Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, and in studying the character of Christ, and making him your pattern, you will have neither time nor disposition to measure yourselves among yourselves, or compare yourselves with others.  There are tremendous questions to settle on the part of every soul.  Ask yourself: "Am I clean, and pure, and holy before God?  Am I washing my robes of character in the blood of the Lamb?"  It is no time now for us to let our imaginations run upon the glowing splendors of the truth, and go into ecstasies over some charming phase of its appearance, and fail to weave its truth into practical life.  Jesus speaks to every soul who is admiring the truth and yet failing to make it practical:  "Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."  {SSW, June 1, 1894 par. 2} 

The Lord does not choose or accept laborers according to the numerous advantages which they have enjoyed, or according to the superior education which they have received.  The value of the human agent is estimated according to the capacity of the heart to know and understand God.  "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."  The highest possible good is obtained through a knowledge of God.  "This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou has sent."  {FE 341.1} 

This knowledge is the secret spring from which flows all power.  It is through the exercise of the faculty of faith that we are enabled to receive and practice the word of God.  No excuse can be accepted, no plea of justification received for the failure to know and understand the will of the Lord.  The Lord will enlighten the heart that is loyal to Him.  He can read the thoughts and intents of the heart.  It is useless to plead that if it had been so and so, we would have done so and so.  There is no if about God's requirements; His word is yea and amen.  There can be no question in the heart of faith as to the power of God to perform His promises.  Pure faith works by love, and purifies the soul.  {FE 341.2} 

Whom Christ pardons, He first makes penitent, and it is the office of the Holy Spirit to convince of sin.  Those whose hearts have been moved by the convicting Spirit of God see that there is nothing good in themselves.  They see that all they have ever done is mingled with self and sin.  Like the poor publican, they stand afar off, not daring to lift up so much as their eyes to heaven, and cry, "God, be merciful to me the sinner."  Luke 18:13, R.V., margin.  And they are blessed.  There is forgiveness for the penitent; for Christ is "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."  John 1:29.  God's promise is: "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."  "A new heart also will I give you ... And I will put My Spirit within you."  Isaiah 1:18; Ezekiel 36:26, 27.  {MB 7.2} 

The apostle lost sight of his own approaching sufferings in his solicitude for those whom he was about to leave to cope with prejudice, hatred, and persecution.  The few Christians who accompanied him to the place of execution he endeavored to strengthen and encourage by repeating the promises given for those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.  He assured them that nothing would fail of all that the Lord had spoken concerning His tried and faithful children.  For a little season they might be in heaviness through manifold temptations; they might be destitute of earthly comforts; but they could encourage their hearts with the assurance of God's faithfulness, saying, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him."  2 Timothy 1:12.  Soon the night of trial and suffering would end, and then would dawn the glad morning of peace and perfect day.  {AA 511.1} 

1 John 1:9 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

It was faith that men lacked in the days of Noah, and it was this lack of living faith that brought destruction upon them.  How different would have been the result had they heeded Noah's appeal as the voice of God speaking through him.  But they were unwilling to hear and to receive the engrafted word which would have saved them.  It is faith, an active faith, that will make the gracious promise of any avail.  {PC 45.1} 

The Lord has given us the promise, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."  It is in the order of God that those who bear responsibilities should often meet together to counsel with one another, and to pray earnestly for that wisdom which He alone can impart.  Unitedly make known your troubles to God.  Talk less; much precious time is lost in talk that brings no light.  Let brethren unite in fasting and prayer for the wisdom that God has promised to supply liberally.  {TM 499.1} 

If, as laborers in the cause of God, you feel that you have borne greater cares and trials than have fallen to the lot of others, remember that for you there is a peace unknown to those who shun these burdens.  But do not force your trials upon others; do not groan over them.  There is comfort and joy in the service of Christ.  The Christian gives the Lord his entire affections, but he takes as well as gives; and his language is not that of a murmurer or a constant backslider.  He makes no effort to appear righteous, but his life shows that he is led by the Holy Spirit.  He can speak with assurance of his hope in Christ; for has he not the promise of God?  If he has complied with the conditions upon which these promises are based, God's word is pledged that he will do for him more than he asks.  {GW92 423.3}

The Lord has pledged himself to make his name a praise in the earth.  What power he has promised to all who will work in co-operation with heaven!  The three highest powers in the universe are pledged to labor with those who will seek to save the lost.  God wants his people to claim his promised help for the accomplishment of his work in the world.  "Harken unto me, my people;" he declares; "and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.  My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust."  {RH, August 12, 1909 par. 3} 

Paul in his letter to the Colossians sets forth the rich blessings granted to the children of God.  He says: We "do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness" (Colossians 1:9-11).  {RC 215.2} 

Again he writes of his desire that the brethren at Ephesus might come to understand the height of the Christian's privilege.  He opens before them, in the most comprehensive language, the marvelous power and knowledge that they might possess as sons and daughters of the Most High.  It was theirs "to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man," to be "rooted and grounded in love," to "comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge."  But the prayer of the apostle reaches the climax of privilege when he prays that "ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Ephesians 3:16-19).  {RC 215.3} 

Here are revealed the heights of attainment that we may reach through faith in the promises of our heavenly Father, when we fulfill His requirements.  Through the merits of Christ we have access to the throne of Infinite Power.  "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32). The Father gave His Spirit without measure to His Son, and we also may partake of its fullness ... {RC 215.4} 

Ever since the first promise of redemption was spoken in Eden, the life, the character, and the mediatorial work of Christ have been the study of human minds.  Yet every mind through whom the Holy Spirit has worked has presented these themes in a light that is fresh and new.  The truths of redemption are capable of constant development and expansion.  Though old, they are ever new, constantly revealing to the seeker for truth a greater glory and a mightier power.  {COL 127.3} 

God is always giving; and upon whom are his gifts bestowed?  Upon those who are faultless in character?  He "maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."  Notwithstanding the sinfulness of humanity, notwithstanding we so often grieve the heart of Christ, when we ask his forgiveness, he does not turn us away, although we are most undeserving.  It pleases and honors God when we expect great things at his hand.  He has promised us great blessings through our Saviour, and we cannot dishonor his name more than to doubt his love and his willingness to bless us.  {RH, June 27, 1893 par. 12} 

(N)  Psalm 38:15 

For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.

1 John 3:2 

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.