A new standard of character is set up—the life of Christ. The mind
is changed; the faculties are roused to action in new lines. Man is not
endowed with new faculties, but the faculties he has are sanctified.
The conscience is awakened. We are endowed with traits of character
that enable us to do service for God.
Often the question arises, Why, then, are there so many, claiming
to believe God’s word, in whom there is not seen a reformation in
words, in spirit, and in character? Why are there so many who cannot
bear opposition to their purposes and plans, who manifest an unholy
temper, and whose words are harsh, overbearing, and passionate?
There is seen in their lives the same love of self, the same selfish
indulgence, the same temper and hasty speech, that is seen in the
life of the worldling. There is the same sensitive pride, the same
yielding to natural inclination, the same perversity of character, as if
the truth were wholly unknown to them. The reason is that they are
not converted. They have not hidden the leaven of truth in the heart.
It has not had opportunity to do its work. Their natural and cultivated
tendencies to evil have not been submitted
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to its transforming power. Their lives reveal the absence of the grace
of Christ, an unbelief in His power to transform the character.
“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Romans 10:17. The Scriptures are the great agency in the
transformation of character. Christ prayed, “Sanctify them through
Thy truth; Thy word is truth.” John 17:17. If studied and obeyed, the
word of God works in the heart, subduing every unholy attribute. The
Holy Spirit comes to convict of sin, and the faith that springs up in the
heart works by love to Christ, conforming us in body, soul, and spirit
to His own image. Then God can use us to do His will. The power
given us works from within outwardly, leading us to communicate to
others the truth that has been communicated to us.
The truths of the word of God meet man’s great practical
necessity—the conversion of the soul through faith. These grand
principles are not to be thought too pure and holy to be brought
into the daily life. They are truths which reach to heaven and
compass eternity, yet their vital influence is to be woven into human
experience. They are
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to permeate all the great things and all the little things of life.
Received into the heart, the leaven of truth will regulate the
desires, purify the thoughts, and sweeten the disposition. It quickens
the faculties of the mind and the energies of the soul. It enlarges the
capacity for feeling, for loving.
The world regards as a mystery the man who is imbued with this
principle. The selfish, money-loving man lives only to secure for
himself the riches, honors, and pleasures of this world. He loses the
eternal world from his reckoning. But with the follower of Christ
these things will not be all-absorbing. For Christ’s sake he will labor
and deny self, that he may aid in the great work of saving souls who
are without Christ and without hope in the world. Such a man the
world cannot understand; for he is keeping in view eternal realities.
The love of Christ with its redeeming power has come into the heart.
This love masters every other motive, and raises its possessor above
the corrupting influence of the world.
The word of God is to have a sanctifying effect on our association
with every member of the human family. The leaven of truth will
not produce the spirit of rivalry, the love of ambition, the desire to be
first. True, heaven-born love is not selfish and changeable. It is not
dependent on human praise. The heart of him who receives the grace
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of God overflows with love for God and for those for whom Christ
died. Self is not struggling for recognition. He does not love others
because they love and please him, because they appreciate his merits,
but because they are Christ’s purchased possession. If his motives,
words, or actions are misunderstood or misrepresented, he takes no
offense, but pursues the even tenor of his way. He is kind and
thoughtful, humble in his opinion of himself, yet full of hope, always
trusting in the mercy and love of God.
The apostle exhorts us, “As He which hath called you is holy, so
be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye
holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15, 16. The grace of Christ is to control
the temper and the voice. Its working will be seen in politeness
and tender regard shown by brother for brother, in kind, encouraging
words. An angel presence is in the home. The life breathes a sweet
perfume, which ascends to God as holy incense. Love is manifested
in kindness, gentleness, forbearance, and long-suffering.
The countenance is changed. Christ abiding in the heart shines
out in the faces of those who love Him and keep His commandments.
Truth is written there. The sweet peace of heaven is revealed. There
is expressed a habitual gentleness, a more than human love.
The leaven of truth works a change in the whole man, making the
coarse refined, the rough gentle, the selfish generous. By it the impure
are cleansed, washed in the blood of the Lamb. Through its life-giving
power it brings all there is of mind and soul and strength into harmony
with the divine life. Man with his human nature becomes a partaker of
divinity. Christ is honored in excellence and perfection of character.
As these changes are effected, angels break forth in rapturous song,
and God and Christ rejoice over souls fashioned after the divine
similitude.
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Chap. 8 - Hidden Treasure
Based on Matthew 13:44;
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field;
the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth
and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth the field.”
In ancient times it was customary for men to hide their treasures
in the earth. Thefts and robberies were frequent. And whenever there
was a change in the ruling power, those who had large possessions
were liable to be put under heavy tribute. Moreover the country was in
constant danger of invasion by marauding armies. As a consequence,
the rich endeavored to preserve their wealth by concealing it, and
the earth was looked upon as a safe hiding place. But often the
place of concealment was forgotten; death might claim the owner,
imprisonment or exile might separate him from his treasure, and the
wealth he had taken such pains to preserve was left for the fortunate
finder. In Christ’s day it was not uncommon to discover in neglected
land old coins and ornaments of gold and silver.
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A man hires land to cultivate, and as the oxen p
