August 1, 1900

Christian Workers

EGW

A Christian is one who follows Christ through evil as well as good report. Christian discipleship in regard to business matters means more than many realize. Our Lord said, “I must be about My Father's business.” If we follow in His footsteps, we must as His human agents, copy His divine example. We must be faithful financiers for the Father. True Christians will follow in Christ's footsteps. If into the business connected with the cause and in our dealing with our brethren we do not bring the principles of the teaching of Christ, if we fail to obey the instruction He has given us, in the Old Testament as well as in the New, we are not true followers of Him.GH August 1, 1900, par. 1

We have a most important work to do, the work of obeying Christ and bearing witness of Him. He said to his disciples, “And ye also shall bear witness of Me, because ye have been with Me from the beginning.” The disciples were to be honored by bearing witness concerning Christ's mission. They had been with Him constantly and had gained a most valuable knowledge to impart to others. We can not be with Christ in person as were His first disciples, but He has sent His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, and through this power we too can bear witness for the Saviour.GH August 1, 1900, par. 2

The union of the branch to the vine is no more essential to the life and fruitfulness of the branch than a union with Christ is essential to the life and fruitfulness of the believer. Receiving Him by faith and trusting in Him, true believers become partakers of the divine nature. They not only bear testimony for Him with their lips; they witness for Him by their works. “If ye abide in Me, and I in you,” He says, “ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”GH August 1, 1900, par. 3

“Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” No one is to work evil to his brother's interest with the excuse that it is to help in a certain line of the work of God. In doing that certain work he places his brethren in a position where they are hindered from doing the work the Lord would have them do in behalf of truth and righteousness. The Lord will not accept such an offering. It is gained by robbery, and He says, “I hate robbery for burnt offering.”GH August 1, 1900, par. 4

No man will be condemned for not accepting light he has never received, or for violating a law he never heard. But when light comes to him from the word of God, and he neglects to live by it, but in his business transactions in connection with the work and cause of God, and in his dealing with his brethren, uses oppression, because he supposes he has power to oppress, he does himself great harm. He will not receive from his injustice and oppression the advantage he expects to receive. “I hate robbery for burnt offering.” A plea that it is to do good will not justify a man for working on wrong principles.GH August 1, 1900, par. 5

God will not endorse one act of selfishness, one unrighteous deed. Men may claim high honor for their labor in God's service, but the way in which they accomplish their work testifies to their value. If they obey the law of Jehovah and co-operate with Him, witness is borne of them before the heavenly universe that they are true workers. God's ordinances and work are given to man to promote holiness of heart and purity of life. If this result is not seen, the object sought for by God is not accomplished. However zealous men may be in certain lines of work, which receive praise from men, God reads beneath the surface, and if the work is not such as He can approve, the workers are not accepted by Him.GH August 1, 1900, par. 6

Sharp, critical self-examination is needed. Worldly principles are not to be woven into the web and made a part of the fabric.GH August 1, 1900, par. 7

So close is the union between Christ and the Father that as men treat Christ so they treat the Father. The greater the light and evidence God has given men regarding His character and will, the greater will be their guilt and condemnation if they do not love and obey Him.GH August 1, 1900, par. 8

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye My joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”GH August 1, 1900, par. 9

The gospel inculcates universal humility and benevolence. It produces the virtues of Christ's character in all who savingly accept it. Christ made the sacrifice of Himself to furnish man with grace and power. All who receive His spirit become sons of God, one with Christ in God. Those who attain to eternal life must overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. In order to be saved men must work out their own salvation with fear and trembling, revealing a faith which works by love and purifies the soul. Love for God and man has been enjoined upon every human being. God works by His Holy Spirit in those who believe in Christ as their personal Saviour. He helps them to work out their own salvation, giving them grace for the grace which they impart to others.GH August 1, 1900, par. 10

The ministers of God, by the holy example they set, are constituted messengers of righteousness, and they should receive love and respect from those who co-operate with them. Let him who cherishes a spirit which leads him to accuse his fellow-workers, who are proclaiming the message the Lord has given them, beware, for he is treading on holy ground, and might better take his shoes from off his feet.GH August 1, 1900, par. 11

God chooses his agents, and gives each an individual trial. He allows His workers to be tempted; thus He proves them to see whether they are building on the right foundation, whether they are doing what they know Christ would do under similar circumstances. Those whose lips are sanctified will utter no witticism or sarcasms to hurt the Lord's purchased possession. Men and women are the Lord's heritage, and no man on the face of the earth has the shadow of a right to oppress those whom God has redeemed. Christ shed His blood to make it possible for them to be partakers of the divine nature. Human beings are very dear to God's heart of love, and when He makes up His jewels He will gather to Himself those who love Him and believe in Him. In that great day when every case is settled forever, He will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. His chosen ones, who appreciate the value of redemption, will live through all eternity with Him whom they have served faithfully on this earth.GH August 1, 1900, par. 12