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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
Jesus, resolute decision, unwavering purpose, continual watchfulness,
and unceasing prayer. Each one has a personal battle to fight. Each
must win his own way through struggles and discouragements. Those
who decline the struggle lose the strength and joy of victory. No one,
not even God, can carry us to heaven unless we make the necessary
effort on our part. We must put features of beauty into our lives. We
must expel the unlovely natural traits that make us unlike Jesus. While
God works in us to will and to do of His own good pleasure, we must
work in harmony with Him. The religion of Christ transforms the
heart. It makes the worldly-minded man heavenly-minded. Under
its influence the selfish man becomes unselfish because this is the
character of Christ. The dishonest, scheming man becomes upright,
so that it is second nature to him to do unto others as he would have
others do unto him. The profligate is changed from impurity to purity.
He forms correct habits, for the gospel of Christ has become to him a
savor of life unto life.
Now, while probation lingers, it does not become one to pronounce
sentence upon others and look to himself as a model man. Christ is our
model; imitate Him, plant your feet in His steps. You may professedly
believe every point of present truth, but unless you practice these truths
it will avail you nothing. We are not to condemn others; this is not our
work; but we should love one another and pray for one another. When
we see one err from the truth, then we may weep over him as Christ
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wept over Jerusalem. Let us see what our heavenly Father in His word
says about the erring: “If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” “If any of you do err from the truth,
and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner
from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a
multitude of sins.” What a great missionary work is this! how much
more Christlike than for poor, fallible mortals to be ever accusing
and condemning those who do not exactly meet their minds. Let us
remember that Jesus knows us individually and is touched with the
feeling of our infirmities. He knows the wants of each of His creatures
and reads the hidden, unspoken grief of every heart. If one of the little
ones for whom He died is injured, He sees it and calls the offender to
account. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He cares for His feeble, sickly,
wandering sheep. He knows them all by name. The distress of every