United Forbearance
In Christ, divinity and humanity are united; therefore “he is able to succor all who are tempted,” “able to save to the uttermost all who come to God by Him.” [Hebrews 2:18; 7:25.] “He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” [Hebrews 4:15.] Though so high and holy, He pities our weakness and stoops to succor us, “for it pleased the Lord to bruise him.” [Isaiah 53:10.] Satan assailed Him in every point, yet He sinned not in thought, word, or deed. “He did no violence, neither was guile found in his mouth.” [Isaiah 53:9; 1 Peter 2:22.] Walking in the midst of sin, He was “holy, harmless, undefiled.” [Hebrews 7:26.] He was wrongfully accused, yet He opened not His mouth to justify Himself. How many now, when accused of that of which they are not guilty, feel that there is a time when forbearance ceases to be a virtue, and losing their temper, speak words which grieve the Holy Spirit?
▪️More than Talk:
... We claim to be Christians. Do we, then, reveal the Christlikeness?
✓Do we serve the Saviour intelligently?
✓Does the love of God continually flow from us to others?
✓Do we in word and action, confess our Redeemer?
✓Do we conform our lives to His holy principles?
✓Are we pure and undefiled?
Christians must hold the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end. It is not enough to profess the faith. There must be a patient endurance of all trials and a brave resistance to all temptations. Faith can be maintained only by bringing the Christian religion to the test of practice, thus demonstrating its transforming power and the faithfulness of its promises.
▪️Atonement, One with Christ:
...In order that no one need make a mistake in his life work, God has placed before us the perfect example of Christ. .... He is now fulfilling another phase by pleading before the Father the case of the repenting, believing sinner, presenting to God the offerings of His people....
▪️Character God Workers:
God’s workers are to be united in the bonds of
✓sympathy and kindness...
✓tender compassion for those who need help...
✓sympathy of Jesus for those who are out of the way...
✓put far from them every selfish consideration. ........
The spirit which has led to acts of oppression, which injure and bruise those who should be treated with Christian love and tenderness, is an offence to God. It is Satan who leads men to be unfeeling, without compassion or tenderness.
... Charity ... is not easily provoked, ....” [1 Corinthians 13:1-6.]
Those in responsible positions are to
✓be subdued, converted, sanctified by obedience to the truth. ...
✓will not want to hurt and condemn.
✓Instead of destroying, they will seek to restore.
▪️Return to the Word:
Reverence for a “Thus saith the Lord” has been so poorly shown that hearts have become steeled in indifference. .... but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” [2 Corinthians 4:1, 2.] Let the hidden things of dishonesty be no longer cherished as virtues. Let those who have practiced craftiness in trade, thinking to do God service, know that He despises all such work.
▪️Sanctification Neglected:
Christ has been greatly dishonored because the truths which His people have known have not sanctified their lives. When they see themselves as they are, they will despise the sight as a representation entirely unchristlike.
▪️Success in the Holy Spirit:
Through the operation of the Spirit they will be brought into conformity to the mind of Christ. They will represent the Saviour in word and deed.
1 Letters and Manuscripts Ms 42, 1901 par 22-30