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Ambassadors for Christ, June 4
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech
you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2
Corinthians 5:20
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We are ambassadors for Christ, and we are to live, not to save our reputa-
tion, but to save perishing souls from perdition. Our daily endeavor should be
to show them that they may gain truth and righteousness. Instead of trying to
elicit sympathy for ourselves, by giving others the impression that we are not
appreciated, we are to forget self entirely; and if we fail to do this, through
want of spiritual discernment and vital piety, God will require at our hands
the souls of those for whom we should have labored. He has made provision
that every worker in His service may have grace and wisdom, that he may
become a living epistle, known and read of all men.
By watchfulness and prayer we may accomplish just what the Lord designs
that we shall. By faithful, painstaking discharge of our duty, by watching for
souls as they that must give account, we may remove every stumbling block
out of the way of others. By earnest warnings and entreaties, with our own
souls drawn out in tender solicitude for those that are ready to perish, we may
win souls to Christ.
I would that all my brethren and sisters would remember that it is a serious
thing to grieve the Holy Spirit, and it is grieved when the human agent seeks
to work himself, and refuses to enter the service of the Lord because the cross
is too heavy or the self-denial too great. The Holy Spirit seeks to abide in
each soul. If it is welcomed as an honored guest, those who receive it will
be made complete in Christ. The good work begun will be finished; the holy
thoughts, heavenly affections, and Christlike actions will take the place of
impure thoughts, perverse sentiments, and rebellious acts.
The Holy Spirit is a divine teacher. If we heed its lessons, we shall become
wise unto salvation. But we need to guard well our hearts, for too often we
forget the heavenly instruction we have received, and seek to act out the
natural inclinations of our unconsecrated minds. Each one must fight his own
battle against self. Heed the teachings of the Holy Spirit. If this is done, they
will be repeated again and again until the impressions are as it were “lead in
the rock forever.”—
Counsels on Health, 560, 561
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