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Christ’s Object Lessons
hear the cry for help. He needs to clasp a hand that is warm, to trust in
a heart full of tenderness. Keep his mind stayed upon the thought of a
divine presence ever beside him, ever looking upon him with pitying
love. Bid him think of a Father’s heart that ever grieves over sin, of a
Father’s hand stretched out still, of a Father’s voice saying, “Let him
take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me, and he
shall make peace.”
Isaiah 27:5
.
As you engage in this work, you have companions unseen by
human eyes. Angels of heaven were beside the Samaritan who cared
for the wounded stranger. Angels from the heavenly courts stand by
all who do God’s service in ministering to their fellow men. And you
have the co-operation of Christ Himself. He is the Restorer, and as
you work under His supervision, you will see great results.
Upon your faithfulness in this work not only the well-being of
others but your own eternal destiny depends. Christ is seeking to uplift
all who will be lifted to companionship with Himself, that we may be
one with Him as He is one with the Father. He permits us to come
in contact with suffering and calamity in order to call us out of our
selfishness; He seeks to develop in us the attributes of His character—
compassion, tenderness, and love. By accepting this work of ministry
we place ourselves in His school, to be fitted for the courts of God. By
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rejecting it, we reject His instruction, and choose eternal separation
from His presence.
“If thou wilt keep My charge,” the Lord declares, “I will give thee
places to walk among these that stand by”—even among the angels that
surround His throne. (
Zechariah 3:7
.) By co-operating with heavenly
beings in their work on earth, we are preparing for their companionship
in heaven. “Ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who
shall be heirs of salvation” (
Hebrews 1:14
), angels in heaven will
welcome those who on earth have lived “not to be ministered unto, but
to minister” (
Matthew 20:28
). In this blessed companionship we shall
learn, to our eternal joy, all that is wrapped up in the question, “Who
is my neighbour?”
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