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Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce
spirit of meekness, and He holds us responsible for pursuing a course
which will drive them to discouragement, despair, and ruin. Unless we
daily cultivate the precious plant of love we are in danger of becom-
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ing narrow, unsympathetic, bigoted, and critical, esteeming ourselves
righteous when we are far from being approved of God. Some are un-
courteous, abrupt, and harsh. They are like chestnut burs—they prick
whenever touched. These do incalculable harm by misrepresenting
our loving Saviour.
We must come up to a higher standard, or we are unworthy of
the Christian name. We should cultivate the spirit with which Christ
labored to save the erring. They are as dear to Him as we are. They
are equally capable of being trophies of His grace and heirs of the
kingdom. But they are exposed to the snares of a wily foe, exposed
to danger and defilement, and without the saving grace of Christ, to
certain ruin. Did we view this matter in the right light, how would our
zeal be quickened and our earnest, self-sacrificing efforts be multiplied,
that we might come close to those who need our help, our prayers, our
sympathy, and our love!—
Testimonies for the Church 5:605, 606
.
Jesus, Our Example—It was the outcast, the publican and sin-
ner, the despised of the nations, that Christ called and by His loving-
kindness compelled to come unto Him. The one class that He would
never countenance was those who stood apart in their self-esteem and
looked down upon others....
Even those who had fallen the lowest He treated with respect. It
was continual pain to Christ to be brought into contact with enmity,
depravity, and impurity; but never did He utter one expression to
show that His sensibilities were shocked or His refined tastes offended.
Whatever the evil habits, the strong prejudices, or the overbearing
passions of human beings, He met them all with pitying tenderness.
As we partake of His Spirit, we shall regard all men as brethren, with
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similar temptations and trials, often falling and struggling to rise again,
battling with discouragements and difficulties, craving sympathy and
help. Then we shall meet them in such a way as not to discourage
or repel them, but to awaken hope in their hearts.—
The Ministry of
Healing, 164, 165
.
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