Bible Training School
October 1, 1910
The Secret of the Christian Character
Just in proportion as we empty the soul temple of self-sufficiency, self-dependence, and self-exaltation, will we realize the work that needs to be done to purify the soul, body, and spirit before we can be filled with all the fulness of God. When this work is done the power of God will be revealed, and the truth will be a mighty power in enlightening the mind, sanctifying the soul and spirit. Then genuine conversions will be made to Bible truth. BTS October 1, 1910, par. 1
Who is willing to lay his finger upon his cherished idols of sin, and allow Christ to purify the temple by casting out the buyers and sellers? Who is prepared to allow Jesus to enter the soul and cleanse it from everything that tarnishes or corrupts? The standard is, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” God calls upon men and women to empty their hearts of self. Then His Spirit can find an unobstructed entrance. Stop trying to do the work yourself. Ask God to work in and through you until the words of the apostle become yours: “I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” BTS October 1, 1910, par. 2
The whole being must hunger and thirst after righteousness. The soul's desire must be drawn to God, to be in perfect conformity to His will. Then the cold, hard heart will be melted away by the grace and love of God, which will appear in power. God will be glorified through the human instrumentalities. Self is the great hindrance to this work. BTS October 1, 1910, par. 3
Just as soon as the men in positions of trust realize their inability to do God's work, and submit to God's wisdom, the Lord can work with them. He will supply all our necessities if we will empty the soul of self. And when God works, give His name the glory. Do not receive praise from men. When self is abased God can work. Israel exalted herself, and the Lord abased her. BTS October 1, 1910, par. 4
“From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not; ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain; ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.... Do ye think that the Scriptures sayeth in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But He giveth more grace. Wherefore, He sayeth, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded; be afflicted, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” BTS October 1, 1910, par. 5
“If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. But the fruits of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” These lessons every church member should learn. There is need of close self-examination in the light of the word of God, that we may do the work essential to be done. BTS October 1, 1910, par. 6