1957年2月7日
需要自我降服
我们得到保证，圣灵将会在世上的这个时代以大能大力作工，除非我们因不信而限制我们的福气，从而丧失可以得到的好处。……{RH February 7, 1957, par. 1}
在过去，古时的圣人们曾受圣灵感动而发言。古时的众先知查考上帝的灵在他们里面所指示的。那时还没有以大能赐下圣灵，因为耶稣还没有得荣耀。从五旬节开始，圣灵要浇灌在儿子和女儿、仆人和使女身上。在每一个山地，每一个低地，每一个山谷，都要兴起谦卑为主作工的人。圣灵神圣圣洁的感化力在我们的世上运行，要作为预兆和奇迹，因为上帝的子民是被拣选的族类，圣洁的国民，作为主灵宫的活石照耀在道德的黑暗中。最软弱最无力的人，若是运用对上帝的信心，善用受托的能力，也会在圣灵的运行下使品格得到提升、精炼和完全。他们谦卑痛悔地服从圣灵的陶冶和塑造，且会知道祂永远的丰盛是什么意思。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 2}
我们需要一种增大了的信心。主希望祂的旨意成就在凡相信祂之人的心中。然而许多能与上帝同工的人却决不会与祂同工，因为他们坚持自己品格的不完全。一个人坚持一种所珍爱的缺点。另一个人喜爱自己遗传的和养成的缺陷，以建立自己和荣耀自己为毕生的工作，直到最终发现他是不是被圣灵充满，而是被自我充满了。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 3}
主的大日正在临近我们，上帝需要信使，他们愿意受圣灵支使，而不会想要支使圣灵。这种信使会受圣灵引导，秉公义受塑造、精炼和美化，因为他们乐于被加工。但那些满足于带着大量自私、挑剔、猜疑、不信任和纷争的人，却会大受欺骗以致不愿知道自己度量短浅。他们充满自己的行为。他们一点不知道与基督同钉十字架是什么意思。降卑自我对他们来说是一种陌生的经验。他们在能可蒙悦纳地侍奉上帝之前，自我必须死。基督的话：“你们必须重生”(约3:7)，“人若不重生，就不能见上帝的国”(约3:3)必须以大能深入他们心中。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 4}
听到这些话的尼哥底母原是以色列的一位先生，犹太公会的成员，且是一位饱学的顾问。可是当基督对他讲到重生时，他却说：“怎能有这事呢”(约3:9)?基督回答说：“你是以色列人的先生，还不明白这事吗?我实实在在的告诉你，我们所说的是我们知道的;我们所见证的是我们见过的;你们却不领受我们的见证。我对你们说地上的事，你们尚且不信，若说天上的事，如何能信呢?除了从天降下、仍旧在天的人子，没有人升过天。摩西在旷野怎样举蛇，人子也必照样被举起来，叫一切信祂的都得永生。上帝爱世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信祂的，不至灭亡，反得永生”(约3:10-16)。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 5}
我们为何没有更多那种生发仁爱并洁净心灵的信心呢?在我们各机构中的每一个人身上都有一项工作要完成。需要真正的悔改，心思、意念、心灵和身体的悔改。自我应该天天死。大使徒说：“因为我们虽然在血气中行事，却不凭着血气争战。我们争战的兵器本不是属血气的，乃是在上帝面前有能力，可以攻破坚固的营垒，将各样的计谋，各样拦阻人认识上帝的那些自高之事一概攻破了，又将人所有的心意夺回，使他都顺服基督”(林后10:3-5)。每一个人需要全力以赴才能深入这项工作。个人的宗教是每一个教会都需要的。为什么呢?因为那些没有在圣灵的运行之下的人不会在末后日子的危险中站立得住。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 6}
需要真正的悔改。……上帝的道宣布：“但夸口的，当指着主夸口。因为蒙悦纳的，不是自己称许的，乃是主所称许的”(林后10:17-18)。以利亚传道的成功并不是由于他具有什么遗传的品质，而是由于他使自己顺服圣灵，主怎样赐给他圣灵，也必照样赐给凡向上帝运用活泼信心的人圣灵。人在自己的不完全中有特权使自己藉着耶稣基督与上帝连接起来。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 7}
我们要坦诚认真地思量这个问题：我们在上帝面前自卑，好让圣灵以改变人心的能力藉着我们做工了吗?我们作为上帝的儿女，有特权让祂的灵造就我们。当自我被钉死的时候，圣灵就接纳心碎的人，使他们成为尊贵的器皿。他们在祂手中就象泥在窑匠手中。耶稣基督会使这种男男女女在智力、体力和道德力上优于他人。圣灵的美德会使品格坚定。他们必发挥为善的感化力，因为基督住在心中。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 8}
我们的各教会若不经历这种改变人心的能力，上帝之灵的复兴若不来临，他们一切的信仰表白都决不能使教会的肢体成为基督徒。锡安中有罪人，他们需要悔改那些一直被他们视为珍宝的罪。他们若不看明这些罪，并且断然将之丢出心外，每一个有缺陷、不可爱的品格特性若不被圣灵的感化力所改变，上帝就不能以大能显示祂自己。公开犯罪的人比自称公义却不纯净、不圣洁、不洁净的人更有指望。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 9}
我蒙指示要传一个信息给那些向别人提供上帝之道的人。你们必须悔改。这无疑是你们所需要的。主的属灵恩膏决不会临到自足自负的男女身上。许多从事圣工，用笔用口宣扬真理的人，并不受圣灵造就。自我已成长到很大的比例。你们在心灵倒空自我并被圣灵占据之前，不会为基督的降临做好准备。你们肯定会被称在天上圣所的金天平上，显出亏欠。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 10}
上帝的应许是给我们和我们的儿女，并一切在远方的人，就是主我们上帝所召来的(徒2:39)。我们自己可以认领这个应许，并且本着祂的丰盛接受圣灵。于是我们传讲这道的人岂不会蒙受上帝的能力吗?我们岂不会真的成为祂的信使吗? {RH February 7, 1957, par. 11}
谁愿把握自己?谁愿指出自己所珍爱之罪的偶像，让耶稣赶出圣殿里作买卖的人，洁净圣殿呢?谁预备好让耶稣进入心灵，洁净所有使人灰暗或败坏的事?标准乃是“所以你们要完全，象你们的天父完全一样”(太5:48)。上帝呼召男女倒空他们心中的自我。然后祂的灵才能毫无障碍的进入。要停止尝试靠你自己作成这工。要祈求上帝在你里面并藉着你作工，直到使徒的话成为你的经验：“现在活着的，不再是我，乃是基督在我里面活着”(加2:20)。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 12}
整个的人都必须饥渴慕义。心愿必须被上帝吸引，完全愿意符合祂的旨意。于是冰冷刚硬的心就会被上帝以大能显现的恩典和爱融化。上帝就因人而得荣耀。自我乃是这项工作的大碍。……{RH February 7, 1957, par. 13}
“你们中间的争战斗殴是从哪里来的呢?不是从你们百体中战斗之私欲来的吗?你们贪恋，还是得不着;你们杀害嫉妒，又斗殴争战，也不能得。你们得不着，是因为你们不求。你们求也得不着，是因为你们妄求，要浪费在你们的宴乐中。你们这些淫乱的人(原文作淫妇)哪，岂不知与世俗为友就是与上帝为敌吗?所以凡想要与世俗为友的，就是与上帝为敌了。你们想经上所说是徒然的吗?上帝所赐、住在我们里面的灵，是恋爱至于嫉妒吗?但祂赐更多的恩典，所以经上说：上帝阻挡骄傲的人，赐恩给谦卑的人。故此你们要顺服上帝。务要抵挡魔鬼，魔鬼就必离开你们逃跑了。你们亲近上帝，上帝就必亲近你们。有罪的人哪，要洁净你们的手!心怀二意的人哪，要清洁你们的心!你们要愁苦、悲哀、哭泣，将喜笑变作悲哀，欢乐变作愁闷。务要在主面前自卑，主就必叫你们升高”(雅4:1-10)。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 14}
“你们心里若怀着苦毒的嫉妒和纷争，就不可自夸，也不可说谎话抵挡真道。这样的智慧不是从上头来的，乃是属地的，属情欲的，属鬼魔的。在何处有嫉妒、纷争，就在何处有扰乱和各样的坏事。惟独从上头来的智慧，先是清洁，后是和平，温良柔顺，满有怜悯，多结善果，没有偏见，没有假冒。并且使人和平的，是用和平所栽种的义果”(雅3:14-18)。每一个教会肢体都应该学习这些教训。我们需要根据上帝的道进行严格自省，才能做必须做成的工作。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 15}
你们既遵守了上帝的道，就不要依赖自己的感觉求蒙上帝悦纳的证据。“信就是所望之事的实底，是未见之事的确据”(来11:1)。你们若是遵守了条件，就相信上帝，无论你们有没有感觉到什么不同。基督宣布：“父怎样吩咐我，我就怎样行。……你们若遵守我的命令，就常在我的爱里，正如我遵守了我父的命令，常在祂的爱里”(约14:31; 15:10)。但愿凡明白上帝律法之永久要求的人，都绝对服从圣经中提出的每一个要求。出于圣灵的确信乃是警告的信息，若是漠视，是很危险的。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 16}
两种屋子
基督宣布那些遵行祂话语的人就象一个人把房子盖在磐石上。暴风雨和洪水都不能冲走这房子。那些不遵行基督话语的人就象人把房子盖在沙地上。雨淋风吹那房子，那房子就倒塌了，而且倒塌得很大。房子完全毁了。自称遵守上帝的律法，行事为人却与那律法的原则相反的结果，在那倒塌的房子上就看到了。那些作出信仰表白同时去没能顺从的人，不能经受住试探的风暴。一次不顺从的行动就削弱人看出第二次行动有罪的能力。一次稍稍漠视“耶和华如此说”就足以阻止所应许的圣灵的福气。因着不顺从，曾经如此宝贵的亮光就变得昏暗了。撒但利用了人的头脑与心灵，上帝就大受羞辱。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 17}
“你们若甘心听从，必吃地上的美物，若不听从，反倒悖逆，必被刀剑吞灭”(赛1:19-20)。这些话是真实的。严格的顺从是必须的，那些说不可能过完全生活的人，是将不公正和不真实的罪名丢在上帝身上。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 18}
“你们查考圣经，因你们以为内中有永生;给我作见证的就是这经”(约5:39)。一次疏忽供养心灵的饥渴，就使它软弱无力，不能遵行上帝的旨意。这种人的生命就象不结果子的无花果树，没有果子。不要依赖任何人得安慰的话。你在阅读主丰富的应许并应用它们的时候，要极其恳切地寻求主。于是你就不会成为消耗者，而是供应者。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 19}
住在心里的救主总是通过言语彰显出来的。圣灵并不住在这样的人心里：要是别人不接受他所认为一切理想事物实质的想法和计划，他就暴躁易怒。从这种人的口中发出严厉斥责的话，令圣灵担忧离去，并且产生撒但的品性而不是上帝的品性。主希望凡参与祂圣工的人始终有基督的柔和。你若被激怒，不要变得不耐烦。要表现出基督已在祂宝贵的一生中作出榜样的温柔。基督取了我们的本性以便给我们树立一个榜样，表明凡接待祂的人必须结出的果子。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 20}
上帝要求凡侍奉祂的人藉着言行表明他们是上帝的儿子。藉着每日的生活表明我们是王室的成员，天上大君的儿女，在上帝看来比一切的学识、一切的智慧、一切高等的造诣更有价值。任何其它的行动方针都是对上帝的家不诚实，也必定会与上帝的家分离。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 21}
当人被圣灵充满时，他遭遇的考验和试炼越严厉，就越清楚地证明他在言行和精神上是基督的真代表。基督宣布：“我所做的事，信我的人也要做，并且要做比这更大的事，因为我往父那里去”(约14:12)。给每一个真信徒的应许是什么呢?“圣灵降临在你们身上，你们就必得着能力”(徒1:8)。我的弟兄姐妹们，我们因自己不象基督而以自己为任务岂不会更好吗?祂说：“你们是我的见证”(赛43:10)。我们对于真理和公义是哪种见证呢?我们在以天赐的全部能力努力达到在基督里成年男女的身量吗?我们在追求祂的丰满，总是达到高而又高的地步，设法达到祂品格的完全吗? {RH February 7, 1957, par. 22}
当上帝的仆人们达到这个地步时，他们的额上就会受印记。司录的天使就会宣布：“成了。”他们就会在祂里面得以完全，他们因创造和救赎是属于祂的。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 23}
在自然界中没有东西是有生命却不成长也不结果子的。在灵界也没有不在恩典上长进的生命。属灵的冲动不是成长。冲动是感觉，而依靠感觉就会象环境一样易变。自称基督徒却并不从基督的生命提取生命的人并不是行道的人。他是一个瘫痪的肢体，只在名义上连着身体。会看到他偶尔动一下，却没有持久的活动。但愿谁也不要以为基督的恩典激发了这些短暂的冲动行为。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 24}
许多人服从种种不可靠的印象。许多人有自以为是良好印象、奇妙的欣喜感觉的东西，但其生活却没有表现出一位常住的基督。他们并不从一切生命之源汲取生命。他们没有就饮于直涌到永生的活水。上帝的恩典就是我们必须喝的活水。它使全人苏醒进入属灵的生命，就是上帝儿子的生命。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 25}
个人的宗教意思是完全符合基督的生命。当我们拥有这种宗教时，我们就会显出健全的、属灵的成长，因为我们既脱离了主葡萄园中的败坏，就与上帝的性情有分。我们必须作与上帝同工的人，否则我们就必在得胜的工作上失败，我们无信仰的影响也会使别人失败。每一个失丧的人都会把别人也拉下去。但愿每一个在基督名下的人都远离一切罪孽，免得基督以我们为耻。{RH February 7, 1957, par. 26}
我奉拿撒勒人耶稣基督的名，呼吁教会肢体们起来，严格地进行自我批评。要觉得这种工作如此重要以致你无法去批评别人。要彰显一位住在心里的救主。于是你就会明白作一个真正的传道士是什么意思。你就会把一种基督化的热情带入工作中，许多人就会藉着你恳切的祈祷和关切的努力而得救。(《文稿》1899年第148号){RH February 7, 1957, par. 27}
7-Feb-57
The Need of Self-Surrender
We have the assurance that in this age of the world the Holy Spirit will work with mighty power, unless by our unbelief we limit our blessing, and thus lose the advantages we might obtain....?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 1}
In times past holy men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In ancient times the prophets searched what the Spirit of God which was in them signified. The Spirit was not then given in power because Jesus was not yet glorified. Dating from the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was to be poured forth on sons and daughters, on servants and handmaidens. In every hill country, every lowland, every valley, humble workmen for the Lord are to be raised up. The divine, sacred influence of the Holy Spirit working in our world is to be as signs and wonders, because God’s people are a peculiar people, an holy nation, shining amid moral darkness as living stones in the Lord’s building. The weakest and feeblest, if they exercise faith in God, and improve their entrusted powers, will be elevated, refined and perfected in character under the Holy Spirit’s working. Humble and contrite, they submit to the moulding and fashioning of the Spirit, and they will know what His eternal fulness means.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 2}
We need an enlarged faith. The Lord desires His will to be done in the hearts of all who believe in Him. But many who might be laborers together with God will never be, because they cling to their imperfections of character. One clings to a cherished fault. Still another enjoys his hereditary and cultivated defects, and makes it his lifework to build himself up and glorify himself, until at last he is found to be filled, not with the Holy Spirit, but with self.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 3}
The great day of the Lord is right upon us, and God calls for messengers who will be worked by the Holy Spirit, who will not want to work the Spirit. Such messengers will be guided by the Spirit, moulded, refined, and beautified in righteousness because they are willing to be worked. But those who are satisfied to carry with them a vast amount of selfishness, faultfinding, suspicion, distrust, and strife, will be so deceived that they will not know their short measurement. They are filled with their own doings. They have not the least idea of what it means to be crucified with Christ. To humble self is an experience strange to them. Before they can serve God acceptably, self must die. Christ’s words, “Ye must be born again,” “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,” must come home to them with power.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 4}
Nicodemus, to whom these words were addressed, was a master in Israel, a member of the Sanhedrin; and a learned counsellor: yet when Christ told him of the new birth, he said, “How can these things be?” Christ answered, “Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 5}
Why do we not have more of the faith that works by love and purifies the soul? There is a work to be done in every one of our institutions. Genuine conversion is needed, conversion of heart, mind, soul, and body. Self should die daily. Said the great apostle, “Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” Into this work every individual needs to put all the intensity of his entire being. Personal religious experience is needed in every church. Why?—Because those who are not under the working of the Holy Spirit will not stand amid the perils of the last days.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 6}
Genuine conversion is needed.... God’s Word declares, “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.” The success of the ministry of Elias was not due to any inherited qualities he possessed, but to the submission of himself to the Holy Spirit, which was given to him as it will be given to all who exercise living faith in God. In his imperfection man has the privilege of linking himself up with God through Jesus Christ.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 7}
Candidly and seriously we are to consider the question, Have we humbled ourselves before God, that the Holy Spirit may work through us with transforming power? As children of God, it is our privilege to be worked by His Spirit. When self is crucified, the Holy Spirit takes the broken-hearted ones, and makes them vessels unto honor. They are in His hands as clay in the hands of the potter. Jesus Christ will make such men and women superior in mental, physical, and moral power. The graces of the Spirit will give solidity to the character. They will exert an influence for good because Christ is abiding in the soul.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 8}
Unless this converting power shall go through our churches, unless the revival of the Spirit of God shall come, all their profession will never make the members of the church Christians. There are sinners in Zion who need to repent of sins that have been cherished as precious treasures. Until these sins are seen, and thrust from the soul, until every faulty, unlovely trait of character is transformed by the Spirit’s influence, God cannot manifest Himself in power. There is more hope for the open sinner than for the professedly righteous who are not pure, holy, and undefiled.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 9}
I am instructed to bear a message to those who minister by holding forth the Word of God to others. You must be converted. This is surely what you need. The spiritual anointing of the Lord will never come to self-sufficient men and women. Many who are in God’s service, proclaiming the truth by pen and voice, are not worked by the Holy Spirit. Self has grown to large proportions. Until the soul is emptied of self and the Holy Spirit takes possession, you will be unready for the coming of Christ. You will certainly be weighed in the golden scales of the heavenly sanctuary and be found wanting.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 10}
God’s promise is to us and to our children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. We may claim this promise for ourselves, and receive the Holy Spirit in His fulness. Then shall not we who preach the word be clothed with the power of God? Shall we not be in truth His messengers??{RH February 7, 1957, par. 11}
Who is willing to take himself in hand? Who is willing to lay his finger upon his cherished idols of sin, and allow Christ to purify the temple by casting out the buyers and sellers? Who is prepared to allow Jesus to enter the soul and cleanse it from every thing that tarnishes or corrupts? The standard is, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” God calls upon men and women to empty their hearts of self. Then His Spirit can find unobstructed entrance. Stop trying to do the work yourself. Ask God to work in and through you until the words of the apostle become yours: “I live; ye not I, but Christ liveth in me.”?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 12}
The whole being must hunger and thirst after righteousness. The soul’s desire must be to be drawn to God, to be bent in perfect conformity to His will. Then the cold, hard heart will be melted by the grace and love of God, which will appear in power. God will be glorified through the human instrumentalities. Self is the great hindrance to this work....?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 13}
“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.... Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 14}
“If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” These lessons every church member should learn. There is need of close self-examination in the light of the word of God, that we may do the work essential to be done.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 15}
Having complied with the word of God, do not depend on your feelings for evidence of acceptance with God. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). If you have complied with the conditions, believe God, whether or not you feel any different. Christ declared, “As the Father gave me commandment, even so I do.... If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” Let all who understand the abiding claims of the law of God, yield implicit obedience to every requirement given in the Word. The convictions of the Holy Spirit are warnings which it is dangerous to disregard.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 16}
The Two Houses
Christ declares that those who do His words are like a man who built his house upon a rock. This house the tempest and flood could not sweep away. Those who do not do Christ’s words are like the man who built his house upon the sand. Storm and tempest beat upon that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. It was an entire wreck. The result of professing to keep the law of God, yet walking contrary to the principles of that law, is seen in the wrecked house. Those who make a profession while failing to obey cannot stand the storm of temptation. One act of disobedience weakens the power to see the sinfulness of the second act. One little disregard of a “Thus saith the Lord” is sufficient to stop the promised blessing of the Holy Spirit. By disobedience the light once so precious becomes obscure. Satan takes charge of the mind and soul, and God is greatly dishonored.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 17}
“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword.” These words are true. Exact obedience is required, and those who say that it is not possible to live a perfect life throw upon God the imputation of injustice and untruth.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 18}
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” A neglect to feed the hunger of the soul leaves it weak and strengthless, unable to do the will of God. The life of such a one is like the barren fig tree, destitute of fruit. Rely upon no human being for words of comfort. Seek the Lord most earnestly, while you read His rich promises and apply them. Then you will not be consumers but providers.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 19}
The indwelling Saviour is always revealed by the words. The Holy Spirit does not abide in the heart of the man who is peevish if others do not grasp his ideas and plans, which appear to him to be the sum and substance of everything desirable. From the lips of such a man there come scathing remarks, which grieve the Holy Spirit away, and produce attributes which are satanic rather than divine. The Lord would have those connected with His work speak at all times with the meekness of Christ. If you are provoked, do not become impatient. Manifest the gentleness of which Christ has given an example in His precious life. Christ took our nature that He might set us an example, showing those who receive Him the fruit they must bear.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 20}
The Lord requires those who serve Him to show by word and action that they are sons of God. To show by the daily life that we are members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King, is of more value in God’s sight than all learning, all wisdom, all high attainments. Any other course of action is dishonesty to the family of God, and will certainly be divorced from it.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 21}
When a man is filled with the Holy Spirit, the more severely he is tested and tried, the more clearly he proves that he is a true representative of Christ in word, in spirit, in action. Christ declares, “He that believeth on me, the words that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” What is the promise to every true believer?—“Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” Might we not better, my brethren and sisters, take ourselves to task for our unlikeness to Christ? He says, “Ye are my witnesses.” What kind of witnesses are we for truth and righteousness? Are we striving with all our God-given powers to reach the measure of the stature of men and women in Christ? Are we seeking for His fulness, ever reaching higher and higher, trying to attain to the perfection of His character??{RH February 7, 1957, par. 22}
When God’s servants reach this point, they will be sealed in their foreheads. The recording angel will declare, “It is done.” They will be complete in Him whose they are by creation and by redemption.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 23}
There is nothing in the natural world that has life but what grows and produces fruit. And in the spiritual world there is no life without growth in grace. Spiritual impulse is not growth. Impulse is feeling, and to depend on feeling is to be as changeful as circumstances. The professed Christian who does not draw life from Christ’s life is not a doer of the word. He is a paralyzed member, only connected in name with the body. At times fitful, convulsive movements will be seen, with no permanent activity. Let no one think that the grace of Christ inspires these shortlived, impulsive actions.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 24}
Many people are the subjects of impressions which are not liable. Many have what they think are good impressions, wonderful exaltation of feeling, but the life does not represent an abiding Christ. They do not draw life from the source of all life. They are not drinking of the living water, which springs up into eternal life. God’s grace is the living water of which we must drink. It quickens the whole being into spiritual life, the life of the Son of God.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 25}
Personal religion means perfect conforming to the life of Christ. When we possess this religion, we shall show sound, spiritual growth, because we are partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Advance, is the watchword. There are no idlers in the Lord’s vineyard. We must be laborers together with God, else we shall fail in the work of overcoming, and our irreligious influence will cause other souls to fail. No soul is lost that does not draw other souls down with it. Let every one who names the name of Christ depart from all iniquity, that Christ may not be ashamed of us.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 26}
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I appeal to church members to arise and closely criticize themselves. Feel that this work is so important that you cannot engage in criticizing others. Reveal an indwelling Saviour. Then you will understand what it means to be a true missionary. You will bring a Christlike intensity into your work, and many souls will be saved through your earnest prayers and interested labors.—Manuscript 148, 1899.?{RH February 7, 1957, par. 27}
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