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The Desire of Ages
While they trust to the guidance of human authority, none will
come to a saving knowledge of the truth. Like Nathanael, we need to
study God’s word for ourselves, and pray for the enlightenment of the
Holy Spirit. He who saw Nathanael under the fig tree will see us in
the secret place of prayer. Angels from the world of light are near to
those who in humility seek for divine guidance.
With the calling of John and Andrew and Simon, of Philip and
Nathanael, began the foundation of the Christian church. John directed
two of his disciples to Christ. Then one of these, Andrew, found his
brother, and called him to the Saviour. Philip was then called, and
he went in search of Nathanael. These examples should teach us
the importance of personal effort, of making direct appeals to our
kindred, friends, and neighbors. There are those who for a lifetime
have professed to be acquainted with Christ, yet who have never made
a personal effort to bring even one soul to the Saviour. They leave all
the work for the minister. He may be well qualified for his calling, but
he cannot do that which God has left for the members of the church.
There are many who need the ministration of loving Christian
hearts. Many have gone down to ruin who might have been saved
if their neighbors, common men and women, had put forth personal
effort for them. Many are waiting to be personally addressed. In the
very family, the neighborhood, the town, where we live, there is work
for us to do as missionaries for Christ. If we are Christians, this work
will be our delight. No sooner is one converted than there is born
within him a desire to make known to others what a precious friend he
has found in Jesus. The saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up
in his heart.
All who are consecrated to God will be channels of light. God
makes them His agents to communicate to others the riches of His
grace. His promise is, “I will make them and the places round about
My hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his
season; there shall be showers of blessing.”
Ezekiel 34:26
.
Philip said to Nathanael, “Come and see.” He did not ask him to
accept another’s testimony, but to behold Christ for himself. Now that
Jesus has ascended to heaven, His disciples are His representatives
among men, and one of the most effective ways of winning souls to
Him is in exemplifying His character in our daily life. Our influence
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upon others depends not so much upon what we say as upon what we