Anything That Leads to Sin Must Be Put Away

One sin cherished is enough to degrade the character and mislead others. If we would be willing to cut off a foot or a hand or even pluck out an eye to save the body from death, how earnest should we be to put away sin that brings death to the soul!HH 204.5

In the ritual service, salt was added to every sacrifice. Like the offering of incense, this signified that only the righteousness of Christ could make the service acceptable to God. Jesus referred to this when He said, “Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.” A ll must receive the saving salt, the righteousness of our Savior. Then they become “the salt of the earth,” restraining evil among those they meet, as salt preserves from corruption. Matthew 5:13. But if “the salt loses its flavor,” the life can exert no saving influence on the world. Jesus says, “You must be partakers of My grace in order to be ‘an aroma of life leading to life.’” 2 Corinthians 2:16. Then there will be no rivalry, no self-seeking, no desire for the highest place.HH 204.6

When we see Jesus, a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief, working to save the lost, disregarded, scorned, driven from city to city till His mission was accomplished; when we behold Him in Gethsemane, sweating great drops of blood, and on the cross dying in agony—when we see this, self will no longer demand recognition. We will rejoice to carry the cross after Jesus, to endure trial, shame, or persecution for His sake.HH 204.7

No one who believes in Christ is to be treated as unimportant. Everything that has given us advantage over another—education, refinement, nobility of character, religious experience—puts us in debt to those less favored. If we are strong, we are to support the hands of the weak. Angels are always at the side of those who have the hardest battle with self to fight, who have many objectionable traits of character, and whose surroundings are the most discouraging. Christ’s true followers will cooperate in this ministry.HH 205.1

“What do you think?” said Jesus. “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”HH 205.2