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A Submissive Will, April 9
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it
be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
John 7:17
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Those who have yielded their will to God are trained in Christ’s
school.... They are disciplined to habits of obedience, to do service
to God. We are not creatures devoid of moral nature. The gospel does
not address the understanding alone. If it did, we might approach it as
we approach the study of a book dealing with mathematical formulas,
which relate to the intellect alone.... Its aim is the heart. It addresses our
moral nature, and takes possession of the will. It casts down imaginations,
and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and
brings into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
It is the wayward heart that has dragged down the faculties of the soul.
All who would learn the science of salvation must be submissive students
in the school of Christ, that the soul temple may be the abiding place of
the most High. If we would learn of Christ, the soul must be emptied of
all its proud possessions, that Christ may imprint His image on the soul....
Then we shall have such a view of Christ’s infinite sacrifice in our
behalf that the soul will be softened and humbled and made full of thanks-
giving to God. An intense desire will be begotten by the Holy Spirit for a
favorable opportunity to witness for Christ and to express gratitude and
devotion to Him who has redeemed us. Loyalty and love will be seen in
all the service. A burning desire to be like Christ will keep the soul tender,
leading it to give vent to grateful emotion, and in the sight of heaven to
offer thanks to God for His goodness, His love, and His compassion. Such
have a grace that cannot be repressed into a tame, everyday evenness of
assenting to truth, while the heart is not affected.
Oh, how much more safe it is to agonize to enter into the strait gate!
It is only at the altar of God that human beings can receive the celestial
torch.
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