Living In The Light

April 10, Friend Of Sinners

“This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”
—Luke 15:2 LL 109.1

Many of those who feel that they have much polish because of their education or advantages in society, do not make it manifest in a way that would commend it to the true Christian. Too often they manifest an unchristlike spirit toward those whom they do not regard as their equals. They are proud, prejudiced, cold, and full of Pharisaical spirit that has not the slightest resemblance to the love of Christ. They show an interest in those of “our set,” but others have no part in their interest and affection. They have a theory of what the standard should be, but it is false, and leads away from the simplicity of the gospel, from the meekness and lowliness of Christ. If the persons with whom they are brought in contact meet their standard, they will be courteous to them; but if they do not, they treat them with indifference or contempt. In their narrowness they chill and kill the life of true godliness from the soul. They are self-righteous, self-centered, too tenacious of their own ideas to learn anything from others. LL 109.2

The religion of Christ is not after this bigoted order. The Prince of glory left His exalted throne that He might become the friend of sinners. He died for the salvation of the world, and if we would be His followers, we must labor for the same end as did the Master. Whoever will be a worker with Christ in the broad field to which He has called His followers, must learn of Him how to present the truth in an attractive light, and in a manner that will meet the people where they are. The believers in Christ will manifest the characteristics of Christ, and by their fruits they are known to be the children of God. LL 109.3

The work we have to do calls for consecrated energy. It demands the whole heart, the faculties of the mind, and the physical powers. The truth of God must be presented with soul fervor. Not much can be accomplished without it. Let enthusiasm be kindled in the church, and let her God-given powers be roused to activity. But a small proportion of her intellect or wealth is enlisted in active effort for the glory of God. There is enough to do in places where the truth has not been preached. As you look at the cross of Calvary, work, O, work with burning enthusiasm.— Review and Herald, June 14, 1892. LL 109.4

Further Reflection: How can the truth be made more attractive to the lost? What role might the Holy Spirit play in the direction of such efforts and how they are received? LL 109.5