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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
speak to his hearers in such a manner that Jesus is honored and His
love magnified.
Said Christ: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Let
your light so shine that the glory will redound to God instead of to
yourselves. If the praise comes to you, well may you tremble and be
ashamed, for the great object is defeated; it is not God, but the servant,
that is magnified. Let your light so shine; be careful, minister of Christ,
in what manner your light shines. If it flashes heavenward, revealing
the excellence of Christ, it shines aright. If it is turned upon yourself,
if you exhibit yourself, and attract the people to admire you, it would
be better for you to hold your peace altogether: for your light shines
in the wrong way.
Ministers of Christ, you may be connected with God if you will
watch and pray. Let your words be seasoned with salt, and let Christian
courtesy and true elevation pervade your demeanor. If the peace of
God is ruling within, its power will not only strengthen, but soften your
hearts, and you will be living representatives of Christ. The people who
profess the truth are backsliding from God. Jesus is soon to come, and
they are unready. The minister must reach a higher standard himself,
a faith marked with greater firmness, an experience that is living and
vivid, not dull and common place, like that of the nominal professors.
The word of God sets a high mark before you. Will you, through
fasting and prayerful effort, attain to the completeness and consistency
of Christian character? You should make straight paths for your feet,
lest the lame be turned out of the way. A close connection with God
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will bring to you in your labor that vital power which arouses the
conscience, and convicts the sinner of sin, leading him to cry: “What
shall I do to be saved?”
The commission which Christ gave to the disciples just prior to
His ascension to heaven was: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of
the world.” “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which
shall believe on Me through their word.” The commission reaches
those who shall believe on His word through His disciples. And all
who are called of God to stand as ambassadors for Him should take