EGW
And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake,” the Saviour continued; “but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Sell not your faith to Satan, even tho by so doing you may save your life. You will lose your soul. ST August 1, 1900, Art. A, par. 1
“But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another; for verily I say unto you. Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.” ST August 1, 1900, Art. A, par. 2
The disciples were not to expose themselves unnecessarily to persecution and death. Christ on one occasion left Judea because He knew that if He remained, His life would be cut short by the hatred of the priests and rulers before His work was done. ST August 1, 1900, Art. A, par. 3
“The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore; for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light; and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.” Always be ready to give to others the light you have received. Avow your principles of action; scorn concealment. Unfurl your colors; for you are a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. Shun not responsibility. You can not serve God and Baal. God desires His sons and daughters to stand bravely for the right, that the world may know where they will be found in the time of trial. ST August 1, 1900, Art. A, par. 4
“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Christ has purchased the entire being, mind, soul, and body. The price of man's redemption has been paid, and all he has and is should be sprinkled with the blood of Christ, dedicated to God; for it belongs to Him. Our motto should be, “I am not my own; for I have been bought with a price.” ST August 1, 1900, Art. A, par. 5
Jesus came to this world to be our substitute and surety. He is our atoning Sacrifice; for He has offered Himself in our behalf. With unutterable love He seeks to draw all men to Him. God has given Him the priceless gifts of heaven to dispense to men. Today He stands before God as the Advocate of the human race, pleading for the beings He has redeemed. ST August 1, 1900, Art. A, par. 6
Shall we who have received so much through the suffering of the Son of God fear the consequence of freely acknowledging our faith? Shall we who have tasted the power of the world to come become discouraged and faint-hearted because we are threatened with danger? Christ accepted us in our weakness and unworthiness. Shall we shrink from the trials which accepting Him brings to us? He says to us, “Fear not them which kill the body.” He pledges Himself to give us help, saying: “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore.” “Because I live, ye shall live also.” When brought to the trial of your faith, look at your sinless Sacrifice. “It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” ST August 1, 1900, Art. A, par. 7
God understands Satan's ability to deceive and discourage. Through Christ he has declared his power to save. Christ is bound by the covenant of promise to intercede for all who come to God through Him. He knows that Satan tries to make men feel that God is a stern judge. He knows that the enemy hides from human beings the Father's love and mercy, trying to make them think that they are too sinful to ask for pity. Therefore in the simplest language the Saviour assures us that God is full of mercy and compassion, and that He, our Saviour, is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, having been in all points tempted like as we, are yet without sin. Fully acquainted with the temptations and devices of the enemy, He presents before His children what they may expect, assuring them at the same time that He will help them bear whatever may come. He knows our difficulties, He understands our distresses. Not a sigh is heard, nor a throb of anguish felt, but the pang vibrates in the heart of Christ. With tender sympathy for our weakness, He points us to the care God has for the little sparrow which flits from bough to bough, and tells us that not one of these tiny birds falls to the ground without the knowledge of the Father: “Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” ST August 1, 1900, Art. A, par. 8
“Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.” ST August 1, 1900, Art. A, par. 9
As the disciples listened to these words, they were deeply impressed, and in their hearts they said: “I will live for the Master. No earthly consideration shall induce me to disown my Redeemer.” ST August 1, 1900, Art. A, par. 10
As we look upon the cross of Calvary, shall we not remember that for us Christ engaged in conflict with the powers of darkness? He endured the penalty of sin in our behalf. He was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities. It pleased the Lord to bruise Him to put Him to grief, that He might compass the redemption of the human race. ST August 1, 1900, Art. A, par. 11
Shall we deny our Redeemer? You say, No, I will never deny Christ. But remember that there are many ways in which you may deny Him. Saul, the first king of Israel, denied the Lord by disobeying His commands. He failed to obey the first law of God's kingdom,—the law of self-government. He set up his own will as better than the Lord's will. His life was a failure because he denied God. The apostles, on returning from their missionary journey, “gathered themselves unto Jesus, and told Him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.” They did not hide their mistakes, but laid all before Him for His inspection. Every disciple as he came was welcomed by the Master. The good Shepherd knew how to give the needed encouragement. The disciples were weary, but they were so glad to be once more in the presence of their Lord that they forgot their weariness. ST August 1, 1900, Art. A, par. 12
How many burdens we might lay off if we would do as the disciples did,—take all our troubles, large and small, to Jesus. He has invited us to do this. Let us encourage the habit of intimate communion with Jesus. Thus we shall learn to know Him better, and His divine presence will bring us relief and assurance. We shall be drawn to Him as to a loving friend. As we tell Him our sorrows and perplexities, our mistakes and errors, He will speak peace and comfort to our hearts. He says: “Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me.” “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” ST August 1, 1900, Art. A, par. 13
Mrs. E. G. White