The Signs of the Times
April 25, 1900
“Changed Into the Same Image”
The Lord would have His chosen workers like their Pattern, who came to reveal God by living His law. Those who bear the vessels of the Lord are to be clean, their characters untainted, their influence uncorrupted, their names registered in the Lamb's book of life, men and women who are recognized in the heavenly courts as laborers together with God. The apostle Paul exhorts us: “Do all things without murmurings and disputings; that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the Word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.” Unless those who believe the truth realize their obligations as followers of Christ, unless they understand the high principles which should be brought into their work, their light will not shine amid the moral darkness of the world. The true Christian will do all in his power to rise to the highest achievements. He will live in unity with his fellow-men, and will be a convincing argument to the world in favor of the grace of Christ. ST April 25, 1900, par. 1
The Saviour says, “He that will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” He who will commence at the lowest round of the ladder and ascend, keeping heaven always in view, will become rich in heavenly treasure, God's Word is to him a mine of wealth. By bringing earnestness and self-denial into his ministry, he is making provision for an eternal reward. Those who follow Christ in self-denial will bear the fruit the Saviour bore, and even when their life shall close, the seed scattered by the trees of the Lord's planting will be multiplied to the praise and glory of His name. Men and women who will live the faith in its purity, and consecrate their powers to the development of Christian character, will be a power for good; for the true goodness of unselfish deeds will shine out in their lives. ST April 25, 1900, par. 2
“Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” God calls upon those who have talents to act their part in preparing a people to stand in the great day of the Lord. His workers are to be clad in all the armor of God. To be converted one day under the Holy Spirit's working is not enough. Let the Spirit of God cleanse the soul temple day by day. Let Jesus in. He invites you to receive Him. Covetousness and the other evils that dominate your lives are not such precious traits that you should be unwilling to part with them. I know that we have not risen to the height of our possibilities; for self is cherished as tho it were pure, untarnished gold. There are heights which we have not reached,—heights which, if we do not reach, we shall be “found wanting.” ST April 25, 1900, par. 3
Let us pray more, and eat the words of life. Unless there is a deeper work of grace in mind and heart, unless we reveal true Christian charity, we can never see the face of God. Deny self, and take upon you Christ's yoke. Then the Lord will greatly bless you. The judgments of God are in the land. He is sending them upon men by land and by sea. While time still lasts, cease from cherishing pride and self-indulgence. Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Humble the heart before God, and pray that He will reveal Himself. ST April 25, 1900, par. 4
Through His inspired apostle, Christ has shown us what the character will be when imbued with the love of Christ. “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” This example is given us that we may know the heights we may reach in and through Christ. The standard He presents is perfection, and through His merits we may attain to this. We come short because we are content to look at earthly things rather than at heavenly. ST April 25, 1900, par. 5
What others may do, what others may say, what others may think of you, will not change God's thoughts toward you. He that doeth righteousness is righteous, and the opinion of men will not change His character. You have a heaven to win. Christ gave His own life that you might obtain the peace and rest and love of God. Keep looking to Jesus, who loves you, and whom you are to love. Invite the heavenly Guest to abide with you. ST April 25, 1900, par. 6
We have no excuse for remaining in spiritual weakness and poverty. God's Word declares: “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue; whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” Every provision has been made, and it rests wholly with us whether we will believe the words of God. ST April 25, 1900, par. 7
We must have a knowledge of God by living experience. If we follow on to know the Lord, we shall know that His goings forth are prepared as the morning. Christ calls upon us to be filled with all the fulness of God. Then we can truly represent the perfection of the Christian religion. “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him,” the Saviour declares, “shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” Christ wants us to be co-laborers with Him. When we are emptied of self, He will give us His grace to impart to others. The two olive branches, which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves, will surely supply the cleansed vessels with light and comfort and hope and love for those who are in need. We must render God more than fitful service. But we can do this only by learning of Jesus, cherishing His meekness and lowliness of heart. Let us hide ourselves in God. Let us have confidence in Him. Let us abide in Christ. Then we all “with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory,”—from character to character. God does not expect impossibilities from you or me. Beholding Him, we may be changed into His image. ST April 25, 1900, par. 8
Let the spirit be cleansed from all earthliness, all unholy, uncharitable thoughts. Let the words be clean, sanctified, vivifying, and refreshing to all. Be not easily provoked. Let the praise of God be in your hearts and upon your lips, that no evil thing may truthfully be said of you. God says you may govern yourself. He has provided the aid of the Holy Spirit, that you may put on Christ, and build up a pure, beautiful structure, in which God can delight. Sit in serious, earnest judgment on your defects. Look to Jesus. He gave His life a sacrifice for your sins, that He might present you pure and spotless before the heavenly universe. “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name; which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, ... full of grace and truth.... And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.” ST April 25, 1900, par. 9
Mrs. E. G. White