Chapter 40—The State of the Church
There is great necessity for a reformation among the people of
God. The present state of the church leads to the inquiry: Is this a
correct representation of Him who gave His life for us? Are these
the followers of Christ and the brethren of those who counted not
their lives dear unto themselves? Those who come up to the Bible
standard, the Bible description of Christ’s followers, will be found rare
indeed. Having forsaken God, the Fountain of living waters, they have
hewn them out cisterns, “broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” Said
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the angel: “Lack of love and faith are the great sins of which God’s
people are now guilty.” Lack of faith leads to carelessness and to love
of self and the world. Those who separate themselves from God and
fall under temptation indulge in gross vices, for the carnal heart leads
to great wickedness. And this state of things is found among many
of God’s professed people. While they are professedly serving God
they are to all intents and purposes corrupting their ways before Him.
Appetite and passion are indulged by many, notwithstanding the clear
light of truth points out the danger and lifts its warning voice: Beware,
restrain, deny. “The wages of sin is death.” Although the example of
those who have made shipwreck of faith stands as a beacon to warn
others from pursuing the same course, yet many rush madly on. Satan
has control of their minds and seems to have power over their bodies.
Oh, how many flatter themselves that they have goodness and
righteousness, when the true light of God reveals that all their lives
they have only lived to please themselves! Their whole conduct is
abhorred of God. How many are alive without the law! In their gross
darkness they view themselves with complacency; but let the law of
God be revealed to their consciences, as it was to Paul, and they would
see that they are sold under sin and must die to the carnal mind. Self
must be slain.
How sad and fearful the mistakes that many are making! They
are building on the sand, but flatter themselves that they are riveted
to the eternal Rock. Many who profess godliness are rushing on as
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