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Helping to Build Up a Character For Heaven, May 15
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the
burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy
gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Daniel 3:17,
18
.
While these youth were working out their own salvation, God was work-
ing in them to will and to do of His good pleasure. Here are revealed the
conditions of success. To make God’s grace our own, we must act our part.
The Lord does not propose to perform for us either the willing or the doing.
His grace is given to work in us to will and to do, but never as a substitute for
our effort. Our souls are to be aroused to cooperate. The Holy Spirit works in
us, that we may work out our own salvation. This is the practical lesson the
Holy Spirit is striving to teach us. “It is God which worketh in you both to
will and to do of his good pleasure” (
Philippians 2:13
).
The Lord will cooperate with all who earnestly strive to be faithful in His
service, as He cooperated with Daniel and his three companions. Fine mental
qualities and a high tone of moral character are not the result of accident.
God gives opportunities; success depends upon the use made of them. The
openings of Providence must be quickly discerned and eagerly entered. There
are many who might become mighty men, if, like Daniel, they would depend
upon God for grace to be overcomers, and for strength and efficiency to do
their work.
I address you, young men: Be faithful. Put heart into your work. Imitate
none who are slothful, and who give divided service. Actions, often repeated,
form habits, habits form character. Patiently perform the little duties of life.
So long as you undervalue the importance of faithfulness in the little duties,
your character-building will be unsatisfactory. In the sight of Omnipotence,
every duty is important. The Lord has said, “He that is faithful in that which
is least is faithful also in much” (
Luke 16:10
). In the life of a true Christian
there are no nonessentials.—
Messages to Young People, 147, 148
.
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