"It is those who have been tempted and whose hope was well-nigh gone, but who were saved by hearing a message of love, uncoated by rebuke, who can best understand the science of soul-saving. Under the influence of their ministry, many prodigals will return to the Father, to present themselves before Him in contrition and penitence."
The Lord desires to raise fallen human beings to the divine ideal. This is His purpose in the plan of salvation. To raise you to this ideal is His one object in all His dealing with you. To achieve this object, He gave His life on the cross of Calvary. His Spirit strives with you, seeking to exalt you to the height that His sacrifice has made it possible for you to reach. He has given you the talent of influence, and He desires to place you where you can co-operate with Him, persuading those in darkness to become children of light, to forsake the corruption of the world for the holiness of God’s kingdom. As you obey the word of God to you, you are doing that which will be a safeguard to your soul, and you are qualifying yourself to accomplish a good and grand work. You have been tempted, and you can tell those in temptation how you were helped and strengthened by the power of God. You can assure them that in innocence alone is found the truest happiness and the greatest blessing. {Lt 178, 1902, par. 25}
You understand the reasons of our faith. Try in every way to win souls to Christ. Satan’s influence is felt on every hand. He works untiringly to confuse the mind and to draw men and women down to a low level, blunting the sensibilities, degrading the desires, enfeebling the conscience, and destroying the spiritual and moral powers. {Lt 178, 1902, par. 26}
Lift up your eyes and look on the fields. They are white, ready for the harvest. What a work you could do by becoming acquainted with the students of the colleges in and around Nashville and helping them to see what is truth. Your acquaintance with the Scriptures will help you to do this work. By kind, courteous words and deeds, win your way to their hearts. Repeat to them the invitation of mercy and the sweet promises of God which offer forgiveness of sin and a kindly welcome to His love. As you work thus, the hearts of many will be moved. And never forget that a lordly manner and severe reproof have lost many a soul to Christ. {Lt 178, 1902, par. 27}
There are many souls in perplexity, weighed down by a load of guilt. They want to be delivered from temptation. They have wandered from the springs of true happiness, and have poisoned their lives by drinking of the murky waters of transgression. They need the help of a friendly, out-stretched hand. Teach them how to reach upward, how to live so that they will gain the respect of their fellow men. Although the will has been depraved and weakened, there is hope for them in Christ. He will awaken in their hearts higher impulses and holier desires. They need words of encouragement that they may lay hold of the hope set before them in the gospel. {Lt 178, 1902, par. 28}
You feel suspicion and distrust very keenly. But you are easily influenced for the right by endearing sympathy and needed help. Your experience will be of great value to you as you work for the salvation of souls. And you will have a divine Helper close beside you. Speak words that are free from the bitterness of rebuke. Remember that often the last thread of hope has been severed by blame and condemnation. Hold out to the downcast the promises of God’s Word. They will be to them as the leaves of the tree of life. Patiently continue your efforts, until with grateful joy the trembling hand grasps the hope of redemption through Christ. {Lt 178, 1902, par. 29}
It is those who have been tempted and whose hope was well-nigh gone, but who were saved by hearing a message of love, uncoated by rebuke, who can best understand the science of soul-saving. Under the influence of their ministry, many prodigals will return to the Father, to present themselves before Him in contrition and penitence. {Lt 178, 1902, par. 30}
He who has been brought back to the fold, whose heart is filled with love for Christ, has learned how to work for souls. He can point sinners to the Lamb of God. The acceptance of the offer of pardon has gained for him admission into the royal family. He has been accepted in the Beloved. He has given himself without reserve to God. The hand that in his weakness he held out for help has been grasped. Step by step, he follows in the path of self-denial, becoming a partaker of the divine nature. If he follows on to know the Lord, he will be changed into the same image from glory to glory. {Lt 178, 1902, par. 31}
In this world, in the power of the Redeemer, we may be holy. We may reveal the vigor of spiritual life. As we press heavenward, ever beholding Christ, we are changed into His likeness through the impartation of divine grace. God is able to give us grace for grace, reproducing in us the image of truth, of which Christ is the original. {Lt 178, 1902, par. 32}
My brother, do not be discouraged, for the Lord has hold of your hand, and He will hold it fast. {Lt 178, 1902, par. 33}