For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17. UL
We profess to be the repositories of God’s law, and as a people professing [to have] greater light and to live up to a higher standard than any other people upon earth, we should show greater perfection of character and a deeper devotion, exalting sacred and eternal things. A most solemn message has been entrusted to those who have received the light of truth, and our light should shine forth in clear beams to brighten the pathway of those who are in darkness, and thus daily glorify God in our lives.
Every member of the church has an individual responsibility as a member of the visible church, and a worker in the vineyard of the Lord, and should do his utmost to preserve harmony, union, and love in the church….
The evidence that the world cannot withstand and controvert, that God has sent Jesus into the world as its Redeemer, is in the oneness of the church. Their unity and harmony is the convincing argument. Satan is therefore constantly at work to prevent this harmony and union, that in witnessing the bickerings, strifes, and dissension, unbelievers shall become disgusted with Christianity, and fastened in unbelief and infidelity. God is dishonored by those who profess the truth while they are at variance with one another.
If our profession … [to have] greater truths than other denominations [have] does not lead to deeper consecration, and purer and holier lives, of what advantage is this truth to us? It would be better for us if we had never seen the light of truth, than to profess to accept it, and not be sanctified by it.
To determine how great a matter is involved in the conversion of a soul from error to truth, we must appreciate the value of immortality, we must sense the pains of the second death. We must comprehend the honors and glory awaiting the ransomed, and understand what it is to live in the presence of Him who died that He might elevate, ennoble, and give to the overcomer a royal diadem.
The worth of a soul cannot be fully estimated. How gratefully will the ransomed and glorified ones remember those who were instrumental in their salvation. Not one will forget his self-denying labors, his persevering efforts, his patience, perseverance, and earnest heart yearning for these souls who might have been lost to Jesus Christ, had he neglected his duty or became weary in well doing.—Manuscript 1, February 18, 1880, “Church Difficulties.”
The Upward Look p. 63
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my daughter Kristi. Her husband recently passed away unexpectedly and she is all alone, far away from family. Some years ago she suffered a brain aneurysm which left her with serious problems, including an inability to make wise decisions. She really should not be living alone, but she doesn’t seem to want anyone’s advice right now. Please pray that the Lord will comfort and guide her and keep her safe. Pam
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Dear Friends,
When our children were little and it was time for Ron to come home from work, Esther and Ronnie Jay liked to stand at the corner of our yard and wait for him. They were not allowed to go any further, so they would go to the limit and stretch up as tall as they could trying to be the first one to see him.
One day, they got the idea that if they climbed in the pine tree that grew beside the spot where they always stood, they could see their daddy sooner. Just as they started to climb, I happened to look out of the window and saw them. Rushing outside, I shouted for them to get down. Then I explained that they should not climb pine trees because the sap that was flowing heavy that time of year would get on their clothes and in their hair and make a terrible mess.
For a few days, they obeyed. Finally, the temptation to climb that tree became too strong and up they went when I wasn’t looking. Soon they saw Ron coming around the corner. Down the tree they went and over to the car they ran to give their daddy a big hug. Then they followed him into the house.
When they got inside, Eileen noticed that her four-year-old sister’s long, reddish-brown hair was messy and got a brush to brush it. Try as she might, it was impossible to get the brush through her little sister’s hair. Eileen was puzzled and brought her to me. It was evident that she had disobeyed. Her hair matted with sticky pine tar, her clothes were dirty and spotted with that sticky stuff.
Washing her hair did no good. I called my mother, who suggested butter. I had to work the butter into her hair. That helped somewhat, although Esther Marie was not at all happy about being covered with grease. After shampooing her hair several more times to get the butter out, we again tried to comb it. Globs of sticky sap remained. I wasn’t sure what to do.
I asked some of the ladies at church. One suggested peanut butter. Esther Marie was even less happy with that suggestion! I was not very happy either as it made even a worse mess than the butter had, but it worked. After several more shampooings the peanut butter came out, and her hair was pine-tar free and able to be combed. She learned her lesson and did not climb in that tree again.
How often we find ourselves in the same situation that Esther Marie did. Our Great Creator, through His Holy Word warns us what we should avoid so that we will not get into difficulty, but we yield to the temptation anyway and do the very thing that we know we should not do. Soon we become covered and spotted and filthy with the pine-tar on sin. “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” “The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.” Isa 64:6; 1:5,6 Like Paul, we cry, For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Rom 7:15-24
Praise God, we do not have to stay in that condition! We have a Loving Saviour Who will cleanse us from all of our sin. Zechariah was given a vision of this very thing. “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” Zec 3:1-4 John tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9
Let us come to our Dear Saviour now for the cleansing and forgiveness we so much need. Let us hide His Word in our heart that we might not sin against God. Let us refrain our feet from every evil way, that we might keep His word. Ps 119:11, 101