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The True, the Frank, the Honest, September 30
Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Revelation 2:10
.
God’s all-seeing eye notes the defects of all and the ruling passion of each, yet
He bears with our mistakes and pities our weakness. He bids His people cherish the
same spirit of tenderness and forbearance. True Christians will not exult in exposing
the faults and deficiencies of others. They will ... fix the mind upon that which
is attractive and lovely. To the Christian every act of faultfinding, every word of
censure or condemnation, is painful....
Would all professed Christians use their investigative powers to see what evils
needed to be corrected in themselves, instead of talking of others’ wrongs, there
would be a more healthy condition in the church today. Some will be honest when
it costs nothing; but when policy will pay best, honesty is forgotten. Honesty and
policy will not work together in the same mind. In time, either policy will be
expelled, and truth and honesty reign supreme, or, if policy is cherished, honesty
will be forgotten. They are never in agreement; they have nothing in common. One
is the prophet of Baal, the other is the true prophet of God. When the Lord makes
up His jewels, the true, the frank, the honest, will be looked upon with pleasure.
Angels are employed in making crowns for such ones, and upon these star-gemmed
crowns will be reflected, with splendor, the light which radiates from the throne of
God....
The Lord is testing and proving His people. You may be just as severe and
critical with your own defective character as you please; but be kind, pitiful, and
courteous toward others. Inquire every day: Am I sound to the core, or am I false-
hearted? Entreat the Lord to save you from all deception on this point. Eternal
interests are involved. While so many are panting after honor and greedy of gain,
do you, my beloved brethren, be eagerly seeking the assurance of the love of God
and crying: Who will show me how to make my calling and election sure?
Satan carefully studies the constitutional sins of men, and then he begins his
work of alluring and ensnaring them. We are in the thickest of temptations, but there
is victory for us if we fight manfully the battles of the Lord. All are in danger. But
if you walk humbly and prayerfully you will come forth from the proving process
more precious than fine gold, even than the golden wedge of Ophir. If careless and
prayerless, you will be as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.
Some have become almost lost in the mazes of skepticism. To such I would
say: Lift your mind out of that channel. Fasten it upon God. The more closely faith
and holiness bind you to the Eternal One, the clearer and brighter will the justice
of His dealings appear to you. Make life, eternal life, the object of your pursuit
(
Testimonies for the Church 5:95-98
).
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