Christian Influence in the Home and the Church
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in that soul “a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” His
words, his motives, his actions, may be misinterpreted and falsified;
but he does not mind it because he has greater interests at stake. He
does not consider present convenience; he is not ambitious for display;
he does not crave the praise of men. His hope is in heaven, and he
keeps straight on, with his eye fixed on Jesus. He does right because
it is right, and because only those who do right will have an entrance
into the kingdom of God. He is kind and humble, and thoughtful of
others’ happiness. He never says, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” but he
loves his neighbor as himself. His manner is not harsh and dictatorial,
like that of the godless; but he reflects light from heaven upon men.
He is a true, bold soldier of the cross of Christ, holding forth the word
of life. As he gains in influence, prejudice against him dies away, his
piety is acknowledged, and his Bible principles are respected.
Thus it is with everyone who is truly converted. He bears precious
fruit, and in so doing walks as Christ walked, talks as He talked, works
as He worked, and the truth as it is in Jesus, through him, makes
an impression in his home, in his neighborhood, and in the church.
He is building a character for eternity, while working out his own
salvation with fear and trembling. He is exemplifying before the world
the valuable principles of truth, showing what the truth will do for
the life and character of the genuine believer. He is unconsciously
acting his part in the sublime work of Christ in the redemption of the
world, a work which, in its character and influence, is far-reaching,
undermining the foundation of false religion and false science.
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I fell obliged to write thus because I know your brethren will never
say these things to you. I do not want you or your wife to lose the
heavenly mansions; for they are worth everything to us, and we should
put forth energy and zeal proportionate to the value of the object of
which we are in pursuit. Eternal life is worth persevering, untiring
effort.
The Lord wants you and your family to be Christians in every sense
of the word and to show in your characters the sanctifying power of the
truth. If you had formed such characters, your works would stand the
test of the judgment; should the fires of the last day kindle upon your
works as they now are, they would prove to be only hay, wood, and
stubble. Do not think this severe; it is true. Self has been mingled with
all your labors. Will you come up to the high standard? It will be like