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Preach the Word, July 6
Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A
confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
Isaiah 8:12
.
Our work is to proclaim to the world the first, second, and third angels’
messages. In the discharge of our duties, we are neither to despise nor fear
our enemies. To bind ourselves up by contracts with those not of our faith is
not in the order of God.
We are to treat with kindness and courtesy those who refuse to be loyal
to God, but we are never, never to unite with them in counsel, regarding
the vital interests of His work, for this is not the way of the Lord. Putting
our trust in God, we are to move steadily forward, doing His work with
unselfishness, in humble dependence upon Him, committing ourselves and
all that concerns our present and future to His wise providence, holding the
beginning of our confidence firm unto the end, remembering that it is not
because of our worthiness that we receive the blessings of heaven, but because
of the worthiness of Christ, and our acceptance, through faith in Him, of God’s
abounding grace.
I pray that my brethren may realize that the third angel’s message means
much to us, and that the observance of the true Sabbath is to be the sign that
distinguishes those who serve God from those who serve Him not. Let those
awake who have become sleepy and indifferent. We are called to be holy, and
we should carefully avoid giving the impression that it is of little consequence
whether or not we retain the peculiar features of our faith. Upon us rests the
solemn obligation of taking a more decided stand for truth and righteousness
than we have taken in the past.
The line of demarcation between those who keep the commandments of
God and those who do not, is to be revealed with unmistakable clearness. We
are conscientiously to honor God, diligently using every means of keeping in
covenant relation with Him, that we may receive His blessings—the blessings
so essential for the people who are to be so severely tried. To give the
impression that our faith, our religion, is not a dominating power in our
lives, is greatly to dishonor God.—
Letter 128, July 6, 1902
, to the General
Conference Committee and the Medical Missionary Board.
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