Chapter 7—Wholly Surrendered to God
The First Essential—Those who engage in the canvassing work
should first give themselves wholly and unreservedly to God. Christ
has invited them, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-
laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of
Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your
souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”—
Manuscript 26,
1901
.
Redeem the Time—If you have neglected the sowing time, if you
have allowed God-given opportunities to pass unimproved, if you have
given yourselves up to self-pleasing, will you not now repent, before
it is forever too late, and strive to redeem the time? The obligation to
use your talents in the Master’s service rests heavily upon you. Come
to the Lord, and make an entire surrender of all to Him. You cannot
afford to lose one day. Take up your neglected work. Put away your
querulous unbelief, your envy and evil thinking, and go to work, in
humble faith, and with earnest prayer to the Lord to pardon you for
your years of unconsecration. Ask the Lord for help. If you seek
Him earnestly, with the whole heart, you will find Him, and He will
strengthen and bless you.—
The Review and Herald, January 27, 1903
.
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Be Humble and Teachable—In choosing men and women for His
service, God does not ask whether they possess learning or eloquence
or worldly wealth. He asks: “Do they walk in such humility that I can
teach them My way? Can I put My words into their lips? Will they
represent Me?”
God can use every person just in proportion as He can put His
Spirit into the soul temple. The work that He will accept is the work
that reflects His image. His followers are to bear, as their credentials to
the world, the ineffaceable characteristics of His immortal principles.—
Testimonies for the Church 7:144
(1902).
Why Many Have Failed—Canvassers need to be daily converted
to God, that their words and deeds may be a savor of life unto life, that
they may exert a saving influence. The reason why many have failed
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