Call to Arouse
99
ually aroused to put forth the earnest effort they are capable of making,
and every branch of the work is crippled by the lack of fervent piety,
and devoted, humble, God-fearing laborers. Where are the soldiers of
the cross of Christ? Let the God-fearing, the honest, the single-hearted,
who look steadfastly to the glory of God, prepare themselves for the
battle against error. There are too many faint, cowardly hearts in this
hour of spiritual conflict. O that out of weakness they may be made
strong, and wax valiant in fight, and put to flight the armies of the
aliens!—
Historical Sketches, 290
.
It is a universal principle that whenever one refuses to use his God-
given powers, these powers decay and perish. Truth that is not lived,
that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue.—
The
Acts of the Apostles, 206
.
[98]
Nothing will give bone and sinew to your piety like working to ad-
vance the cause you profess to love, instead of binding it.—
Testimonies
for the Church 4:236
.
Those who endeavor to maintain Christian life by passively ac-
cepting the blessings that come through the means of grace, and doing
nothing for Christ, are simply trying to live by eating without work-
ing. And in the spiritual as in the natural world, this always results in
degeneration and decay.—
Steps to Christ, 80, 81
.
Danger Accompanying Missionary Activity
Let us not forget that as activity increases, and we become suc-
cessful in doing the work that must be accomplished, there is danger
of our trusting in human plans and methods. There will be a tendency
to pray less, and to have less faith. We shall be in danger of losing
our sense of dependence upon God, who alone can make our work
succeed; but although this is the tendency, let no one think that the
human instrument is to do less. No, he is not to do less, but to do
more by accepting the heavenly gift, the Holy Spirit.—
The Review
and Herald, July 4, 1893
.
There will come times when the church will be stirred by divine
power, and earnest activity will be the result; for the life-giving power
of the Holy Spirit will inspire its members to go forth and bring souls to
Christ. But when this activity is manifested, the most earnest workers
will be safe only as they depend upon God through constant, earnest