Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Ms 198, 1905

Jesus, the Friend of the Tempted

Circa 1905

Previously unpublished.

Not because we first loved Him did Christ love us; but “while we were yet sinners,” He died for us. [Romans 5:8.] He does not treat us according to our desert. Although our sins have merited condemnation He does not condemn us. Year after year He has borne with our weakness and ignorance, with our ingratitude and waywardness. Notwithstanding our wanderings, our hardness of heart, our neglect of His Holy Word, His hand is stretched out still. 20LtMs, Ms 198, 1905, par. 1

Grace is an attribute of God exercised toward undeserving human beings. We did not seek for it, but it was sent in search of us. God rejoices to bestow His grace upon us, not because we are worthy, but because we are so utterly unworthy. Our only claim to His mercy is our great need. 20LtMs, Ms 198, 1905, par. 2

The Lord God through Jesus Christ holds out His hand all the day long in invitation to the sinful and fallen. He will receive all. He welcomes all. It is His glory to pardon the chief of sinners. He will take the prey from the mighty, He will deliver the captive, He will pluck the brand from the burning. He will lower the golden chain of His mercy to the lowest depths of human wretchedness, and lift up the debased soul contaminated with sin. 20LtMs, Ms 198, 1905, par. 3

Every human being is the object of loving interest to Him who gave His life that He might bring men back to God. Souls guilty and helpless, liable to be destroyed by the arts and snares of Satan, are cared for as a shepherd cares for the sheep of his flock. 20LtMs, Ms 198, 1905, par. 4

It was the outcast, the publican and sinner, the despised of the nations, that Christ compelled to come to Him. The one class that He would never countenance was those who stood apart in their self-esteem, and looked down upon others. 20LtMs, Ms 198, 1905, par. 5

“We are saved by hope.” [Romans 8:24.] The fallen must be led to feel that it is not too late for them to be men. Christ honored man with His confidence, and thus placed him on his honor. Even those who had fallen the lowest, He treated with respect. It was a continual pain to Christ to be brought into contact with enmity, depravity, and impurity; but never did He utter one expression to show that His sensibilities were shocked or His refined tastes offended. Whatever the evil habits, the strong prejudices, or the overbearing passions of human beings, He met them all with pitying tenderness. As we partake of His Spirit, we shall regard all men as brethren with similar temptations and trials, often falling and struggling to rise again, battling with discouragements and difficulties, craving sympathy and help. Then we shall meet them in such a way as to encourage them, that they may say with confidence, “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall I shall arise; when I sit in darkness the Lord shall be a light unto me.” [Micah 7:8.] 20LtMs, Ms 198, 1905, par. 6

The world is out of joint. As we look at the picture, the outlook seems discouraging. But Christ greets with hopeful assurance the very men and women that cause us discouragement. In them He sees qualifications that will enable them to take a place in His vineyard. If they will constantly be learners, through His providence, He will make them men and women fitted to do a work that is not beyond their capabilities; through the impartation of His Holy Spirit, He will give them power. 20LtMs, Ms 198, 1905, par. 7

Christ’s heart is cheered by the sight of those who are poor in every sense of the term; cheered by His view of the ill-used ones who are meek; cheered by the seemingly unsatisfied hungering after righteousness, by the inability of many to begin. He welcomes, as it were, the very condition of things that would discourage many ministers. He corrects our erring piety, giving the burden of the work for the poor and needy in the rough places of the earth to men and women who have hearts that can feel for the ignorant and for those that are out of the way. When the Light of the world passes by, privileges appear in all hardships, order in confusion, the success and wisdom of God in that which has seemed to be failure. 20LtMs, Ms 198, 1905, par. 8

It is not the saint but the sinner that needs compassion. The angels have special charge of weak and trembling souls, those who have many defects, many objectionable traits of character. “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.” [Matthew 18:10.] If any injustice is done to them, it is counted as if done to Jesus Himself; for Jesus identifies His interests with that of the souls He has purchased at an infinite cost. 20LtMs, Ms 198, 1905, par. 9

Angels are ever present where they are most needed. They are with those who have the hardest battles to fight, with those who must battle against inclination and hereditary tendencies, whose surroundings are the most discouraging. 20LtMs, Ms 198, 1905, par. 10

Temptations may come to us, but we need not be overcome; for Christ has conquered in our behalf. In His strength we can successfully resist every assault of the enemy. Let us put our whole trust in the One who understands our temptations and trials, the One who alone can master temptation. Many are premature in their efforts; in their own strength they enter the conflict, not realizing that the Captain of their salvation is at work for them, ready to do for them that which they cannot do for themselves. If they would talk with God in prayer, by faith grasping His promises, they would receive strength for the conflict, and need not fight so terrible a battle. 20LtMs, Ms 198, 1905, par. 11

When we believe the promise, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world,” we shall be strong to endure. [Matthew 28:20.] We need a constant sense of the abiding presence of Christ. He is our righteousness. 20LtMs, Ms 198, 1905, par. 12