Page 132 - Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers (1923)

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Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers
because we did not use our powers to glorify God. For all knowledge
that we might have gained but did not, there will be an eternal loss,
even if we do not lose our souls. All our influence belongs to God.
All that we acquire is to be used to His glory. All the property that
the Lord has entrusted to us is to be held on the altar of God, to be
returned to Him again. We are working out our own destiny. May
God help us all to be wise for eternity.
My brethren, we are living in a most solemn period of this earth’s
history. There is never time to sin; it is always perilous to continue
in transgression; but in a special sense is this true at the present
time. We are now upon the very borders of the eternal world and
stand in a more solemn relation to time and to eternity than ever
before. Now let every person search his own heart, and plead for
the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness to expel all spiritual
darkness and cleanse from defilement. “If we confess our sins, He
is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness.” Through faith, irrespective of feeling, Jesus,
the Author of our salvation, the Finisher of our faith, will, by His
precious grace, strengthen the moral powers, and the sinner may
reckon himself “to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God
through Jesus Christ.” Simple faith, with the love of Christ in the
soul, unites the believer to God. While toiling in battle as a faithful
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soldier of Christ, he has the sympathy of the whole loyal universe.
The ministering angels are round about him to aid in the conflict, so
that he may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper,” “the Lord is my
strength and my shield;” I shall not be overcome. “By grace are ye
saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
The infinite wisdom and power of God are exerted in our behalf.
The heavenly host are surely fighting our battles for us. They are
always looking with intense interest upon the souls purchased by
the Saviour’s blood. They see, through the sacrifice of Christ, the
value of the human soul. It is always safe to be on the Lord’s
side, not halfheartedly, but wholly. It is this halfhearted, indifferent,
careless work that separates your souls from Jesus, the source of
your strength. Let this be your prayer: “Take everything from me,
let me lose property, worldly honor, everything, but let Thy presence
be with me.” It is safe to commit the keeping of the soul to God,
who reigns over all heaven and earth.