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With Empty Vessels, April 12
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the
power may be of God, and not of us.
2 Corinthians 4:7
.
The question has been asked, What kind of vessels does the Spirit use?
What does Christ say?—“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For
my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (
Matthew 11:28-30
). What kind of
vessels are meet for the Master’s use?—Empty vessels. When we empty the
soul of every defilement, we are ready for use.
Are we emptied of self? Are we cured of selfish planning? Oh, for less
self-occupation! May the Lord purify His people, teachers, and churches.
He has given a rule for the guidance of all, and from this there can be no
careless departure. But there has been, and still is, a swerving from righteous
principles. How long shall this condition of things exist? How can the Master
use us as vessels for holy service until we empty ourselves, and make room
for His Spirit to work?
God calls for His people to reveal Him. Shall the world manifest principles
of integrity that the church does not maintain? Shall a selfish ambition to be
first be shown by the followers of Christ? Shall not the principles cherished
by them be laid upon the true foundation, even Christ Jesus? What material
shall we place upon this foundation, that there may no longer be antagonism,
but unity, in the church? Shall we bring to it wood, hay, stubble? Shall we not
rather bring the most precious material—gold, silver, precious stones? Shall
we not distinguish sharply between the chaff and the wheat? Shall we not
realize that we must receive the Holy Spirit in our hearts, that it may mold
and fashion the life?
We are living in perilous times. In the fear of God I would say that the true
exposition of the Scriptures is necessary for the correct moral development of
our characters. When mind and heart are worked by the Spirit, when self is
dead, the truth is capable of constant expansion and new development. When
the truth molds our characters, it will be seen to be truth indeed.—
The Review
and Herald, February 28, 1899
.
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