Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Power of Example 275John 15:16-19: “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you,and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that yourfruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in Myname, He may give it you. These things I command you, that ye loveone another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me beforeit hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own:but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of theworld, therefore the world hateth you.”1 John 4:4, 5: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome [286]them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the worldheareth them.”1 John 2:5, 6: “But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is thelove of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. He thatsaith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as Hewalked.”1 Peter 2:9: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood,an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praisesof Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”As we read the word of God, how plain it appears that His peopleare to be peculiar and distinct from the unbelieving world around them.Our position is interesting and fearful; living in the last days, howimportant that we imitate the example of Christ, and walk even as Hewalked. “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, andtake up his cross, and follow Me.” The opinions and wisdom of menmust not guide or govern us. They always lead away from the cross.The servants of Christ have neither their home nor their treasure here.Would that all of them could understand that it is only because theLord reigns that we are even permitted to dwell in peace and safetyamong our enemies. It is not our privilege to claim special favors ofthe world. We must consent to be poor and despised among men, untilthe warfare is finished and the victory won. The members of Christare called to come out and be separate from the friendship and spiritof the world; their strength and power consists in being chosen andaccepted of God.The Son of God was the heir of all things, and the dominion andglory of the kingdoms of this world were promised to Him. Yet whenHe appeared in this world, it was without riches or splendor. The