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Working for the Intemperate
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They have decided to make an effort to live for Christ, but their
will power is weakened, hence they must be carefully guarded by
those who watch for souls as they that must give an account. They
have lost their self-respect and nobility as human beings, and this
they must win back. Many have to battle against strong hereditary
tendencies to evil. Unnatural cravings, sensual impulses, were their
inheritance from birth. These must be carefully guarded against.
Within and without, good and evil are striving for the mastery. Those
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who have never passed through such experiences cannot know the
almost overmastering power of appetite or the fierceness of the
conflict between habits of self-indulgence and the determination to
be temperate in all things. Over and over the battle must be fought.
Many who are drawn to Christ will not have moral courage to
continue the warfare against appetite and passion. But the worker
must not be discouraged by this. Is it only those rescued from the
lowest depths that backslide?
Remember that you do not work alone. Ministering angels unite
in service with every truehearted son and daughter of God. And
Christ is the Restorer. The Great Physician Himself stands beside
His faithful workers, saying to the repentant soul, “Your sins are
forgiven you.”
Mark 2:5
.
Many are the outcasts who will grasp the hope set before them
in the gospel and will enter the kingdom of heaven, while others
who were blessed with great opportunities and great light that they
did not improve will be left in outer darkness.
The victims of evil habits must be aroused to the necessity of
making an effort for themselves. Others may put forth the most
earnest endeavor to uplift them, the grace of God may be freely
offered, Christ may entreat, His angels may minister, but all will be
in vain unless they themselves are roused to fight the battle in their
own behalf.
The last words of David to Solomon, then a young man, and
soon to receive the crown of Israel, were, “‘Be strong, ... and
prove yourself a man.’”
1 Kings 2:2
. To every child of humanity—
candidate for an immortal crown—are these words of inspiration
spoken, “Be strong, ... and prove yourself a man.”
The self-indulgent must be led to see and feel that great moral
renovation is necessary if they would become Christlike. God calls