Living In The Light

January 15, A Revival Of Benevolent Love

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us,
an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
—Ephesians 5:2 LL 21.1

The love expressed on Calvary should be revived, strengthened, and diffused among our churches. Shall we not do all we can to give power to the principles which Christ brought to this world? Shall we not strive to establish and give efficiency to the benevolent enterprises which are now called for without delay? Christ’s believing people are to perpetuate His love. This love is to draw them together round the cross. It is to divest them of all selfishness and bind them to God and to one another. LL 21.2

Meet around the cross of Calvary in self-sacrifice and self-denial. As you stand before the cross, and see the royal Prince of heaven dying for you, can you seal your heart, saying, “No; I have nothing to give?” God will bless you as you do your best. As you approach the throne of grace, as you find yourself bound to this throne by the golden chain let down from heaven to earth to draw men and women from the pit of sin, your heart will go out in love for your brethren and sisters who are without God and without hope in the world. LL 21.3

God help us to feel that now, just now is our time and opportunity to work for the Master. As we see the love that has been shown for us, shall not our love be awakened and enlarged, so that nothing will seem too much for us to do for God? Let us do something and do it now. Let us arouse from our apathy, and, catching the inspiration of God’s love, work as never before for the Master. Let everyone now do their duty, laboring actively with Jesus Christ. A life beautified with holiness is not a life of idle contemplation, but a life filled up with earnest work for the Master, whose light shineth more and more unto the perfect day. As Seventh-day Adventists, we have a work to do in witnessing for Christ. If indeed the Lord is coming, it is time to sell what we have and give alms. It is time to put out your money to the exchangers, time to place every dollar you can spare into the treasury of the Lord, that institutions may be erected for the education of workers, who shall be instructed as were those who attended the school of the prophets. If the Lord comes and finds you doing this kind of work. He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”— The Second Tithe, p. 9. LL 21.4

Further Reflection: In what area of your life can you give more to help the lost or those in need? Why not ask God now to show you how to do more for Him? LL 21.5