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Goodness, March 8
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they
shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words
thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Matthew 12:36, 37
.
God would have us individually come into that position where He can
bestow His love upon us. He has placed a high value upon man, and has
redeemed us by the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, and we are to see
in our fellow man the purchase of the blood of Christ. If we have this love
one for another, we shall be growing in love for God and the truth. We have
been pained at heart to see how little love is cherished in our midst. Love is a
plant of heavenly origin, and if we would have it flourish in our hearts, we
must cultivate it daily. Mildness, gentleness, long-suffering, not being easily
provoked, bearing all things, enduring all things—these are the fruits upon
the precious tree of love.
When you are associated together, be guarded in your words. Let your
conversation be of such a nature that you will have no need of repentance.
“Grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of
redemption” (
Ephesians 4:30
). “A good man out of the good treasure of the
heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure
bringeth forth evil things” (
Matthew 12:35
). If the love of the truth is in your
heart, you will talk of the truth. You will talk of the blessed hope that you
have in Jesus. If you have love in your heart, you will seek to establish and
build up your brother in the most holy faith. If a word is dropped that is
detrimental to the character of your friend or brother, do not encourage this
evil-speaking. It is the work of the enemy. Kindly remind the speaker that
the Word of God forbids that kind of conversation.
We are to empty the heart of everything that defiles the soul temple, that
Christ may dwell within. Our Redeemer has told us how we may reveal Him
to the world. If we cherish His Spirit, if we manifest His love to others, if
we guard one another’s interest, if we are kind, patient, forbearing, the world
will have an evidence by the fruits we bear that we are the children of God. It
is the unity in the church that enables it to exert a conscious influence upon
unbelievers and worldlings.—
The Review and Herald, June 5, 1888
.
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