Talents
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believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John
3:16
.
But Christ has given us no assurance that to attain perfection of
character is an easy matter. A noble, all-round character is not inher-
ited. It does not come to us by accident. A noble character is earned
by individual effort through the merits and grace of Christ. God gives
the talents, the powers of the mind; we form the character. It is formed
by hard, stern battles with self. Conflict after conflict must be waged
against hereditary tendencies. We shall have to criticize ourselves
closely, and allow not one unfavorable trait to remain uncorrected.
Let no one say, I cannot remedy my defects of character. If you
come to this decision, you will certainly fail of obtaining everlasting
life. The impossibility lies in your own will. If you will not, then you
can not overcome. The real difficulty arises from the corruption of an
unsanctified heart, and an unwillingness to submit to the control of
God.
Many whom God has qualified to do excellent work accomplish
very little, because they attempt little. Thousands pass through life as
if they had no definite object for which to live, no standard to reach.
Such will obtain a reward proportionate to their works.
Remember that you will never reach a higher standard than you
yourself set. Then set your mark high, and step by step, even though
it be by painful effort, by self-denial and sacrifice, ascend the whole
length of the ladder of progress. Let nothing hinder you. Fate has
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not woven its meshes about any human being so firmly that he need
remain helpless and in uncertainty. Opposing circumstances should
create a firm determination to overcome them. The breaking down of
one barrier will give greater ability and courage to go forward. Press
with determination in the right direction, and circumstances will be
your helpers, not your hindrances.
Be ambitious, for the Master’s glory, to cultivate every grace of
character. In every phase of your character building you are to please
God. This you may do; for Enoch pleased Him though living in a
degenerate age. And there are Enochs in this our day.
Stand like Daniel, that faithful statesman, a man whom no tempta-
tion could corrupt. Do not disappoint Him who so loved you that He
gave His own life to cancel your sins. He says, “Without Me ye can do
nothing.”
John 15:5
. Remember this. If you have made mistakes, you