"Let This Mind Be in You, Which Was Also in Christ Jesus." Mrs. E. G. White.
We are to learn a lesson from the goodness and mercy and self-sacrificing life of the Father. We are to study how to give our sympathy and love to others. As we have received this priceless gift, so we are to impart it. We are to learn how to rule by love and kindness, rather than by severity and censure. When an erring person becomes conscious of his wrong, do not deal with him in a manner that will take away all his self-respect. Do not seek to tear to pieces, but to bind up and heal. You may see the errors of a brother. Yet he may not be able to discern his wrong; and it may be difficult to know how to act. But never pursue a course that will give him the impression that you regard yourself as his superior. You may think that your feelings, your pursuits, your organization, are superior to his, but do not seek to make this apparent; for such a course is altogether out of harmony with true refinement, true nobility of character. We are not to bruise the souls of the erring, but to go to them armed with humility and prayer. When the gospel minister, with his heart subdued by the love and grace of Christ, comes in touch with human minds, he can reveal his superior qualifications, not by destroying hope and courage, but by inspiring faith in the faithless, by lifting up the hands that hang down, and confirming the feeble knees.
We are all sinners, and should seek for true elevation of character through Christ. We are not to exalt ourselves, and then expect the sinner to climb to us. God calls upon us to do as the world's Redeemer did. He was commander in the heavenly courts, but he stripped himself of his glory, and clothed his divinity with humanity. He was rich, but for our sake he became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich. He came to this world all seared and marred by the curse, that he might come close to man in his woe and affliction. With his long human arm he encircled the race, while with his divine arm he grasped the throne of the Infinite, bringing to fallen man divine power to co-operate with his human effort. As we seek to follow Christ's example, we shall stand on a high level, imbued with keen sympathy, an abundant love, and tender compassion. We shall stand where the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness can shine upon us, and this will fill us with the sympathy and tenderness and pity of Christ for the helpless. Divine power will be given us to combine with our human capabilities. {RH, November 21, 1899 par. 4}
Those who feel it their prerogative to criticize their fellow men are doing the work of the enemy. The Lord has set none to correct the supposed errors of others; for by beholding these imperfections they themselves become harsh and self-centered. They compare themselves with themselves, and measure themselves among themselves. There are jealous and sensitive souls who foster their pride until, like an inflamed wound, it can not bear the slightest touch. They fancy that they have been slighted, when no slight exists, until they create in themselves the very evils they imagine in others. No man is to regard himself as appointed by God to dwell upon these objectionable features. Christ has given none the grace to do this work, and those who attempt it will make serious mistakes. Neither ministers nor people must educate themselves to think evil of their brethren, to watch for any slight or misconception of their own importance; for Satan is waiting to follow up any advantage gained. {RH, November 21, 1899 par. 7}
Christ has given instruction in these lines. "Judge not, that ye be not judged," he says; "for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." Let us heed the instruction. We may dwell upon the love of God with all safety. Let us open the door of the heart to this sweet influence; for it will expand the soul, and give it something upon which to feed. It will create a new capacity; he who loves God will love his brother also.
RH, November 21, 1899
Author
Topic: "Let This Mind Be in You, Which Was Also in Christ Jesus." (Read 5477 times)
