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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
express his mind before he had a clear comprehension of himself or of
what he had to say. But Peter was converted, and the converted Peter
was very different from the rash, impetuous Peter. While he retained
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his former fervor, the grace of Christ regulated his zeal. Instead of
being impetuous, self-confident, and self-exalted, he was calm, self-
possessed, and teachable. He could then feed the lambs as well as the
sheep of Christ’s flock.
You, my brother, have a great work to do for yourself day by
day. You must make constant effort to curb bad tempers and evil
propensities. These have grown with your growth, and Jesus alone can
strengthen you to fully overcome them. You should regard yourself
as a servant of Christ and seek to be like Him in character. Try to
make yourself agreeable to others. Even in your business relations, be
courteous, kind, and forbearing, showing the meekness of Jesus and
that His spirit is ruling you. You are related to humanity, and you must
be patient, kind, and pitiful. You need to cherish thoughtfulness and
subdue selfishness. Let your inquiry be: “What can I do to bless oth-
ers?” If your heart is yearning to do them good, even at inconvenience
to yourself, you will have the blessing of God. Love, lifted out of the
realm of passion and impulse, becomes spiritualized and is revealed
in words and acts. A Christian must have a sanctified tenderness and
love, in which there is no impatience or fretfulness; the rude, harsh
manners must be softened by the grace of Christ.
O my brother, my sister, educate yourselves in the school of Christ.
Let the spirit of controversy cease at home and in the church. Let your
hearts be drawn out in love for the people of God. Hearts that are filled
with the love of Christ can never get very far apart. Religion is love,
and a Christian home is one where love reigns and finds expression
in words and acts of thoughtful kindness and gentle courtesy. Let
no harsh words be spoken. Let the family worship be made pleasant
and interesting. Be a Christian gentleman, my brother; for the very
same principles that characterize the home life will be carried into the
church. A lack of courtesy, a moment of petulance, a single rough,
thoughtless word, will mar your reputation and may close the door to
hearts so that you can never reach them.
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Now I have set before you your dangers, and I tell you there are
precious victories that you may gain. We can never see the kingdom
of heaven unless we have the mind and spirit of Christ. Then copy