Christlike manner (34)

  Quotations from the writings of Ellen G. White with the phrase . . .

                  C H R I S T L I K E     m a n n e r                      (  2  RELATED  PHRASES )                     

                The  phrase  'Christlike manner'  appears  34  times in the published writings of EGW                            page NOT on Original site                                            Related Phrase:     Christlike disposition  ( 7 )    - -  unChristlike maner ( below )  - -  temperment  (  )

     For years appeals have been made to men in responsible positions, urging upon them the necessity of being kind, tenderhearted, and always to deal in a Christlike manner with those with whom they come in contact. Said Christ, “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in My name receiveth Me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” [Matthew 18:4-7]. { 19MR 213.2 } 

 

 
  When you discern evil in those who profess to love God, you are not to close your eyes to it, but do just as you have been directed to do in the word of God, — deal faithfully and in a Christlike manner with those who are erring. Flatter no one. Do not link up closely with a few just because you think them congenial, to the exclusion of others who need your help and sympathy, for this savors of hypocrisy and partiality. In doing this way, faults are left unreproved and excused in those you esteem your friends, while those who follow the Lord more closely are neglected and passed by, and some who are in greater need of help, of tender words of encouragement and sympathy, are left outside your circle. A union of this kind is not a sanctified union, and reveals the fact that those who are linked in it need the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. { ST January 10, 1895, par. 6 }

 

  In response to Christ’s instruction  Nicodemus said, “How can these things be?” Christ answered, “Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?” The same question might be asked of many who are holding responsible positions as teachers, physicians, and ministers of the gospel, but who have neglected the most essential part of their education, that which would fit them to deal in a Christlike manner with human minds. { FE 517.4 } also appears  { RH November 7, 1907, par. 8 }

 

    Several times it has been pointed out to me that there has been a close, ungenerous spirit exercised toward Brother H from the very first of his labors in Battle Creek. It makes me sad to state the reason. It was because he went there a stranger and in poverty. Because he was a poor man he has been placed in unpleasant positions and made to feel his poverty. Men connected with our institutions have thought that they could bring him to their terms, and he has had a very unpleasant time. There are sad chapters in his experience, which would not have passed into history if his brethren had been kind and had dealt with him in a Christlike manner. The Lord’s cause should always be free from the slightest injustice, and no act connected with it should savor in the smallest degree of penuriousness or oppression. { 5T 564.3}  also appears  { PH146 47.2 } and  { PH102 6.2 } 

 

   Brethren and sisters, do not let this meeting pass by this morning without doing the work that God wants you to do. If there are any differences between you and your brethren, for Christ’s sake clear them away. Take up the stumbling-blocks. Clear the King’s highway. If you have done your neighbor a wrong, go to him, and try to make the matter right. Talk with God, and when you have done this, you will be able to talk in a Christlike manner to your brother. { GCB April 2, 1903, Art. A, par. 13 }

 

  Teachers do not make as earnest work as they should of the Sabbath school exercises; they should come close to the hearts of the scholars, by aptness, by sympathy, by patient and determined effort to interest every scholar in regard to the salvation of the soul. These exercises should become altogether what the Lord would have them,—seasons of deep conviction of sin, of heart reformation. If the right work is done, in a skillful, Christlike manner, souls will be convicted, and the inquiry will be, “What shall I do to be saved?”—Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work, 12, 13. { CSW 114.1} 

 

  Let us study our Bibles, and teach the words of truth. Let us do as Christ’s apostles did; let us offer prayer for the sick, for there are many who cannot have the advantages of our sanitariums. The Lord will remove infirmities in answer to prayer. Gospel ministers should be able to present the subject of health reform in its simplicity. If this phase of present truth is presented in a clear, simple, Christlike manner, it will have an effect upon the people. There will be a response from many hearts.—Letter 128, 1909. { MM 242.2} 

 

  God calls for pure, thoroughly consecrated men to manage the work of the Review and Herald office. He has no use for men who in their business transactions betray Christ into the hands of His enemies. Such men are a stigma to His cause, a reproach to the truth that they misrepresent. Unless they repent, and work in a Christlike manner, as Christ has given them an example in His life, God has no place for them in His service, for they bring in selfishness and every evil work. { PM 111.1} 

 

  When Seventh-day Adventists move into cities where there is already a large church of believers, they are out of place, and their spirituality becomes weaker and weaker. Their children are exposed to many temptations. My brother, my sister, unless you are absolutely needed in carrying forward the work in such a place, it would be wise for you to go to some place where the truth has not yet been proclaimed, and there strive to give proof of your ability to work for the Master. Make earnest efforts to arouse an interest in present truth. House-to-house work is effectual when conducted in a Christlike manner. Hold meetings, and be sure to make them interesting. Remember that this requires something more than preaching. { 8T 82.2} 

 

  It is your duty, parents, to educate and train your children to do service for him whose they are by creation and redemption. If the Lord could present a little child in its simplicity as an object-lesson, then be careful how you treat the precious little ones, the lambs of the flock. There need be no harsh tones, no hard, painful strokes upon the little form. If, in the fear and love of God, you will do your duty, you will not deserve the pain you cause your child to suffer because of your masterly spirit that is so easily provoked. We would be much happier if we would manifest the gentleness of Christ in dealing with the little ones, who have everything to learn from the lips and character of the parents. It is a pleasant thing for God and the angels above to behold this work carried on in the families of earth in a Christlike manner, the parents fully appreciating the value of the souls of the little ones committed to their care. { RH May 17, 1898, par. 4 }

 

  Christ knew that his Father had chosen him to carry out the great plan of redemption by coming to the fallen world to die for sinners. And when he came to fulfil his mission, he was, in every sense of the term, a medical missionary. We can do medical missionary work in a Christlike manner only when we are one with him. United with him, we receive spiritual life and power, and learn to be “laborers together with God,” manifesting love for every one for whom he died, and working earnestly to bring into the heavenly garner a harvest of souls. Filled with his Spirit, men and women are animated with the same desire to save sinners that animated Christ in his lifework as a missionary sent of God. { RH June 16, 1904, par. 5 }

 

  Not only are our ministers and other workers to heed and practise the lessons of Christ, but fathers and mothers are also to learn lessons from the Word of God, and these lessons they are to teach their children. In a Christlike manner they are to educate and train their children. { RH December 22, 1910, par. 7 }

 

  The question is, What shall be done? Here are two institutions, one endeavoring to hold up and follow the principles of health reform, and the other allowing its patients to indulge in the use of flesh-meat, and because of this, drawing patients away from the first institution. The matter is to be treated in a fair, Christlike manner. When the one who has established himself so close to the Lord’s institution is converted in heart and mind, he will see the necessity of carrying out the principles of the word of God, and will harmonize with his neighbors. If he can not blend with them, he will go to some other place. There are many other places to which he could go. { SpTB05 27.2 } 

 

  The question is, What shall be done? Here are two institutions, one endeavoring to hold up and follow the principles of health reform, and the other allowing its patients to indulge in the use of flesh meat, and because of this, drawing patients away from the first institution. The matter is to be treated in a fair, Christlike manner. When the one who has established himself so close beside the Lord’s institution, is converted in heart and mind, he will see the necessity of carrying out the principles of the Word of God, and will harmonize with his neighbors. If he cannot blend with them, he will go to some other place. There are many other places to which he could go.... { 1MR 74.1 } 

 

  Ellen White’s Position on the Law in Galatians Unchanged—I have not changed my views in reference to the law in Galatians, but I hope that I shall never be left to entertain the spirit that was brought into the General Conference. I have not the least hesitancy in saying it was not the Spirit of God. If every idea we have entertained in doctrines is truth, will not the truth bear to be investigated? Will it totter and fall if criticized? If so, let it fall, the sooner the better. The spirit that would close the door to investigation of points of truth in a Christlike manner is not the Spirit from above.... { 9MR 216.4 } 

 

  We can walk as Christ walked only when we abide in Him. We can do medical missionary work in a Christlike manner only when we are one with Him, only when we wear His yoke. To those who bear His yoke He promises rest. He urges all to come to Him with their burdens. “Learn of Me,” He pleads; “for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” { 18MR 106.1 } 

 

  Mistakes will be made, and if the erring are willing to be corrected, a valuable experience is gained, so that their defeat is turned to victory. You should consider that while many of our own errors are not brought to light, [we should] be careful not to make the mistakes and imperfections of others appear in their worst light either to yourself or to others. No man is perfect, and unjust criticism indulged towards others is not wise or Christlike. All of us must learn, and then in a Christlike manner impart that knowledge to those who really need it. { 18MR 328.3 } 
  We have a serious, solemn work to do for ourselves to cleanse our own souls from spot and stain if we will stand before the Son of man when He shall appear, acquitted of Him. We must be educators as well as reformers. To cut loose from everyone who errs and does not follow our own ideas is not doing as Christ is doing for us. We are all fallible, and need pity, forbearance, kindly consideration, and sympathetic love for those with whom we are connected. We are all unworthy of the love and confidence of God. If one errs, then after doing our whole duty to him or her in a Christlike manner, we are not to keep the disagreeable and objectionable things before our mind’s eye, but to see what there is good and praiseworthy in them that we can think of and ponder over and speak of. { 18MR 329.1 } 

 

 Christ has died to save souls, and those who wear the yoke with Him will be copartners with Him, and will act in a Christlike manner. When a soul is in spiritual danger and falls from error into sin, such an one will not push him away, drive him to take desperate positions, and discourage him in every effort he may make to recover himself. Peter asked, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” [Matthew 18:21, 22]. This is to make manifest the fact that there is no limit to the forgiving love of Christ. { 21MR 180.1 } 

 

  While you are never to cloak evil or lessen the sense of wrong, you should always be filled with the spirit of the great medical missionary. Your words are not to be harsh or abrupt. In a Christlike manner you should reprove those who need reproof. Never should your efforts have a corroding, destructive influence upon minds. You need to cherish the gracious, sanctifying, ennobling influence of the Saviour, else the food you offer to the people will taste so strangely of the human dish that it will be unpalatable. { BCL 93.4 } 

 

   Of one thing I am certain, as Christians you have no right to entertain feelings of enmity, unkindness, and prejudice toward Dr. Waggoner, who has presented his views in a plain, straightforward manner, as a Christian should. If he is in error, you should, in a calm, rational, Christlike manner, seek to show him from the Word of God where he is out of harmony with its teachings. If you cannot do this you have no right as Christians to pick flaws, to criticize, to work in the dark, to prejudice minds with your objections. This is Satan’s way of working. { 1888 163.4 } 

 

   Brother Butler wrote me a letter of a most singular purport, and made wonderfully strong statements in it. He called these men whom God has appointed to do a special work in His cause fledglings. He moreover said that he had received letters from Northern and Central California, saying that they would not send their children to the college if the views of E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones were brought in. Well, I will not attempt to tell you all about this matter; but I learned that you were one who wrote letters of warning to Elder Butler. I asked him if I might see the letter, but he said that he had destroyed it. Strange proceedings! My brother, Is the Lord leading you? or is the enemy working upon your mind as upon the minds of others? I have come to the conclusion that this is the case. I have not changed my views in reference to the law in Galatians, but I hope that I shall never be left to entertain the spirit that was brought into the General Conference. I have not the least hesitancy in saying it was not the Spirit of God. If every idea we have entertained in doctrines is truth will not the truth bear to be investigated? Will it totter and fall if criticized? If so, let if fall, the sooner the better. The spirit that would close the door to investigation of points of truth in a Christlike manner is not the Spirit from above. { 1888 186.2 } 

 

  That you have not been treated fairly, and in an unselfish manner, Christlike manner, I know. The same spirit that your confederacy exercised toward others, has been exercised toward you, and it will continue to be manifest until the cleansing, refining influence of the Holy Spirit shall make a decided change in the characters of men now connected with the work of God. The management of the work will bring its own results. The spirit of God did not control you or Captain Eldridge when in the Office at Battle Creek. You would at times yield to its influence, and would do right things, but again would do things that were wrong, which I hope the Holy Spirit will bring to your remembrance, and give you true repentance for. { 1888 1392.3 } 

 

  The word of the Lord has come to me in clear lines in reference to the principles and practices of those connected with the Review office. There has been need of self-examination on the part of the workers. Every man who has to do with sacred things should perform his work in a Christlike manner. There must be no sharp practice. “In your letter,” she wrote, “you speak of leaving the Review office. I am sorry that you can be willing to separate from the work for the reasons you mention. They reveal that you have a much deeper experience to gain than you now have.” She reminded him: { 4BIO 57.3 } 

 

                        u n c h r i s t l i k e     s e l f

 

  No outward observances can take the place of simple faith and entire renunciation of self.  But no man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work. Then the language of the soul will be, Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul.   {COL 159.3}  

Christ’s Object Lessons, page 159, par. 3     Read entire Chapter 13 

 

                    UNCHRISTLIKE   MANNER       

   John says, “I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” Let everyone who professes the name of Christ consider the fact that he must meet every act of injustice, give an account for every harsh word, at the judgment seat of Christ.  It will not be pleasant to review the words that have been spoken that have wounded and bruised souls, to review the decisions that have worked against souls for whom Christ died.  Every action will come into judgment, and the spirit that prompted it will be made manifest. The fruit of every selfish, arbitrary exaction will be made plain, and men will see the results of their doings even as God sees them. They will see that they have turned precious souls out of the right path by dealing with them in an un-Christlike manner. We are living in the great Day of Atonement, and it is now time that everyone should repent before God, confess his sins, and by living faith rest upon the merit of a crucified and living Saviour. { TM 224.2} 

 

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Christlike disposition (7)