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Counsels on Stewardship
the things of the Spirit of God. The reason there is so much dwarfed
religion today is because people have not brought practical self-denial
and self-sacrifice into their lives.—
The Review and Herald, January 8,
1889
.
Latter Rain Postponed
The great outpouring of the Spirit of God, which lightens the whole
earth with His glory, will not come until we have an enlightened people,
that know by experience what it means to be laborers together with
God. When we have entire, wholehearted consecration to the service
of Christ, God will recognize the fact by an outpouring of His Spirit
without measure; but this will not be while the largest portion of the
church are not laborers together with God. God cannot pour out His
Spirit when selfishness and self-indulgence are so manifest; when a
spirit prevails that, if put into words, would express that answer of
Cain,—“Am I my brother’s keeper?”—
The Review and Herald, July
21, 1896
.
Subordinate Every Earthly Interest
My dear brethren and sisters,
I speak to you in words of love and tenderness. Every earthly
interest must be made subordinate to the great work of redemption.
[53]
Remember that in the lives of the followers of Christ must be seen
the same devotion, the same subjection to God’s work of every social
claim and every earthly affection, that was seen in His life. God’s
claims must ever be made paramount. “He that loveth father or mother
more than Me is not worthy of Me.” Christ’s life is our lesson book.
His example is to inspire us to put forth untiring, self-sacrificing effort
for the good of others....
Every power of God’s servants is to be kept in continual exercise
to bring many sons and daughters to God. In His service there is to
be no indifference, no selfishness. Any departure from self-denial to
self-indulgence, any relaxation of earnest supplication for the Holy
Spirit’s working, means so much power given to the enemy. Christ
is reviewing His church. How many there are whose religious life is
their own condemnation!