For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10.
(SD 271.1)
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There are possibilities for work to be done by you for Jesus that you have never dreamed of. A Christian is a Christ-like man, a Christ-like woman who is active in God’s service, who is present at the social meeting, whose presence will encourage others also. Religion does not consist in works, but religion works; it is not dormant. The pure religion of Jesus is the fountain from which flow streams of charity, love, self-sacrifice.... With the love of Christ in the heart, the lips will utter His praise and magnify His name. There will be a pressure upon the soul filled with Christ’s love....
(SD 271.2)
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God’s sons and daughters must show they are of heavenly extraction. The great man in God’s sight is he who in the midst of crowds, of cares and financial pressure, keeps his soul unpolluted, unstained, without one blot of worldly pollution. Firmly relying upon God by prayer and faith, the soul will stand firm in moral independence, yet with perfect kindness, love, and goodness. The temptations of society are met and resisted, communion is maintained with God, and the communication between your soul and God enables you to transmit to others through your social relations the choicest blessings which Heaven has to bestow.... Exact and impartial justice will be seen in all his dealings, but his duty does not end here. God requires more. He demands of you to love as Christ has loved souls. He demands of you compassion for the suffering, the erring, those who are subject to Satan’s temptations. He demands of you kindness, courtesy to even the unfortunate, a generous consideration of the feelings of others.... You must so order your intercourse and deal with the world as to secure for yourself a calm, hallowed peace, while you leave a record behind of a godly example.49
(SD 271.3)
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We Hasten His Return With Holy Conversation, December 11
VC
What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God? 2 Peter 3:11, 12.
(SD 352.1)
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Many who profess to be looking for the speedy coming of Christ, are becoming conformed to this world, and seek more earnestly for the applause of those around them, than the approbation of God....
(SD 352.2)
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Many of these professed Christians dress, talk and act like the world, and the only thing by which they may be known, is their profession. Though they profess to be looking for Christ, their conversation is not in heaven, but on worldly things.
(SD 352.3)
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VC
“What manner of persons” ought those to be “in all holy conversation and godliness,” who profess to be “looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God?” 2 Peter 3:11, 12....
(SD 352.4)
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The way to heaven is rugged. Briers and thorns are in the way; but we can with cheerfulness tread the rough pathway, knowing that Jesus, the King of glory, once trod it before us. We will rejoice that we can follow in His footsteps, and be partakers with Him of His sufferings, that we may finally partake of His glory.
(SD 352.5)
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What if reproaches are heaped upon me, even by those who profess to be looking for the Lord? ... Shall I complain, when Jesus bore the scoffs and derision of His own people? ... No, I will not complain; I will rather rejoice and be exceeding glad that I am accounted worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake, that my reward may be in heaven. Only let me have an inheritance in glory, and it will be enough....
(SD 352.6)
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Let us strive to be Christians (Christ-like) in every sense of the word, and let our dress, conversation and actions preach that Christ is formed within, the hope of glory, and that we are looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of Jesus.... My affections, interest, treasure, all, is in the bright world to come. I long to see the King in His beauty.18
(SD 352.7)
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