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64
A Call to Stand Apart
devotion and spiritual life is concerned, that can never grow where
so great selfishness possesses the soul.
I am writing to you, Rolf, just as I would write to my son. There
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is a great and important work lying just before us, and the part we
will act in this world depends wholly upon our aims and purposes in
life. We may be following impulse. You have the qualities in you
to make you a useful man, but if you follow inclination, this strong
current of stubbornness will sweep you away. Set a high goal and
focus on reaching it.
Let your ruling purpose be to grow to a complete man in Christ
Jesus. In Christ you can have courage to make a difference; without
Christ you can do nothing as you should. You have a determination
to achieve your goals. This is not an objectionable feature in your
character if all your powers are surrendered to God. Please, think
about this: you don’t have the freedom to be an impulsive lover.
Christ has purchased you with a price that is infinite. You are His
property, and in all your plans you must take this into your thinking.
Especially in your marriage planning, be careful to get a partner
who will stand shoulder to shoulder with you in spiritual growth.
Rolf, I want you to consider all these things. God help you to
pray over this matter. Angels are watching this struggle. I leave you
with these things to consider and decide for yourself.
Ellen Whit
* * * * *
(For additional reading on this subject, we recommend
Messages
to Young People, 20
,
Letters to Young Lovers, 10
and
The Adventist
Home, 15
.)
Think About It
1. What two or three basic human needs are satisfied by a
Christian marriage relationship?
2. Identify several biblical principles that should lead in the
choice of a life companion.
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3. What do you think it means to be “mated, but not matched”?
(See p. 77.)
