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Keep Climbing, July 2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing
of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2
.
God will accept nothing less than unreserved surrender. Halfhearted, sinful,
professing Christians would spoil heaven, were they permitted to enter. They
would stir up a second rebellion there. Those who know the truth, yet do not exalt
the Author of truth, will never enter the City of God. Heaven would be purgatory
to them, because they know nothing of the high, holy principles that govern the
members of the royal family above.
The directions that Christ has given are so distinct and so definite that no one
need take a false step.... Let us not think that because we have made crooked paths
for our feet, every other professing Christian has done the same thing. Let the
one who in the past has been a faultfinder begin to climb the ladder heavenward,
keeping his eyes fixed on the light above.
The true Christian keeps the windows of the soul open heavenward. He lives
in fellowship with Christ. His will is conformed to the will of God.... Shall we not,
in the few days of probation that remain to us, act like men and women seeking
for life in the kingdom of God, even an eternity of bliss?
We are to strive earnestly to reach the standard set before us. Not as a penance
are we to do this, but as the only means of gaining true happiness. The only way
to gain peace and joy is to have a living connection with Him who gave His life
for us, who died that we might live, and who lives to unite His power with the
efforts of those who in this life are striving to overcome.
Holiness is constant agreement with God. Shall we not be that which Christ so
greatly desires us to be—Christians in deed and in truth—that the world may see
in our lives a revelation of the saving power of truth? This world is our preparatory
school, and while here we shall meet with trials and difficulties. But we are safe
while we cleave to Him who gave His life as an offering for us....
In the lower school of earth we are to learn the lessons that will prepare us
to enter the higher school, where our education will continue under the personal
instruction of Christ. Then He will open to us the meaning of His Word. We cannot
afford to miss the privilege of seeing His face and of hearing the gospel from His
lips. Shall we not put our whole souls into the work of preparing for admission
into the higher school, where we shall see Christ face to face?—
Manuscript 61,
July 2, 1903
, “Unreserved Surrender.”
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