In temporal matters many act with far more prudence and consideration than in spiritual things. They do not begin their worldly transactions in a haphazard, thoughtless way. They teach God's people a lesson. We are not to rush into the acceptance of the gospel without any fixed stability of purpose. If we receive Jesus Christ, we must receive all the conditions, all the requirements, and make it our life business in everything to make the kingdom of God our first consideration. Difficulties will present themselves as obstructions. But the greatest difficulties originate with self. It will cost all there is of the man, for Christ demands the heart, the soul, the strength, and the mind of every human agent. “Ye are not your own for ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God's.” It will cost self-humiliation, self-denial, self-sacrifice, a constant conflict with human passions. Our natural temperaments can not be carried along in the road, cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in. Shame and weakness and disgrace are the sure result of professedly following Christ while walking in the ways and practises of the unrenewed, unconverted men.BTS October 1, 1916, par. 1

To be half for Christ and half unrenewed, having the mind of the enemy, means to be a stumbling-block to one's self and a stumbling-block to others, a reproach to Christ and a weakness in the church and in the ministry. If we do not propose to be wholly converted, to be doers of the word, then for Christ's sake let us not spoil the Christian experience of others, causing them to be led astray by our serving sin and the devil while professedly serving the Lord.BTS October 1, 1916, par. 2

Without the absolute surrender of self, soul, body, and spirit the contest is hopeless. Self must be hid in Christ. Said Paul, “What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ, yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ, and be found in Him, (day by day, under all trials and difficulties and temptation) not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Read this chapter, and practise the lesson given. We are in need of these cautions and safeguards.BTS October 1, 1916, par. 3

Much importance is attached to hearing and practising the sayings of Christ. When the divine Teacher gave His sermon on the mount, He was surrounded by a large congregation. After specifying the characters that should be blessed, He said, “Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men.” All must possess Christlike attributes of character if they have any saving influence on the world. Profession of faith is nothing. Unless the truth is a living principle in the heart, it will not be revealed in precious talents of appropriate speech. No one can impart that which he has not. If we receive grace from the source of all correct influence, from the great fountain of good, it is that we may impart. If we have not in our character the precious attributes of Christ, if we do not cherish His meekness, patience, longsuffering, kindness, and love, we may profess to know Christ, but we know Him not.BTS October 1, 1916, par. 4

July 1, 1916

November 1, 1916