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Words of Counsel to Ministers
125
harmoniously that all will take knowledge that they have learned of
Jesus.
In The Meekness Of Christ
No human being is to seek to bind other human beings to himself
as if he were to control them, telling them to do this and forbidding
them to do that, commanding, dictating, acting like an officer over
a company of soldiers. This is the way the priests and rulers did in
Christ’s day, but it is not the right way. After the truth has made
the impression upon hearts, and men and women have accepted its
teachings, they are to be treated as the property of Christ, not as the
property of man. In fastening minds to yourself, you lead them to
disconnect from the source of their wisdom and sufficiency. Their
dependence must be wholly in God; only thus can they grow in
grace.
However large may be a man’s claim to knowledge and wisdom,
unless he is under the teaching of the Holy Spirit he is exceedingly
ignorant of spiritual things. He needs to realize his danger and his
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inefficiency, and to place entire dependence upon the One who alone
is able to keep the souls committed to His trust, able to imbue them
with His Spirit, and to fill them with unselfish love for one another,
thus enabling them to bear witness that God has sent His Son into
the world to save sinners. Those who are truly converted will press
together in Christian unity. Let there be no division in the church of
God, no unwise authority exercised over those who accept the truth.
The meekness of Christ is to appear in all that is said and done.
Christ is the foundation of every true church. We have His
unalterable promise that His presence and protection will be given to
His faithful ones who walk in His counsel. To the end of time Christ
is to be first. He is the source of life and strength, of righteousness
and holiness. And He is all this to those who wear His yoke and
learn of Him how to be meek and lowly.
The duty and delight of all service is to uplift Christ before the
people. This is the end of all true labor. Let Christ appear; let self
be hidden behind Him. This is self-sacrifice that is of worth. Such
self-sacrifice God accepts. Thus saith the high and lofty One that
inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy