Brotherly Love
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denial or self-sacrifice is required in order to put on a form of godliness
and to have one’s name enrolled upon the church book. Hence many
join the church without first becoming united to Christ. In this Satan
triumphs. Such converts are his most efficient agents. They serve
as decoys to other souls. They are false lights, luring the unwary to
perdition. It is in vain that men seek to make the Christian’s path broad
and pleasant for worldlings. God has not smoothed or widened the
rugged, narrow way. If we would enter into life, we must follow the
same path which Jesus and His disciples trod—the path of humility,
self-denial, and sacrifice.
Ministers should see that their own hearts are sanctified through the
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truth, and then labor to secure these results for their converts. It is pure
religion that ministers and people need. Those who put away iniquity
from their hearts and stretch out their hands in earnest supplication
unto God will have that help which God alone can give them. A
ransom has been paid for the souls of men, that they may have an
opportunity to escape from the thralldom of sin and obtain pardon,
purity, and heaven.
God hears the cry of the lowly and contrite. Those who frequent
the throne of grace, offering up sincere, earnest petitions for divine
wisdom and power, will not fail to become active, useful servants of
Christ. They may not possess great talents, but with humility of heart
and firm reliance upon Jesus they may do a good work in bringing
souls to Christ. They can reach men through God.
Ministers of Christ should ever feel that a sacred work engages
all their souls; their efforts should be for the edification of the body
of Christ, and not to exalt themselves before the people. And while
Christians should esteem the faithful minister as Christ’s ambassador,
they should avoid all praise of the man.
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk
in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us
an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.” Man
by wicked works alienated himself from God, but Christ gave His
life that all who would, might be freed from sin and reinstated in
the favor of the Creator. It was the anticipation of a redeemed, holy
universe that prompted Christ to make this great sacrifice. Have we
accepted the privileges so dearly purchased? Are we followers of God