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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
Self-denial means to rule the spirit when passion is seeking for the
mastery; to resist the temptation to censure and to speak faultfinding
words; to have patience with the child that is dull and whose conduct
is grievous and trying; to stand at the post of duty when others may
fail; to lift responsibilities wherever and whenever you can, not for
the purpose of applause, not for policy, but for the sake of the Master,
who has given you a work to be done with unwavering fidelity; when
you might praise yourself, to keep silent and let other lips praise you.
Self-denial is to do good to others where inclination would lead you
to serve and please yourself. Although your fellow men may never
appreciate your efforts or give you credit for them, yet you are to work
on.
Search carefully and see whether the truth which you have accepted
has become a firm principle with you. Do you take Christ with you
when you leave the closet of prayer? Does your religion stand guard
at the door of your lips? Is your heart drawn out in sympathy and love
for others outside of your own family? Are you diligently seeking a
clearer understanding of Scriptural truth, that you may let your light
shine forth to others? These questions you may answer to your own
souls. Let your speech be seasoned with grace and your demeanor
show Christian elevation.
A new year has commenced. What has been the record of the
past year in your Christian life? How stands your record in heaven?
I entreat you to make an unreserved surrender to God. Have your
hearts been divided? Give them wholly to the Lord now. Make a
different life history the coming year from that of the past. Humble
your souls before God. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation:
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for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the
Lord hath promised to them that love Him.” Put away all pretense and
affectation. Act your simple, natural self. Be truthful in every thought
and word and deed, and “in lowliness of mind let each esteem other
better than themselves.” Ever remember that the moral nature needs to
be braced with constant watchfulness and prayer. As long as you look
to Christ, you are safe; but the moment you think of your sacrifices
and difficulties, and begin to sympathize with and pet yourself, you
lose your trust in God and are in great peril.
Many limit divine Providence and divorce mercy and love from
His character. They urge that the greatness and majesty of God would