27/11/2023
LIVING WHAT WE SPEAK
Gifts for God's People
November 28
"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:18).
We need to offer praise and thanksgiving to God, not only in the congregation, but in the home life. Let the voices of His heritage be heard recounting the works of the Lord. Speak of His goodness, tell of His power. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And there is none upon the earth that I desire but Thee. We need more songs of praise and less murmuring and complaining.[67]
God requires heart service. A service of form, lip service, is wholly inefficient in the work of converting souls to God. A service that comes not from the heart is as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. The heart must be stirred with the cooperative energy of the Holy Spirit.[68]
Human wisdom, familiarity with the languages of different nations, is a help in the missionary work. An understanding of the customs of the people, of the location and time of events, is practical knowledge; for it aids in making the figures of the Bible clear, in bringing out the force of Christ's lessons; but it is not positively necessary to know these things. The wayfaring man may find the pathway cast up for the ransomed to walk in, and there will be no excuse found for anyone who perishes through misapprehension of the Scriptures. In the Bible every vital principle is declared, every duty made plain, every obligation made evident.[69]
The requirements of God are plainly set before us in His Word, and there are also presented before us great and precious promises. The question to be settled is, "Are we willing to separate ourselves from the world, that we may become children of God?" This is not the work of a moment, or of a day; it is not accomplished by bowing at the family altar, and there offering up lip service. It cannot be accomplished by merely uniting in the services of the prayer meeting. It is a lifelong work. Love to God must be a living principle, underlying every act and word and thought.[70]
Talk is cheap stuff; it does not cost much. Works, fruits, will determine the character of the tree. What fruits have you borne?[71]
