November 10, 1910

Lights in the World

EGW

It is impossible for man to measure the ingenuity shown by Satan in deceiving human minds. Christ saw the working out of Satan's plans to deceive man. He saw that the world was being captivated by the delusive power exercised through commercialism of various kinds, and he volunteered to take human nature, and come to this earth to live among men, to meet the wily foe in every stage of human life, and to counterwork the wiles of Satan.RH November 10, 1910, par. 1

Thus was laid the plan for Christ to act his part as a Saviour. He came to our world to live, and suffer, and die, that he might win to God the souls deceived by Satan. He came to stay the overwhelming tide of deception that was carrying souls on to ruin. He is wise in an understanding of the tempter's plans, and he can teach men and women how to become wise to discern and escape the snares that Satan is constantly laying.RH November 10, 1910, par. 2

Christ declared, I have pledged myself, as the only begotten Son of the Lord God Almighty, to carry out God's plan to win souls from Satan. The Saviour alone can defeat the enemy. He works in man's behalf to uncover his plans, that souls may be led to turn from the arch-deceiver.RH November 10, 1910, par. 3

The Prince of heaven, he who was one with the Father, gave himself to redeem the fallen race. Satan is actively and untiringly at work to defeat the Saviour's purpose. But Christ says, Where Satan has set his throne, there will I establish my cross. The prince of evil shall be cast out, and I will become the center of a world redeemed.RH November 10, 1910, par. 4

In his life on this earth, Christ lived the law of God, thus making it possible for men of every nation and every clime to live, under the sorest temptation, a life of true obedience. Those who accept God as their Creator and Christ as their Redeemer, receive the spirit of obedience that was revealed in the life of him who came to make known to men the Father. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and love of God!RH November 10, 1910, par. 5

Christ came to give to men the wealth of eternity, and this wealth, through connection with him, we are to receive and impart. Not to ministers only, but to every believer, Christ says, The world is enshrouded in darkness. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Every one who truly loves God will be a light in the world.RH November 10, 1910, par. 6

He who is a citizen of the heavenly kingdom will be constantly looking at things not seen. The power of earth over the mind and character is broken. He has the abiding presence of the heavenly Guest, in accordance with the promise, “I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” He walks with God as did Enoch, in constant communion.RH November 10, 1910, par. 7

The ministry of the word rests not merely upon those who preach the word, but upon all who hear and receive the word. God calls upon his people to break the bands of their precise, indoor service. He would have hundreds in our cities doing the work that Christ did while on this earth,—cheering the sorrowful, strengthening the weak, comforting the mourners, preaching the gospel to the poor. In many of the large cities scarcely anything has been done to proclaim the message of warning. Our brethren and sisters living in these crowded centers should let their light shine forth. You may think that your light is too small to do any good, but remember that it is what God has given you, and that you are held responsible to let it shine forth. Some one else may light his taper from it, and his light may be the means of leading others out of darkness.RH November 10, 1910, par. 8

The Saviour allowed nothing to interfere with the accomplishment of his work. He declared, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” He mingled constantly with men, not to encourage them in anything that was not in accordance with God's will, but to uplift and ennoble them. “I sanctify myself,” he declared, “that they also might be sanctified.” No other teacher ever placed such signal honor upon men as did Christ. He was known as the friend of publicans and sinners. He mingled with all classes of society, that all, high and low, rich and poor, might share in the blessings he came to impart.RH November 10, 1910, par. 9

Daily beset by temptation, constantly opposed by the leaders of the people, Christ knew that he must strengthen his humanity by prayer. In order to be a blessing to men, he must commune with God, pleading for energy, perseverance, and steadfastness. Thus he showed his disciples where his strength lay. Without this daily communion with God, no human being can gain power for service. It is the privilege of every one to commit himself, with all his trials and temptations, his sorrows and disappointments, to the loving Heavenly Father. No one who does this, who makes God his confidant, will fall a prey to the enemy.RH November 10, 1910, par. 10

“We have not an high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”RH November 10, 1910, par. 11

There is a great work to be done. God's servants are to go from house to house, watching for opportunities to sow the seeds of truth. But many of God's people act as if he desired them to hide their light under a bushel. The Lord says, Bring forth your light. Set it on a candlestick, that it may give light to all that are in the house. Wake up, my brethren and sisters, wake up, and work for the conversion of souls. Do not find fault and criticize. Thus you spend your energies in Satan's cause. Do not give way to anger because you think that you are misunderstood. Was not your Master misunderstood? Speak no word of doubt or unbelief. The more you talk of the difficulties in the way, the larger will they appear. Do not accuse your brethren. Rather accuse yourselves. An untold amount of mischief is done by words of faultfinding and slander. Never tear down the reputation of a fellow being.RH November 10, 1910, par. 12

The Lord is grieved when his people stand aloof from one another. Thus they show their weakness, and range themselves on the enemy's side. Let no one weaken the hands of another. Let every man do what he can to build up, not to tear down.RH November 10, 1910, par. 13

Guard jealously your hours for prayer and self-examination. Set apart some portion of each day for a study of the Scriptures and communion with God. Thus you will obtain spiritual strength, and grow in grace and favor with God. He alone can direct our thoughts aright. He alone can give us noble aspirations, and fashion our characters after the divine similitude. If we draw near to him in earnest prayer, he will fill our hearts with high and holy purposes, and with deep, earnest longing for purity and cleanness of thought.RH November 10, 1910, par. 14

Moses prayed to God, saying, “I beseech thee, show me thy glory.” And God said, “I will make all my goodness pass before thee.... And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.”RH November 10, 1910, par. 15

In this representation the Lord desired to teach the lesson that he requires in his people purity of character and holiness of life. He desires to see revealed in them mercy, loving-kindness and long-suffering, that they may demonstrate that “the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” He imparts the richest blessings to those who serve him with a pure heart. He teaches each one who opens the heart to his instruction and obeys his voice.RH November 10, 1910, par. 16