“The Least of These My Brethren”
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satisfied. They will not be longing for exciting amusements, or for
some change in their lives. The great topic of interest will be, how
to save the souls that are ready to perish. Social intercourse will be
profitable. The love of the Redeemer will draw hearts together in unity.
When we realize that we are workers together with God, His
promises will not be spoken with indifference. They will burn in our
hearts, and kindle upon our lips. To Moses, when called to minister
to an ignorant, undisciplined, and rebellious people, God gave the
promise, “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”
And He said, “Certainly I will be with thee.”
Exodus 33:14
;
3:12
.
This promise is to all who labor in Christ’s stead for His afflicted and
suffering ones.
Love to man is the earthward manifestation of the love of God.
It was to implant this love, to make us children of one family, that
the King of glory became one with us. And when His parting words
are fulfilled, “Love one another, as I have loved you” (
John 15:12
);
when we love the world as He has loved it, then for us His mission
is accomplished. We are fitted for heaven; for we have heaven in our
hearts.
But “if thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and
those that are ready to be slain; if thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not;
doth not He that pondereth the heart consider it? and He that keepeth
thy soul, doth not He know it? and shall not He render to every man
according to his works?”
Proverbs 24:11, 12
. In the great Judgment
day, those who have not worked for Christ, who have drifted along
thinking of themselves, caring for themselves, will be placed by the
Judge of the whole earth with those who did evil. They receive the
same condemnation.
To every soul a trust is given. Of everyone the Chief Shepherd will
demand, “Where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?”
And “what wilt thou say when He shall punish thee?”
Jeremiah 13:20,
21
.
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