God's servants are to put on every piece
of the Christian armor. We are not wrestling simply with human
foes. God calls upon every Christian to enter the warfare and
fight under His leadership, depending for success on the grace
and help of Heaven.
We are to go forward in the strength of
the Mighty One. Never are we to
yield to Satan's attacks. Why should not we, as Christian warriors,
stand against principalities and powers, and against the rulers
of the darkness of this world? God calls upon us to press forward,
using the gifts entrusted to us. Satan will place temptation
before us. He will try to overcome us by stratagem. But in the
strength of God we are to stand firm as a rock to principle.
In this warfare there is no release. Satan's
agents never pause in their work of destruction. Those who are
in Christ's service must watch every outpost. Our object is to
save perishing souls from ruin. This is a work of infinite greatness,
and man cannot hope to obtain success in it unless he unites
with the divine Worker.
From eternity Christ has been man's Redeemer.
Ever since the Fall there has come to those uniting with Him
in His great work the word: "Be not weary in well-doing."
2 Thessalonians 3:13. Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding
in the work of the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58.
The Christian is encouraged to show patient
perseverance in carrying forward the work of the gospel ministry
in connection with the medical missionary work. As he gains an
experience in genuine religion, he obtains a spiritual knowledge
that makes character.
The life of a true Christian is one continuous
round of service. "We are laborers together with God."
Every day brings to the one in God's service duties proportionate
to his powers. His usefulness increases as, under the guidance
of a supreme Power, he performs these duties. The fulfillment
of one duty makes us better prepared to take up another. Those
who have a true sense of what is to be done will place themselves
in the direct light of the word
of God, in union with His other working forces. Every day, clothed
with the whole armor, he will go forth into the battle. With
prayer and watchfulness and perseverance he will labor, determined
that the close of his lifework shall not find him unprepared,
not having done all that he could for the salvation of perishing
souls.
If Christians were to act in concert, moving
forward as one, under the direction of one Power, for the accomplishment
of one purpose, they would move the world.
The principles that should actuate us as
workers in God's cause are laid down by the apostle Paul. He
says: "We are laborers together with God." 1 Corinthians
3:9. "Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord,
and not unto men." Colossians 3:23. And Peter exhorts the
believers: "As every man hath received the gift, even so
minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold
grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles
of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability
which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through
Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 4:10, 11.
There are great laws that govern the world
of nature, and spiritual things are controlled by principles
equally certain. The means for an end must be employed,
if the desired results are to be attained. God has appointed
to every man his work according to his ability. It is by education
and practice that persons are to be qualified to meet any emergency
which may arise; and wise planning is needed to place each one
in his proper sphere, that he may
obtain an experience that will fit him to bear responsibility.
God wants us to help one another by a manifestation
of sympathy and unselfish love. There are those who have inherited
peculiar tempers and dispositions. They may be hard to deal with;
but are we faultless? They are not to be discouraged. Their errors
are not to be made common property. Christ pities and helps those
who err in judgment. He has suffered death for every man, and
because of this He has a touching and profound interest in every
man.
A man may be trying to serve God, but temptations from within and from without assail him. Satan and his angels urge and coax him to transgress. Perhaps he falls a prey to their temptings. How then do his brethren treat him? Do they speak harsh, cutting words, driving him further from the Saviour? What a sad sight for Christ and the angels to behold!
Let us remember that we are struggling and
falling, failing in speech and action to represent Christ, falling
and rising again, despairing and hoping. Let us beware of dealing
unkindly with those who, like ourselves, are subjects of temptation
and who, like ourselves also, are the objects of Christ's unfailing
love.
God deals with men as responsible beings. He will work by His Spirit through the mind He has put in man if man will only give Him a chance to work and will recognize His dealings. He designs that each shall use his mind and conscience for himself. He does not intend that one man shall become the shadow of another, uttering only another's sentiments.