118
Testimonies for the Church Volume 8
and indifferent! The line of demarcation between worldlings and
many professed Christians is almost indistinguishable. Many who
[119]
once were earnest Adventists are conforming to the world—to its
practices, its customs, its selfishness. Instead of leading the world to
render obedience to God’s law, the church is uniting more and more
closely with the world in transgression. Daily the church is becoming
converted to the world. How many professing Christians are slaves of
mammon! Their indulgence of appetite, their extravagant expenditure
of money for selfish gratification, greatly dishonors God.
And through lack of zeal for the promulgation of the third angel’s
message, many others, while not apparently living in transgression, are
nevertheless as verily lending their influence on the side of Satan as are
those who openly sin against God. Multitudes are perishing; but how
few are burdened for these souls! There is a stupor, a paralysis, upon
many of the people of God, which prevents them from understanding
the duty of the hour.
When the Israelites entered Canaan, they did not fulfill God’s
purpose by taking possession of the whole land. After making a partial
conquest, they settled down to enjoy the fruit of their victories. In
their unbelief and love of ease they congregated in the portions already
conquered, instead of pushing forward to occupy new territory. Thus
they began to depart from God. By their failure to carry out His
purpose they made it impossible for Him to fulfill to them His promise
of blessing.
Is not the church of today doing the same thing? With the whole
world before them in need of the gospel, professed Christians con-
gregate where they themselves can enjoy gospel privileges. They do
not feel the necessity of occupying new territory, carrying the mes-
sage of salvation into regions beyond. They refuse to fulfill Christ’s
commission: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature.” Are they less guilty than was the Jewish church?
[120]
“Choose You This Day Whom Ye Will Serve”
There will be a sharp conflict between those who are loyal to God
and those who cast scorn upon His law. Reverence for God’s law has
been subverted. The religious leaders are teaching for doctrine the
commandments of men. As it was in the days of ancient Israel, so it is