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Trifling With God’s Spirit, August 26
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the
day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30
.
When the Lord presents evidence upon evidence and gives light upon
light, why is it that souls hesitate to walk in the light? ... By every hesitation
and delay, we place ourselves where it is more and more difficult for us to
accept the light of heaven, and at last it seems impossible to be impressed
by admonitions and warnings. The sinner says, more and more easily, “Go
thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee”
(
Acts 24:25
)....
The person who is drawn again and again by his Redeemer, and who
slights the warnings given, yields not to his convictions to repent, and
heeds not when he is exhorted to seek pardon and grace, is in a perilous
position. Jesus is drawing him, the Spirit is exerting His power upon him,
urging him to surrender his will to the will of God; and when this invitation
is unheeded, the Spirit is grieved away. The sinner chooses to remain in
sin and impenitence, although he has evidence to encourage his faith, and
more evidence would do no good.... There is another drawing to which he
is responding, and that is the drawing of Satan. He yields obedience to the
powers of darkness. This course is fatal, and leaves the soul in obstinate
impenitence. This is the blasphemy that is most general among men, and it
works in a most subtle way, until the sinner feels no remorse of conscience,
no repentance, and consequently has no pardon....
Those who resist the Spirit of God think that they will repent at some
future day when they get ready to take a decided step toward reformation,
but repentance will then be beyond their power. According to the light and
privileges given will be the darkness of those who refuse to walk in the
light while they have the light....
Never, never, feel at liberty to trifle with the opportunities granted to
you. Study the will of God; do not study how you can avoid keeping
the commandments of God, but study rather how you may keep them in
sincerity and truth and truly serve Him whose property you are
[245]
37
The Review and Herald, June 29, 1897
.
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