Co-Workers with Christ
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with heaven. Self-denial and crosses meet us at every step on our
heavenward journey.
The spirit of liberality is the spirit of heaven; the spirit of selfishness
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is the spirit of Satan. Christ’s self-sacrificing love is revealed upon
the cross. He gave all He had, and then gave Himself, that man might
be saved. The cross of Christ appeals to the benevolence of every
follower of the blessed Saviour. The principle there illustrated is to
give, give. This, carried out in actual benevolence and good works, is
the true fruit of the Christian life. The principle of worldlings is to get,
get, and thus they expect to secure happiness; but, carried out in all its
bearings, the fruit is misery and death.
To carry the truth to the inhabitants of the earth, to rescue them
from their guilt and indifference, is the mission of the followers of
Christ. Men must have the truth in order to be sanctified through it,
and we are the channels of God’s light. Our talents, our means, our
knowledge, are not merely for our own benefit; they are to be used for
the salvation of souls, to elevate man from his life of sin and bring
him, through Christ, to the infinite God.
We should be zealous workers in this cause, seeking to lead sinners,
repenting and believing, to a divine Redeemer, and to impress them
with an exalted sense of God’s love to man. “God so loved the world,
that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish, but have everlasting life.” What an incomparable
love is this! A theme for the most profound meditation! The amazing
love of God for a world that did not love Him! The thought has a
subduing power upon the soul and brings the mind into captivity to
the will of God. Men who are crazy for gain, and are disappointed and
unhappy in their pursuit of the world, need the knowledge of this truth
to quiet the restless hungering and thirsting of their souls.
Missionaries for God are wanted in your large city to carry light to
those who sit in the shadow of death. Experienced hands are needed,
in the meekness of wisdom and the strength of faith, to lift weary
souls to the bosom of a compassionate Redeemer. Oh, selfishness!
What a curse! It prevents us from engaging in the service of God. It
prevents us from perceiving the claims of duty, which should set our
hearts aglow with fervent zeal. All our energies should be turned to
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the obedience of Christ. To divide our interest with the leaders of error
is aiding the wrong side and giving advantage to our foes. The truth of