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Weighing Time, February 3
The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
1
Samuel 2:3
.
I have seen an angel standing with scales in his hands weighing the
thoughts and interest of the people of God, especially the young. In one
scale were the thoughts and interest tending heavenward; in the other were
the thoughts and interest tending to earth. And in this scale were thrown
all the reading of storybooks, thoughts of dress and show, vanity, pride,
et cetera. Oh, what a solemn moment! the angels of God standing with
scales, weighing the thoughts of His professed children—those who claim
to be dead to the world and alive to God. The scale filled with thoughts
of earth, vanity, and pride quickly went down, notwithstanding weight
after weight rolled from the scale. The one with the thoughts and interest
tending to heaven went quickly up as the other went down, and oh, how
light it was! I can relate this as I saw it; but never can I give the solemn
and vivid impression stamped upon my mind, as I saw the angel with the
scales weighing the thoughts and interest of the people of God. Said the
angel: “Can such enter heaven? No, no, never. Tell them the hope they now
possess is vain, and unless they speedily repent, and obtain salvation, they
must perish.” ...
I saw that many measure themselves among themselves, and compare
their lives with the lives of others. This should not be. No one but Christ is
given us as an example. He is our true Pattern, and each should strive to
excel in imitating Him....
I saw that some hardly know as yet what self-denial or sacrifice is, or
what it is to suffer for the truth’s sake. But none will enter heaven without
making a sacrifice. A spirit of self-denial and sacrifice should be cherished.
Some have not sacrificed themselves, their own bodies, on the altar of God.
They indulge in hasty, fitful temper, gratify their appetites, and attend to
their own self-interest, regardless of the cause of God. Those who are
willing to make any sacrifice for eternal life, will have it; and it will be
worth suffering for, worth crucifying self for, and sacrificing every idol for.
The far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory swallows up everything
and eclipses every earthly pleasure.
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