Grace . . . again

In order to convince others of the  

power of Christ’s grace, 

we must know its power in our own hearts and lives. 

The gospel we present for the saving of souls must be the gospel by which our own souls are saved. 

Only through a living faith in Christ as a personal Saviour 

is it possible to make our influence felt in a skeptical world. 

If we would draw sinners out of the swift-running current, 

our 470own feet must be firmly set upon the Rock, 

Christ Jesus.

The Ministry of Healing, p. 470.1 (EGW)

The badge of Christianity is not an outward sign, 

not the wearing of a cross or a crown,

but it is that which reveals the union of man with God. 

By the power of His grace 

manifested in the transformation of character the world 

is to be convinced that God has sent His Son as its Redeemer. 

No other influence that can surround the human soul has such power as the influence of an unselfish life.
The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian. 

{Ministry of Healing pg 469}


Should we be trying to give this grace to our children,
 - presenting Jesus, the gospel -
to them at every opportunity...
and our own souls are not saved and sanctified by that same grace
it's all so much "talk" 
laid as a heavy burden upon our children
and a means to harden their hearts against the very thing they need.
Because if our own souls are not saved by that grace 
we won't have the Spirit working with us to 
soften and prepare the hearts, 
teaching us what to say,
refining our motives,
giving us wisdom,
and it would be impossible for us to do it right.
It would all come across as manipulation and guilt tripping.
Which is exactly opposite of what the gift of grace and the gospel is.