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The Ministry of Healing
The Lord Jesus demands our acknowledgment of the rights of
every man. Men’s social rights, and their rights as Christians, are
to be taken into consideration. All are to be treated with refinement
and delicacy, as the sons and daughters of God.
Christianity will make a man a gentleman. Christ was courteous,
even to His persecutors; and His true followers will manifest the
same spirit. Look at Paul when brought before rulers. His speech be-
fore Agrippa is an illustration of true courtesy as well as persuasive
eloquence. The gospel does not encourage the formal politeness cur-
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rent with the world, but the courtesy that springs from real kindness
of heart.
The most careful cultivation of the outward proprieties of life
is not sufficient to shut out all fretfulness, harsh judgment, and
unbecoming speech. True refinement will never be revealed so long
as self is considered as the supreme object. Love must dwell in
the heart. A thoroughgoing Christian draws his motives of action
from his deep heart love for his Master. Up through the roots of
his affection for Christ springs an unselfish interest in his brethren.
Love imparts to its possessor grace, propriety, and comeliness of
deportment. It illuminates the countenance and subdues the voice; it
refines and elevates the whole being.
Life is chiefly made up, not of great sacrifices and wonderful
achievements, but of little things. It is oftenest through the little
things which seem so unworthy of notice that great good or evil is
brought into our lives. It is through our failure to endure the tests that
come to us in little things, that the habits are molded, the character
misshaped; and when the greater tests come, they find us unready.
Only by acting upon principle in the tests of daily life can we acquire
power to stand firm and faithful in the most dangerous and most
difficult positions.
We are never alone. Whether we choose Him or not, we have
a companion. Remember that wherever you are, whatever you do,
God is there. Nothing that is said or done or thought can escape
His attention. To your every word or deed you have a witness—the
holy, sin-hating God. Before you speak or act, always think of this.
As a Christian, you are a member of the royal family, a child of the
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heavenly King. Say no word, do no act, that shall bring dishonor
upon “that worthy name by the which ye are called.”
James 2:7
.