The Final Events.
Preaching Practical Sermons.
Part 71 in a series
Inspired by love for Christ and for the souls for whom He has died they feel an intense earnestness to act their part with fidelity and preach quiet sermons of practical godliness.
Selfishness is the strongest and most general of human impulses, the struggle of the soul between sympathy and covetousness is an unequal contest; for while selfishness is the strongest passion, love and benevolence are too often the weakest and as a rule the evil gains the victory. Therefore in our labors and gifts for God’s cause, it is unsafe to be controlled by feeling or impulse.
To give or to labor when our sympathies are moved and to withhold our gifts or service when the emotions are not stirred is an unwise and dangerous course. If we are controlled by impulse or mere human sympathy, then a few instances where our efforts for others are repaid without gratitude or where our gifts are abused or squandered, will be sufficient to freeze up the springs of beneficence. Christians should act from fixed principle following the Savior’s example of self denial and self sacrifice.
We should never forget that we are placed on trial in this world to determine our fitness for the future life. None can enter heaven whose characters are defiled by the foul blot of selfishness. Therefore God tests us here by committing us temporal possessions that our use of these may show whether we can be entrusted with eternal riches.
He who receives the light of Christ love is thereby placed under the strongest obligation to shed the blessed light upon other souls in darkness. God is the source of life and light and joy to the universe. Like rays of light from the sun blessings flow out from him to all the creatures here as He has made. In His infinite love He has granted men the privilege of becoming partakers of the divine nature and then in turn diffusing their blessings to their fellow men. This is the highest honor the greatest joy that is possible for God to bestow upon men.
Christ is our example. He gave his life as a sacrifice for us and He asks us to give our lives as a sacrifice for others. Thus we may cast out the selfishness which Satan is constantly striving to implant in our hearts. This selfishness is death to all piety, and can be overcome only by manifesting love to God and to our fellow men. Christ will not permit one selfish person to enter the courts of heaven. No covetous person can pass through the pearly gates; for all covetousness is idolatry.
The Final Events will end with the splendor of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ also known as the Parousia. The Signs of Parousia are detailed in the Final Events Blog series and emphasize the Imminent Return and Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and the Love of the Father for all mankind.
As we follow Christ in the path of self denial, lifting the cross and bearing it after Him to His Father’s home we shall reveal in our lives the beauty of the Christ life. At the altar of self sacrifice the appointed place of meeting between God and the soul we receive from the hand of God the celestial torch which searches the heart revealing the need of an abiding Christ.
The spirit of Christian liberality will strengthen as it is exercised and will not need to be unhealthfully stimulated. All who possess this spirit the spirit of Christ will with cheerful alacrity press their gifts into the Lord’s treasury. Inspired by love for Christ and for the souls for whom He has died they feel an intense earnestness to act their part with fidelity and preach quiet sermons of practical godliness.
The Final Events will end with the splendor of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ also known as the Parousia. The Signs of Parousia are detailed in the Final Events Blog series and emphasize the Imminent Return and Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and the Love of the Father for all mankind.