Improvement of Talents
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Gibbon the skeptic, and many others whom God endowed with giant
minds, and whom the world called great men, rallied under the banner
of Satan and used the gifts of God for the perversion of truth and the
destruction of the souls of men. Great intellect, when made a minister
of vice, is a curse to the possessor and to all who come within the
circle of its influence.
That which will bless humanity is spiritual life. If the man is in
harmony with God, he will depend continually upon Him for strength.
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is
perfect.” It is our lifework to be reaching forward to the perfection
of Christian character, striving continually for conformity to the will
of God. The efforts begun upon earth will continue through eternity.
God’s standard of man is elevated to the highest meaning of the term,
and if he acts up to his God-given manhood he will promote happiness
in this life, which will lead to glory and an eternal reward in the life to
come.
The members of the human family are entitled to the name of men
and women only when they employ their talents, in every possible way,
for the good of others. The life of Christ is before us as a pattern, and
it is when ministering, like angels of mercy, to the wants of others that
man is closely allied to God. It is the nature of Christianity to make
happy families and happy society. Discord, selfishness, and strife will
be put away from every man and woman who possesses the true spirit
of Christ.
Those who are partakers of Christ’s love have no right to think that
there is a limit to their influence and work in trying to benefit humanity.
Did Christ become weary in His efforts to save fallen man? Our work
is to be continuous and persevering. We shall find work to do until the
Master shall bid us lay our armor at His feet. God is a moral governor,
and we must wait, submissive to His will, ready and willing to spring
to our duty whenever work needs to be done.
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Angels are engaged night and day in the service of God for the
uplifting of man in accordance with the plan of salvation. Man is
required to love God supremely, that is, with all his might, mind, and
strength, and his neighbor as himself. This he cannot possibly do
unless he shall deny himself. Said Christ: “Whosoever will come after
Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”