Living In The Light

September 9, A Link In the Chain

He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
—1 John 2:6 LL 267.1

Jesus did not consider heaven a place to be desired while we were lost. He left the heavenly courts for a life of reproach and insult, and a death of shame. He who was rich in heaven’s priceless treasure became poor, that through His poverty we might be rich. We are to follow in the path He trod. LL 267.2

He who becomes a child of God should henceforth look upon himself as a link in the chain let down to save the world, one with Christ in His plan of mercy, going forth with Him to seek and save the lost. LL 267.3

Many feel that it would be a great privilege to visit the scenes of Christ’s life on earth, to walk where He trod, to look upon the lake beside which He loved to teach, and the hills and valleys on which His eyes so often rested. But we need not go to Nazareth, to Capernaum, or to Bethany, in order to walk in the steps of Jesus. We shall find His footprints beside the sickbed, in the hovels of poverty, in the crowded alleys of the great cities, and in every place where there are human hearts in need of consolation. LL 267.4

We are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort the suffering and afflicted. We are to minister to the despairing, and to inspire hope in the hopeless. LL 267.5

The love of Christ, manifested in unselfish ministry, will be more effective in reforming the evildoer than will the sword or the court ofjustice. These are necessary to strike terror to the lawbreaker, but the loving missionary can do more than this. Often the heart that hardens under reproof will melt under the love of Christ. LL 267.6

The missionary can not only relieve physical maladies, but he can lead the sinner to the Great Physician, who can cleanse the soul from the leprosy of sin. Through His servants, God designs that the sick, the unfortunate, and those possessed of evil spirits shall hear His voice. Through His human agencies He desires to be a comforter such as the world knows not. LL 267.7

The Savior has given His precious life in order to establish a church capable of ministering to the suffering, the sorrowful, and the tempted.— The Ministry of Healing , pp. 105, 106. LL 267.8

Further Reflection: : Every time you do an act of service, you walk in the steps of Jesus. LL 267.9