Fanatical Mind
41
ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were
hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the
sea. Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that
offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!”
(
Matthew 18:1-7
).
My brother, cast away all evil thinking. Humble your heart before
God. Then, your eyes being opened, you will no longer stand on
the negative side. “If thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off,
and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt
or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into
everlasting fire” (
Matthew 18:8
). Cut away your defective attributes,
however painful to human nature it may be to do this. “And if thine
eye”—so sharp to see something to criticize or oppose—“offend thee,
pluck it out, and cast if from thee: it is better for thee to enter into
life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire”
(
verse 9
).—
Letter 93, 1901
Faith Overcomes Negativism—We shall have success if we move
forward in faith, determined to do the work of God intelligently. We
[45]
must not allow ourselves to be hindered by men who love to stand on
the negative side, showing very little faith. God’s missionary work is
to be carried forward by men of much faith and is steadily to grow in
force and efficiency.—
Letter 233, 1904
The Peril of Individual Independence—There have ever been
in the church those who are constantly inclined toward individual
independence. They seem unable to realize that independence of spirit
is liable to lead the human agent to have too much confidence in
himself and to trust in his own judgment rather than to respect the
counsel and highly esteem the judgment of his brethren, especially of
those in the offices that God has appointed for the leadership of His
people. God has invested His church with special authority and power
which no one can be justified in disregarding and despising, for he
who does this despises the voice of God.—
The Acts of the Apostles,
163, 164
(1911).
Peace Found in Cherishing Meekness—The soul finds rest only
in cherishing meekness and lowliness of heart. The peace of Christ is
never found where selfishness reigns. The soul cannot grow in grace
when it is self-centered and proud. Jesus assumed the position that
man must take in order that the peace of Christ may abide in the heart.