the desire of ages-第120章
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of the enemy。 Speak words of faith and courage that will be as a healing balsam to the bruised and wounded one。 Many； many； have fainted and become discouraged
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in the great struggle of life； when one word of kindly cheer would have strengthened them to overcome。 Never should we pass by one suffering soul without seeking to impart to him of the comfort wherewith we are comforted of God。
All this is but a fulfillment of the principle of the law；the principle that is illustrated in the story of the good Samaritan； and made manifest in the life of Jesus。 His character reveals the true significance of the law； and shows what is meant by loving our neighbor as ourselves。 And when the children of God manifest mercy； kindness； and love toward all men； they also are witnessing to the character of the statutes of heaven。 They are bearing testimony to the fact that 〃the law of the Lord is perfect； converting the soul。〃 Ps。 19：7。 And whoever fails to manifest this love is breaking the law which he professes to revere。 For the spirit we manifest toward our brethren declares what is our spirit toward God。 The love of God in the heart is the only spring of love toward our neighbor。 〃If a man say； I love God； and hateth his brother； he is a liar： for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen； how can he love God whom he hath not seen？〃 Beloved； 〃if we love one another； God dwelleth in us； and His love is perfected in us。〃 1 John 4：20； 12。
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Chapter 55
Not With Outward Show
Some of the Pharisees had come to Jesus demanding 〃when the kingdom of God should come。〃 More than three years had passed since John the Baptist gave the message that like a trumpet call had sounded through the land； 〃The kingdom of heaven is at hand。〃 Matt。 3：2。 And as yet these Pharisees saw no indication of the establishment of the kingdom。 Many of those who rejected John； and at every step had opposed Jesus； were insinuating that His mission had failed。
Jesus answered； 〃The kingdom of God cometh not with outward show； ＇margin＇： neither shall they say； Lo here！ or； lo there！ for； behold； the kingdom of God is within you。〃 The kingdom of God begins in the heart。 Look not here or there for manifestations of earthly power to mark its coming。
〃The days will come；〃 He said； turning to His disciples； 〃when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man； and ye shall not see it。〃 Because it is not attended by worldly pomp； you are in danger of failing to discern the glory of My mission。 You do not realize how great is your present privilege in having among you； though veiled in humanity； Him who is the life and the light of men。 The days will come when you will look back with longing upon the opportunities you now enjoy to walk and talk with the Son of God。
Because of their selfishness and earthliness； even the disciples of Jesus
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could not comprehend the spiritual glory which He sought to reveal unto them。 It was not until after Christ's ascension to His Father； and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believers； that the disciples fully appreciated the Saviour's character and mission。 After they had received the baptism of the Spirit； they began to realize that they had been in the very presence of the Lord of glory。 As the sayings of Christ were brought to their remembrance； their minds were opened to comprehend the prophecies； and to understand the miracles which He had wrought。 The wonders of His life passed before them； and they were as men awakened from a dream。 They realized that 〃the Word was made flesh； and dwelt among us； （and we beheld His glory； the glory as of the Only…begotten of the Father；） full of grace and truth。〃 John 1：14。 Christ had actually come from God to a sinful world to save the fallen sons and daughters of Adam。 The disciples now seemed； to themselves； of much less importance than before they realized this。 They never wearied of rehearsing His words and works。 His lessons； which they had but dimly understood； now came to them as a fresh revelation。 The Scriptures became to them a new book。
As the disciples searched the prophecies that testified of Christ； they were brought into fellowship with the Deity； and learned of Him who had ascended to heaven to complete the work He had begun on earth。 They recognized the fact that in Him dwelt knowledge which no human being； unaided by divine agency； could comprehend。 They needed the help of Him whom kings； prophets； and righteous men had foretold。 With amazement they read and reread the prophetic delineations of His character and work。 How dimly had they comprehended the prophetic scriptures！ how slow they had been in taking in the great truths which testified of Christ！ Looking upon Him in His humiliation； as He walked a man among men； they had not understood the mystery of His incarnation； the dual character of His nature。 Their eyes were holden； so that they did not fully recognize divinity in humanity。 But after they were illuminated by the Holy Spirit； how they longed to see Him again； and to place themselves at His feet！ How they wished that they might come to Him； and have Him explain the scriptures which they could not comprehend！ How attentively would they listen to His words！ What had Christ meant when He said； 〃I have yet many things to say unto you； but ye cannot bear them now〃？ John 16：12。 How eager they were to know it all！ They grieved that their faith had been so
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feeble； that their ideas had been so wide of the mark； that they had so failed of comprehending the reality。
A herald had been sent from God to proclaim the coming of Christ； and to call the attention of the Jewish nation and of the world to His mission； that men might prepare for His reception。 The wonderful personage whom John had announced had been among them for more than thirty years； and they had not really known Him as the One sent from God。 Remorse took hold of the disciples because they had allowed the prevailing unbelief to leaven their opinions and becloud their understanding。 The Light of this dark world had been shining amid its gloom； and they had failed to comprehend whence were its beams。 They asked themselves why they had pursued a course that made it necessary for Christ to reprove them。 They often repeated His conversations； and said； Why did we allow earthly considerations and the opposition of priests and rabbis to confuse our senses； so that we did not comprehend that a greater than Moses was among us； that One wiser than Solomon was instructing us？ How dull were our ears！ how feeble was our understanding！
Thomas would not believe until he had thrust his finger into the wound made by the Roman soldiers。 Peter had denied Him in His humiliation and rejection。 These painful remembrances came before them in distinct lines。 They had been with Him； but they had not known or appreciated Him。 But how these things now stirred their hearts as they recognized their unbelief！
As priests and rulers combined against them； and they were brought before councils and thrust into prison； the followers of Christ rejoiced 〃that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name。〃 Acts 5：41。 They rejoiced to prove； before men and angels； that they recognized the glory of Christ； and chose to follow Him at the loss of all things。
It is as true now as in apostolic days； that without the illumination of the divine Spirit； humanity cannot discern the glory of Christ。 The truth and the work of God are unappreciated by a world…loving and compromising Christianity。 Not in the ways of ease； of earthly honor or worldly conformity； are the followers of the Master found。 They are far in advance； in the paths of toil； and humiliation； and reproach； in the front of the battle 〃against the principalities； against the powers； against the world rulers of this darkness； against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places。〃 Eph。 6：12； R。 V。 And now； as in
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Christ's d
