This is Pure Religion
27
Are We the Children of God?—It is not fitful service that God
accepts; it is not emotional spasms of piety that make us children of
God. He calls upon us to work for principles that are true, firm, and
abiding. If Christ is formed within, the hope of glory, He will be
revealed in the character, it will be Christlike. We are to represent
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Christ to the world, as Christ represented the Father.—
The Review
and Herald, January 11, 1898
.
We want to show Christian warmth and heartiness, not as though
we were doing some wonderful thing, but just what we would ex-
pect any real Christian to do in our own case were we placed in like
circumstances.—
Letter 68, 1898
.
Not to Be Weary in Well-doing—Many times our efforts for
others may be disregarded and apparently lost. But this should be no
excuse for us to become weary in well-doing. How often has Jesus
come to find fruit upon the plants of His care, and found nothing but
leaves! We may be disappointed as to the result of our best efforts,
but this should not lead us to be indifferent to others’ woes and to
do nothing. “Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye
bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of
the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.”—
Testimonies
for the Church 3:525
.
In Doing for Others We Are Doing for Christ—From what has
been shown me, Sabbathkeepers are growing more selfish as they
increase in riches. Their love for Christ and His people is decreasing.
They do not see the wants of the needy, nor feel their sufferings and
sorrows. They do not realize that in neglecting the poor and the suffer-
ing they neglect Christ, and that in relieving the wants and sufferings
of the poor as far as possible, they minister to Jesus....
“Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from
Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his
angels: for I was an hungred, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty,
and ye gave Me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in:
naked, and ye clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me
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not. Then shall they also answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we
Thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison,
and did not minister unto Thee? Then shall He answer them, saying,
Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least