Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Psalm 25:4.
Sometimes one who professes to be a follower of Christ is heard saying, “You must not be surprised if I am rough, if I speak bluntly, if I manifest temper; it is my way.”
You ask us not to be surprised! Is not Heaven surprised at such manifestations, since the plan of salvation has been devised, since an infinite sacrifice has been made on Calvary's cross, that you might reflect the image of Jesus? Will “your way” enter heaven? Suppose someone comes up to the pearly gates, and says, “I know that I have been rude and unkind, and that it is my disposition to lie and steal; but I want an entrance to the heavenly mansions.” Will such a disposition find entrance through the portals of the heavenly city? No, no! Only those who keep God's way will enter there.
The manifestation of natural and cultivated tendencies to wrongdoing cannot be excused by the plea, “It is my way.” Christians realize that in order to bring the principles of Christianity into the daily life, they need much of the grace of Christ.
The youth who cooperate with Christ will find that their way is full of errors needing to be corrected. Brought into the character-building, these errors are as rotten timbers. Let none allow them to remain. Let none plead for the privilege of clinging to their imperfections, excusing themselves by saying, “It is my way.” Those who please self, refusing to give up their way for Christ's way, will suffer the sure result....
Are you striving to walk in the way of truth and righteousness? Then be not discouraged by temptation. True, you will be tempted, but remember that temptation is not sin; it is no indication of the Lord's displeasure. He suffers you to be tempted, but He measures the temptation by the power which He imparts to enable you to resist and overcome. It is in the time of temptation and trial that you are to measure the degree of your faith in God, and to estimate the stability of your Christian character.
Do not say, “It is impossible for me to overcome.” ... In your own strength you cannot overcome, but help has been laid upon One that is mighty. Breathe the prayer, “Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.”—Youth's Instructor, October 2, 1902.
From From the Heart - Page 68
From the Heart