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50
S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 5
make to preserve His law and control His subjects, and yet save
fallen man. Satan hoped they would discourage and dishearten
Christ; but Christ addressed the author of the thought, saying, “Get
thee behind me, Satan” (
The Review and Herald, April 6, 1897
).
24 (
Mark 8:34
;
Luke 9:23
; see
EGW comment on Matthew
11:28-30
). Travel Christ’s Road
—Those who are saved must travel
the same road over which Christ journeyed. He says, “Whosoever
will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross,
and follow me.” The character is to be formed according to the
Christlikeness (
Manuscript 105, 1901
).
The Cross Lifts
—We are to lift the cross, and follow the steps
of Christ. Those who lift the cross will find that as they do this, the
cross lifts them, giving them fortitude and courage, and pointing
them to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world (
The
Review and Herald, July 13, 1905
).
(
Job 19:25
.) Up From the Lowlands
—The cross lifts you up
from the lowlands of earth, and brings you into sweetest communion
with God. Through bearing the cross your experience may be such
that you can say, “‘I know that my Redeemer liveth,’ and because
He lives, I shall live also.” What an assurance is this (
Manuscript 85,
1901
)!
(
Matthew 7:13, 14
.) At the Dividing of the Way
—The cross
stands where two roads diverge. One is the path of obedience leading
to heaven. The other leads into the broad road, where man can easily
go with his burden of sin and corruption, but it leads to perdition
[1096]
(
Manuscript 50, 1898
).
(
Matthew 12:30
;
Luke 11:23
.) Living for Self Dishonors Re-
deemer
—Christians who live for self dishonor their Redeemer. They
may apparently be very active in the service of the Lord, but they
weave self into all that they do. Sowing the seeds of selfishness,
they must at last reap a harvest of corruption.... Service for self
takes a variety of forms. Some of these forms seem harmless. Ap-
parent goodness gives them the appearance of genuine goodness.
But they bring no glory to the Lord. By their service His cause is
hindered. Christ says, “He that is not with me is against me; and he
that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.”
Those who bring self into their work cannot be trusted. If they
would lose sight of self in Christ, their efforts would be of value