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Selected Messages Book 1
think others do not comprehend; but they do not themselves know what
they are talking about. They speculate upon God’s Word, advancing
ideas that are not a whit of help to themselves or to the churches. For
the time being they may excite the imagination, but there is a reaction,
and these very ideas become a hindrance. Faith is confounded with
fancy, and their views may bias the mind in a wrong direction.
[181]
Let the plain, simple statements of the Word of God be food for
the mind; this speculating upon ideas that are not clearly presented
there is dangerous business.
You are naturally combative. You do not care much whether you
harmonize with your brethren or not. You would like to enter into
controversy, would like to fight for your particular ideas; but you
should lay this aside, for this is not developing the Christian graces.
Work with all your power to answer the prayer of Christ, that His
disciples may be one, as He is one with the Father.
Not a soul of us is safe unless we learn of Jesus daily, His meekness,
His lowliness of heart. When you go to any place to labor, do not be
dictatorial, do not be severe, do not be antagonistic. Preach the love of
Christ, and this will melt and subdue hearts. Seek to be of one mind
and of one judgment, coming close in harmony with your brethren,
and to speak the same things.
Talk Not of Divisions
This talking about divisions because all do not have the same ideas
as present themselves to your mind, is not the work of God, but of the
enemy. Talk the simple truths wherein you can agree. Talk of unity;
do not become narrow and conceited; let your mind broaden.
Christ does not weigh character in scales of human judgment. He
says, “I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me”
(
John 12:32
). Every soul who responds to this drawing will turn from
iniquity. Christ is able to save to the uttermost all who come unto Him.
He who comes to Jesus is setting his feet upon a ladder that reaches
from earth to heaven. Teach it by pen, by voice, that God is above
the ladder; the bright rays of His glory are shining upon every round
of the ladder. He is looking graciously upon all who are climbing
painfully upward, that He may send them help, divine help, when the
hand seems to be relaxing and the foot trembling. Yes, tell it, tell it