318
Selected Messages Book 1
changed, and his strength renewed. The Lord presented the truth be-
fore him in clear lines, revealing the fact that Christ alone is the source
of all hope and salvation. “In him was life; and the life was the light
of men.” “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and
we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)
full of grace and truth” (
John 1:4, 14
).
One of our young ministering brethren said that he had enjoyed
more of the blessing and love of God during that meeting than in all
his life before. Another stated that the trials, perplexities, and conflicts
which he had endured in his mind had been of such a character that he
had been tempted to give up everything. He had felt that there was no
hope for him, unless he could obtain more of the grace of Christ; but
through the influence of the meetings he had experienced a change of
heart, and had a better knowledge of salvation through faith in Christ.
He saw that it was his privilege to be justified by faith; he had peace
with God, and with tears confessed what relief and blessing had come
to his soul. At every social meeting many testimonies were borne as
to the peace, comfort, and joy the people had found in receiving light.
[357]
We thank the Lord with all the heart that we have precious light
to present before the people, and we rejoice that we have a message
for this time which is present truth. The tidings that Christ is our
righteousness has brought relief to many, many souls, and God says
to His people, “Go forward.” The message to the Laodicean church
is applicable to our condition. How plainly is pictured the position
of those who think they have all the truth, who take pride in their
knowledge of the Word of God, while its sanctifying power has not
been felt in their lives. The fervor of the love of God is wanting in
their hearts, but it is this very fervor of love that makes God’s people
the light of the world.
The Laodicean Message
The True Witness says of a cold, lifeless, Christless church, “I
know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert
cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor
hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (
Revelation 3:15, 16
). Mark
the following words: “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased
with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art