We Confess Christ, October 12

We Abide in Christ the Living Vine Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:32, 33. Are we confessing Christ in our daily life? Do we confess Him in our dress, adorning ourselves with plain and modest apparel? Is our adorning that of the meek and quiet spirit which is of so great price in the sight of God? Are we seeking to advance the cause of the Master? ... There is no use in telling you that you must not wear this or that, for if the love of these vain things is in your heart, your laying off your adornments will only be like cutting the foliage off a tree. The inclinations of the natural heart would again assert themselves. You must have a conscience of your own.... We are to abide in Him as the branch abides in the vine.... What we want is to have the ax laid at the root of the tree. We want to be dead to the world, dead to self, and alive unto God.... We need to come close to Christ, that men may know that we have been with Christ and learned of Him.29The Review and Herald, May 10, 1892. He who imitates Christ will show forth His self-denial and self-sacrifice.... Just where the conscience of the Bible Christian warns him to forbear, to deny himself, to stop, just there the worldling steps over the line to indulge his selfish propensities. On one side of the line is the self-denying follower of Jesus Christ, on the other side of the line is the self-indulgent world-lover, pandering in fashion, engaging in frivolity, and pampering himself in forbidden pleasures. On this side of the line the Christian cannot go. It is no place for him.30The Youth's Instructor, September 6, 1894. Our life must be hid with Christ in God, that when He shall appear, we also may appear with Him in glory.31The Review and Herald, May 10, 1892.