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A Holy Fragrance, March 1
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that
ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:
that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it
you.
John 15:16
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In order to bear much fruit, we must make the most of our privileges and
opportunities, becoming more and more spiritually minded. We must put
away all commonness, all pride, all worldliness, and daily receive divine aid.
If you grow spiritually, you must employ all the means which the gospel
provides, and be prepared to gain in piety by the influence of the Holy Spirit;
for the seed is developed from blade to full corn by unseen and supernatural
agencies.
The promise with which Jesus consoled His disciples just before His
betrayal and crucifixion was that of the Holy Spirit; and in the doctrine of
divine influence and agency, what riches were revealed to them; for this
blessing would bring in its train all other blessings. The Holy Spirit breathes
upon the soul who humbly rests in Christ as the author and finisher of his
faith; and from such a believer fruit will come forth unto life eternal. His
influence will be fragrant, and the name of Jesus will be music in his ears,
and melody in his heart.
The Christian will be a savor of life unto life to others, although he may
not be able to explain the mysteries of his experience. But he will know
that when clouds and darkness compassed him about, and he cried unto the
Lord, the darkness was dispersed, and peace and joy were in the temple of
the soul. He will know what it is to have the pardoning love of God revealed
to the heart, to experience the peace that passeth all understanding, to have
praise and thanksgiving and adoration welling up in the soul unto Him who
has loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood. He has peace
through Jesus Christ, and joy in the Holy Ghost. One with Christ, his soul is
filled with submission to His will, and heaven is enshrined in his heart while
he is enfolded in the bosom of infinite love. Christians of this order will bear
much fruit to the glory of God. They will rightly interpret the character of
God, and manifest His attributes unto the world.—
The Signs of the Times,
April 3, 1893
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