The True Christian
 
        Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.  Ephesians 5:1, 2
 
    God's ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach.  "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."  This command is a promise.  The plan of redemption contemplates our complete recovery from the power of Satan.  Christ always separates the contrite soul from sin.  He came to destroy the works of the devil, and He has made provision that the Holy Spirit shall be imparted to every repentant soul, to keep him from sinning.
 
    The tempter's agency is not to be accounted an excuse for one wrong act.  Satan is jubilant when he hears the professed followers of Christ making excuses for their deformity of character.  It is these excuses that lead to sin.  There is no excuse for sinning.  A holy temper, a Christlike life, is accessible to every repenting, believing child of God.
 
    The ideal of Christian character is Christlikeness.  As the Son of man was perfect in His life, so His followers are to be perfect in their life.  Jesus was in all things made like unto His brethren.  He became flesh, even as we are.  He was hungry and thirsty and weary.  He was sustained by food and refreshed by sleep.  He shared the lot of man; yet He was the blameless Son of God.  He was God in the flesh.  His character is to be ours. (The Desire of Ages, 311)
 
Reflection:  These words are so vital for our eternal salvation.  Let's contemplate these words more than once: The true Christian.

Growing by Receiving
 
        From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.  Ephesians 4:16
 
    The plants and flowers grow not by their own care or anxiety or effort, but by receiving that which God has furnished to minister to their life.  The child cannot, by any anxiety or power of its own, add to its stature.  No more can you, by anxiety or effort of yourself, secure spiritual growth.  The plant, the child, grows by receiving from its surroundings that which ministers to its life--air, sunshine, and food.  What these gifts of nature are to animal and plant, such is Christ to those who trust in Him.  He is their "everlasting light," "a sun and shield" (Isaiah 60:19; Psalm 84:11)....
 
    In the matchless gift of His Son, God has encircled the whole world with an atmosphere of grace as real as the air which circulates around the globe.  All who choose to breathe this life-giving atmosphere will live and grow up to the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus.
 
    As the flowers turns to the sun, that the bright beams may aid in perfecting its beauty and symmetry, so should we turn to the sun of Righteousness, that heaven's light may shine upon us, that our character may be developed into the likeness of Christ. (Steps to Christ, 68)
 
Reflection:  We all have had the sun shine on our faces and have said, "That feels so good."  Today let's allow Christ the Sun of Righteousness to shine upon our hearts.

Heaven Born Love
 
        Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.  Ephesians 2:19, 20
 
    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 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 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. (Christ Object Lessons, 101, 102)
 
Reflection:  If we love the Lord, we will love others and esteem them better than ourselves.  We will not do good deeds to get recognition.  We will begin to see that they have been purchased and are just as important to Christ as you and I.  Today, by our actions let's show our sincere love for our friends and neighbors.

Works That are Pleasing to God
 
        For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10
 
    It is not the length of time we labor but our willingness and fidelity in the work that makes it acceptable to God.  In all our service a full surrender of self is demanded.  The smallest duty done in sincerity and self-forgetfulness is more pleasing to God than the greatest work when marred with self-seeking.  He looks to see how much of the spirit of Christ we cherish, and how much of the likeness of Christ our work reveals.  He regards more the love and faithfulness with which we work than the amount we do.
 
    Only when selfishness is dead, when strife for supremacy is banished, when gratitude fills the heart, and love makes fragrant the life--it is only then that Christ is abiding in the soul, and we are recognized as laborers together with God.
 
    However trying their labor, the true workers do not regard it as drudgery.  They are ready to spend and to be spent; but it is a cheerful work, done with a glad heart.  Joy in God is expressed through Jesus Christ.  Their joy is the joy set before Christ--"to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34).  They are in co-operation with the Lord of glory. (Christ Object Lessons, 402, 403)
 
Reflection:  Today is a very simple thought, but profound.  When we do things for our own reward, the reward ends up being cheap.  But when we do things to please God, the reward is priceless.

When Christ Dwells in the Heart
 
        For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.  Ephesians 2:8, 9
 
    There are those who profess to serve God, while they rely upon their own efforts to obey His law, to form a right character, and secure salvation.  Their hearts are not moved by any deep sense of the love of Christ, but they seek to perform the duties of the Christian life as that which God requires of them in order to gain heaven.  Such religion is worth nothing.  When Christ dwells in the heart, the soul will be so filled with His love, with the joy of communion with Him, that it will cleave to Him; and in the contemplation of Him, self will be forgotten.  Love to Christ will be the springs of action.  Those who feel the constraining love of God, do not ask how little may be given to meet the requirements of God; they do not ask for the lowest standard, but aim at perfect conformity to the will of their Redeemer.  With earnest desire they yield all and manifest an interest proportionate to the value of the object which they seek.  A profession of Christ without this deep love is mere talk, dry formality, and heavy drudgery. (Steps to Christ, 44, 45)
 
Reflection:  Let us never even allow our minds to think that it is boring or a pain to follow our Lord Jesus Christ.  Let our love produce works, which can happen only by the grace of God.

God's Free Grace
 
        To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  Ephesians 1:6
 
    We ourselves owe everything to God's free grace.  Grace in the covenant ordained our adoption.  Grace in the Saviour effected our redemption, our regeneration, and our exaltation to heirship with Christ.  Let this grace be revealed to others.
 
    Give the erring one no occasion for discouragement.  Suffer not a Pharisaical hardness to come in and hurt your brother.  Let no bitter sneer rise in mind or heart.  Let no tinge of scorn be manifest in the voice.  If you speak a word of your own, if you take an attitude of indifference, or show suspicion or distrust, it may prove the ruin of a soul.  He needs a brother with the Elder Brother's heart of sympathy to touch his heart of humanity.  Let him feel the strong clasp of a sympathizing hand, and hear the whisper, Let us pray.  God will give a rich experience to you both.  Prayer unites us with one another and with God.  Prayer brings Jesus to our side, and gives to the fainting, perplexed soul new strength to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil.  Prayer turns aside the attacks of Satan.
 
    When one turns away from human imperfections to behold Jesus, a divine transformation takes place in the character.  The Spirit of Christ working upon the heart conforms it to His image.  Then let it be your effort to lift up Jesus (Christ Object Lessons, 250)
 
Reflection:  Although there are times to rebuke and censure, we need to be more loving.  We need to have the love of Christ, not enabling love.  Today let's talk to someone that is suffering under the burden of sin, and pray with and for them.  It may change their life.

Glory in the Cross
 
        But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.  Galatians 6:14
 
    If those who today are teaching the word of God, would uplift the cross of Christ higher and still higher, their ministry would be far more successful.  If sinners can be led to give one earnest look at the cross, if they can obtain a full view of the crucified Saviour, they will realize the depths of God's compassion and the sinfulness of sin.
 
    Christ's death proves God's great love for man.  It is our pledge of salvation.  To remove the cross from the Christian would be like blotting the sun from the sky.  The cross brings us near to God, reconciling us to Him.  With the relenting compassion of a father's love, Jehovah looks upon the suffering that His Son endured in order to save the race from eternal death, and accepts us in the Beloved.
 
    Without the cross, man could have no union with the Father.  On it depends our every hope.  From it shines the light of the Saviour's love, and when at he foot of the cross the sinner looks up to the One who died to save him, he may rejoice with fullness of joy, for his sins are pardoned.  Kneeling in faith at the cross, he has reached the highest place to which man can attain. (The Acts of the Apostles, 209)
 
Reflection:  It is our privilege also to glory in the cross.  Jesus said, "if I be lifted up I will draw all men to me."  It could also be said If I (put your name here) be lifted up (put you name here) will draw all men to Christ.  Let us pick up our cross today and be lifted out of self and into Jesus Christ.

Sowing and Reaping
 
        Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  Galatians 6:7
 
    In the laws of God in nature, effect follows cause with unerring certainty.  The reaping will testify as to what the sowing has been.  The slothful worker is condemned by his work.  The harvest bears witness against him.  So in spiritual things: the faithfulness of every worker is measured by the results of his work.  The character of his work, whether diligent or slothful, is revealed by the harvest.  It is thus that his destiny for eternity is decided.
 
    Every seed sown produces a harvest of its kind.  So it is in human life.  We all need to sow the seeds of compassion, sympathy, and love; for we shall reap what we sow.  Every characteristic of selfishness, self-love, self-esteem, every act of self-indulgence, will bring forth a like harvest.  He who lives for self is sowing to the flesh, and of the flesh he will reap corruption.
 
    God destroys no man.  Everyone who is destroyed will have destroyed himself.  Everyone who stifles the admonitions of conscience is sowing the seeds of unbelief, and these will produce a sure harvest. (Christ's Object Lessons, 84, 85)
 
Reflection:  This is a principle that we should never forget.  What we say and do produces fruit either for good or evil.  Every day we are leaving a "paper trail" for others to see where our heart is.  Let's leave a God "trail" today and every day.

Fruit of the Spirit
 
        But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  Galatians 5:22, 23
 
    The plant does not germinate, grow, or bring forth fruit for itself, but to "give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater" (Isaiah 55:10).  So no man is to live unto himself.  The Christian is in the world as a representative of Christ, for the salvation of other souls.
 
    There can be no growth or fruitfulness in the life that is centered in self.  If you have accepted Christ as a personal Saviour, you are to forget yourself, and try to help others.  Talk of the love of Christ, tell of His goodness.  Do every duty that presents itself.  Carry the burden of souls upon your heart, and by every means in your power seek to save the lost.  As you receive the Spirit of Christ--the Spirit of unselfish love and labor for others--you will grow and bring forth fruit.  The graces of the Spirit will ripen in your character.  Your faith will increase, your convictions deepen, your love be made perfect.  More and more you will reflect the likeness of Christ in all that is pure, noble, and lovely.
 
    "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Galatians 5:22, 23).  This fruit can never perish, but will produce after its kind a harvest unto eternal life. (Christ's Object Lessons, 67, 68)
 
Reflection:  We need to pray every day to grow our fruit.  This fruit, fruit of the Spirit, if nurtured, will grow and become sweeter; we will be like Jesus.  As this takes place, people around us will be able to taste and see that God is good.  Souls will be won.

Real and False Gospel
 
        O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?  Galatians 3:1
 
    The apostle urged the Galatians to leave the false guides by whom they had been misled, and to return to the faith that had been accompanied by unmistakable evidences of divine approval.  The men who had attempted to lead them form their belief in the gospel were hypocrites, unholy in heart and corrupt in life.  Their religion was made up of a round of ceremonies, through the performance of which they expected to gain the favor of God.  They had no desire for a gospel that called for obedience to the word, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).  They felt that a religion based on such a doctrine, required too great a sacrifice, and they clung to their errors, deceiving themselves and others.
 
    To substitute external forms of religion for holiness of heart and life is still as pleasing to the unrenewed nature as it was in the days of these Jewish teachers.  Today, as then, there are false spiritual guides, to whose doctrines many listen eagerly.  It is Satan's studied effort to divert minds from the hope of salvation through faith in Christ and obedience to the law of God. (The Acts of the Apostles, 386, 387)
 
Reflection:  Self will justify anything and everything to get its own way.  For self--you and me--to get our way, we will put the proverbial "frosting" over the bad to make it look good.  Oh foolish us!  Let's look only to Jesus today and obey His truth.