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The Indwelling Christ, May 28
He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness
even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and
there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
1 John 2:9, 10
.
Last night I dreamed that a small company were assembled together to
have a religious meeting. There was one who came in and seated himself in a
dark corner, where he would attract little observation. There was not a spirit
of freedom. The Spirit of the Lord was bound. Some remarks were made
by the elder of the church. He seemed to be trying to hurt someone. I saw a
sadness upon the countenance of the stranger. It became apparent that there
was not the love of Jesus in the hearts of those who claimed to believe the
truth and there was, as the sure result, an absence of the spirit of Christ and a
great want both in thoughts and feelings of love for God and for one another.
The assembling together had not been refreshing to anyone.
As the meeting was about to close, the stranger arose and with a voice
that was full of sorrow and of tears, he told them that they had a great want
in their own souls, and in their own experience, of the love of Jesus, which
was present in large measure in every heart where Christ took up His abode.
Every heart renewed by the Spirit of God would not only love God but love
his brother, and if that brother made mistakes, if he erred, he must be dealt
with after the gospel plan. Every step must be followed according to the
directions given in the Word of God. “‘Ye which are spiritual, restore such an
one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted’”
(
Galatians 6:1
), he said. “Rememberest thou not the prayer of Christ just
before He left His disciples for His long, agonizing struggle in the garden of
Gethsemane, before His betrayal, His trial, and His crucifixion?” (See
John
17:15-23
)....
Be careful how you treat the purchase of the blood of Christ. There will
be need of plain and faithful reproving of evil works, but let the one who
takes this work upon him know that he is not separated from Christ by evil
works himself. He must be spiritual and restore such an one in the spirit of
meekness....
The spirit and character of Christ are manifested in the chosen of God,
by their heavenly conversation, their meekness, their blameless conduct. As
many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.—
Manuscript
32, May 28, 1887
, diary, “Visit to Germany.”
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