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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
others, but not to find ease and pleasure and enjoyment for Himself, you
will then bless others with your influence. In our mingling in society,
in families or in whatever relations of life we are placed, either limited
or extended, there are many ways wherein we may acknowledge our
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Lord and many ways wherein we may deny Him. We may deny Him
in our words, by speaking evil of others, by foolish talking, jesting
and joking, by idle or unkind words, or by prevaricating, speaking
contrary to truth. In our words we may confess that Christ is not in us.
In our character we may deny Him by loving our ease, by shunning
the duties and burdens of life which someone must bear if we do not,
and by loving sinful pleasure. We may also deny Christ by pride of
dress and conformity to the world, or by uncourteous behavior. We
may deny Him by loving our own opinions and by seeking to maintain
and justify self. We may also deny Him in allowing the mind to run in
the channel of lovesick sentimentalism and to brood over our supposed
hard lot and trials.
No one can truly confess Christ before the world unless the mind
and spirit of Christ live in him. It is impossible to communicate that
which we have not. The conversation and the deportment should be
a real and visible expression of grace and truth within. If the heart is
sanctified, submissive, and humble, the fruits will be seen outwardly
and will be a most effectual confession of Christ. Words and profession
are not enough. You, my sister, must have something more than this.
You are deceiving yourself. Your spirit, your character, and your
actions do not show a spirit of meekness, self-denial, and charity.
Words and profession may express much humility and love; but if
the conduct is not regulated daily by the grace of God, you are not
a partaker of the heavenly gift, you have not forsaken all for Christ,
you have not surrendered your own will and pleasure to become His
disciple.
You commit sin and deny your Saviour by dwelling on gloomy
things, by gathering trials to yourself, and by borrowing troubles.
You bring the troubles of tomorrow into today, and embitter your
own heart, and bring burdens and a cloud upon those around you, by
manufacturing trials. The precious probationary time that God has
given you in which to do good and become rich in good works you
are very unwise to employ in thinking unhappy thoughts and in airy
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castle-building. You suffer your imagination to run upon subjects that