- Foreword
- Preface
- Chapter 1—On the Mountainside
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- “He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”—Matthew 5:2, 3.
- “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”—Matthew 5:4.
- “Blessed are the meek.”—Matthew 5:5.
- “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”—Matthew 5:6.
- “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”—Matthew 5:7.
- “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”—Matthew 5:8.
- “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”—Matthew 5:9.
- “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”—Matthew 5:10.
- “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you.”—Matthew 5:11.
- “Ye are the salt of the earth.”—Matthew 5:13.
- “Ye are the light of the world.”—Matthew 5:14.
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- “I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”—Matthew 5:17.
- “Whosoever ... shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.”—Matthew 5:19.
- “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”—Matthew 5:20.
- “Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment.”—Matthew 5:22, R. V.
- “Be reconciled to thy brother.”—Matthew 5:24.
- “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”—Matthew 5:28.
- “If thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee.”—Matthew 5:30, R. V.
- “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?”—Matthew 19:3.
- “Swear not at all.”—Matthew 5:34.
- “Resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”—Matthew 5:39, R. V.
- “Love your enemies.”—Matthew 5:44.
- “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”—Matthew 5:48.
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- “Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them.”—Matthew 6:1, margin.
- “When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are.”—Matthew 6:5.
- “When ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do.”—Matthew 6:7.
- “When ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites.”—Matthew 6:16.
- “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth.”—Matthew 6:19.
- “If ... thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.”—Matthew 6:22.
- “No man can serve two masters.”—Matthew 6:24.
- “Be not anxious.”—Matthew 6:25, R. V.
- “Seek ye first the kingdom of God.”—Matthew 6:33.
- “Be not therefore anxious for the morrow.... Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”—Matthew 6:34, R. V.
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- “After this manner therefore pray ye.”—Matthew 6:9.
- “When ye pray, say, Our Father.”—Luke 11:2.
- “Hallowed be Thy name.”—Matthew 6:9.
- “Thy kingdom come.”—Matthew 6:10.
- “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”—Matthew 6:10.
- “Give us this day our daily bread.”—Matthew 6:11.
- “Forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us.”—Luke 11:4.
- “Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”—Matthew 6:13, R. V.
- “Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory.”—Matthew 6:13.
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- “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”—Matthew 7:1.
- “Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye?”—Matthew 7:3.
- “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs.”—Matthew 7:6.
- “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”—Matthew 7:7.
- “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”—Matthew 7:12.
- “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life.”—Matthew 7:14.
- “Strive to enter in at the strait gate.”—Luke 13:24.
- “Beware of false prophets.”—Matthew 7:15.
- “It fell not; for it was founded upon the rock.”—Matthew 7:25, R. V.
“Be not therefore anxious for the morrow.... Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”—Matthew 6:34, R. V.
If you have given yourself to God, to do His work, you have no need to be anxious for tomorrow. He whose servant you are, knows the end from the beginning. The events of tomorrow, which are hidden from your view, are open to the eyes of Him who is omnipotent.MB 100.1
When we take into our hands the management of things with which we have to do, and depend upon our own wisdom for success, we are taking a burden which God has not given us, and are trying to bear it without His aid. We are taking upon ourselves the responsibility that belongs to God, and thus are really putting ourselves in His place. We may well have anxiety and anticipate danger and loss, for it is certain to befall us. But when we really believe that God loves us and means to do us good we shall cease to worry about the future. We shall trust God as a child trusts a loving parent. Then our troubles and torments will disappear, for our will is swallowed up in the will of God.MB 100.2
Christ has given us no promise of help in bearing today the burdens of tomorrow. He has said, “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Corinthians 12:9); but, like the manna given in the wilderness, His grace is bestowed daily, for the day's need. Like the hosts of Israel in their pilgrim life, we may find morning by morning the bread of heaven for the day's supply.MB 101.1
One day alone is ours, and during this day we are to live for God. For this one day we are to place in the hand of Christ, in solemn service, all our purposes and plans, casting all our care upon Him, for He careth for us. “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” “In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” Jeremiah 29:11; Isaiah 30:15.MB 101.2
If you will seek the Lord and be converted every day; if you will of your own spiritual choice be free and joyous in God; if with gladsome consent of heart to His gracious call you come wearing the yoke of Christ,—the yoke of obedience and service,—all your murmurings will be stilled, all your difficulties will be removed, all the perplexing problems that now confront you will be solved.MB 101.3