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The Life that Lasts, January 21
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and
gathered of every kind.
Matthew 13:47
.
We have abundant evidence that tares grow with wheat in the church of God.
There are sincere Christians in the church, and there are also lukewarm Christians.
These have opportunity to know the truth. The Word of God is presented to them;
they come to the banquet, as Judas came to the Passover, but like Judas, they
do not eat the Word of life. No one can compel them to eat the Word of eternal
life—to make thorough work for repentance, that they may obtain a Christian
experience, and become rooted and grounded in the truth....
We must not be overwhelmed with discouragement because good and bad are
gathered into the church. Judas was numbered among the disciples. He had every
advantage a man could have, but although he heard the truth, and listened to the
principles so plainly laid down, yet Christ knew that he did not receive the truth.
He did not eat the truth. It did not become a part of himself. His old habits and
practices constantly sought to assert themselves. But Christ did not take forcible
means to cut Judas away from the disciples....
All who are trying to do true service to God will be brought into perplexity.
But do not think of failure. Do not talk of discouragement. Let all be united in
doing the will of our heavenly Father.... If we are Christians, we cannot follow the
world’s policy. “It is written” must be our constant counselor. What ungodly men
do should not guide us....
Men act as though they had been given special liberty to cancel the decisions
of God. The higher critics put themselves in the place of God, and review the
Word of God, revising or endorsing it. In this way, all nations are induced to drink
the wine of the fornication of Babylon. These higher critics have fixed things to
suit the popular heresies of these last days. If they cannot subvert and misapply
the Word of God, if they cannot bend it to human practices, they break it....
All who are doers of the Word of God will be blessed abundantly. Whatever
crosses they must lift, whatever losses they must sustain, whatever persecution
they may suffer, even if it be to the loss of their temporal life, they are amply
recompensed; for they secure that life which measures with the life of God. In
losing their lives for Christ’s sake, they gain a life which lasts through the eternal
ages. They walk under the direction of the Father of lights, with whom there is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning. They shall see His face, and His name
shall be in their foreheads.—
Letter 48, January 21, 1897
, to “Brethren Daniells
and Salisbury,” leading workers in Australia.
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