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Choosing and Doing, March 19
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we,
being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye
were healed.
1 Peter 2:24
.
It is because He [Christ] has borne the punishment in His own body
on the cross that man has a second probation. He may, if he will, return
this loyalty. But, if he refuses to obey the commands of God, if he rejects
the warnings and messages God sends, choosing rather the words of fallacy
spoken by those who echo the word of the Deceiver, he is willingly ignorant,
and the condemnation of God is upon him. He chooses disobedience because
obedience means lifting the cross and practicing self-denial, and following
Christ in the path of obedience.
The natural mind leans toward pleasure and self-gratification and it is
Satan’s policy to manufacture an abundance of this, that they may be filled
with excitement, leaving men and women no time to consider the question,
How is it with my soul? The love of pleasure is infectious. Given up to
this, the mind hurries from one point to another, ever seeking for some
amusement....
The ability to enjoy the riches of glory will be developed in proportion to
the desire we have for these riches. How shall an appreciation of God and
heavenly things be developed unless it is in this life? If the claims and cares
of the world are allowed to engross all our time and attention, our spiritual
powers weaken and die because they are not exercised. In a mind wholly
given to earthly things, every inlet through which light from heaven may enter,
is closed. God’s transforming grace cannot be felt on mind and character.
The talents which should be used in active piety, are ignored and neglected.
How then can a response be made when the invitation is heard, “Come; for all
things are now ready” (
Luke 14:17
)? How is it possible for a man to receive
the commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” when he has been
disobedient, unthankful, unholy? He has trained the mind to disregard God’s
plainest requirements, to dislike religious things. He loves the things of earth
more than the things of heaven.
Obedience to God’s commands will enroll our names in the Lamb’s book
of life, “for we are made partakers of Christ” (
Hebrews 3:14
).—
Manuscript
28, March 19, 1899
, “Think Not That I Am Come to Destroy the Law.”
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