General Articles by Ellen G. White

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Nov 13, 1879

General Articles.

By Ellen G. White

CHRISTIAN COURTESY.

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE. (Concluded.)

THERE is a very great want of sympathy and love and tender consideration among professed Christians. The good qualities which they may possess are hidden, and they repulse instead of attracting souls to Christ. If these persons could see the influence of their uncourteous ways and unkind expressions upon unbelievers, and how offensive is such conduct in the sight of God, they would reform their habits; for a lack of courtesy is one of the greatest stumbling-blocks to sinners. Selfish, complaining, sour Christians bar the way, so that sinners do not care to approach Christ.

Could we look beneath the surface of things, we should see that half life's misery is created by frowns and unkind speeches, which might be prevented as well as not. Many make a hell upon earth for themselves and for those whom they might comfort and bless. These are not worthy of the name of Christian. These will not dwell in Heaven, in the society of pure angels who are always kind, courteous, and considerate of others. Such ones have made hell enough upon earth, without carrying their unhappy character to spoil the bliss of Heaven.

I call upon these dissatisfied, mourning, fretting ones to reform before it shall be too late. There is still time for you to learn of Christ. You have greatly injured his cause, you have kept many souls from the kingdom of Heaven; but you may yet repent and be converted. Lay off the yoke which you have placed upon your own neck, and accept the yoke of Christ. Many are sensible of their great deficiency, and they read, and pray, and resolve, and yet make no progress. They seem to be powerless to resist temptation. The reason is, they do not go deep enough. They do not seek for a thorough conversion of the soul, that the streams which issue from it may be pure, and the deportment may testify that Christ reigns within.

All defects of character originate in the heart. Pride, vanity, evil temper, and covetousness proceed from the carnal heart unrenewed by the grace of Christ. If the heart is refined, softened, and ennobled, the words and actions will testify to the fact. When the soul has been entirely surrendered to God, there will be a firm reliance upon his promises, and earnest prayer and determined effort to control the words and actions.

Some persons speak in a harsh, uncourteous manner, that wounds the feelings of others, and then they justify themselves by saying, "It is my way; I always tell just what I think;" and they exalt this wicked trait of character as a virtue. Their uncourteous deportment should be firmly rebuked; it is something of which they ought to be ashamed,—a cruel practice, which is born of Satan, and is not in the least akin to Heaven. Paul had great boldness in preaching Christ, but he was not harsh and impolite. He had a tender heart, and was ever kind and thoughtful of others. A cold, unfeeling nature needs to be aroused from its torpor by the quickening influence of divine grace. Unless this change shall take place, persons of such a character cannot recommend the truth of God. They may be respected and feared, but they are seldom loved.

Paul attracted warm hearts wherever he went; his soul was linked to the soul of his brethren. When he parted with them, knowing and assuring them that they would never see his face again, they were filled with sorrow, and so earnestly besought him to still remain with them that he exclaimed, "What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart?" His sympathetic heart was breaking as he witnessed and felt their grief at this final separation. They loved him, and felt that they could not give him up. What Christian does not admire the character of Paul? Firm as a rock when standing in defense of the truth, he was affectionate and gentle as a child when surrounded by his friends. But his rebuke of sin was terribly severe, especially to those who professed to believe in Christ, and yet dishonored their profession. His heart was aglow with love, and yet when duty demanded he could be stern with holy indignation. Let the example of Paul, whose life was in accordance with the life of Christ, be a lesson to us.

Those who make a profession of sanctification are frequently the most proud and selfish and overbearing. What an account will such have to render to God for their influence? They profess that their conduct is in harmony with Heaven, while they manifest the evil promptings of their natural heart. They in no way resemble Enoch, Joseph, Daniel, Paul, or Jesus Christ, the perfect pattern. They bring Bible sanctification into contempt. Their course of conduct is uncourteous, and many times really unkind and uncouth. Such are like the sign-boards at cross roads, which mislead the traveler by pointing in the wrong direction.

Though these persons claim perfection, they know not experimentally what it means. No one is attracted to them, and made better by their example. Those who say sanctification, and do not the requirements of God, have not put on Christ; they do not wear the grace of humility, and exhibit Christ in words and actions till men shall be charmed by his perfections and be led to glorify God by seeing their good works.

Christ is pleased with his followers when they show that, though human, they are partakers of the divine nature. They are not statues, but living men and women, whose warm hearts, invigorated by the dews of divine grace, open and expand as the beams of the Sun of Righteousness shine upon them. The light which falls upon them they reflect upon others in works which are luminous with the love of Christ. Cold, professedly sinless Christians are like icebergs; they seem to freeze up the cheerfulness of all who are connected with them. Their influence upon the cause of Christ is always deleterious. Nothing is so offensive to God as the atmosphere of those who profess holiness of heart, but whose lives have a bad flavor. Unsavory actions make the Christian repulsive.

Instead of isolating themselves, Christians should associate together. Their influence upon one another may be salutary. We should learn lessons of Paul, who was often found relating his experience. There is too little conversation upon the facts of religious experience, and the mercy and goodness of God. Love and gratitude are not cherished in the heart as they should be. Little, delicate acts of courtesy are sadly neglected. Words of cheer and encouragement to one another might be spoken with the best of results. There is great need of individual sanctification to God, but we have no sympathy for the spurious article.

True sanctification is carried into all the business of life. Pure thoughts, noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth, elevated purposes of action, yearnings to attain to perfection, will be the experience of every real Christian. These have fellowship with the Father and with the Son. They are constantly increasing in the knowledge of God. They grow in reverence and trust and love; but while they are coming nearer and nearer to perfection of character, they will feel more and more deeply their unlikeness to Christ, and have greater distrust of themselves and greater dependence upon God. As these are growing up to the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus, they will be sought to by others, and will be a help and blessing to all with whom they associate. The most Christ-like professors are those who are the most kind, pitiful and courteous; their convictions are firm and their characters strong; nothing can swerve them from their faith or allure them from their duty.

A Christian will cultivate a meek and quiet spirit, calm, and considerate of others, happy in temper, that sickness will not make irritable, the weather or circumstances shall not disturb. We want to cherish that charity which is not easily provoked, which suffereth long and is kind, which hopeth all things, endureth all things. If this grace be in you, if you are ruled by the spirit of Christ, all who see you will take knowledge of you that you have been with Jesus; and your words and actions will testify that your religion is full of good fruits. To do good and to communicate, the children of God never forget. They have the spirit of Christ; it is spontaneous with them; for God has transformed their natures by his grace. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.