Reaching a High Standard

17. In becoming a follower of Christ, you need not think it necessary to give up all aspirations to reach a high standard. But if your ambitions have been selfish, and you have sought for the supremacy, and aimed at the glorification of yourself, all this will be changed, and your desire will be to become a diligent, earnest, faithful soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ. The elements of character which lead you to seek for distinction in a worldly life, Jesus will refine and purify and make steadfast, that you may with unselfish purpose seek to become a true coworker with the Majesty of heaven. A holy ambition will take possession of your heart, worthy of the object for which your ability was given. You will have respect to the recompense of the reward that has been purchased for you by the self-denial, the self-sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. He will reward every man according to his works; although the reward is given not because of man's merit, yet it will be bestowed in proportion to the work that has been done; for their works testify to the character which has been developed. Your ambition is to be directed toward the advancement of your Redeemer's glory, of which he gives you a foretaste. He points you to the crown of immortal life, and bids you to so run that you may obtain. He bids you to fight the good fight of faith, to lay hold on eternal life, to wrestle that you may receive power for the highest attainments in the spiritual life.PH152 36.2