Chapter 13—Rejoicing in the Lord
The children of God are called to be representatives of Christ,
showing forth the goodness and mercy of the Lord. As Jesus has
revealed to us the true character of the Father, so we are to reveal
Christ to a world that does not know His tender, pitying love. “As
Thou hast sent Me into the world,” said Jesus, “even so have I also sent
them into the world.” “I in them, and Thou in Me; ... that the world
may know that Thou hast sent Me.”
John 17:18, 23
. The apostle Paul
says to the disciples of Jesus, “Ye are manifestly declared to be the
epistle of Christ,” “known and read of all men.”
2 Corinthians 3:3, 2
.
In every one of His children, Jesus sends a letter to the world. If you
are Christ’s follower, He sends in you a letter to the family, the village,
the street, where you live. Jesus, dwelling in you, desires to speak to
the hearts of those who are not acquainted with Him. Perhaps they do
not read the Bible, or do not hear the voice that speaks to them in its
pages; they do not see the love of God through His works. But if you
are a true representative of Jesus, it may be that through you they will
be led to understand something of His goodness and be won to love
and serve Him.
Christians are set as light bearers on the way to heaven. They are
to reflect to the world the light shining upon them from Christ. Their
life and character should be such that through them others will get a
right conception of Christ and of His service.
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If we do represent Christ, we shall make His service appear at-
tractive, as it really is. Christians who gather up gloom and sadness
to their souls, and murmur and complain, are giving to others a false
representation of God and the Christian life. They give the impression
that God is not pleased to have His children happy, and in this they
bear false witness against our heavenly Father.
Satan is exultant when he can lead the children of God into unbelief
and despondency. He delights to see us mistrusting God, doubting His
willingness and power to save us. He loves to have us feel that the Lord
will do us harm by His providences. It is the work of Satan to represent
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