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Christ’s Object Lessons
spending their money for that which is not bread and their labor for
that which satisfieth not.
In these suffering ones we are to see those whom Christ came to
save. His invitation to them is “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye
to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea,
come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.... Hearken
diligently unto Me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul
delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and
your soul shall live.”
Isaiah 55:1-3
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God has given a special command that we should regard the
stranger, the outcast, and the poor souls who are weak in moral power.
Many who appear wholly indifferent to religious things are in heart
longing for rest and peace. Although they may have sunken to the very
depths of sin, there is a possibility of saving them.
Christ’s servants are to follow His example. As He went from
place to place, He comforted the suffering and healed the sick. Then
He placed before them the great truths in regard to His kingdom. This
is the work of His followers. As you relieve the sufferings of the body,
you will find ways for ministering to the wants of the soul. You can
point to the uplifted Saviour, and tell of the love of the great Physician,
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who alone has power to restore.
Tell the poor desponding ones who have gone astray that they
need not despair. Though they have erred, and have not been building
a right character, God has joy to restore them, even the joy of His
salvation. He delights to take apparently hopeless material, those
through whom Satan has worked, and make them the subjects of His
grace. He rejoices to deliver them from the wrath which is to fall upon
the disobedient. Tell them there is healing, cleansing for every soul.
There is a place for them at the Lord’s table. He is waiting to bid them
welcome.
Those who go into the byways and hedges will find others of a
widely different character, who need their ministry. There are those
who are living up to all the light they have, and are serving God the
best they know how. But they realize that there is a great work to be
done for themselves and for those about them. They are longing for
an increased knowledge of God, but they have only begun to see the
glimmering of greater light. They are praying with tears that God will
send them the blessing which by faith they discern afar off. In the