Him. In all things He submitted
Himself to Him that judgeth righteously. From the lips of the Saviour
of the world were heard these words: “I can of Mine own self do
nothing.”
He became poor, and made Himself of no reputation. He was
hungry and frequently thirsty, and many times weary in His labors;
but He had not where to lay His head. When the cold, damp shades of
night gathered about Him, the earth was frequently His bed. Yet He
blessed those who hated Him. What a life! what an experience! Can
we, the professed followers of Christ, cheerfully endure privation and
suffering as did our Lord, without murmuring? Can we drink of the
cup and be baptized with the baptism? If so, we may share with Him
His glory in His heavenly kingdom. If not, we shall have no part with
Him.
Brother S has an experience to gain, without which his work will
do positive injury. He is affected too much by what others tell him of
the erring; he is apt to decide according to the impressions made upon
his mind, and he deals with severity, when a milder course would be
far better. He does not bear in mind his own weakness, and how hard
it is for him to have his course questioned, even when he is wrong.
When he decides that a brother or sister is wrong he is inclined to carry