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Obedience the Test of True Religion, May 4
Every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not
gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Luke 6:44
.
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith” (
2 Corinthians 13:5
).
Some conscientious souls, on reading this, immediately begin to criticize
their every feeling and emotion. But this is not correct self-examination.
It is not the petty feelings and emotions that are to be examined. The life,
the character, is to be measured by the only standard of character, God’s
holy law. The fruit testifies to the character of the tree. Our works, not
our feelings, bear witness of us.
The feelings, whether encouraging or discouraging, should not be
made the test of the spiritual condition. By God’s Word we are to deter-
mine our true standing before Him. Many are bewildered on this point.
When they are happy and joyous, they think that they are accepted of God.
When a change comes, and they feel depressed, they think that God has
forsaken them.... God does not desire us to go through life with a distrust
of Him.... While we were yet sinners, God gave His Son to die for us.
Can we doubt His goodness? ...
But a faithful performance of duty goes hand in hand with a right
estimate of the character of God. There is earnest work to do for the
Master. Christ came to preach the gospel to the poor, and He sent His
disciples forth to do the same work He came to do. So He sends forth His
workers today. Sheaves are to be gathered for Him from the highways
and hedges.
The tremendous issues of eternity demand of us something besides an
imaginary religion, a religion of words and forms, where the truth is kept
in the outer court, to be admired as we admire a beautiful flower; they
demand something more than a religion of feeling, which distrusts God
when trials and difficulties come. Holiness does not consist in profession,
but in lifting the cross, doing the will of God.... “He that saith, I know
him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not
in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God
perfected” (
1 John 2:4, 5
).
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