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Self Must Die, September 12
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because
they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2
Thessalonians 2:10
.
The truths of the Word of God possess a sanctifying, transforming power. If
received into the heart, and carried into the life, they will prove a savor of life unto
life....
There is a work to be done for some who feel no special need of help. It is
because they do not feel their needy condition, that they do not reform. They carry
the mold of a spoiled character. Unless these souls experience the new birth, they
will never see the kingdom of heaven. Unless evil is put away from the life, they
cannot be welcomed to the presence of holy angels. God will never again permit
to enter the courts of heaven that which will harm and destroy.
We are beset by Satan on the right hand and on the left. He is constantly
seeking to spoil the faith of those connected with the work of God. But our
precious faith is not to be corrupted by unconverted elements that Satan can use
for the poisoning of minds and the deceiving of souls. We need to pray more and
to talk less. We need to learn of Christ and to become like Him in meekness and
lowliness of heart.
We need to understand how necessary it is that we die to self. Self-crucifixion
will place souls on vantage ground. I entreat those [of you] who profess to be
Christians to die to self that you may be stirred with a new life by the Holy Spirit’s
power. Satan is working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that
perish. Daily we need the converting power of God, or we cannot walk in the
footprints of Christ. As the mind is enlightened in regard to what is purity and
sanctification, and the heart responds to the strivings of the Holy Spirit, a daily
conversion will be the result.
In the day of final award two classes will stand before the Judge of all the
earth. To those who have failed to walk in the footsteps of Christ the words will
be spoken, “Depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (
Matthew 7:23
). Those who
have brought the pure, unadulterated truths of the Word of God into the practical
life will hear the benediction, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant:...enter
thou into the joy of thy lord” (
chap. 25:21
). We can never enter the City of God
until we have learned to die to self, and there dwells within the soul the spirit of
Christ.—
Manuscript 69, September 12, 1909
, “The Helpers in Our Sanitariums.”
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