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Christ Holds the Standard High, August 31
As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life
to as many as thou hast given him.
John 17:2
.
God would have every man look unto Jesus, who is the Author and the Finisher
of our faith. As Christians, we must in words and actions exercise the noble traits
of character that dwelt in Jesus Christ, as the very highest gift that can be conferred
upon the soul of man. Will everyone who names the name of Christ depart from
all iniquity? The word used here does not always mean the grosser forms of sin.
It means every action we would not be pleased to meet in heaven. From all such
actions we are to depart. We are not to practice them in this life, either in the family
or in the church. All who enter heaven where Jesus is will have in this life the
characteristics that will make heaven here below. Blessed and beneficent are the
rays of light from the Sun of Righteousness who is now pouring His enlightening,
healing beams upon everyone who will open the windows of the soul heavenward.
There are many who, though they profess to be Christians, would spoil heaven
should they be translated with a spirit and character such as they now have. Their
lives are full of earthliness; their tempers are unsanctified; they harbor prejudices
that ought never to exist; they are wholly human. An atmosphere so unlike the
character of Christ has surrounded the soul, so that they could not enjoy the change
from earth to heaven. This earth is our school where we are to be proved and
tried to see if we will become stewards of the grace of Christ. The power of the
grace of Christ is to work in the children of disobedience until Christ Himself
is formed within, the hope of glory. We must reveal that we are converted, born
again, before we can see heaven. Shall we begin now to labor as humble learners
of Jesus Christ? O how infinite is His love and grace! How utterly beyond price is
His love expressed for fallen man! Christ, because He loves us, holds the standard
high, and He will take our disposition, and make it like His own....
Through faith all may receive much, if they will open the windows of the soul
heavenward to let the Sun of Righteousness shine in.... We are to accept the ways
and works of God through whomsoever He shall send them. We are to follow
humbly in the way of the Lord. The way to evidence to the world that we are
Christ’s followers is to manifest unselfish love for one another, not seeking the
supremacy....
O that God would so impress His people that they may behold His glory, and
exclaim, I have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!—
Manuscript 93, August 31,
1903
, “Concerning the Signing of Contracts.”
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