I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; ... who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:4-8
"In this world we have temporal duties to perform, and in the performance of these duties we are forming characters that will --either stand the test of the judgment
--or be weighed in the balances and found wanting.
We may do the smallest duties nobly, firmly, faithfully, as if seeing the whole heavenly host looking upon us.
Take a lesson from the gardener.
If he wishes a plant to grow he cultivates and trims it; he gives water, he digs about its roots, plants it where the sunshine will fall upon it, and day by day he works about it; and not by violent efforts, but by acts constantly repeated, he trains the shrub until its form is perfect and its bloom is full.
"In this world we have temporal duties to perform, and in the performance of these duties we are forming characters that will --either stand the test of the judgment
--or be weighed in the balances and found wanting.
We may do the smallest duties nobly, firmly, faithfully, as if seeing the whole heavenly host looking upon us.
Take a lesson from the gardener.
If he wishes a plant to grow he cultivates and trims it; he gives water, he digs about its roots, plants it where the sunshine will fall upon it, and day by day he works about it; and not by violent efforts, but by acts constantly repeated, he trains the shrub until its form is perfect and its bloom is full.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
works upon the heart and mind as an educator.
The continued influence of His Spirit
upon the soul trains and molds and fashions
the character after the divine model.
Let the youth bear in mind that
--a repetition of acts, forms habits,
--and habit, character...."
That I May Know Him p.157 E.G.W.
