A Character the World Will Recognize

[Thompson, Darryl]

-----------------------------------------------------------
Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for December 9
Visit us at http://www.whiteestate.org
-----------------------------------------------------------

A Character the World Will Recognize

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke,
in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as
lights in the world. Phil. 2:15. 


It is God's purpose to manifest through His people the principles of His
kingdom. That in life and character they may reveal these principles, He
desires to separate them from the customs, habits, and practices of the
world. . . . By beholding the goodness, the mercy, the justice, and the
love of God revealed in His church, the world is to have a
representation of His character. And when the law of God is thus
exemplified in the life, even the world will recognize the superiority
of those who love and fear and serve God above every other people in the
world.

Seventh-day Adventists, above all people, should be patterns of piety,
holy in heart and in conversation. To them have been entrusted the most
solemn truths ever committed to mortals. Every endowment of grace and
power and efficiency has been liberally provided. They look for the near
return of Christ in the clouds of heaven. For them to give to the world
the impression that their faith is not a dominating power in their lives
is greatly to dishonor God.

Because of the increasing power of Satan's temptations, the times in
which we live are full of peril for the children of God, and we need to
learn constantly of the Great Teacher, that we may take every step in
surety and righteousness. Wonderful scenes are opening before us; and at
this time a living testimony is to be borne in the lives of God's
professed people, so that the world may see that in this age, when evil
reigns on every side, there is yet a people who are laying aside their
will and are seeking to do God's will-a people in whose hearts and lives
God's law is written. . . . 

Their thoughts are to be pure, their words noble and uplifting. The
religion of Christ is to be interwoven with all that they do and say.
They are to be a sanctified, purified, holy people, communicating light
to all with whom they come in contact. It is His purpose that by
exemplifying the truth in their lives, they shall be a praise in the
earth. The grace of Christ is sufficient to bring this about.

>From Devotional: Our Father Cares, pp. 322, 323.