Rejoicing In The Lord

"Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (1)

"The children of God are called to be representatives of Christ, revealing the goodness and mercy of the Lord. As Jesus has revealed to us the true character of the Father, so we are to reveal Christ to a world that does not know Him, His tender, pitying love. 'As You have sent Me into the world,' said Jesus, 'I also have sent them into the world… I in them and You in Me;.. that the world may know that You have sent Me.' (2) The apostle Paul says to the disciples of Jesus, 'You are an epistle of Christ,.. known and read by all men.' (3) In every one of His children, Jesus sends a letter to the world. If you are Christ's follower, He sends in you a letter to the family, the village, the street, where you live. Jesus, dwelling in you, desires to speak to the hearts of those who are not acquainted with Him. Perhaps they do not read the Bible, or do not hear the voice that speaks to them in its pages; they do not see the love of God through His works. But if you are a true representative of Jesus, it may be that through you they will be led to understand something of His goodness and be won to love and serve Him.

"Christians are set as light bearers on the way to heaven. They are to reflect to the world the light shining upon them from Christ. Their life and character should be such that through them others will get a right conception of Christ and of His service. If we do represent Christ, we shall make His service appear attractive, as it really is. Christians who gather up gloom and sadness to their souls, and murmur and complain, are giving to others a false representation of God and the Christian life. They give the impression that God is not pleased to have His children happy, and in this they bear false witness against our heavenly Father…

"When we seem to doubt God's love and distrust His promises we dishonor Him and grieve His Holy Spirit. How would a mother feel if her children were constantly complaining of her, just as though she did not mean them well., when her whole life's effort had been to forward their interests and to give them comfort? Suppose they should doubt her love; it would break her heart. How would any parent feel to be thus treated by his children? And how can our heavenly Father regard us when we distrust His love, which has led Him to give His only-begotten Son that we might have life? The apostle writes, 'He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?' (4) And yet how many, by their actions, if not in word, are saying, 'The Lord does not mean this for me. Perhaps He loves others, but He does not love me.'

"All this is harming your own soul; for every word of doubt you utter is inviting Satan's temptations; it is strengthening in you the tendency to doubt, and it is grieving from you the ministering angels… All have trials; griefs hard to bear, temptations hard to resist. Do not tell your troubles to your fellow mortals, but carry everything to God in prayer. Make it a rule never to utter one word of doubt or discouragement. You can do much to brighten the life of others and strengthen their efforts, by words of hope and holy cheer…

"Our Saviour was deeply serious and intensely in earnest, but never gloomy or morose. The life of those who imitate Him will be full of earnest purpose; they will have a deep sense of personal responsibility… The religion of Jesus gives peace like a river. It does not quench the light of joy; it does not restrain cheerfulness nor cloud the sunny, smiling face. Christ came not to be ministered to but to minister; and when His love reigns in the heart, we shall follow His example.

"If we keep uppermost in our minds the unkind and unjust acts of others we shall find it impossible to love as Christ has loved us; but if our thoughts dwell on the wondrous love and pity of Christ for us, the same spirit will flow out to others. We should love and respect one another, notwithstanding the faults and imperfections that we cannot help see. Humility and self-distrust should be cultivated, and a patient tenderness with the faults of others. This will kill out all narrowing selfishness and make us large-hearted and generous." (5)

1. Matthew 25:34.
2. John 17:18, 23.
3. 2 Corinthians 3:3, 2.
4. Romans 8:32.
5. Steps to Christ, pp. 81-86.