Faithfulness in the Work of God
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with the Father may be answered. The harmony and unity of the church
are the credentials that they present to the world that Jesus is the Son
of God. Genuine conversion will ever lead to genuine love for Jesus
and for all those for whom He died.
Everyone who does what he can for God, who is true and earnest
to do good to those around him, will receive the blessing of God upon
his efforts. A man may render effective service for God although he is
not the head or the heart of the body of Christ. The service represented
in the word of God by that of the hand or the foot, though lowly, is
nevertheless important. It is not the greatness of the work, but the love
with which it is done, the motive underlying the action, that determines
its worth. There is work to be done for our neighbors and for those
with whom we associate. We have no liberty to cease our patient,
prayerful labors for souls as long as any are out of the ark of safety.
There is no release in this war. We are soldiers of Christ, and are under
obligation to watch lest the enemy gain the advantage and secure to
his service souls that we might win to Christ.
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The day of trust and responsibility is ours; we have a work to
do for God. The church in-----has been gradually growing cold and
irreligious. There is much to be done for its individual members.
Great light has shone upon their pathway. For this they will be held
accountable. Said Christ: “Ye are the light of the world;” “ye are the
salt of the earth.” They need a deeper work of grace in their hearts.
There must be a reformation before God can bless them. There are
plenty of formal professors. A selfish grasping for gain eclipses the
heavenly inheritance. If the kingdom of heaven is made first, noble
integrity will shine forth in the life and character. This is what Brother
A needs if he would exert an influence for good. He loves to handle
money, and to see it accumulate by turning it one way and another. His
mind and affections are absorbed in worldly enterprises. He is drunken
with the cares of this life; that is, he is so swallowed up in his business
that he cannot think rationally and intelligently of the things of God;
his vision is obscured by love of money. The truth should reach down
deep into his heart and develop fruit in his private and public life.
Brother A has excused himself for not making the Scriptures his
study because he was a businessman. But to one pressed with business
cares the Scriptures will be a source of strength and safety. Such a man
has greater need of light from the word of God, of its counsels and