Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
To be followers of God as dear children is to imitate Him as beloved children, patterning life after His character in a personal work no one can do for another. That likeness is made possible by Christ formed within, with divinity dwelling and working in the heart to shape spirit and actions in conformity to the highest pattern. It is expressed by walking in love as Christ loved and gave Himself as an offering and sacrifice pleasing to God. It therefore puts away impurity, greed, coarse speech, anger and malice, and instead lives in thankfulness, kindness, forgiveness and edifying speech, walking as children of light in goodness, righteousness and truth. It is revealed in unity and self-sacrificing love for one another, becoming one as Christ was one with His Father.
Imitation as Beloved Children
The call is to follow God as beloved and dear children, to imitate Him and pattern life after Him in reflection of relationship to Him and of His character. Such likeness to God is both a possibility and a responsibility for the Christian, and it is an individual work that no one can do for another. This following is expressed by walking in love as Christ loved and gave Himself as an offering and sacrifice to God, and Christians reveal Christ's character in this way through unity and love for one another. The surrounding instruction shows that this life excludes bitterness, anger, evil speech, uncleanness, covetousness, and foolish talk, and is marked by kindness, forgiveness, thanksgiving, and speech and conduct shaped by the Spirit that builds others up.
Being dear children means childlike closeness to a loving Father, staying close to Him, trusting His wisdom, and heeding His warnings rather than choosing one's own path and will. Persistent insistence on one's own way and will prevents Christ from saving and sanctifying the soul, while safety and spiritual life come from remaining with Christ. It means sinking self in Christ and being one with Christ as pattern, receiving through His incarnation power to become sons of God, to overcome evil tendencies and reshape imperfect dispositions so that God's will is fulfilled. It calls for humble, practical obedience in following Him step by step rather than walking alone, finding liberty in wearing His yoke and being refreshed by the same living stream for elevation of soul, living united with one another now in preparation for unity in the heavenly courts.
This imitation is made possible by the indwelling and co-working of divinity in the heart, with the heart filled with pure, clean, sanctified, Christlike love and opened to the grace of Christ. It is living in conformity to Christ as the highest pattern, with Christ formed within as the hope of glory, walking humbly with God and living in the Spirit. As truth dwells in a person Christ dwells there, sanctifying and shaping the life to represent Him, so that spirit and actions testify more strongly than profession and draw others to Christ as channels of light. In this way believers speak the truth in love rather than striving for mastery in discussion, with humble, subdued hearts seeking God's way, following the Spirit's leading, listening to the Spirit, and letting self be merged in Christ.
Every truly converted soul humbly says I am but a little child, but I am God's child, restored to sonship with God at infinite cost. In the beginning man was made in God's likeness, and the first parents lost it by listening to the tempter and yielding to Satan. Yet man was not abandoned to the result of the evil chosen, for before the sentence of thorn and thistle, sorrow and toil, and return to dust, the promise of a Deliverer gave hope that all lost by yielding to Satan could be regained through Christ.
Following God means obeying His expressed will in all things and practicing His Word rather than merely hearing or professing it. It means doing His word faithfully in small matters as well as large, while remaining humble and seeking wisdom from Him rather than becoming proud. This instruction belongs to Ephesians chapters 4 and 5 to be studied and held fast when every effort is made to tear up the foundation of faith, so that not a pin or pillar is moved.
Walking in Love's Sacrifice
To follow God as beloved children is to walk in love exactly as Christ loved and gave Himself as an offering and a sacrifice to God, a sweet-smelling savor pleasing to Him. This likeness is the practical meaning of the call, patterning life after God by living out that self-giving love. It rejects sexual immorality, impurity, greed, filthy and foolish talk, crude joking, bitterness, anger, evil speech and uncleanness, and is marked instead by kindness, forgiveness, thanksgiving, and walking as children of light, circumspectly and wisely and filled with the Spirit. It is revealed through unity and love for one another as the reflection of Christ's character.
Man had alienated himself from God by wicked works, but Christ gave His life so that all who will may be freed from sin and reinstated in the favor of the Creator. He was prompted by the anticipation of a redeemed, holy universe. He saves people from their sins, not in their sins, making them holy and blameless through grace. His sacrifice makes that freedom and restoration possible, so that those who follow Him receive the benefit of His merits and His graces take root in their hearts.
Christ's love in the heart softens and subdues the character, and daily self-denial and self-sacrifice for others show that a person belongs to Christ and is following His example. Such a life makes its sacrifices acceptable to God. Those who thus labor together with Christ become fragrant in good works as Christ was fragrant. They prize the talent of words, speaking and doing only what brings a life-giving influence and not a death-dealing one, through patience, kindness, and forbearance, refusing an impatient and unreasonable spirit that spreads like a contagious disease.
This walk sets the highest standard of love required toward the Lord's ministers, in respectful, courteous treatment with a love whose texture is not tainted with selfishness. It means being perfect in the human sphere as God is perfect in His sphere. It belongs to those who know, love, and trust Jesus and keep close to Him as pupils to a loved teacher, not to critics and spies watching to misconstrue and condemn Him. Even such followers are not yet perfect in character, sometimes making mistakes and showing prejudice and selfishness and other wrong traits, needing lessons repeated again and again with familiar illustrations as, called from various occupations, they have many things to unlearn and many new things to learn.
Pure Life and Speech
To follow God as dear children is to leave behind sexual immorality, all uncleanness and impurity, and covetousness and greed so completely that they are not even once named among saints. Such greed is idolatry, and those marked by it have no inheritance in the kingdom of God and of Christ, while deceptive vain words and sharing in disobedience bring the wrath of God. Overcoming requires pure principles and personal responsibility, with a clear distinction made between the precious and the vile and with labor for sinners to be converted without treating unconverted sinners as saints and brethren who love God. The whole chapter is to be studied by all who claim present truth as laborers together with God who can do nothing without Christ.
That life also puts away filthiness, foolish talking and acting, and jesting and coarse joking as unfitting and unbecoming for saints, and requires giving of thanks instead. Thanksgiving honors God and shows the world thankfulness for the great goodness of the heavenly Father. Uncleanness and unholy conversation and low, cheap sentiments coming from unsanctified lips and impure hearts stand condemned, calling for an entirely different education in words and deportment through all departments of the work before unbelievers.
It puts away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking and malice, and corrupt communication, and speaks only what is good for edifying and ministering grace without grieving the Holy Spirit. In their place are kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness even as God for Christ's sake forgave, with patience and forbearance. An impatient and unreasonable spirit is to be refused because such a spirit spreads like a contagious disease where the Lord presides, while those who prize the talent of words speak and do only what brings a life-giving influence and not a death-dealing influence. This word is to be studied and obeyed rather than ignored, disregarded, or treated with indifference, for only doers of the Word receive the reward.
Those once in darkness are now light in the Lord and must walk as children of light with the fruit of the Spirit in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. That walk proves what is acceptable and pleasing to the Lord, makes darkness manifest by light, and has no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness but reproves them. It means awaking from sleep and rising to receive Christ's light, walking circumspectly not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil and understanding what the will of the Lord is, and being filled with the Spirit. Proving what pleases the Lord is each person's own work that no one else can do for another. Those who thus imitate Christ walk in the light with a cheerful, bright, cloudless experience, refusing to gather about them mist and cloud of darkness or to be easily discouraged because they believe His Word, and those who walk in the light have fellowship with one another and are cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus.
Unity and Mutual Love
To follow God as beloved children is to reveal Christ's character through unity and love for one another. This means making no provision for drawing apart but loving as brethren, with Christlike self-sacrificing love as the working principle of life together. As Christ was one with His Father, so believers become one by living in love as Christ loved and gave Himself as an offering and sacrifice to God. Lack of this unity and love grieves the angels and the Spirit of God. At the same time this fellowship keeps apart from the corrupt class, for if believers cannot lift such ones up, those ones will pull believers down.
This likeness appears in loving concern that corrects a brother in error, guards his interests as one's own, bears patiently and meekly with faults, and carries burdens. It works circumspectly toward all instead of searching characters to make apparent differences, and is one with all who name His name. It firmly closes the door that so often flies open to criticism. It is kind, respectful, ever tender and loyal in guarding one another's interests, so that mighty power can work with God's children.
Following God in this way demands an advance movement and transformation of character that molds hearts and minds after Christ's order. Believers blend their plans with no variance among them. They put away thoughtless words, unjust censure and reflections on others, and wrathful bitter feelings. They practice the teachings of the Bible, bringing its principles into practical life and letting the Word have free course in the heart so God is glorified. Instead of choosing one's own way and separating from brethren who will not accept one's ideas and plans, they lay aside self, self-sufficiency and love of self, and link with brethren in cheerfulness, love and contentment, making room for them to connect and supply deficiencies.
It commands being one with Christ as pattern and Leader, walking in His footsteps and doing His works. This means studying His ways and not man's ways, and obeying His will and not self-will. No move is made without consulting Him in humble prayer, never going ahead of Him and never walking alone. Difficulties are met unitedly hand in hand, with self sunk in Christ. In humble practical obedience under His yoke liberty is found, and believers are refreshed by the same living stream for elevation of soul. Thus as members of one family they become one with one another and reach heaven together, living united now in preparation for unity in the heavenly courts.
Following God is shown in a steady, unselfish life that honors Him rather than seeking self-glory. The love, meekness and forbearance received from Christ can soften hard hearts and win opponents. The same call applies to children living in unity and avoiding controversy that brings sorrow to their mother.
Worshiping the True God
To be followers of God as dear children is to accept privileges purchased at infinite cost and to decide whom to serve, whether to be followers of God or servants of the prince of darkness, worshipers of Jehovah or of Baal, worshipers of the living God or of idols. Those who follow Christ receive the benefit of His merits, and His graces take root in their hearts. His sacrifice frees all who are willing from sin and reinstates them in the favor of the Creator.
The true God is to be worshiped as He is revealed in His Word, in Christ, and in nature. He is a God of truth, and justice and mercy are the attributes of His throne. He is a God of love, pity, and tender compassion as represented in His Son the Saviour, and a God of patience and long-suffering. Those who adore such a being and seek to assimilate to His character are worshiping the true God.
Idolatry needs no outward shrine or image for the eye, for cherished ideas or objects can be made into idols. Thousands with a false conception of God and His attributes are serving a false god as verily as the servants of Baal. To enshrine some philosophical idol in His place and adore it is to worship a false god.
Becoming like Christ and sharing His spirit, influence, and moral excellence requires definite change in every class of character. The corrupt in heart must repent and turn to God, the proud and self-righteous must humble themselves and become penitent and meek, and the worldly-minded must turn their hearts from the world to God and become spiritually minded. The dishonest and untruthful must become just and true. The ambitious and covetous must hide themselves in Jesus, seek His glory rather than their own, distrust their own holiness, and store treasure in heaven, while the prayerless must recognize their need and pray earnestly in private and in the family.
Everyday Faithful Application
To follow God as beloved children is to walk in love as Christ loved and gave Himself as an offering and sacrifice to God, leaving self-conceit and reaching a higher standard and wisdom unto salvation. In marriage this means mutual submission, with faithful love from husbands and respect from wives, while putting away fornication and all uncleanness and covetousness so that it is not once named among saints. It means no filthiness nor foolish talking nor jesting, but rather giving of thanks, walking as children of light, walking circumspectly not as fools but as wise, and being filled with the Spirit. Self-conceit disqualifies a man from being director or superintendent in God's institutions, and every married man and married woman must study this Scripture carefully and search the heart as with a lighted candle. In family life it means living out God's word in practice through orderly life and right habits.
For workers it requires reliable laborers for the sacred work in the last days who bring in all talents and strength and devote talents to God's service rather than to earthly temporal things. They work together with God as givers and not mere consumers, avoid haphazard work, and speak with earnestness, fervor and enthusiasm without extravagance in attitude or language. So they bear God's message to the world, secure the very best talent for His honor and glory, and are as the living voice of God, revealing a character after the similitude of Christ. Each worker must refuse to be over-moderate and retiring, must speak in season and out of season, and must seek the acquaintance of those not in the truth. This following is individual work that no one can do for another, requiring being taught and led by God as Light and Counselor rather than looking no higher than man.
This loving, pure, thankful life is practical medical missionary work that testifies to the sanctifying power of truth upon human minds. It leaves no place for fornication and all uncleanness and covetousness, which are not to be once named among saints, and no place for filthy or foolish speech and coarse joking as unfitting, but calls instead for giving of thanks. In institutions this meant correcting unclean behavior and speech and setting an example before unbelievers. A physician should imitate Jesus and remain in daily communion with God, relying on Christ's grace and the Spirit so that conduct reflects purity and holiness.
Dear children follow God by never laying aside the spiritual armor for a moment, being instant in prayer and on watch every moment with circumspect words and acts. This is because Satan and his host are arrayed against the saints in a constant battle for life with no release. Following is shown in holy example and in words and actions that represent Christ, aim to be right, and help win others to Him. It means taking Christ's life as pattern rather than following people who do not love God, and showing refinement and worthiness in conversation and actions.
Following means being Christians not in name alone but in dress and conversation, following Christ's sinless life as standard and rising above cheapness in speech and conduct. It requires being content with modest apparel without ruffles and feathers and unnecessary trimmings, making manners attractive such as Heaven can approve, and seeking earnestly the inward adorning. Outward appearance is an index to the mind and the sign hung out for the world to judge faith. Day by day with the help of Jesus this overcomes self, discards pride and love of display from heart and life, encourages meekness and love of simplicity, and makes youth an army of faithful soldiers for Christ. It is what God wants in return for His great sacrifice, obedience to His expressed will in all things.
To be followers of God as dear children is to imitate Him as beloved children, patterning life after His character in a personal work no one can do for another. That likeness is made possible by Christ formed within, with divinity dwelling and working in the heart to shape spirit and actions in conformity to the highest pattern. It is expressed by walking in love as Christ loved and gave Himself as an offering and sacrifice pleasing to God. It therefore puts away impurity, greed, coarse speech, anger and malice, and instead lives in thankfulness, kindness, forgiveness and edifying speech, walking as children of light in goodness, righteousness and truth. It is revealed in unity and self-sacrificing love for one another, becoming one as Christ was one with His Father.
Imitation as Beloved Children
The call is to follow God as beloved and dear children, to imitate Him and pattern life after Him in reflection of relationship to Him and of His character. Such likeness to God is both a possibility and a responsibility for the Christian, and it is an individual work that no one can do for another. This following is expressed by walking in love as Christ loved and gave Himself as an offering and sacrifice to God, and Christians reveal Christ's character in this way through unity and love for one another. The surrounding instruction shows that this life excludes bitterness, anger, evil speech, uncleanness, covetousness, and foolish talk, and is marked by kindness, forgiveness, thanksgiving, and speech and conduct shaped by the Spirit that builds others up.
Being dear children means childlike closeness to a loving Father, staying close to Him, trusting His wisdom, and heeding His warnings rather than choosing one's own path and will. Persistent insistence on one's own way and will prevents Christ from saving and sanctifying the soul, while safety and spiritual life come from remaining with Christ. It means sinking self in Christ and being one with Christ as pattern, receiving through His incarnation power to become sons of God, to overcome evil tendencies and reshape imperfect dispositions so that God's will is fulfilled. It calls for humble, practical obedience in following Him step by step rather than walking alone, finding liberty in wearing His yoke and being refreshed by the same living stream for elevation of soul, living united with one another now in preparation for unity in the heavenly courts.
This imitation is made possible by the indwelling and co-working of divinity in the heart, with the heart filled with pure, clean, sanctified, Christlike love and opened to the grace of Christ. It is living in conformity to Christ as the highest pattern, with Christ formed within as the hope of glory, walking humbly with God and living in the Spirit. As truth dwells in a person Christ dwells there, sanctifying and shaping the life to represent Him, so that spirit and actions testify more strongly than profession and draw others to Christ as channels of light. In this way believers speak the truth in love rather than striving for mastery in discussion, with humble, subdued hearts seeking God's way, following the Spirit's leading, listening to the Spirit, and letting self be merged in Christ.
Every truly converted soul humbly says I am but a little child, but I am God's child, restored to sonship with God at infinite cost. In the beginning man was made in God's likeness, and the first parents lost it by listening to the tempter and yielding to Satan. Yet man was not abandoned to the result of the evil chosen, for before the sentence of thorn and thistle, sorrow and toil, and return to dust, the promise of a Deliverer gave hope that all lost by yielding to Satan could be regained through Christ.
Following God means obeying His expressed will in all things and practicing His Word rather than merely hearing or professing it. It means doing His word faithfully in small matters as well as large, while remaining humble and seeking wisdom from Him rather than becoming proud. This instruction belongs to Ephesians chapters 4 and 5 to be studied and held fast when every effort is made to tear up the foundation of faith, so that not a pin or pillar is moved.
Walking in Love's Sacrifice
To follow God as beloved children is to walk in love exactly as Christ loved and gave Himself as an offering and a sacrifice to God, a sweet-smelling savor pleasing to Him. This likeness is the practical meaning of the call, patterning life after God by living out that self-giving love. It rejects sexual immorality, impurity, greed, filthy and foolish talk, crude joking, bitterness, anger, evil speech and uncleanness, and is marked instead by kindness, forgiveness, thanksgiving, and walking as children of light, circumspectly and wisely and filled with the Spirit. It is revealed through unity and love for one another as the reflection of Christ's character.
Man had alienated himself from God by wicked works, but Christ gave His life so that all who will may be freed from sin and reinstated in the favor of the Creator. He was prompted by the anticipation of a redeemed, holy universe. He saves people from their sins, not in their sins, making them holy and blameless through grace. His sacrifice makes that freedom and restoration possible, so that those who follow Him receive the benefit of His merits and His graces take root in their hearts.
Christ's love in the heart softens and subdues the character, and daily self-denial and self-sacrifice for others show that a person belongs to Christ and is following His example. Such a life makes its sacrifices acceptable to God. Those who thus labor together with Christ become fragrant in good works as Christ was fragrant. They prize the talent of words, speaking and doing only what brings a life-giving influence and not a death-dealing one, through patience, kindness, and forbearance, refusing an impatient and unreasonable spirit that spreads like a contagious disease.
This walk sets the highest standard of love required toward the Lord's ministers, in respectful, courteous treatment with a love whose texture is not tainted with selfishness. It means being perfect in the human sphere as God is perfect in His sphere. It belongs to those who know, love, and trust Jesus and keep close to Him as pupils to a loved teacher, not to critics and spies watching to misconstrue and condemn Him. Even such followers are not yet perfect in character, sometimes making mistakes and showing prejudice and selfishness and other wrong traits, needing lessons repeated again and again with familiar illustrations as, called from various occupations, they have many things to unlearn and many new things to learn.
Pure Life and Speech
To follow God as dear children is to leave behind sexual immorality, all uncleanness and impurity, and covetousness and greed so completely that they are not even once named among saints. Such greed is idolatry, and those marked by it have no inheritance in the kingdom of God and of Christ, while deceptive vain words and sharing in disobedience bring the wrath of God. Overcoming requires pure principles and personal responsibility, with a clear distinction made between the precious and the vile and with labor for sinners to be converted without treating unconverted sinners as saints and brethren who love God. The whole chapter is to be studied by all who claim present truth as laborers together with God who can do nothing without Christ.
That life also puts away filthiness, foolish talking and acting, and jesting and coarse joking as unfitting and unbecoming for saints, and requires giving of thanks instead. Thanksgiving honors God and shows the world thankfulness for the great goodness of the heavenly Father. Uncleanness and unholy conversation and low, cheap sentiments coming from unsanctified lips and impure hearts stand condemned, calling for an entirely different education in words and deportment through all departments of the work before unbelievers.
It puts away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking and malice, and corrupt communication, and speaks only what is good for edifying and ministering grace without grieving the Holy Spirit. In their place are kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness even as God for Christ's sake forgave, with patience and forbearance. An impatient and unreasonable spirit is to be refused because such a spirit spreads like a contagious disease where the Lord presides, while those who prize the talent of words speak and do only what brings a life-giving influence and not a death-dealing influence. This word is to be studied and obeyed rather than ignored, disregarded, or treated with indifference, for only doers of the Word receive the reward.
Those once in darkness are now light in the Lord and must walk as children of light with the fruit of the Spirit in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. That walk proves what is acceptable and pleasing to the Lord, makes darkness manifest by light, and has no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness but reproves them. It means awaking from sleep and rising to receive Christ's light, walking circumspectly not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil and understanding what the will of the Lord is, and being filled with the Spirit. Proving what pleases the Lord is each person's own work that no one else can do for another. Those who thus imitate Christ walk in the light with a cheerful, bright, cloudless experience, refusing to gather about them mist and cloud of darkness or to be easily discouraged because they believe His Word, and those who walk in the light have fellowship with one another and are cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus.
Unity and Mutual Love
To follow God as beloved children is to reveal Christ's character through unity and love for one another. This means making no provision for drawing apart but loving as brethren, with Christlike self-sacrificing love as the working principle of life together. As Christ was one with His Father, so believers become one by living in love as Christ loved and gave Himself as an offering and sacrifice to God. Lack of this unity and love grieves the angels and the Spirit of God. At the same time this fellowship keeps apart from the corrupt class, for if believers cannot lift such ones up, those ones will pull believers down.
This likeness appears in loving concern that corrects a brother in error, guards his interests as one's own, bears patiently and meekly with faults, and carries burdens. It works circumspectly toward all instead of searching characters to make apparent differences, and is one with all who name His name. It firmly closes the door that so often flies open to criticism. It is kind, respectful, ever tender and loyal in guarding one another's interests, so that mighty power can work with God's children.
Following God in this way demands an advance movement and transformation of character that molds hearts and minds after Christ's order. Believers blend their plans with no variance among them. They put away thoughtless words, unjust censure and reflections on others, and wrathful bitter feelings. They practice the teachings of the Bible, bringing its principles into practical life and letting the Word have free course in the heart so God is glorified. Instead of choosing one's own way and separating from brethren who will not accept one's ideas and plans, they lay aside self, self-sufficiency and love of self, and link with brethren in cheerfulness, love and contentment, making room for them to connect and supply deficiencies.
It commands being one with Christ as pattern and Leader, walking in His footsteps and doing His works. This means studying His ways and not man's ways, and obeying His will and not self-will. No move is made without consulting Him in humble prayer, never going ahead of Him and never walking alone. Difficulties are met unitedly hand in hand, with self sunk in Christ. In humble practical obedience under His yoke liberty is found, and believers are refreshed by the same living stream for elevation of soul. Thus as members of one family they become one with one another and reach heaven together, living united now in preparation for unity in the heavenly courts.
Following God is shown in a steady, unselfish life that honors Him rather than seeking self-glory. The love, meekness and forbearance received from Christ can soften hard hearts and win opponents. The same call applies to children living in unity and avoiding controversy that brings sorrow to their mother.
Worshiping the True God
To be followers of God as dear children is to accept privileges purchased at infinite cost and to decide whom to serve, whether to be followers of God or servants of the prince of darkness, worshipers of Jehovah or of Baal, worshipers of the living God or of idols. Those who follow Christ receive the benefit of His merits, and His graces take root in their hearts. His sacrifice frees all who are willing from sin and reinstates them in the favor of the Creator.
The true God is to be worshiped as He is revealed in His Word, in Christ, and in nature. He is a God of truth, and justice and mercy are the attributes of His throne. He is a God of love, pity, and tender compassion as represented in His Son the Saviour, and a God of patience and long-suffering. Those who adore such a being and seek to assimilate to His character are worshiping the true God.
Idolatry needs no outward shrine or image for the eye, for cherished ideas or objects can be made into idols. Thousands with a false conception of God and His attributes are serving a false god as verily as the servants of Baal. To enshrine some philosophical idol in His place and adore it is to worship a false god.
Becoming like Christ and sharing His spirit, influence, and moral excellence requires definite change in every class of character. The corrupt in heart must repent and turn to God, the proud and self-righteous must humble themselves and become penitent and meek, and the worldly-minded must turn their hearts from the world to God and become spiritually minded. The dishonest and untruthful must become just and true. The ambitious and covetous must hide themselves in Jesus, seek His glory rather than their own, distrust their own holiness, and store treasure in heaven, while the prayerless must recognize their need and pray earnestly in private and in the family.
Everyday Faithful Application
To follow God as beloved children is to walk in love as Christ loved and gave Himself as an offering and sacrifice to God, leaving self-conceit and reaching a higher standard and wisdom unto salvation. In marriage this means mutual submission, with faithful love from husbands and respect from wives, while putting away fornication and all uncleanness and covetousness so that it is not once named among saints. It means no filthiness nor foolish talking nor jesting, but rather giving of thanks, walking as children of light, walking circumspectly not as fools but as wise, and being filled with the Spirit. Self-conceit disqualifies a man from being director or superintendent in God's institutions, and every married man and married woman must study this Scripture carefully and search the heart as with a lighted candle. In family life it means living out God's word in practice through orderly life and right habits.
For workers it requires reliable laborers for the sacred work in the last days who bring in all talents and strength and devote talents to God's service rather than to earthly temporal things. They work together with God as givers and not mere consumers, avoid haphazard work, and speak with earnestness, fervor and enthusiasm without extravagance in attitude or language. So they bear God's message to the world, secure the very best talent for His honor and glory, and are as the living voice of God, revealing a character after the similitude of Christ. Each worker must refuse to be over-moderate and retiring, must speak in season and out of season, and must seek the acquaintance of those not in the truth. This following is individual work that no one can do for another, requiring being taught and led by God as Light and Counselor rather than looking no higher than man.
This loving, pure, thankful life is practical medical missionary work that testifies to the sanctifying power of truth upon human minds. It leaves no place for fornication and all uncleanness and covetousness, which are not to be once named among saints, and no place for filthy or foolish speech and coarse joking as unfitting, but calls instead for giving of thanks. In institutions this meant correcting unclean behavior and speech and setting an example before unbelievers. A physician should imitate Jesus and remain in daily communion with God, relying on Christ's grace and the Spirit so that conduct reflects purity and holiness.
Dear children follow God by never laying aside the spiritual armor for a moment, being instant in prayer and on watch every moment with circumspect words and acts. This is because Satan and his host are arrayed against the saints in a constant battle for life with no release. Following is shown in holy example and in words and actions that represent Christ, aim to be right, and help win others to Him. It means taking Christ's life as pattern rather than following people who do not love God, and showing refinement and worthiness in conversation and actions.
Following means being Christians not in name alone but in dress and conversation, following Christ's sinless life as standard and rising above cheapness in speech and conduct. It requires being content with modest apparel without ruffles and feathers and unnecessary trimmings, making manners attractive such as Heaven can approve, and seeking earnestly the inward adorning. Outward appearance is an index to the mind and the sign hung out for the world to judge faith. Day by day with the help of Jesus this overcomes self, discards pride and love of display from heart and life, encourages meekness and love of simplicity, and makes youth an army of faithful soldiers for Christ. It is what God wants in return for His great sacrifice, obedience to His expressed will in all things.