The transforming power of Christ's grace molds the
one who gives himself to God's service. Imbued with
the Spirit of the Redeemer, he is ready to deny self,
ready to take up the cross, ready to make any sacrifice
for the Master. No longer can he be indifferent to the
souls perishing around him. He is lifted above self-serving.
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He has been created anew in Christ, and self-serving
has no place in his life. He realises that every
part of his being belongs to Christ, who has redeemed
him from the slavery of sin; that every moment of his
future has been bought with the precious lifeblood of
God's only-begotten Son.
Have you so deep an appreciation of the sacrifice
made on Calvary that you are willing to make every
other interest subordinate to the work of saving souls?
The same intensity of desire to save sinners that marked
the life of the Saviour marks the life of His true
follower. The Christian has no desire to live for self.
He delights to consecrate all that he has and is to the
Master's service. He is moved by an inexpressible desire
to win souls to Christ. Those who have nothing of this
desire might better be concerned for their own salvation.
Let them pray for the spirit of service.
How can I best glorify Him whose I am by creation
and by redemption? This is to be the question that we
are to ask ourselves. With anxious solicitude the one
who is truly converted seeks to rescue those who are
still in Satan's power. He refuses to do anything that
would hinder him in his work. If he has children he
realises that his work must begin in his own family.
His children are exceedingly precious to him. Remembering
that they are the younger members of the Lord's
family, he strives with all his power to place them where
they will stand on the Lord's side. He has pledged himself
to serve, honour, and obey Christ; and he puts forth
patient, untiring effort so to train his children that they
will never be hostile to the Saviour.
On fathers and mothers, God has placed the
responsibility of saving their children from the power of the
enemy. This is their work, a work that they should on
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no account neglect. Those parents who have a living
connection with Christ will not rest until they see their
children safe in the fold. They will make this the burden
of their life.
Parents, do not neglect the work waiting for you in
the church in your own family. This is your first field
of missionary effort. The most important work you can
do is to place your children on the Lord's side. When
they err, deal with them tenderly, yet firmly. Let them
unite with you in opposing the evil by which Satan
seeks to destroy the souls and bodies of human beings.
Share with them the secret of the cross, the secret that
to you means sanctification, redemption, and eternal
victory. As you take your children with you into the
service of the Lord, what a victory you gain.
If the families around you are opposed to the truth,
strive to lead them to yield to the claims of Christ. Work
patiently, wisely, considerately, winning your way by
the tender ministry of love. Present the truth in such
a way that it will be seen in all its beauty, exerting an
influence that cannot be resisted. Thus the walls of
prejudice will be broken down.
If this work were faithfully done, if fathers and
mothers would work for the members of their own families,
and then for those around them, uplifting Christ
by a godly life, thousands of souls would be saved.
When God's people are truly converted, when they
realise the obligation resting on them to labour for those
within their reach, when they leave no means untried
to rescue sinners from the power of the enemy, the
reproach will be removed from our churches.
We have now only a little time in which to prepare
for eternity. May the Lord open the closed eyes of His
people and quicken their dulled senses, that they may
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realise that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation
to them that believe. May they see the importance
of giving so pure and righteous a representation of God
that the world shall see Him in His beauty. May they
be so filled with the Spirit that dwells in Him that the
world will have no power to divert them from the work of
presenting to men the wonderful possibilities before
every soul who receives Christ.
In all lines of our work there is need of greater
earnestness. Time is passing. God's servants are to be "not
slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord."
People need the truth, and by earnest, faithful effort it
is to be communicated to them. Souls are to be sought
for, prayed for, laboured for. Earnest appeals are to be
made. Fervent prayers are to be offered. Our tame,
spiritless petitions are to be changed into petitions of
intense earnestness. God's word declares: The effectual
fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
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The world is our field of missionary toil, and we are
to go forth to labour surrounded with the atmosphere of
Gethsemane and Calvary.