“Those who wait for
the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people, "Behold your
God." The last rays of
merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a
revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life
and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them.”
{COL 415.5}
November 25,
1895 The Love of God.
Mrs. E. G. White.
How is it possible
to set forth the love of God in giving His only begotten Son to die for
sinners? The imagination cannot comprehend it. Men of the brightest
intellects cannot, by mere speculative knowledge, form any conception of this
love. Without a personal knowledge of God, men of the most brilliant intellects
are unable to set forth divine things. They
do not look through nature up to nature's God, and see the expression of His
love to man in the flowers of the field, which adorn the world with speaking
beauty and loveliness. They know
little of the length and breadth, the height and depth, of the love of God as
revealed in giving His Son to our world, and they trace the expression of His
love in nature with sleepy, benumbed senses. God, who commanded the light to
shine out of darkness, has not yet shined into their hearts, to give the
light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
{BEcho, November 25, 1895 par. 1}
God has declared His love; Jesus
Christ is the expression of that love. "In this was
manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten
Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that
we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation
for our sins." O what love,
what infinite love! "While we were yet sinners," the Father pitied
and loved us. And yet when we are pressed with trials, how weak is our faith.
{BEcho, November 25, 1895 par. 2}
The soul that keeps
far off does not have communion with Heaven, though the Holy Spirit is promised
to all who ask it. Jesus has brought this precious lesson within the
comprehension of all: "If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts
unto your children, how much more
shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?"
{BEcho, November 25, 1895 par. 3}
The love of God
is so deep, so full, that it could only be expressed in giving for our sakes
His own beloved Son to poverty, to shame, to humiliation, to mockery, and to
death. He was the most costly and precious offering that could be given to
the world, and in Him all heaven was given. "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us
all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"
Through Christ the way was made safe for God and man. God's justice and
honour are maintained, every divine attribute is exalted and most clearly
defined, while salvation and righteousness are brought to light for every
creature. {BEcho, November 25, 1895 par. 4}
Herein is the
mystery of redemption, that the innocent, pure, and holy Son of the infinite
God was permitted to bear the punishment of a thankless race of rebels
against the divine government; that through the manifestation of His
matchless love, these rebels might be inspired with faith in, and love for
God, and might stand before Him repentant, forgiven, guiltless, as if they
had never sinned. Angels in heaven marvelled that the wrath of God should be
laid on His well-beloved Son; that a life of infinite value in the heavenly
courts should be given for the worthless life of a race degraded by sin.
{BEcho, November 25, 1895 par. 5}
The heir of God
came to our world in the garb of humanity, as one of humble origin, as one
who serves. When the time was drawing near that He should pour out His life on
the cross, His love was revealed in the words, "Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him,
went forth." Not only was He to die, but he knew precisely the shame,
the humiliation, He would have to suffer, the cruel treatment He should receive.
There was no compulsion in bringing Him to the ignominious death on the
cross; yet He made His soul an offering for sin. The mind of God to save the
world was the mind of Christ. His own love was one with that of the Father,
and that love constrained Him. {BEcho, November 25, 1895 par. 6}
Herein is the love
of God manifested, inexpressible, immeasurable, and passing knowledge. The human mind cannot grasp it in its
fulness; but we should put forth the most earnest efforts of which we are
capable, that we may communicate redeeming love to others. Eternity, all
eternity, will unfold that love, and then we shall know what here we cannot
comprehend. {BEcho, November 25, 1895 par. 7}
Starving for
the Bread of Life
A godly woman once
made the remark, "O that we could hear the pure gospel as it used to be
preached from the pulpit! Our minister is a good man, but he does not realize
the spiritual needs of the people. He clothes the cross of Calvary with
beautiful flowers, which hide all the shame, conceal all the reproach. My
soul is starving for the bread of life. How refreshing it would be to
hundreds of poor souls like me, to listen to something simple, plain, and
scriptural, that would nourish our hearts!"
33
{GW 32.3}
There is need of
men of faith, who will not only preach, but will minister to the people. Men
are needed who walk daily with God, who have a living connection with heaven,
whose words have power to bring conviction to hearts. Not that they may make
a display of their talents and intelligence, are ministers to labor, but that
the truth may cut its way to the soul as an arrow from the Almighty. {GW
33.1}
A minister, after
preaching a Bible discourse which brought deep conviction to one of his
hearers, was accosted with the question, "Do you really believe what you
have preached?" {GW 33.2}
"Certainly," he answered. {GW 33.3}
"But is it
really so?" asked the anxious questioner. {GW 33.4}
"Certainly," said the minister, as he reached for his Bible.
{GW 33.5}
Then the man broke
out, "O, if this is the truth, what shall we do?" {GW 33.6}
"What shall we
do?" thought the minister-- "we"? What could the man mean? But
the question forced its way to his soul. He went away to plead with God to
tell him what to do. And as he prayed, there came to him with overwhelming
force the thought that he had the solemn realities of eternity to present to
a dying world. For three weeks his place in the desk was vacant. He was
seeking an answer to the question, "What shall we do?" {GW 33.7}
The minister
returned to his charge with an unction from the Holy One. He realized that
his past preaching had made little impression on his hearers. Now he felt
upon him the terrible weight of souls. As he came to his desk, he was not
alone. There was a great work to be done, but he knew that God would
34
not fail him. Before his hearers he exalted the Saviour and
His matchless love. There was a revelation of the Son of God, and a revival
began that spread through the churches of the surrounding districts. {GW
33.8}
The Urgency of
Christ's Work
If our ministers
realized how soon the inhabitants of the world are to be arraigned before the
judgment-seat of God, they would work more earnestly to lead men and women to
Christ. Soon the last test is to come to all. Only a little longer will the
voice of mercy be heard; only a little longer can the gracious invitation be
given, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink." [JOHN
7:37.] God sends the gospel invitation to people everywhere. Let the
messengers He sends work so harmoniously, so untiringly, that all will take
knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus, and learned of Him. {GW
34.1}
Of Aaron, the high
priest of Israel, it is written, He "shall bear the names of the
children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he
goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord
continually." [EX. 28:29.] What a beautiful and expressive figure this
is of the unchanging love of Christ for His church! Our great High Priest, of
whom Aaron was a type, bears His people upon His heart. And should not His
earthly ministers share His love and sympathy and solicitude? {GW 34.2}
Divine power alone
will melt the sinner's heart and bring him, a penitent, to Christ. No great
reformer or teacher, not Luther, Melanchthon, Wesley, or Whitefield, could of
himself have gained access to hearts, or
35
have accomplished the results that these men achieved. But God
spoke through them. Men felt the influence of a superior power, and
involuntarily yielded to it. Today those who forget self and rely on God for
success in the work of soul-saving, will have the divine co-operation, and
their efforts will tell gloriously in the salvation of souls. {GW 34.3}
I feel constrained
to say that the labors of many of our ministers lack power. God is waiting to
bestow His grace upon them, but they pass on from day to day, possessing only
a cold, nominal faith, presenting the theory of the truth, but presenting it
without that vital force which comes from a connection with heaven, and which
sends the spoken words home to the hearts of men. They are half asleep, while
all around them are souls perishing in darkness and error. {GW 35.1}
Ministers of God,
with hearts aglow with love for Christ and your fellow-men, seek to arouse
those who are dead in trespasses and sins. Let your earnest entreaties and
warnings pierce their consciences. Let your fervent prayers melt their
hearts, and lead them in penitence to the Saviour. You are ambassadors for
Christ, to proclaim His message of salvation. Remember that a lack of
consecration and wisdom in you may turn the balance for a soul, and send it
to eternal death. You cannot afford to be careless and indifferent. You need
power, and this power God is willing to give you without stint. He asks only
a humble, contrite heart, that is willing to believe and receive His
promises. You have only to use the means that God has placed within your reach,
and you will obtain the blessing.
[36] {GW 35.2}
The
Outlook
We are nearing the
close of this earth's history. We have before us a great work,--the closing
work of giving the last warning message to a sinful world. There are men who
will be taken from the plow, from the vineyard, from various other branches
of work, and sent forth by the Lord to give this message to the world. {GW
36.1}
The world is out of
joint. As we look at the picture, the outlook seems discouraging. But Christ
greets with hopeful assurance the very men and women who cause us
discouragement. In them He sees qualifications that will enable them to take
a place in His vineyard. If they will constantly be learners, through His
providence He will make them men and women fitted to do a work that is not
beyond their capabilities; through the impartation of the Holy Spirit, He
will give them power of utterance. {GW 36.2}
Many of the barren,
unworked fields must be entered by beginners. The brightness of the Saviour's
view of the world will inspire confidence in many workers, who, if they begin
in humility and put their hearts into the work, will be found to be the right
men for the time and place. Christ sees all the misery and despair of the world,
the sight of which would bow down some of our workers of large capabilities
with a weight of discouragement so great that they would not know how even to
begin the work of leading men and women to the first round of the ladder.
Their precise methods are of little value. They would stand above the lower
37
rounds of the ladder, saying, "Come up where we
are." But the poor souls do not know where to put their feet. {GW 36.3}
Christ's heart is cheered by the sight of
those who are poor in every sense of the term; cheered by His view of the
ill-used ones who are meek; cheered by the seemingly unsatisfied hungering
after righteousness, by the inability of many to begin. He welcomes, as it
were, the very condition of things that would discourage many ministers. He
corrects our erring piety, giving the burden of the work for the poor and
needy in the rough places of the earth, to men and women who have hearts that
can feel for the ignorant and for those that are out of the way. {GW 37.1}
The Lord teaches
these workers how to meet those whom He wishes them to help. They will be
encouraged as they see doors opening for them to enter places where they can
do medical missionary work. Having little self-confidence, they give God all
the glory. Their hands may be rough and unskilled, but their hearts are
susceptible to pity; they are filled with an earnest desire to do something
to relieve the woe so abundant; and Christ is present to help them. He works
through those who discern mercy in misery, gain in the loss of all things.
When the Light of the world passes by, privileges appear in all hardships,
order in confusion, the success and wisdom of God in that which has seemed to
be failure. {GW 37.2}
My brethren and
sisters, in your ministry come close to the people. Uplift those who are cast
down. Treat of calamities as disguised blessings, of woes as mercies. Work in
a way that will cause hope to spring up in the place of despair.
38
{GW 37.3}
The common people
are to take their place as workers. Sharing the sorrows of their fellow-men
as the Saviour shared the sorrows of humanity, they will by faith see Him
working with them. {GW 38.1}
"The great day
of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly." [ZEPH. 1:14.] To
every worker I would say: Go forth in humble faith, and the Lord will go with
you. But watch unto prayer. This is the science of your labor. The power is
of God. Work in dependence upon Him, remembering that you are laborers
together with Him. He is your Helper. Your strength is from Him. He will be
your wisdom, your righteousness, your sanctification, your redemption. Wear
the yoke of Christ, daily learning of Him His meekness and lowliness. He will
be your comfort, your rest.--"Testimonies for the Church," Vol.
VII, pages 270-272.
-
{GW 38.2}
The Saviour knows
the depths of the world's misery and despair, knows by what means to bring
relief. He sees on every hand souls in darkness, bowed down with sin and
sorrow and pain. But He sees also their possibilities. He sees the height to
which they may attain. Although human beings have abused their mercies,
wasted their talents, and lost the dignity of godlike manhood, the Creator is
to be glorified in their redemption.
-
{GW 38.3}
Christ rejoiced
that He could do more for His followers than they could ask or think. He knew
that the truth, armed with the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit, would conquer
in the contest with evil; and
39
that the blood-stained banner would wave triumphantly over His
followers. He knew that the life of His trusting disciples would be like
His,--a series of uninterrupted victories, not seen to be such here, but
recognized as such in the great hereafter. {GW 38.4}
"These things
I have spoken unto you," He said, "that in Me ye might have peace.
In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome
the world." [JOHN 16:33,] Christ did not fail, neither was He
discouraged; and His followers are to manifest a faith of the same enduring
nature. They are to live as He lived, and work as He worked, because they
depend on Him as the great Master-worker. {GW 39.1}
Courage, energy,
and perseverance they must possess. Though apparent impossibilities obstruct
their way, by His grace they are to go forward. Instead of deploring
difficulties, they are called upon to surmount them. They are to despair of
nothing, and to hope for everything. With the golden chain of His matchless
love, Christ had bound them to the throne of God. It is His purpose that the
highest influence in the universe, emanating from the Source of all power,
shall be theirs. They are to have power to resist evil, power that neither earth,
nor death, nor hell can master, power that will enable them to overcome as
Christ overcame. {GW 39.2}
Chap. 26 -
Brotherly Love
Love for Others
Brings Joy.--I would say to my brethren everywhere: Cultivate the love of
Christ! It should well up from the soul of the Christian like streams in the
desert, refreshing and beautifying, bringing gladness, peace, and joy into
his own life and into the lives of others.--5T 565 (1889). {1MCP 240.1}
Example of
Unselfish Love Irresistible.--The more closely we resemble our Saviour in
character, the greater will be our love toward those for whom He died.
Christians who manifest a spirit of unselfish love for one another are
bearing a testimony for Christ which unbelievers can neither gainsay nor
resist. It is impossible to estimate the power of such an example. Nothing
will so successfully defeat the devices of Satan and his emissaries, nothing
will so build up the Redeemer's kingdom, as will the love of Christ
manifested by the members of the church.--5T 167, 168 (1882). {1MCP 240.2}
Self May Obscure
Love.--Love is an active principle; it keeps the good of others continually
before us, thus restraining us from inconsiderate actions lest we fail of our
object in winning souls to Christ. Love seeks not its
241
own. It will not prompt men to seek their own ease and
indulgence of self. It is the respect we render to I that so often hinders
the growth of love.--5T 124 (1882). {1MCP 240.3}
Humility Outgrowth
of Love.--Love vaunteth not itself. It is a humble element; it never prompts
a man to boast, to exalt himself. Love for God and for our fellowmen will not
be revealed in acts of rashness or lead us to be overbearing, faultfinding,
or dictatorial. Love is not puffed up. The heart where love reigns will be
guided to a gentle, courteous, compassionate course of conduct toward others,
whether they suit our fancy or not, whether they respect us or treat us
ill.--5T 123, 124 (1882). {1MCP 241.1}
True Love
Self-effacing.--The devotion which God requires reveals itself in unfeigned
love for the souls for whom Christ gave His life. Christ dwelling in the
heart will be manifested by the love which He enjoins upon His disciples. His
true children will prefer others to themselves. They do not seek for the
lion's share at any time or in any place, because they do not look upon their
talents as superior to those of their brethren. When this is indeed the case,
the sign will be given in a revelation of the love which Christ manifested
for the souls of men--an unselfish, unfeigned love, which preferred the
welfare of others before His own.--MS 121, 1899. {1MCP 241.2}
Love Transforms
Character.--To those who know not the truth, let the love of Jesus be
presented, and it will work like leaven for the transformation of
character.-- 8T 60 (1904). {1MCP 241.3}
Selfish Love.--God
would have His children realize that in order to glorify Him their affection
must be given to those who most need it. . . . No selfishness in look, word,
or deed is to be manifested when dealing with those of like precious faith, .
. . whether they be high or low, rich or poor. The love that gives kind words
to only a few,
242
while others are treated with coldness and indifference, is
not love but selfishness. It will not in any way work for the good of souls
or the glory of God. Our love is not to be sealed up for special ones, to the
neglect of others. Break the bottle, and the fragrance will fill the
house.--MS 17, 1899. (HC 231.) {1MCP 241.4}
Ability No
Substitute for Love.--Talk, Pharisaism, and self-praise are abundant; but
these will never win souls to Christ. Pure, sanctified love, such love as was
expressed in Christ's lifework, is as a sacred perfume. Like Mary's broken
box of ointment, it fills the whole house with fragrance. Eloquence,
knowledge of truth, rare talents, mingled with love, are all precious
endowments. But ability alone, the choicest talents alone, cannot take the
place of love.--6T 84 (1900). {1MCP 242.1}
Liberality a Proof
of Love.--The proof of our love is given in a Christlike spirit, a
willingness to impart the good things God has given us, a readiness to
practice self-denial and self-sacrifice in order to help advance the cause of
God and suffering humanity. Never should we pass by the object that calls for
our liberality. We reveal that we have passed from death unto life when we
act as faithful stewards of God's grace. God has given us His goods; He has
given us His pledged word that if we are faithful in our stewardship, we
shall lay up in heaven treasures that are imperishable.--RH, May 15, 1900.
{1MCP 242.2}
Giving Genuine Love
a Sign of Discipleship.--No matter how high the profession, he whose heart is
not filled with love for God and his fellowmen is not a true disciple of
Christ. Though he should possess great faith and have power even to work
miracles, yet without love his faith would be worthless. He might display great
liberality; but should he, from some other motive than genuine love, bestow
all his goods to feed the poor, the act would not commend him to the favor of
God. In his
243
zeal he might even meet a martyr's death, yet if not actuated
by love, he would be regarded by God as a deluded enthusiast or an ambitious
hypocrite.--AA 318, 319 (1911). {1MCP 242.3}
The Heart in Which
Love Rules.--The heart in which love rules will not be filled with passion or
revenge, by injuries which pride and self-love would deem unbearable. Love is
unsuspecting, ever placing the most favorable construction upon the motives
and acts of others.--5T 168, 169 (1882). {1MCP 243.1}
The activity of
Satan's army, the danger that surrounds the human soul, calls for the
energies of every worker. But no compulsion shall be exercised. Man's
depravity is to be met by the love, the patience, the long-suffering of
God.--6T 237 (1900). {1MCP 243.2}
Corrects
Peculiarities.--When man is a partaker of the divine nature, the love of
Christ will be an abiding principle in the soul, and self and its
peculiarities will not be exhibited.--6T 52 (1900). {1MCP 243.3}
Only Love of Christ
Can Heal.--Only the love that flows from the heart of Christ can heal. Only
he in whom that love flows, even as the sap in the tree or as the blood in
the body, can restore the wounded soul.--Ed 114 (1903). {1MCP 243.4}
Prepares for Every
Eventuality.--Everyone who truly loves God will have the spirit of Christ and
a fervent love for his brethren. The more a person's heart is in communion
with God, and the more his affections are centered in Christ, the less will
he be disturbed by the roughness and hardships he meets in this life.--5T
483, 484 (1889).
244 {1MCP 243.5}
Brotherhood Never
Gained Through Compromise. --Those who love Jesus and the souls for whom He
has died will follow after the things which make for peace. But they must
take care lest in their efforts to prevent discord they surrender truth, lest
in warding off division they sacrifice principle. True brotherhood can never
be maintained by compromising principle. As Christians approach the
Christlike model and become pure in spirit and action they will feel the
venom of the serpent. The opposition of the children of disobedience is
excited by a Christianity that is spiritual. . . . That peace and harmony
which are secured by mutual concessions to avoid all differences of opinion
are not worthy of the name. On points of feeling between man and man,
concessions should sometimes be made; but never should one iota of principle
be sacrificed to obtain harmony.--RH, Jan 16, 1900. {1MCP 244.1}
Divine Love
Impartial.--Christ came to this earth with a message of mercy and forgiveness.
He laid the foundation for a religion by which Jew and Gentile, black and
white, free and bond, are linked together in one common brotherhood,
recognized as equal in the sight of God. The Saviour has a boundless love for
every human being. In each one He sees capacity for improvement. With divine
energy and hope He greets those for whom He has given His life.--7T 225
(1902). {1MCP 244.2}
Enfolds Human
Brotherhood in God's Embrace.-- Sanctified love for one another is sacred. In
this great work Christian love for one another--far higher, more constant,
more courteous, more unselfish, than has been seen--preserves Christian
tenderness, Christian benevolence, and politeness, and enfolds the human
brotherhood in the embrace of God, acknowledging the dignity with which God
has invested the rights of man. This dignity Christians must ever cultivate
for the honor and glory of God.--Lt 10, 1897. (5BC 1140, 1141.)
245 {1MCP 244.3}
Your Love for Souls
Measures Your Love for God. --The love revealed in Christ's life of
self-denial and self-sacrifice is to be seen in the lives of His followers.
We are called "so to walk, even as He walked.". . . It is our privilege to stand with the light
of heaven upon us. It was thus that Enoch walked with God. It was no easier
for Enoch to live a righteous life than it is for us at the present time. The
world in his time was no more favorable to growth in grace and holiness than
it is now. . . . We are living in the perils of the last days, and we must
receive our strength from the same source. We must walk with God. . . . {1MCP
245.1}
God calls upon you
to put all your strength into the work. You will have to render an account
for the good you might have done had you been standing in the right position.
It is time you were co-workers with Christ and the heavenly angels. Will you
awake? There are souls among you who need your help. Have you felt a burden
to bring them to the cross? Bear in mind that just the degree of love you
have for God you will reveal for your brethren, and for souls who are lost
and undone, out of Christ.-- RH, Jan 9, 1900. {1MCP 245.2}
Perfect Love in the
Church, the Aim of Christ.-- Jesus could have flashed bright beams of light
on the darkest mysteries of science, but He would not spare a moment from
teaching the knowledge of the science of salvation. His time, His knowledge,
His faculties, His life itself, were appreciated only as the means of working
out the salvation of the souls of men. O what love, what matchless love!
{1MCP 245.3}
Contrast our tame,
lifeless, half-paralyzed efforts with the work of the Lord Jesus. Listen to
His words, to His prayer to the Father, "I have declared unto them Thy
name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be
in them, and I in them" (John 17:26). What language is this! How deep,
how broad, how full! The Lord Jesus desires to shed abroad His love
246
through every member of the body, His church, that the
vitality of that love may circulate through every part of the body and dwell
in us as it dwells in Him. The Lord then can love fallen man as He does His
own Son; and He declares that He will be satisfied with nothing less than
this in our behalf.--MS 11, 1892. {1MCP 245.4}
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