Cultivating a Christlike Character

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Colossians 3:12, 13.
[During the] hours of the night, while others are sleeping, I am praying that the responsible work committed to my trust may be so unselfishly and faithfully done that God will approve. The anxiety is not with me what others may think or what others may do, but What shall I do to glorify God? and Will my work bear the inspection of God? Is every high look removed from me? Is my heart in harmony with Jesus, the humble Man of Calvary? I am weeping and praying and working, trying my motives and feelings in the light of eternity, and if I am saved at last, it will be through the matchless love of my Redeemer.
Oh, how great has been that love that would endure such self-denial, such self-sacrifice for me! All we can do will be little enough, and we may well say we are unprofitable servants. Just as surely as we exalt ourselves and take the highest seat, God will humble us in some way very trying to human nature….
My husband, we must cultivate the spirit of Christ. There are many who profess the truth who need its sanctifying influence upon their hearts. Upright dealing and an exalted profession may characterize the life, but a want of true kindness, nobility of soul, conciliatory deportment, will neutralize all the good they are capable of doing. A sour, censorious religion finds no example in the religion of Christ….
Kind words, pleasant looks, and unselfish courtesy we must cultivate, for it will invest our character with a charm that will secure us respect and increase our usefulness tenfold more than were we otherwise in words and deportment….
An account we will have to render to God by and by, and we do not want to be ashamed of it because it bears the stamp of inconsistencies of impulse, of selfishness. We want to have an eye single to God’s glory, and our soul temple cleansed of selfishness, … and we assimilated to His divine image. Let us grow in grace. Cling with faith to Jesus Christ and we shall be upheld by His power.—Letter 22, April 16, 1880, to James White, her husband, who had just retired as General Conference president.
The Upward Look p. 120
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for D who is having depression problems. B
—-I am asking prayer for healing. Helen
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Dear Friends,
While I lived with my grandparents, I had a friend named Gary. He lived several blocks away, but was,from the age of five, allowed to come to my house to play. His parents were older, as were most people in the neighborhood and I think they were probably glad to have somebody for him to play with.
One day as we had just started playing together, he announced to my mother, that he had been at his cousin’s house and had been exposed to polio. (This was before Dr. Salk’s vaccine.) My mother was filled with dread. She sent him home and told him not to come back for a month. At first, I didn’t understand why she had been so “mean.” After she explained, I was glad that she had banished him until she was sure that he had not caught it.
Just as my mother reacted quickly to keep me safe from a terrible disease, so we must guard our children against unsafe associates. Just as she sent Gary away, so we must not allow anything in our home that might lead our children (or us) astray. We are to keep ourselves and our children separate from those distractions that could cause us to be infected with sin. Even though our little ones, may not understand at first, when they are older, they will thank us. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Prov 22:6
Paul tells us, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Cor 6:14-7:1
There is more to the above text than just refraining from marrying a non-believer or having a non-believing business partner. It is a principle that must be a part of every aspect of our life. The evil one has a multitude of distractions that can cause us to become infected with a virus far more deadly than the polio that Gary was exposed to. Therefore, “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil 4:8
“What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” Ps 34:12-15 May we guard carefully our children as well as ourselves from the evil one who walketh about as a hungry lion seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) May we “give diligence to make [our] calling and election sure: for if [we] do these things, [we] shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto [us] abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:10, 11
Rose