Luke
8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest
and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with
patience."
The Youth's Instructor
08-16-00-
Seed-sowing
"It means much to receive the good seed. In Luke we read,
"That on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having
heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." An honest
heart is a heart, which, when the light shines into it, acknowledges that
sin is the transgression of the law. "Take heed how ye hear," said the
Great Teacher. What will it avail to spend the life in self-deception?
When truth is received into the heart, the tares growing there are uprooted.
The appeals of God to the conscience are no longer turned aside as of no
consequence."
Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls."
The Desire of Ages
The Invitation
Page 330
"It is the love of self that brings unrest. When we are
born from above, the same mind will be in us that was in Jesus, the mind
that led Him to humble Himself that we might be saved. Then we shall not
be seeking the highest place. We shall desire to sit at the feet of Jesus,
and learn of Him. We shall understand that the value of our work does not
consist in making a show and noise in the world, and in being active and
zealous in our own strength. The value of our work is in proportion to
the impartation of the Holy Spirit. Trust in God brings holier qualities
of mind, so that in patience we may possess our souls."
Romans
5:3-4
3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations
also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4And patience, experience; and experience,
hope:
Romans 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Romans
15:4-5
4For whatsoever things were written aforetime
were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of
the scriptures might have hope.
5Now the God of patience and consolation grant
you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
The Signs of the Times
03-28-92
Tribulation Worketh Patience-
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with
God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith
into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation
worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope
maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts
by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us". I would that we all could continually
bear in mind what Christ is to us, and what we are to him. If we could
constantly realize this relation between Christ and our souls, we would
rejoice in hope of the glory of God, even in the midst of tribulation.
But when tribulation comes upon us, how hard it seems to rejoice; for we
are like Peter, and look upon the troublous waves about us instead of keeping
the eye fixed upon Jesus. But I would have you see the importance of keeping
the eye fixed upon him who is the Author and Finisher of our faith; for
when we take our eyes off the difficulties and trials and fix them upon
our Helper, we shall see his matchless charms, and know that "all things
work together for good to them that love God."
Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;"
Sons and Daughters of God
We Make Constant Advancement
Page 325
God fixes no limit to the advancement of those who are
"filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding."
Through prayer, through watchfulness, through growth in understanding,
we are "strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto
all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." . . .
1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
2 Thessalonians 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
1 Timothy 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
Titus 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."
The Signs of the Times
04-14-90
Be Strong in the Grace of Christ
"Those who strive lawfully will have complete victory
at last, but there is too much striving that is not done in the Spirit
of Christ. We should strive to obtain the victory over every unholy passion
of the soul, over every spiritual weakness, over every defect of character.
We should seek to excel in the graces of the Spirit of God, in meekness,
patience, goodness, love, peace, and joy. If we strive for this, it will
be a worthy, lawful striving that will be rewarded of God. In contending
for the faith, we must be careful to stand as did Christ before the people;
we must have a spirit that will correspond to the purity and greatness
of the doctrines we advocate. We must teach the truth as it is in Jesus.
We must labor as does the husbandman, with diligence and patience, that
we may be partakers of the ruits. We must do the will of God before we
can receive the promise. "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye
have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." "Consider what
I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things."
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
In Heavenly Places
No Exemption from Sorrow
Page 268
In this world these heroes of faith were counted unworthy
of life; but in heaven they are enrolled as sons of God, worthy of the
highest honor. "They shall walk with me in white," Christ declares: "for
they are worthy" (Rev.
3:4). In the courts of heaven there awaits them an "eternal weight
of glory." "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great
a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which
doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is
set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith"
(Heb.
12:1). "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for
us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not
at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for
the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen
are eternal" (2
Cor. 4:17, 18).
James
1:3-4
3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith
worketh patience.
4But let patience have her perfect work, that
ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 5:7 "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
James
5:10-11
10Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have
spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction,
and of patience.
11Behold, we count them happy which endure.
Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord;
that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."
Advent Review and Sabbath Herald
05-19-91
Resisting Temptation
"Temptation will come upon all the children of God. James
writes: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience
have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
The word does not say that we are to count it all joy when we fall under
temptation, but when we fall into temptation. It is not necessary to fall
under temptation; for temptation comes upon us for the trying of our faith.
And the trying of our faith worketh patience, not fretfulness and murmuring.
If we put our trust in Jesus, he will keep us at all times, and will be
our strength and shield. We are to learn valuable lessons from our trials.
Paul says, "We glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh
patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh
not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the
Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
2
Peter 1:6
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience;
and to patience godliness;"
The Youth's Instructor
12-07-93
"How uncertain is life! To-day many of you may go out
in usual health, and you may be brought home lifeless. Your unfinished
work is left for other hands to do. To-day is the time to enroll your name
with those who love God, and who keep his commandments. To-day make your
calling and election sure. Peter gives a copy of the best life insurance
policy in the world. He says: "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through
the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power
hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through
the knowledge of him who hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are
given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might
be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is
in the world through lust. And besides this, giving all diligence, add
to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance;
and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness, and to godliness,
brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things
be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor
unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh
these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that
he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence
to make your calling and election sure: for it ye do these things, ye shall
never fall: for so an entrance shall be administered unto you abundantly
into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Revelation 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Revelation
14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that
keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
The Signs of the Times
10-22-94
The Commandments Are to Be Obeyed
"Love is the fulfilling of the law." God is love, and
when we love God supremely and love our neighbor as ourselves, we reflect
the character of the Father and the Son. But those who truly love God will
be obedient to all his commands. Obedience is the test of love. Jesus says,
"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me;
and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him,
and will manifest myself to him." "If a man love me, he will keep my words;
and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode
with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings; and the word which
ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me." "And hereby we do
know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know
him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not
in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected;
hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought
himself also so to walk, even as he walked." Now lest there should be any
misunderstanding as to what commandments should be obeyed, John says, "Brethren,
I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had
from the beginning." John writes again: "I rejoiced greatly that I found
of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from
the Father. And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment
unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another;
and this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment,
That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. For many
receivers are entered into the world." "For this is the love of God that
we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous;" they
are not a yoke of bondage, as commandment breakers would have us believe.
"Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments
of God, and the faith of Jesus." "Blessed are they that do his commandments,
that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through
the gates into the city."
Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day
Adventists.
Practical Addresses
Page 134
The temptations of Satan are manifold; but those to which
our attention is called in the text are unbelief and impatience. "Knowing
this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." Impatience, then,
is the result of a lack of faith. "But let patience have her perfect work,
that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." If we do not maintain
the grace of patience, we shall never reach a state of perfection. Some
of us have a nervous temperament, and are naturally as quick as a flash
to think and to act; but let no one think that he cannot learn to become
patient. Patience is a plant that will make rapid growth if carefully cultivated.
By becoming thoroughly acquainted with ourselves, and then combining with
the grace of God a firm determination on our part, we may be conquerors,
and become perfect in all things, wanting in nothing.
In Heavenly Places
When Faith is Tried
Page 270
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:7
When we are brought into adverse circumstances, when our natural feelings are stirred, and we want to give vent to them, then our faith is tried; then we are to manifest the meekness and gentleness of Christ. Not by one word are we to give expression to the feelings of the natural heart. "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body" (James 3:2)--the whole man. What we want is to be under the control of Jesus. We do not want our own way. I have heard some plead as an excuse for their wrong course, "You know that it is my temperament, it is my disposition, transmitted to me from my parents." Yes; and they have cultivated it and educated themselves in it and thus excused all their wrongdoing. Instead of yielding to temptation, they should lay hold upon the arm of Infinite Power, saying, "I will come to God just as I am, and plead with Christ to give me the victory. I shall be more than conqueror through Him that loved me."
In order to understand how great the love of Jesus is for you, look to Calvary. You can then know something of the depth, the breadth, and the height of that love, and you can see something of the condescension of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, as step by step the Saviour descended into the valley of humiliation. He did not stoop to sin, to defilement, but He stood on this atom of a world to battle with Satan and his host, and here to win for us an immortal inheritance, an inheritance which . . . fadeth not away.
When He ascended on high, and led captivity captive, and
gave gifts unto men, He left the battle in our hands, but we are not to
fight in our own strength; we should certainly fail if we attempted it.
Christ is there present with the Father to bring to our help the unseen
intelligences. . . . What we need is the simplicity of faith, the meekness
and humility of Christ. Then we shall trust wholly in the Lord of heaven,
and He will be at our right hand to help us."
Spiritual Gifts. Volume 4B
Page 140 [regarding children]
Impatience in the parent excites impatience in the children.
Passion manifested by the parents, creates passion in the children, and
stirs up the evils of their nature. Some parents correct their children
severely with a spirit of impatience, and often in passion. Such corrections
produce no good result. In seeking to correct one evil, they create two.
Continual censuring and whipping hardens children, and weans them from
their parents. Parents should first learn to control themselves; then they
can more successfully control their children. Every time they lose self-control,
and speak and act impatiently, they sin against God. They should first
reason with their children, clearly point out their wrongs, show them their
sin, and impress upon them that they have not only sinned against them,
but against God. With your heart subdued and full of pity and sorrow for
your erring children, pray with them, before correcting them. Then your
correction will not cause your children to hate you. They will love you.
They will see that you do not punish them because they have put you to
inconvenience, or because you wish to vent your displeasure upon them;
but from a sense of duty for their good, that they may not be left to grow
up in sin and wickedness."
The Signs of the Times
04-10-84
The Training of Children
If parents would succeed in the government of their children,
they must have perfect control of themselves. They must learn to control
of themselves. They must learn to control their words and the very expression
of the countenance. They should not suffer the tone of the voice to be
disturbed or agitated with excitement or passion. Then they can have a
decided influence over their children. Impatience in the parents excites
impatience in the children. Passion manifested by the parents creates passion
in the children, and stirs up the evils of their nature. Some parents correct
their children severely in a spirit of impatience, and often in passion.
Such corrections produce no good results. In seeking to correct one evil
they create two. Continual censuring and whipping hardens children, and
weans their affections from their parents. First reason with your children,
clearly point out their wrongs, and impress upon them that they have not
only sinned against you, but against God. With your heart full of pity
and sorrow for your erring children, pray with them before correcting them.
Then they will see that you do not punish them because they have put you
to inconvenience, or because you wish to vent your displeasure upon them,
but from a sense of duty, for their good; and they will love and respect
you.
Child Guidance
With Love and Firmness
Page 267
Mothers, when you yield to impatience and deal harshly
with your children, you are not learning of Christ, but of another master.
Jesus says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly
in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy,
and my burden is light." When you find your work hard, when you complain
of difficulties and trials, when you say that you have no strength to withstand
temptation, that you cannot overcome impatience, and that the Christian
life is uphill work, be sure that you are not bearing the yoke of Christ;
you are bearing the yoke of another master.
Manuscript Releases
Volume Three
Page 49
A man cannot be a Christian and allow his temper to fire
up at any little accident or annoyance that he may meet, and show that
Satan is in him in the place of Jesus Christ. The passionate belaboring
of animals or the disposition to show he is master is often exhibited toward
God's creatures in the streets. This is venting their own anger or impatience
upon helpless objects which show they are superior to their masters. They
bear all without retaliation. Children, be kind to dumb animals. Never
cause them pain unnecessarily. Educate yourselves to habits of kindness.
Then it will became habitual. I will send you a clipping from a paper and
you can decide if some dumb beasts are not superior to some men who have
allowed themselves to become brutish by their cruel course of action to
dumb animals.—Letter 26, 1868, pp. 2, 3. (To Edson and Willie White, Dec.
16, 1868.)
Patriarchs and Prophets
The Smitten Rock
Page 420
"The Lord was wroth with me for your sakes," said Moses.
The eyes of all Israel were upon Moses, and his sin cast a reflection upon
God, who had chosen him as the leader of His people. The transgression
was known to the whole congregation; and had it been passed by lightly,
the impression would have been given that unbelief and impatience under
great provocation might be excused in those in responsible positions. But
when it was declared that because of that one sin Moses and Aaron were
not to enter Canaan, the people knew that God is no respecter of persons,
and that He will surely punish the transgressor."
The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald
04-24-88
Preach the Word
"If this work is neglected by one, it has to be done by
some other under more unfavorable circumstances; for those who are in error
think the faithful reprover is exacting and uncharitable by comparing him
to the first laborer. Oh, how important it is that every one should be
faithful to his God-given trust! It is not enough to be simply a minister
in the desk. You must reprove, rebuke, exhort, give full proof of your
ministry, ever showing your disapproval of iniquity and your sorrow for
sin. But all efforts must be made in the spirit of meekness, of long suffering
love and untiring patience. Nothing will be gained by manifesting impatience
or unholy anger. You must cherish the spirit of the meek and lowly Jesus.
If there seems to be but little good resulting from your work, you are
not to be discouraged. It will work for your good; for the long-suffering
will make you patient, and give you an experience in trusting God in dark
hours. Keep working, be discreet, be discerning when to speak and when
to be silent; watch for souls as they who must give an account--watch for
the devices of Satan, lest you be beguiled from doing the disagreeable
duty. Difficulties must not dishearten or intimidate you. With strong faith,
with well-balanced minds, with intrepid purpose, meet the difficulties
and overcome them. Do the work of an evangelist; and that is to water the
seed already sown".
Advent Review and Sabbath Herald
08-05-90
We Should Praise God Now
Scarcely any of us realize that angels are about us; and
these precious angels, who minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation,
are saving from us many, many temptations and difficulties. The whole family
of heaven is interested in the families here below; and how thankful we
should be for this interest manifested for us day and night. Words spoken
in our homes which are impatient and unkind, angels hear; and do you want
to find in the books of heaven a record of the impatient and passionate
words you have uttered in your family? Impatience brings the enemy of God
and man into your family, and drives out the angels of God. If you are
abiding in Christ, and Christ in you, you cannot speak angry words. Fathers
and mothers, I beseech you, for Christ's sake, to be kind, tender, and
patient in your homes. Then light and sunshine will enter your homes, and
you will feel that bright beams from the Sun of Righteousness are indeed
shining into your hearts."
Testimonies for the Church Volume Five
Page 335
Christian Forbearance-
"You, my brother, have a great work to do for yourself
day by day. You must make constant effort to curb bad tempers and evil
propensities. These have grown with your growth, and Jesus alone can strengthen
you to fully overcome them. You should regard yourself as a servant of
Christ and seek to be like Him in character. Try to make yourself agreeable
to others. Even in your business relations, be courteous, kind, and forbearing,
showing the meekness of Jesus and that His spirit is ruling you. You are
related to humanity, and you must be patient, kind, and pitiful. You need
to cherish thoughtfulness and subdue selfishness. Let your inquiry be:
"What can I do to bless others?" If your heart is yearning to do them good,
even at inconvenience to yourself, you will have the blessing of God. Love,
lifted out of the realm of passion and impulse, becomes spiritualized and
is revealed in words and acts. A Christian must have a sanctified tenderness
and love, in which there is no impatience or fretfulness; the rude, harsh
manners must be softened by the grace of Christ."
1
Co 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do
all to the glory of God.
The Signs of the Times
09-24-94
Tested by the Law
Religion is a practical matter, and calls for a daily
devoting of all we have and are to God. All worldly business is to be done
as a part of religion, and is to redound to the honor and glory of God.
Every amusement is to be considered in this light, and it is to be regarded
as injurious or useful only as it respects the glory of God. If those who
would indulge in amusements can find commands whereby they may be justified
in them as doing the will of God, they will be justified in believing that
they are promoting the glory of God and the good of society. We are required
to render perfect obedience to the rule laid down by the apostle, "Whether
therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of
God." He who ever keeps this rule in view, and lives according to its requirement,
will form a character after the divine likeness; for in this way men will
become holy, blameless, and without rebuke.
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience [ENDURANCE] of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
James
1:2-3
2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall
into divers temptations;
3Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith
worketh patience.