“And Beside This”
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spirit manifested. Critical words and unkind actions are offensive to
God. Dictatorial commands and haughty, overbearing manners are
not acceptable to Heaven. The reason there are so many differences
existing between brethren is that they have failed to add brotherly
kindness. We should have that love for others that Christ has had for
us. A man is estimated at his true value by the Lord of heaven. If he is
unkind in his earthly home, he is unfit for the heavenly home. If he
will have his own way, no matter whom it grieves, he would not be
content in heaven, unless he could rule there.
Round eight: Love
The love of Christ must control our hearts, and the peace of God
will abide in our homes. Seek God with a broken and contrite spirit,
and you will be melted with compassion toward your brethren. You
will be prepared to add to brotherly kindness, charity, or love. Without
charity we will become “as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” Our
highest professions are hollow and insincere; but “love is the fulfilling
of the law.” We shall be found wanting, if we do not add charity that
suffereth long and is kind, that vaunteth not itself, that seeketh not her
own.
Heaven brought nearer
Will it make us miserable to follow this plan of Christian
progression?—No. It will bring heaven nearer to us. We may have the
sweet peace and consolation of God in doing this work. These steps
will take us into the atmosphere of heaven; for as God sees His chil-
dren seeking to carry out His instruction in their habits and thoughts,
He multiplies grace, and gives them that wisdom that cometh down
from above, that is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be
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entreated, full of mercy and good fruits.”
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling
and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (
2
Peter 1:10
). (
The Review and Herald, February 21, 1888
. Sermon at
Christiana, Norway, October 6, 1886.).
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