steps to christ-第13章
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s Master。 His resentful； ambitious temper was yielded to the molding power of Christ。 The regenerating influence of the Holy Spirit renewed his heart。 The power of the love of Christ wrought a transformation of character。 This is the sure result of union with Jesus。 When Christ abides in the heart； the whole nature is transformed。 Christ's Spirit； His love； softens the heart； subdues the soul； and raises the thoughts and desires toward God and heaven。
When Christ ascended to heaven； the sense of His presence was still with His followers。 It was a
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personal presence； full of love and light。 Jesus； the Saviour； who had walked and talked and prayed with them； who had spoken hope and comfort to their hearts； had； while the message of peace was still upon His lips； been taken up from them into heaven； and the tones of His voice had come back to them； as the cloud of angels received Him〃Lo； I am with you alway； even unto the end of the world。〃 Matthew 28：20。 He had ascended to heaven in the form of humanity。 They knew that He was before the throne of God； their Friend and Saviour still； that His sympathies were unchanged； that He was still identified with suffering humanity。 He was presenting before God the merits of His own precious blood； showing His wounded hands and feet； in remembrance of the price He had paid for His redeemed。 They knew that He had ascended to heaven to prepare places for them； and that He would come again and take them to Himself。
As they met together after the ascension they were eager to present their requests to the Father in the name of Jesus。 In solemn awe they bowed in prayer； repeating the assurance； 〃Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name； He will give it you。 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name： ask； and ye shall receive； that your joy may be full。〃 John 16：23； 24。 They extended the hand of faith higher and higher with the mighty argument； 〃It is Christ that died； yea rather； that is risen again； who is even at the right hand of God； who also maketh intercession for us。〃 Romans 8：34。 And Pentecost brought them the presence of the Comforter； of whom
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Christ had said； He 〃shall be in you。〃 And He had further said； 〃It is expedient for you that I go away： for if I go not away； the Comforter will not come unto you； but if I depart； I will send Him unto you。〃 John 14：17； 16：7。 Henceforth through the Spirit； Christ was to abide continually in the hearts of His children。 Their union with Him was closer than when He was personally with them。 The light； and love； and power of the indwelling Christ shone out through them； so that men； beholding； 〃marveled； and they took knowledge of them； that they had been with Jesus。〃 Acts 4：13。
All that Christ was to the disciples； He desires to be to His children today； for in that last prayer； with the little band of disciples gathered about Him； He said； 〃Neither pray I for these alone； but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word。〃 John 17：20。
Jesus prayed for us； and He asked that we might be one with Him； even as He is one with the Father。 What a union is this！ The Saviour has said of Himself； 〃The Son can do nothing of Himself；〃 〃the Father that dwelleth in Me； He doeth the works。〃 John 5：19； 14：10。 Then if Christ is dwelling in our hearts； He will work in us 〃both to will and to do of His good pleasure。〃 Philippians 2：13。 We shall work as He worked； we shall manifest the same spirit。 And thus； loving Him and abiding in Him； we shall 〃grow up into Him in all things； which is the head； even Christ。〃 Ephesians 4：15。
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The Work and the Life
God is the source of life and light and joy to the universe。 Like rays of light from the sun； like the streams of water bursting from a living spring； blessings flow out from Him to all His creatures。 And wherever the life of God is in the hearts of men； it will flow out to others in love and blessing。
Our Saviour's joy was in the uplifting and redemption of fallen men。 For this He counted not His life dear unto Himself； but endured the cross； despising the shame。 So angels are ever engaged in working for the happiness of others。 This is their joy。 That which selfish hearts would regard as humiliating service； ministering to those who are wretched and in every way inferior in character and rank； is the work of sinless angels。 The spirit of Christ's self…sacrificing love is the spirit that pervades heaven and is the very essence of its bliss。 This is the spirit that Christ's followers will possess； the work that they will do。
When the love of Christ is enshrined in the heart； like sweet fragrance it cannot be hidden。 Its holy influence will be felt by all with whom we come in contact。 The spirit of Christ in the heart is like a spring in the desert； flowing to refresh all and making those who are ready to perish； eager to drink of the water of life。
Love to Jesus will be manifested in a desire to work as He worked for the blessing and uplifting of
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humanity。 It will lead to love； tenderness； and sympathy toward all the creatures of our heavenly Father's care。
The Saviour's life on earth was not a life of ease and devotion to Himself； but He toiled with persistent； earnest； untiring effort for the salvation of lost mankind。 From the manger to Calvary He followed the path of self…denial and sought not to be released from arduous tasks； painful travels and exhausting care and labor。 He said； 〃The Son of man came not to be ministered unto； but to minister； and to give His life a ransom for many。〃 Matthew 20：28。 This was the one great object of His life。 Everything else was secondary and subservient。 It was His meat and drink to do the will of God and to finish His work。 Self and self…interest had no part in His labor。
So those who are the partakers of the grace of Christ will be ready to make any sacrifice； that others for whom He died may share the heavenly gift。 They will do all they can to make the world better for their stay in it。 This spirit is the sure outgrowth of a soul truly converted。 No sooner does one come to Christ than there is born in his heart a desire to make known to others what a precious friend he has found in Jesus； the saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in his heart。 If we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ and are filled with the joy of His indwelling Spirit； we shall not be able to hold our peace。 If we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good we shall have something to tell。 Like Philip when he found the Saviour； we shall invite others into His presence。 We shall seek to present to them
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the attractions of Christ and the unseen realities of the world to come。 There will be an intensity of desire to follow in the path that Jesus trod。 There will be an earnest longing that those around us may 〃behold the Lamb of God； which taketh away the sin of the world。〃 John 1：29。
And the effort to bless others will react in blessings upon ourselves。 This was the purpose of God in giving us a part to act in the plan of redemption。 He has granted men the privilege of becoming partakers of the divine nature and； in their turn； of diffusing blessings to their fellow men。 This is the highest honor； the greatest joy； that it is possible for God to bestow upon men。 Those who thus become participants in labors of love are brought nearest to their Creator。
God might have committed the message of the gospel； and all the work of loving ministry； to the heavenly angels。 He might have employed other means for accomplishing His purpose。 But in His infinite love He chose to make us co…workers with Himself； with Christ and the angels； that we might share the blessing； the joy； the spiritual uplifting； which results from this unselfish ministry。
We are brought into sympathy with Christ through the fellowship of His sufferings。 Every act of self…sacrifice for the good of others strengthens the spirit of beneficence in the giver's heart； allying him more closely to the Redeemer
