The Desire of Ages--31--The Sermon on the Mount

[Beacon]

"The good tree will produce good fruit."

"If the fruit is unpalatable and worthless, the tree is evil."

"So the fruit borne in the life testifies as to the condition of the heart and the excellence of the character."

"Good works can never purchase salvation."

"They are an evidence of the faith that acts by love and purifies the soul."

"The eternal reward is not bestowed because of our merit"

"But it will be in proportion to the work that has been done through the grace of Christ."

May our song, prayer, witness for Jesus always be  "Not I but Christ be Honored, Loved, Exalted."

==============================
1
Not I, but Christ be honored, loved, exalted,
Not I, but Christ be seen, be known and heard;
Not I, but Christ in every look and action,
Not I, but Christ in every thought and word.
    Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord,
  Oh, to be lost in Thee,
Oh, that it may be no more I,
    But Christ that lives in me.
2
Not I, but Christ to gently soothe in sorrow,
Not I, but Christ to wipe the falling tear;
Not I, but Christ to lift the weary burden,
Not I, but Christ to hush away all fear.
3
Christ, only Christ, no idle word e’er falling,
Christ, only Christ, no needless bustling sound;
Christ, only Christ, no self-important bearing,
Christ, only Christ, no trace of I be found.
4
Not I, but Christ my every need supplying,
Not I, but Christ my strength and health to be;
Christ, only Christ, for spirit, soul, and body,
Christ, only Christ, live then Thy life in me.
5
Christ, only Christ, ere long will fill my vision,
Glory excelling soon, full soon I’ll see;
Christ, only Christ, my every wish fulfilling,
Christ, only Christ, my all in all to be.

Lyrics:Mrs. Ada A. Whiddington (1891)
Music:Albert Benjamin Simpson (1843-1919)

[Dorine]

"All who choose Christ’s kingdom of love and righteousness and peace, making its interest paramount to all other, are linked to the world above, and every blessing needed for this life is theirs. In the book of God’s providence, the volume of life, we are each given a page. That page contains every particular of our history; even the hairs of the head are numbered. God’s children are never absent from His mind. {DA 313.3} “Be not therefore anxious for the morrow.” Matthew 6:34, R. V. We are to follow Christ day by day. God does not bestow help for tomorrow. He does not give His children all the directions for their life journey at once, lest they should become confused. He tells them just as much as they can remember and perform. The strength and wisdom imparted are for the present emergency. “If any of you lack wisdom,”—for today,—“let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5. {DA 313.4}

I thank God for this chapter. It brings such peace knowing God knows everything about me and still loves me. Today is my day of salvation. Tomorrow is in His hands. I have no need to worry what is ahead. He asks for my heart again today and I gladly give Him permission to take all of it. 

[Richard Myers]

Amen dear sister!  I shared that truth at my baptism 37 years ago. We have nothing to worry about tomorrow. God is in absolute control and all things work together for those who love the Lord our God with the whole heart. We need to stop looking to man and direct our efforts at what is written. Better to be taught by God than by erring man. This chapter ought to be studied over and over. The nation at the time of this great sermon was in a Laodicean condition such as we see in our church today. Thus, the solution we seek is found in the Words of Jesus given on the mount.

Christ disappointed the hope of worldly greatness. In the Sermon on the Mount He sought to undo the work that had been wrought by false education, and to give His hearers a right conception of His kingdom and of His own character. Yet He did not make a direct attack on the errors of the people. He saw the misery of the world on account of sin, yet He did not present before them a vivid delineation of their wretchedness. He taught them of something infinitely better than they had known. Without combating their ideas of the kingdom of God, He told them the conditions of entrance therein, leaving them to draw their own conclusions as to its nature. The truths He taught are no less important to us than to the multitude that followed Him. We no less than they need to learn the foundation principles of the kingdom of God.

"The good tree will produce good fruit."

"So the fruit borne in the life testifies as to the condition of the heart and the excellence of the character."

Amen Brother Beacon! This is the principle we are to follow when selecting leaders in our churches. We may know the character of those who love the lord our God with all of the heart. They manifest all of the fruits of the Spirit, not one missing.

God has given us His holy precepts, because He loves mankind. To shield us from the results of transgression, He reveals the principles of righteousness. The law is an expression of the thought of God; when received in Christ, it becomes our thought. It lifts us above the power of natural desires and tendencies, above temptations that lead to sin.

[Philip T]

The proud heart strives to earn salvation; but both our title to heaven and our fitness for it are found in the righteousness of Christ. The Lord can do nothing toward the recovery of man until, convinced of his own weakness, and stripped of all self-sufficiency, he yields himself to the control of God. Then he can receive the gift that God is waiting to bestow. From the soul that feels his need, nothing is withheld. He has unrestricted access to Him in whom all fullness dwells. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isaiah 57:15. {DA 300.1}

     The only way to salvation is through Jesus, to do this we must humble ourselves before a Holy God, surrender all to him, yielding ourselves 100% to Him, then he we will be transformed into His likeness.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon, Sister Dorine, Brother Richard and Brother Philip!!

As you choose God's service, you can rest in Him who also so graciously cares for the birds and flowers! We can allow God to care for us even as we abide in His love in total surrender to Him! When the whole heart is yielded to Christ, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be seen in our lives, as we gladly are empowered to obey God from the new heart up to the light He has generously revealed to us!

"All who have chosen God's service are to rest in His care. Christ pointed to the birds flying in the heavens, to the flowers of the field, and bade His hearers consider these objects of God's creation. 'Are not ye of much more value than they?' He said. Matthew 6:26, R. V. The measure of divine attention bestowed on any object is proportionate to its rank in the scale of being. The little brown sparrow is watched over by Providence. The flowers of the field, the grass that carpets the earth, share the notice and care of our heavenly Father. The great Master Artist has taken thought for the lilies, making them so beautiful that they outshine the glory of Solomon. How much more does He care for man, who is the image and glory of God. He longs to see His children reveal a character after His similitude. As the sunbeam imparts to the flowers their varied and delicate tints, so does God impart to the soul the beauty of His own character." {The Desire of Ages, page 313, paragraph 2}

True beauty of character radiates from within as Christ abides in the soul. His purity, perfection and loveliness will be reproduced in all who come unto Him to be saved in God's appointed way. What a blessing to trust Jesus today and each moment of every day!

[Beacon]

"The flowers of the field, the grass that carpets the earth, share the notice and care of our heavenly Father.

"The great Master Artist has taken thought for the lilies, making them so beautiful that they outshine the glory of Solomon."

"How much more does He care for man, who is the image and glory of God."

"He longs to see His children reveal a character after His similitude."

"As the sunbeam imparts to the flowers their varied and delicate tints, so does God impart to the soul the beauty of His own character."

Let "US" drink deeply from the Word of God everyday so that " WE" can reveal a character after His similitude and bring Glory To His Name.
=========================
1
O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer;
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.
  O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee!
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
  Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
2
O to be like Thee! full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wand’ring sinners to find.
3
O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer, others to save.
4
O to be like Thee! Lord, I am coming,
Now to receive th’ anointing divine;
All that I am and have I am bringing;
Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.
5
O to be like Thee! While I am pleading
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love.
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit for a life which Thou wouldst approve.

Lyrics:Thomas Obediah Chisholm (1866-1960)
Music:William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)

[Dorine]

“Blessed are the meek.” The difficulties we have to encounter may be very much lessened by that meekness which hides itself in Christ. If we possess the humility of our Master, we shall rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances, to which we are daily exposed, and they will cease to cast a gloom over the spirit. The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control. He who under abuse or cruelty fails to maintain a calm and trustful spirit robs God of His right to reveal in him His own perfection of character. Lowliness of heart is the strength that gives victory to the followers of Christ; it is the token of their connection with the courts above. {DA 301.3}

“Though the Lord be high, yet hath He respect unto the lowly.” Psalm 138:6. Those who reveal the meek and lowly spirit of Christ are tenderly regarded by God. They may be looked upon with scorn by the world, but they are of great value in His sight. Not only the wise, the great, the beneficent, will gain a passport to the heavenly courts; not only the busy worker, full of zeal and restless activity. No; the poor in spirit, who crave the presence of an abiding Christ, the humble in heart, whose highest ambition is to do God’s will,—these will gain an abundant entrance..."

No wonder so many want to down play the writings of the SOP and some dismiss them altogether. She magnifies the teachings of Jesus so plainly that for those whose hearts are still alive to self can not abide the things that point out their defects of character. May our hearts be open to the Holy Spirit and welcome what is revealed in this beautiful sermon of love. Look at each blessing and meditate upon each one. The blessing for the meek stood out to me this time reading it.

They will be among that number who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.” Revelation 7:15. {DA 301.4}

May our faith take hold of the promises of God claiming each one and joyfully serving Him each day and showing others they too may have this intimate relationship with Jesus if they just accept Him into their hearts.

[Richard Myers]

Amen my dear sister and brother!!  God yearns for us to reveal His character. It is His reward for all of His suffering. Today we read of the greatest sermon ever preached, the next best is you reflecting the character of our Savior, the greatest of all miracles.

The good tree will produce good fruit. If the fruit is unpalatable and worthless, the tree is evil. So the fruit borne in the life testifies as to the condition of the heart and the excellence of the character. Good works can never purchase salvation, but they are an evidence of the faith that acts by love and purifies the soul. And though the eternal reward is not bestowed because of our merit, yet it will be in proportion to the work that has been done through the grace of Christ. {DA 314.2}

From Matthew we read:

 7:16   Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 
 7:17   Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 
 7:18   A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 
 7:19   Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 
 7:20   Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 

Thus, we shall know when one is ready to be baptized.

"When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing."  Desire of Ages pg, 676.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon, Sister Dorine, and Brother Richard!!

To be meek and humble in heart is what Christ offers us by coming into union and communion with Himself. Only as we abide in Christ by a complete surrender can we experience all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing. Then, through letting His will be done in us as we cooperate with Him, we can be living witnesses of the power of grace to change the life from sin to holiness!

"'Blessed are the meek.' The difficulties we have to encounter may be very much lessened by that meekness which hides itself in Christ. If we possess the humility of our Master, we shall rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances, to which we are daily exposed, and they will cease to cast a gloom over the spirit. The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control. He who under abuse or cruelty fails to maintain a calm and trustful spirit robs God of His right to reveal in him His own perfection of character. Lowliness of heart is the strength that gives victory to the followers of Christ; it is the token of their connection with the courts above." {The Desire of Ages, page 301, paragraph 3}

When we manifest self-control and all of the other fruit of the Spirit, it is only because Christ is giving us the power and ability to do what is right, and we are availing ourselves of His strength made perfect in our weakness!

[Beacon]

“Those who reveal the meek and lowly spirit of Christ are tenderly regarded by God."

"They may be looked upon with scorn by the world, but they are of great value in His sight."

"Not only the wise, the great, the beneficent, will gain a passport to the heavenly courts; not only the busy worker, full of zeal and restless activity."

"No; the poor in spirit, who crave the presence of an abiding Christ, the humble in heart, whose highest ambition is to do God’s will."

"These will gain an abundant entrance."

Let "US" with humbleness of Spirit say... Not I, But Christ be exalted.

“Though the Lord be high, yet hath He respect unto the lowly.” Psalm 138:6.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon!

While we cannot earn it, in humility we are to receive it. Salvation is a gift from God and yet it is a gift that will completely transform the life as in complete surrender the righteousness of Christ is received into the life.

"The proud heart strives to earn salvation; but both our title to heaven and our fitness for it are found in the righteousness of Christ. The Lord can do nothing toward the recovery of man until, convinced of his own weakness, and stripped of all self-sufficiency, he yields himself to the control of God. Then he can receive the gift that God is waiting to bestow. From the soul that feels his need, nothing is withheld. He has unrestricted access to Him in whom all fullness dwells. 'For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.' Isaiah 57:15." {The Desire of Ages, page 300, paragraph 1}

When we acknowledge our deep need of Jesus' guidance and grace and in sincerity surrender fully to Him, He supplies all our need. Christ will come to abide in the soul fully yielded to Him, imbuing the character with the supernatural attributes of His divine nature--all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing--empowering the soul to walk in true obedience to all of God's commandments! May you gladly walk in harmony with God today as a true missionary to be a blessing to others!

[Richard Myers]

Amen Brother Beacon and Pastor Sean!  Such a wonderful revelation of truth, so very much!  A message to Laodicea in Christ's day and to Laodicea today.

True character is not shaped from without, and put on; it radiates from within. If we wish to direct others in the path of righteousness, the principles of righteousness must be enshrined in our own hearts. Our profession of faith may proclaim the theory of religion, but it is our practical piety that holds forth the word of truth. The consistent life, the holy conversation, the unswerving integrity, the active, benevolent spirit, the godly example,—these are the mediums through which light is conveyed to the world.... Those who disobey the commandments of God, and teach others to do so, are condemned by Christ. The Saviour’s life of obedience maintained the claims of the law; it proved that the law could be kept in humanity, and showed the excellence of character that obedience would develop. All who obey as He did are likewise declaring that the law is “holy, and just, and good.” Romans 7:12. On the other hand, all who break God’s commandments are sustaining Satan’s claim that the law is unjust, and cannot be obeyed. Thus they second the deceptions of the great adversary, and cast dishonor upon God. They are the children of the wicked one, who was the first rebel against God’s law. To admit them into heaven would again bring in the elements of discord and rebellion, and imperil the well-being of the universe. No man who willfully disregards one principle of the law shall enter the kingdom of heaven.

We see the gospel in clear simple language. The power of God to transform sinners into saints!

The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ’s day was that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness. In all human experience a theoretical knowledge of the truth has been proved to be insufficient for the saving of the soul. It does not bring forth the fruits of righteousness.....The same danger still exists. Many take it for granted that they are Christians, simply because they subscribe to certain theological tenets. But they have not brought the truth into practical life. They have not believed and loved it, therefore they have not received the power and grace that come through sanctification of the truth. Men may profess faith in the truth; but if it does not make them sincere, kind, patient, forbearing, heavenly-minded, it is a curse to its possessors, and through their influence it is a curse to the world.

The righteousness which Christ taught is conformity of heart and life to the revealed will of God. Sinful men can become righteous only as they have faith in God and maintain a vital connection with Him. Then true godliness will elevate the thoughts and ennoble the life. Then the external forms of religion accord with the Christian’s internal purity. Then the ceremonies required in the service of God are not meaningless rites, like those of the hypocritical Pharisees.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Happy Sabbath!

Try to imagine what it would have been like to hear Jesus preach the "Sermon on the Mount" nearly 2,000 years ago. Praise God that it is recorded for our learning and instruction in Matthew 5, 6 and 7 (and you also see elements of it in the book of Luke). What a joy it is to let Christ into the heart so His kingdom begins in the soul!

"Christ's first words to the people on the mount were words of blessing. Happy are they, He said, who recognize their spiritual poverty, and feel their need of redemption. The gospel is to be preached to the poor. Not to the spiritually proud, those who claim to be rich and in need of nothing, is it revealed, but to those who are humble and contrite. One fountain only has been opened for sin, a fountain for the poor in spirit." {The Desire of Ages, page 299, paragraph 4}

As we receive Christ into the soul in complete surrender, truly repenting of our sin, confessing and forsaking it, and abiding in Him, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will flow in our lives as we are empowered to walk in true obedience to all of God's commandments! We need Jesus continually to do any good thing, and with Him all things are possible!

[Beacon]

"The Lord can do nothing toward the recovery of man until, convinced of his own weakness, and stripped of all self-sufficiency, he yields himself to the control of God."

"Then he can receive the gift that God is waiting to bestow."

"From the soul that feels his need, nothing is withheld."

"He has unrestricted access to Him in whom all fullness dwells."

'"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.' Isaiah 57:15."

======================

Let us trust with all our hearts, that what God promises, He will give to us!!
1
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
  Standing on the promises of God.
    Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
  I’m standing on the promises of God.
2
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
  Standing on the promises of God.
3
Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
  Standing on the promises of God.
4
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
  Standing on the promises of God.
5
Standing on the promises I shall not fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call.
Resting in my Savior as my All in all,
  Standing on the promises of God.

Lyrics:Russell Kelso Carter (1849-1928)
Music:Russell Kelso Carter (1849-1928)

[Richard Myers]

Amen my dear brothers!!  God wants the whole heart. If we give Him the whole heart, then His promises are ours!!

The tempter’s agency is not to be accounted an excuse for one wrong act. Satan is jubilant when he hears the professed followers of Christ making excuses for their deformity of character. It is these excuses that lead to sin. There is no excuse for sinning. A holy temper, a Christlike life, is accessible to every repenting, believing child of God. {DA 311.3}
The ideal of Christian character is Christlikeness. As the Son of man was perfect in His life, so His followers are to be perfect in their life. Jesus was in all things made like unto His brethren. He became flesh, even as we are. He was hungry and thirsty and weary. He was sustained by food and refreshed by sleep. He shared the lot of man; yet He was the blameless Son of God. He was God in the flesh. His character is to be ours. The Lord says of those who believe in Him, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16. {DA 311.4}

[Beacon]

"True character is not shaped from without, and put on; it radiates from within."

'"If we wish to direct others in the path of righteousness, the principles of righteousness must be enshrined in our own hearts."

"Our profession of faith may proclaim the theory of religion, but it is our practical piety that holds forth the word of truth."

"The consistent life, the holy conversation, the unswerving integrity, the active, benevolent spirit, the godly example, these are the mediums through which light is conveyed to the world."

"The Saviour’s life of obedience maintained the claims of the law; it proved that the law could be kept in humanity, and showed the excellence of character that obedience would develop.'

'All who obey as He did are likewise declaring that the law is “holy, and just, and good.” Romans 7:12.

On the other hand, all who break God’s commandments are sustaining Satan’s claim that the law is unjust, and cannot be obeyed.

Thus they second the deceptions of the great adversary, and cast dishonor upon God.
 
"No man who willfully disregards one principle of the law shall enter the kingdom of heaven."

These words above show us how serious our day to day life actions are looked upon by those in our home and work environment. What do they "Hear & See " Are they attracted  to Jesus or turned away by "OUR" hypocrisy?? Not only is  "Our Eternal Destiny at stake." but all those within our sphere of influence in the home, at work and even in the church!   

PS - I may be off line for a few days as I switch to Windows 10. 

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon!!!

Where is the great battle of life really fought and won? It is a THOUGHT WAR! And thankfully, Jesus offers us His thoughts, His mind, and His victory over all the deceptive, evil thoughts that come from Satan and what the devil has corrupted through lust--the world and the flesh. Let us yield our WHOLE HEART to Christ and abide in His word, for His word is more powerful than Satan's temptations to think ungodly thoughts. Tempted? Welcome to being human! But being tempted is not a sin--it is what you DO WITH THE THOUGHT that matters. If it contradicts the word of God, resist it as proceeding from Satan, and do not cherish it as your own thought. Choose holy, godly thoughts by filling your mind with the word of God, beholding the loveliness of Jesus, and by beholding, you will become changed! That is why it would be well to spend a thoughtful hour upon the life of Christ, especially the closing scenes of His great sacrifice for us! For when we do behold Christ, our souls will be more deeply filled with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as we surrender unreservedly to God! Let's walk in the thought life of victory that leads to holy motives, deeds and emotions that flow from union and communion with Christ through His living, enduring word!

"The merciful shall find mercy, and the pure in heart shall see God. Every impure thought defiles the soul, impairs the moral sense, and tends to obliterate the impressions of the Holy Spirit. It dims the spiritual vision, so that men cannot behold God. The Lord may and does forgive the repenting sinner; but though forgiven, the soul is marred. All impurity of speech or of thought must be shunned by him who would have clear discernment of spiritual truth." {The Desire of Ages, page 302, paragraph 2}

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). Will you let Christ give you His mind? He yearns to give you His experience of victory over Satan--CONSTANTLY!!

[Dorine]

"All who choose Christ’s kingdom of love and righteousness and peace, making its interest paramount to all other, are linked to the world above, and every blessing needed for this life is theirs. In the book of God’s providence, the volume of life, we are each given a page. That page contains every particular of our history; even the hairs of the head are numbered. God’s children are never absent from His mind." {DA 313.3}

How do I pick just one thought from our reading today. The whole chapter is loaded with God's grace and love. What a God we serve. If only all would accept the blessings of abiding in Christ. Does our life show to others that we have that abiding connection to Christ so that others will be drawn to accept Him as their Lord and Master and friend?

[Richard Myers]

Amen my dear friends!  So much in this chapter!!

And for those also who mourn in trial and sorrow there is comfort. The bitterness of grief and humiliation is better than the indulgences of sin. Through affliction God reveals to us the plague spots in our characters, that by His grace we may overcome our faults. Unknown chapters in regard to ourselves are opened to us, and the test comes, whether we will accept the reproof and the counsel of God.....If we possess the humility of our Master, we shall rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances, to which we are daily exposed, and they will cease to cast a gloom over the spirit. The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control. He who under abuse or cruelty fails to maintain a calm and trustful spirit robs God of His right to reveal in him His own perfection of character. Lowliness of heart is the strength that gives victory to the followers of Christ; it is the token of their connection with the courts above....

 All who long to bear the likeness of the character of God shall be satisfied. The Holy Spirit never leaves unassisted the soul who is looking unto Jesus. He takes of the things of Christ and shows them unto him. If the eye is kept fixed on Christ, the work of the Spirit ceases not until the soul is conformed to His image.....True character is not shaped from without, and put on; it radiates from within. If we wish to direct others in the path of righteousness, the principles of righteousness must be enshrined in our own hearts....The Saviour’s life of obedience maintained the claims of the law; it proved that the law could be kept in humanity, and showed the excellence of character that obedience would develop.....Satan is jubilant when he hears the professed followers of Christ making excuses for their deformity of character. It is these excuses that lead to sin. There is no excuse for sinning. A holy temper, a Christlike life, is accessible to every repenting, believing child of God.....He took our nature and overcame, that we through taking His nature might overcome. Made “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (Romans 8:3), He lived a sinless life. Now by His divinity He lays hold upon the throne of heaven, while by His humanity He reaches us. He bids us by faith in Him attain to the glory of the character of God. Therefore are we to be perfect, even as our “Father which is in heaven is perfect.....”

[Beacon]

'All who long to bear the likeness of the character of God shall be satisfied."

"The Holy Spirit never leaves unassisted the soul who is looking unto Jesus."

"He takes of the things of Christ and shows them unto him."

"If the eye is kept fixed on Christ, the work of the Spirit ceases not until the soul is conformed to His image."

"True character is not shaped from without, and put on; it radiates from within."

"If we wish to direct others in the path of righteousness, the principles of righteousness must be enshrined in our own hearts."

"The Saviour’s life of obedience maintained the claims of the law; it proved that the law could be kept in humanity, and showed the excellence of character that obedience would develop.....Satan is jubilant when he hears the professed followers of Christ making excuses for their deformity of character." "

"It is these excuses that lead to sin. There is no excuse for sinning."

"A holy temper, a Christlike life, is accessible to every repenting, believing child of God>"

"He took our nature and overcame, that we through taking His nature might overcome."

"He lays hold upon the throne of heaven, while by His humanity He reaches us."

"He bids us by faith in Him attain to the glory of the character of God."

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1
Encamped along the hills of light,
  Ye Christian soldiers rise,
And press the battle ere the night
  Shall veil the glowing skies;
Against the foe in vales below
  Let all our strength be hurled;
Faith is the victory, we know,
  That overcomes the world.
    Faith is the victory!
Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory,
  That overcomes the world.
2
His banner over us is love,
  Our sword the Word of God;
We tread the road the saints before
  With shouts of triumph trod.
By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath,
  Swept on o’er every field;
The faith by which they conquered death
  Is still our shining shield.
3
On every hand the foe we find
  Drawn up in dread array;
Let tents of ease be left behind,
  And onward to the fray.
Salvation’s helmet on each head,
  With truth all girt about,
The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread,
  And echo with our shout.
4
To him that overcomes the foe,
  White raiment shall be giv’n;
Before the angels he shall know
  His name confessed in heav’n;
Then onward from the hills of light,
  Our hearts with love aflame,
We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,
  In Jesus’ conqu’ring name.

Lyrics:John Henry Yates (1837-1900)
Music:Ira David Sankey (1840-1908)