62
Selected Messages Book 1
Sufficient Evidence for the Honest in Heart
It is God’s plan to give sufficient evidence of the divine character
of His work to convince all who honestly desire to know the truth.
But He never removes all opportunity for doubt. All who desire to
question and cavil will find occasion.
I pity those who have set their feet in the path of doubt and unbelief.
I would gladly help them if I could, but the experience of the past gives
me little hope that they will ever come to the light. No amount of
evidence will convince men of the truth so long as they are unwilling
to yield their pride, subdue their carnal nature, and become learners in
the school of Christ.
Self-will and pride of opinion lead many to reject the light from
heaven They cling to pet ideas, fanciful interpretations of Scripture,
and dangerous heresies; and if a testimony is borne to correct these
errors, they will, like many in Christ’s day, go away displeased.
It matters not how blameless the character and life of those who
speak to the people the words of God; this procures for them no credit.
And why? Because they tell the people the truth. This, brethren, is
[73]
my offense. But if a false report is circulated, if by some inference
or conjecture an imputation is cast upon the character of Christ’s
ambassador, with what absurd credulity is it received! How many are
ready to magnify and spread the slander! Such are revealing their real
character. “He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear
them not, because ye are not of God” (
John 8:47
).
Calumny and reproach will be the recompense of those who stand
for the truth as it is in Jesus. “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus
shall suffer persecution” (
2 Timothy 3:12
). Those who bear a plain
testimony against sin will as surely be hated as was the Master who
gave them this work to do in His name. Like Christ, they will be called
the enemies of the church and of religion, and the more earnest and
true their efforts to honor God, the more bitter will be the enmity of
the ungodly and hypocritical. But we should not be discouraged when
thus treated.
I Shall Go Forward With My Work
We may be called “weak and foolish,” enthusiastic, even insane. It
may be said of us as it was of Christ, “He hath a devil” (
John 10:20
).