You will often meet with souls that are
under the stress of temptation. You know not how severely Satan
may be wrestling with them. Beware lest you discourage such souls
and thus give the tempter an advantage.
Whenever you see or hear something that
needs to be corrected, seek the Lord for wisdom and grace, that
in trying to be faithful you may not be severe.
It is always humiliating to have one's
errors pointed out. Do not make the experience more bitter by
needless censure. Unkind criticism brings discouragement, making
life sunless and unhappy.
My brethren, prevail by love rather than
by severity. When one at fault becomes conscious of his error,
be careful not to destroy his self-respect. Do not seek to bruise
and wound, but rather to bind up and heal.
No human being possesses sensibilities
so acute or a nature so refined as does our Saviour. And what
patience He manifests toward us. Year after year He bears with
our weakness and ignorance, with our ingratitude and waywardness.
Notwithstanding all our wanderings, our hardness of heart, our
neglect of His holy words, His hand is stretched out still. And
He bids us: "Love one another; as I have loved you."
John 13:34.
Brethren, regard yourselves as missionaries,
not among heathen, but among your fellow workers. It requires
a vast amount of time and labor to convince one soul in regard
to the special truths for this time. And when souls are turned
from sin to righteousness, there is joy in
the presence of the angels. Think you that the ministering spirits
who watch over these souls are pleased to see how indifferently
they are treated by many who claim to be Christians? Man's preferences
rule. Partiality is manifested. One is favored, while another
is treated harshly.
The angels look with awe and amazement
upon the mission of Christ to the world. They marvel at the love
that moved Him to give Himself a sacrifice for the sins of men.
But how lightly human beings regard the purchase of His blood!
We need not begin by trying to love one
another. The love of Christ in the heart is what is needed. When
self is submerged in Christ, true love springs forth spontaneously.
In patient forbearance we shall conquer.
It is patience in service that brings rest to the soul. It is
through humble, diligent, faithful toilers that the welfare of
Israel is promoted. A word of love and encouragement will do
more to subdue the hasty temper and willful disposition than
all the faultfinding and censure that you can heap upon the erring
one.
The Master's message must be declared in
the Master's spirit. Our only safety is in keeping our thoughts
and impulses under the control of the Great Teacher. Angels of
God will give to every true worker a rich experience in doing
this. The grace of humility will mold our words into expressions
of Christlike tenderness.