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Spiritual Gifts, Volume 4b
ungodly, and purify them unto himself. Seventh-day Adventists should
live out their faith. Those who obey the ten commandments, view
the state of the world and religious things from altogether a different
stand-point from professors who are lovers of pleasures, who shun the
cross, and are living in violation of the fourth commandment. In the
present state of things in society, the task is no easy one, for parents
to restrain their children, and instruct them according to the Bible
rule of right. Professors of religion have so departed from the word
of God, that when his people return to his sacred word, and would
train their children according to its precepts, and like Abraham of old
command their households after them; the poor children with such
an influence around them think their parents unnecessarily exacting
and over-careful, in regard to their associates. They naturally desire to
follow the example of worldly, pleasure-loving professors.
In these days, persecution and reproach for Christ’s sake, are
scarcely known. But very little self-denial and sacrifice is neces-
sary in order to put on a form of godliness, and have the name upon
a church book. But to live in such a manner that our ways will be
pleasing to God, and our names registered in the book of life, will
require watchfulness and prayer, self-denial and sacrifice on our part.
Professed Christians should be no example for the youth, only as far
as they follow Christ. Right actions are unmistakable fruits of true
godliness. The Judge of all the earth will give every one according as
his works shall be. Children who follow Christ, have a warfare before
them. They have a daily cross to bear in coming out from the world
and being separate, and imitating the life of Christ.
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Walk in the Light
I was shown that God’s people dwell too much under a cloud. It is
not the will of God for his people to live in unbelief. Jesus is light, and
in him is no darkness at all. His children are the children of light. They
are renewed in his image, and called out of darkness into his marvelous
light. He is the light of the world, and they that follow him are the light
of the world. They shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light
of life. The more closely the people of God strive to imitate Christ,
the more perseveringly will they be pursued by the enemy. But their