Chapter 140—Influence
The life of Christ was an ever-widening, shoreless influence,
an influence that bound Him to God and to whole human family.
Through Christ, God has invested man with an influence that makes it
impossible for him to live to himself. Individually we are connected
with our fellow men, a part of God’s great whole, and we stand
under mutual obligations. No man can be independent of his fellow
men; for the well-being of each affects others. It is God’s purpose
that each shall feel himself necessary to others’ welfare, and seek to
promote their happiness.
Every soul is surrounded by an atmosphere of its own,—an
atmosphere, it may be, charged with the lifegiving power of faith,
courage, and hope, and sweet with the fragrance of love. Or it may
be heavy and chill with the gloom of discontent and selfishness, or
poisonous with the deadly taint of cherished sin. By the atmosphere
surrounding us, every person with whom we come in contact is
consciously or unconsciously affected.
Our Responsibility
This is a responsibility from which we cannot free ourselves. Our
words, our acts, our dress, our deportment, even the expression of
the countenance, has an influence. Upon the impression thus made
there hang results for good or evil which no man can measure. Every
impulse thus imparted is seed sown which will produce its harvest. [418]
It is a link in the long chain of human events, extending we know
not whither. If by our example we aid others in the development
of good principles, we give them power to do good. In their turn
they exert the same influence upon others, and they upon still others.
Thus by our unconscious influence thousands may be blessed.
Throw a pebble into the lake, and a wave is formed; and another
and another; and as they increase, the circle widens, until it reaches
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the very shore. So with our influence. Beyond our knowledge or
control it tells upon others in blessing or in cursing.
Character is power. The silent witness of a true, unselfish, godly
life carries an almost irresistible influence. By revealing in our own
life the character of Christ, we co-operate with Him in the work of
saving souls. It is only by revealing in our life His character that we
can co-operate with Him.
And the wider the sphere of our influence, the more good we may
do. When those who profess to serve God follow Christ’s example,
practicing the principles of the law in their daily life; when every act
bears witness that they love God supremely and their neighbor as
themselves, then will the church have power to move the world.—
[419] Christ’s Object Lessons, 339, 340.
Chapter 141—The Choice of Companions
We should choose the society most favorable to our spiritual
advancement, and avail ourselves of every help within our reach;
for Satan will oppose many hindrances to make our progress toward
heaven as difficult as possible. We may be placed in trying positions,
for many cannot have their surroundings what they would; but we
should not voluntarily expose ourselves to influences that are unfavorable
to the formation of Christian character. When duty calls us
to do this, we should be doubly watchful and prayerful, that, through
the grace of Christ, we may stand uncorrupted.
Lot chose Sodom as a place of residence because he looked
more to the temporal advantages he would gain than to the moral
influences that would surround himself and his family. What did he
gain so far as the things of this world are concerned? His possessions
were destroyed, part of his children perished in the destruction of
that wicked city, his wife was turned to a pillar of salt by the way,
and he himself was saved “so as by fire.” Nor did the evil results
of his selfish choice end here; but the moral corruption of the place
was so interwoven with the character of his children that they could
not distinguish between good and evil, sin and righteousness.—The
Signs of the Times, May 29, 1884. [420]
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Chapter 142—The Golden Rule
In your association with others, put yourself in their place. Enter
into their feelings, their difficulties, their disappointments, their joys,
and their sorrows. Identify yourself with them, and then do to them
as, were you to exchange places with them, you would wish them
to deal with you. This is the true rule of honesty. It is another
expression of the law, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” And
it is the substance of the teaching of the prophets. It is a principle
of heaven, and will be developed in all who are fitted for its holy
companionship.
The golden rule is the principle of true courtesy, and its truest
illustration is seen in the life and character of Jesus. Oh, what rays
of softness and beauty shone forth in the daily life of our Saviour!
What sweetness flowed from His very presence! The same spirit will
be revealed in His children. Those with whom Christ dwells will be
surrounded with a divine atmosphere. Their white robes of purity
will be fragrant with perfume from the garden of the Lord. Their
faces will reflect light from His, brightening the path for stumbling
and weary feet.
No man who has the true ideal of what constitutes a perfect
character will fail to manifest the sympathy and tenderness of Christ.
The influence of grace is to soften the heart, to refine and purify the
feelings, giving a heaven-born delicacy and sense of propriety.—
[421] Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 134, 135.
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Chapter 143—True Refinement
The Lord Jesus demands our acknowledgment of the rights of
every man. Men’s social rights and their rights as Christians are to
be taken into consideration. All are to be treated with refinement
and delicacy as the sons and daughters of God.
Christianity will make a man a gentleman. Christ was courteous,
even to His persecutors; and His true followers will manifest the
same spirit. Look at Paul when brought before rulers. His speech before
Agrippa is an illustration of true courtesy as well as persuasive
eloquence. The gospel does not encourage the formal politeness current
with the world, but the courtesy that springs from real kindness
of heart.
The most careful cultivation of the outward proprieties of life
is not sufficient to shut out all fretfulness, harsh judgment, and
unbecoming speech. True refinement will never be revealed so long
as self is considered as the supreme object. Love must dwell in
the heart. A thoroughgoing Christian draws his motives of action
from his deep heart-love for his Master. Up through the roots of
his affection for Christ springs an unselfish interest in his brethren.
Love imparts to its possessor grace, propriety, and comeliness of
deportment. It illuminates the countenance and subdues the voice;
it refines and elevates the whole being.—The Ministry of Healing,
489, 490. [422]
True Courtesy Needed
There is the greatest necessity that men and women who have
a knowledge of the will of God should learn to become successful
workers in His cause. They should be persons of polish, of understanding,
not having the deceptive outside gloss and simpering
affectation of the worldling, but that refinement and true courteousness
which savors of heaven, and which every Christian will have
if he is a partaker of the divine nature. The lack of true dignity and
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Christian refinement in the ranks of Sabbath-keepers is against us
as a people, and makes the truth which we profess unsavory. The
work of educating the mind and manners may be carried forward to
perfection. If those who profess the truth do not now improve their
privileges and opportunities to grow up to the full stature of men and
women in Christ Jesus, they will be no honor to the cause of truth,
no honor to Christ.—Testimonies for the Church 4:358, 359.
Choice of Companions
The youth who are in harmony with Christ will choose companions
who will help them in right doing, and will shun society
that gives no aid in the development of right principles and noble
purposes. In every place are to be found youth whose minds are
cast in an inferior mould. When brought into association with this
class, those who have placed themselves without reserve on the side
of Christ will stand firmly by that which reason and conscience tell
[423] them is right.—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 226.