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Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students
manhood. The elements of character that make a man successful
and honored among men—the irrepressible desire for some greater
good, the indomitable will, the strenuous exertion, the untiring
perseverance—will not be crushed out. By the grace of God they
will be directed to objects as much higher than mere selfish and
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temporal interests as the heavens are higher than the earth.
“God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation,” the
apostle Paul writes, “through sanctification of the Spirit and belief
of the truth,”
2 Thessalonians 2:13
. In this text the two agencies in
the work of salvation are revealed—the divine influence, and the
strong, living faith of those who follow Christ. It is through the
sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth that we become
laborers together with God. Christ waits for the co-operation of His
church. He does not design to add a new element of efficiency to His
word; He has done His great work in giving His inspiration to the
word. The blood of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the divine word,
are ours. The object of all this provision of heaven is before us—the
salvation of the souls for whom Christ died; and it depends upon
us to lay hold on the promises God has given, and become laborers
together with Him. Divine and human agencies must co-operate in
the work.
“Everyone that is of the truth,” Christ declared, “heareth My
voice.”
John 18:37
. Having stood in the counsels of God, having
dwelt in the everlasting heights of the sanctuary, all elements of truth
were in Him and of Him. He was one with God. It means more than
finite minds can comprehend to present in every missionary effort
Christ and Him crucified. “He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was
upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:5
. “He
hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be
made the righteousness of God in Him.”
2 Corinthians 5:21
. Christ
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crucified for our sins; Christ risen from the dead; Christ ascended
on high as our intercessor—this is the science of salvation that we
need to learn and to teach. This is to be the burden of our work.
The cross of Christ—teach it to every student over and over again.
How many believe it to be what it is? How many bring it into their
studies and know its true significance? Could there be a Christian in
our world without the cross of Christ? Then keep the cross upheld in