Living In The Light

March 7, The Garden Of The Heart

‘The Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love
the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.”
—Deuteronomy 30:6 LL 74.1

We must never forget how hard it is to remove long-cherished errors from the minds of people, which have been taught from childhood. We must bear in mind that earth is not heaven, and that there will be discouragements to meet and to overcome, but forbearance and tenderness and pity should be exercised toward all who are in darkness. If we bring them to see the light, it will not be solely by arguments, it must be by the work of the grace of Christ on your own hearts, revealed in your own characters with firmness, yet with the meekness and simplicity of Christ. Through much prayer you must labor for souls, for this is the only method by which you can reach hearts. It is not your work, but the work of Christ who is by your side, that impresses hearts. . . . LL 74.2

Be determined that you will not be at variance among yourselves but will have the peace of Christ in your own hearts, and then it will be an easy work to have it brought into your own families. But when the garden of the heart is neglected, poisonous weeds of pride, self-esteem, self-sufficiency, obtain a rank growth. We individually must watch unto prayer. LL 74.3

The characters we form will speak in the home life. If there is sweet accord in the home circle, the angels of God may minister in the home. If there is wise management at home, kindness, meekness, forbearance, combined with firm principles, then be assured that the husband is a house band; he binds the family together with holy cords and presents them to God, binding himself with them upon the altar of God. What a light shines forth from such a family! LL 74.4

That family, properly conducted, is a favorable argument to the truth, and the head of such a family will carry out the very same kind of work in the church as is revealed in the family. Wherever severity, harshness, and want of affection and love are exhibited in the sacred circle of the home, there will most assuredly be a failure in the plans and management in the church. Unity in the home, unity in the church, reveals Christ’s manner and grace more than sermons and arguments.— Evangelism, pp 341, 342. LL 74.5

Further Reflection: Notice Ellen White’s observation that arguments will not be enough to lead the lost to truth. How can families cooperate with God to share truth? LL 74.6