PROPHETIC JUSTIFICATION FOR PRISON MINISTRY "Christ identifies Himself with every child of humanity. In order "that we might become members of the heavenly family, He became a member of the earthly family. He is the Son of man, and thus a Brother to every son and daughter of Adam. His followers are not to feel themselves detached from the perishing world around them… The fallen, the erring, and the sinful, Christ’s love embraces; and every deed of kindness done to uplift a fallen soul, every act of mercy, is accepted as done to Him." Desire of Ages, p. 638. The 25th chapter of Matthew presents the fact that when one opens the door to the needy and suffering we are welcoming unseen angels. "It was I who was hungry and thirsty. It was I who was a stranger. It was I who was sick. It was I who was in prison. While you were feasting at your bountifully spread table, I was famishing in the hovel or the empty street. While you were at ease in your luxurious home, I had not where to lay My head. While you crowded your wardrobe with rich apparel, I was destitute. While you pursued your pleasures, I languished in prison." --Ibid., pp. 639, 640. "In the great judgment day, those who have not worked for Christ, who have drifted along thinking of themselves, caring for themselves, will be placed by the Judge of the whole earth with those who did evil. They receive the same condemnation." Ibid., p. 641 It is His plan that men are to work for their fellow man. God could send means from heaven to carry on his work; but this is out of His order. He has ordained that men should be His instruments, that as a great sacrifice was made to redeem them, they should act a part in this work of salvation, by making a sacrifice for one another, and by thus doing, shows how highly they prize the sacrifice that has been made for them. "All that the apostles did, every church member today is to do." -7 T p. 33. This is, if one neglects the duty Christ has enjoined, of trying to restore those who are in error and sin, he becomes a partaker in the sin. For evils that we might have checked, we are just as responsible as if we were guilty of the act ourselves. When we realize that we are working together with God, His promises will not be spoken with indifference. They will burn in our hearts, and kindle upon our lips. To Moses, when called to minister to an ignorant, undisciplined, and rebellious people, God gave the promise, "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." And He said, "Certainly I will be with thee." – Exodus 33:14; 3:12. The promise is to all who labor in Christ’s stead for His afflicted and suffering ones. Love to man is the earthward manifestation of the love of God. – Desire of Ages, p. 566. God can and will use those who have not had a thorough education in the school of men. A doubt of His power to do this, is manifest unbelief: it is limiting the omnipotent power of the one with whom nothing is impossible. O for less of this uncalled-for, distrustful caution! –GW, p. 488, -C. p. 24. Every obstacle to the redemption of God’s people is to be removed by the opening of His Word and the presentation of a plain "thus saith the Lord." –Testimonies v. 8, p. 10. I asked the angel why there was no more faith and power in Israel. He said, "Ye let go of the arm of the Lord too soon. Press your petition to the throne and hold on by strong faith. The promises are sure. Believe ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them." I was then pointed to Elijah. He was subject to like passions as we are. And he prayed earnestly. His faith endured the trial. Seven times he prayed before the Lord, and at last the cloud was seen. I saw that we had doubted the sure promises, and wounded the Savior by lack of faith. "It is the absence of the Spirit that makes the gospel ministry so powerless. Learning, talent, eloquence, every natural or acquired endowment, may be possessed; but without the presence of the Spirit of God, no heart will be touched, no sinner be won to Christ. On the other hand, if they are connected with Christ, if the gifts of the Spirit are theirs, the poorest and most ignorant of His disciples will have a power that will tell upon hearts. God makes them the channel for the outworking of the highest influence in the universe." –COL. P. 328. "Trust in the Lord with all (your) heart, and lean not on (your) own understanding. In all (your) ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct (your) paths" (Proverbs 3:5, 6, NKJV). Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." "Those whose affections are set on God will succeed." –7T, p.90. "To every worker I would say: go forth in humble faith, and the Lord will go with you. The power is of God. Work in dependence upon Him, remembering that you are laborers together with Him. He is your helper. Your strength is from Him. He will be your wisdom, your righteousness, your sanctification, your redemption….He will be your comfort, your rest." –Gospel Workers, p.38. "If the servants of God will walk with Him in faith, He will give power to them. They will be enabled so to present His love and the danger of rejection the grace of God that men will be constrained to accept the Gospel. Christ – wonderful miracles if men will but do their God-given part." –COL. P.149.