Pacific Union Recorder
June 2, 1904
A Closer Acquaintance with Christ
O, how much we need a closer acquaintance with the Lord Jesus. We need to enter into His will and carry out His purposes, saying with the whole heart, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” O, I long to see our churches in a condition different from the condition in which they are now,—grieving the Holy Spirit day by day with their lukewarm religious life, a life that is neither cold nor hot. Christ says: “I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My mouth.” PUR June 2, 1904, par. 1
How greatly Christ would be honored and glorified before the world if His followers were what they claim to be,—true Christians, the love of Christ constraining them to make Him known, their lives dedicated to unselfish service. PUR June 2, 1904, par. 2
I see such loftiness of spirit in those who profess to believe in Christ! I am pained, deeply pained, night and day, to see them more like worldlings than like Christ in character and practise. God expects to receive from all who believe in Him the service of a heart filled with love. PUR June 2, 1904, par. 3
Christ has revealed Himself as a wise, patient long-suffering helper, full of divine pity. Be assured that He will not break the bruised reed. He will tenderly lead your steps in safe paths, guiding you into all truth. He will gladden the hearts of all who will give themselves without reserve to His guidance. He will impart to them gracious instruction. PUR June 2, 1904, par. 4
O, how I long to speak these words to those who are not so lofty in their own ideas that they have lost all desire for the precious grace of Christ's love. This is the instruction we so much need, that we may impart it to worn, weary souls. You and I must be where we can feed the souls who are longing to hear words of light and life. We shall feel heartsore and sad as we see so many who might be earnest, successful workers, unwilling to do what it is their privilege to do. Nevertheless, we are to tell others of the love of Christ, refusing to fail or become discouraged. Eternity, eternity is before us. There is eternal life for us to gain. In no case must we lose an opportunity to sow the seeds of truth. Christ, the Majesty of heaven, clothed His divinity with humanity, and came to this world to stand at the head of the human race, that He might give men and women grace to overcome as He overcame. The promise is, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” PUR June 2, 1904, par. 5
“The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” PUR June 2, 1904, par. 6
Think of the glory awaiting those who overcome. They will see the face of Him in whose presence there is “fulness of joy” and at whose right hand there are “pleasures forevermore.” PUR June 2, 1904, par. 7
“He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him; and they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light; and they shall reign forever and ever.” PUR June 2, 1904, par. 8
Ellen G. White