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The Ministry of Healing
places where the people are enshrouded in spiritual gloom, and let
the light of Christ’s life shine out through them, what a noble work
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might be accomplished.
This work requires self-sacrifice. While many are waiting to have
every obstacle removed, the work they might do is left undone, and
multitudes are dying without hope and without God. Some for the
sake of commercial advantage, or to acquire scientific knowledge,
will venture into unsettled regions and cheerfully endure sacrifice
and hardship; but how few for the sake of their fellow men are
willing to move their families into regions that are in need of the
gospel.
To reach the people, wherever they are, and whatever their posi-
tion or condition, and to help them in every way possible—this is
true ministry. By such effort you may win hearts and open a door of
access to perishing souls.
In all your work remember that you are bound up with Christ, a
part of the great plan of redemption. The love of Christ, in a healing,
life-giving current, is to flow through your life. As you seek to draw
others within the circle of His love, let the purity of your language,
the unselfishness of your service, the joyfulness of your demeanor,
bear witness to the power of His grace. Give to the world so pure
and righteous a representation of Him, that men shall behold Him in
His beauty.
It is of little use to try to reform others by attacking what we may
regard as wrong habits. Such effort often results in more harm than
good. In His talk with the Samaritan woman, instead of disparaging
Jacob’s well, Christ presented something better. “If thou knewest
the gift of God,” He said, “and who it is that saith to thee, Give
Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have
given thee living water.”
John 4:10
. He turned the conversation to
the treasure He had to bestow, offering the woman something better
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than she possessed, even living water, the joy and hope of the gospel.
This is an illustration of the way in which we are to work. We
must offer men something better than that which they possess, even
the peace of Christ, which passeth all understanding. We must
tell them of God’s holy law, the transcript of His character, and an
expression of that which He wishes them to become. Show them
how infinitely superior to the fleeting joys and pleasures of the world