Being Alive Unto God

[Thompson, Darryl]

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Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for September 11
Visit us at http://www.whiteestate.org
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Being Alive Unto God

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also
before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before
men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Matt.
10:32, 33. 

How is it? Are we confessing Christ in our daily life? Do we confess Him
in our dress, adorning ourselves with plain and modest apparel? Is our
adorning that of the meek and quiet spirit which is of so great price in
the sight of God? Are we seeking to advance the cause of the Master? Is
the line of demarcation between you and the world distinct, or are you
seeking to follow the fashions of this degenerate age? Is there no
difference between you and the worldling? Does the same spirit work in
you that works in the children of disobedience?

If we are Christians, we shall follow Christ, even though the path in
which we are to walk cuts right across our natural inclinations. There
is no use in telling you that you must not wear this or that, for if the
love of these vain things is in your heart, your laying off your
adornments will only be like cutting the foliage off a tree. The
inclinations of the natural heart would again assert themselves. You
must have a conscience of your own.

O, did we remember that Christ became poor, that we through His poverty
might become rich, would we not seek to honor His name, and advance His
cause? We are to abide in Him as the branch abides in the vine. Jesus
says, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I
in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do
nothing. . . . Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit;
so shall ye be my disciples" (John 15:5-8).

If we fulfilled this command of our Lord, there would be a different
state of affairs in our churches, and we should know what it is to have
the deep movings of the Spirit of God. What we want is to have the ax
laid at the root of the tree. We want to be dead to the world, dead to
self, and alive unto God. Our life must be his with Christ in God, that
when He shall appear, we also may appear with Him in glory. We need to
come close to Christ, that men may know that we have been with Christ
and learned of Him. . . . Keep your eye fixed upon Christ. With humility
of mind seek for a nearness to God. In words, in conduct, in life,
confess Christ.

>From Devotional: Our Father Cares, pp. 233, 234.