Basic HTML Version
328
The Ministry of Healing
The strongest evidence of man’s fall from a higher state is the
fact that it costs so much to return. The way of return can be gained
only by hard fighting, inch by inch, hour by hour. In one moment, by
a hasty, unguarded act, we may place ourselves in the power of evil;
but it requires more than a moment to break the fetters and attain to
a holier life. The purpose may be formed, the work begun; but its
accomplishment will require toil, time, perseverance, patience, and
sacrifice.
We cannot allow ourselves to act from impulse. We cannot be
off guard for a moment. Beset with temptations without number, we
must resist firmly or be conquered. Should we come to the close of
life with our work undone, it would be an eternal loss.
The life of the apostle Paul was a constant conflict with self. He
said, “I die daily.”
1 Corinthians 15:31
. His will and his desires every
day conflicted with duty and the will of God. Instead of following
[453]
inclination, he did God’s will, however crucifying to his nature.
At the close of his life of conflict, looking back over its struggles
and triumphs, he could say, “I have fought a good fight, I have
finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid
up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
Judge, shall give me at that day.”
2 Timothy 4:7, 8
.
The Christian life is a battle and a march. In this warfare there is
no release; the effort must be continuous and persevering. It is by
unceasing endeavor that we maintain the victory over the temptations
of Satan. Christian integrity must be sought with resistless energy
and maintained with a resolute fixedness of purpose.
No one will be borne upward without stern, persevering effort in
his own behalf. All must engage in this warfare for themselves; no
one else can fight our battles. Individually we are responsible for the
issues of the struggle; though Noah, Job, and Daniel were in the land
they could deliver neither son nor daughter by their righteousness.
The Science to Be Mastered
There is a science of Christianity to be mastered—a science as
much deeper, broader, higher than any human science as the heavens
are higher than the earth. The mind is to be disciplined, educated,
trained; for we are to do service for God in ways that are not in har-