Reclaiming Backsliders
319
have been far advanced in spiritual knowledge, able to comprehend
and practice the higher truths of the Word; but they were unsanctified.
They had forgotten that they must be purged from their hereditary and
cultivated tendencies to wrong, and that they must not cherish carnal
attributes.
[370]
It was impossible for the apostle to reprove wrongdoing with-
out some who claimed to believe the truth becoming offended. The
inspired testimony could do these no good; for they had lost their
spiritual discernment. Jealousy, evil surmising, and accusing closed
the door to the working of the Holy Spirit. Paul would gladly have
dwelt upon higher and more difficult truths, truths which were rich in
nourishment, but his instruction would have cut directly across their
tendencies to jealousy, and would not have been received. The divine
mysteries of godliness, which would have enabled them to grasp the
truths necessary for that time, could not be spoken. The apostle must
select lessons, which, like milk, could be taken without irritating the
digestive organs. Truths of the deepest interest could not be spoken,
because the hearers would misapply and misappropriate them, present-
ing them to young converts who needed only the more simple truths
of the Word....
Holiness to God through Christ is required of Christians. If there
are wrongs in the church, they should receive immediate attention.
Some may have to be sharply rebuked. This is not doing the erring
one any wrong. The faithful physician of the soul cuts deep, that no
pestilent matter may be left to burst forth again. After the reproof has
been given, then comes repentance and confession, and God will freely
pardon and heal. He always pardons when confession is made.—
The
Review and Herald, December 11, 1900
.
Troublers of Zion—There are in our churches those who profess
the truth who are only hindrances to the work of reform. They are
clogs to the wheels of the car of salvation. This class are frequently in
trial. Doubts, jealousies, and suspicion are the fruits of selfishness, and
seem to be interwoven with their very natures. I shall name this class
[371]
chronic church grumblers. They do more harm in a church than two
ministers can undo. They are a tax to the church and a great weight
to the ministers of Christ. They live in an atmosphere of doubts,
jealousies, and surmisings. Much time and labor of the ambassadors
of Christ are required to undo their work of evil, and restore harmony