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The Youth’s Instructor

137/477

July 12, 1894

Christ Our Righteousness

EGW

Our claim to Christ's righteousness is without a flaw, if we meet the conditions upon which it is promised. God has bestowed upon us all heaven in one rich gift, and whatever that gift includes is ours, if we accept Christ as our personal Saviour. Plead the name of Jesus, not your own righteousness, and please your Saviour by leading a blameless life. Speak of Jesus, educate the tongue to speak of his mercy, to tell of his power, showing forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. You are the property of Christ, both by creation and redemption, and the glory of God is involved in our individual success. Christ is our Advocate, and he has undertaken to plead our case in the courts of heaven. YI July 12, 1894, par. 1

Christian youth, you are a spectacle unto the world, to angels, and to men. Be brave in God. Put on the whole armor of God, and let unbelievers about you see that your life is not spoiled because you stand loyal and true to all the commandments of God. You can be, and God requires you to be, a decided witness for him. You may be more than conqueror through the grace of Jesus Christ. Use your influence for Christ, and do not work at all on Satan's side of the question. Probationary time is precious. Make the most of the golden moments, putting to use the talents God has given you, that you may accumulate something for the Master, and be a blessing to all around you. Let the heavenly angels look down with joy upon you, because you are loyal and true to Jesus Christ. YI July 12, 1894, par. 2

You have, as individuals, souls to save or to lose, and although Noah, Job, and Daniel were in the land, they could save but their own souls through their righteousness. If the youth consider this, it will help them to realize that they must be in earnest to apply their mind and all their powers, day by day, to secure profitable results. The worshipers of the world make mammon their God, and everything else is subordinate to this worship. Should not Christians keep in subordination the love of pleasure, the love of everything that is contrary to the interests of Jesus Christ? Precious time has not been given to be wasted on things that are less than nothing and vanity. In spending our time on foolish amusements, we are cheating ourselves out of present peace in this life, and eternal happiness in the life to come. YI July 12, 1894, par. 3

Satan is seeking to imbue every soul that is not connected with Jesus Christ by his own spirit, and every soul who refuses to connect with Jesus Christ will be brought into connection with the enemy of Christ. There are threads of influence leading out from these souls to bind and draw other souls by human influence until they shall be placed under the control of Satan, and their feet be led into false paths. The youth will be tempted to choose their own way, and to have their own will, while disregarding the will of God. But every heart is drawn of Jesus Christ. As the youth study the Scriptures, the Spirit of God takes the things of God, and impresses them upon the soul. The golden threads that extend from those who make God their strength, will fasten through the threads of influence to other souls, and draw them to Christ. This is the work to be done by every soul who places upon the foundation stone precious material; for they cooperate with Jesus Christ, and work in his lines. YI July 12, 1894, par. 4

Let nothing draw you away from the work of character-building; but do your work for time and for eternity. You may cooperate with God in saving the souls of others. Live lives of consistency, and fashion your character after the divine Pattern. If you live carelessly, and do not watch unto prayer, you will surely fall a prey to the enemy, and will yield to the enticements of sin, and thus you will lay upon the foundation stone wood, hay, and stubble, which will be consumed in the last day. But if you preserve a living connection with God, you may be an instrument in the hands of God for the saving of your friends and associates. To be a laborer together with God means a great deal. It means to have the life of Christ repeated in the life of the human agent, in activity, in faithfulness, in diligence in serving the Lord. Snares and perils will beset the soul, but if the Spirit and life of Christ is in the soul, it will be made manifest in words and character. “Ye are not your own, ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” YI July 12, 1894, par. 5

Mrs. E. G. White