70
Selected Messages Book 1
I awoke with the picture of their agonized countenances stamped
on my mind. I cannot efface the impression. I wish I could describe the
scene as it was presented to me. Oh, how sad was the disappointment
of those who had not learned by experience the meaning of the words,
“Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (
Colossians 3:3
).
There are many professing Christians who know not Christ by
an experimental knowledge. Oh, how my heart aches for these poor,
deceived, unprepared souls! As I stand before congregations, and
see the self-sufficient, self-righteous ones, and know that they are not
preparing themselves to do acceptable work for Christ, and to meet
Him in peace, I am so burdened that I cannot sleep. I ask myself, What
can I say to these souls that will arouse them to a sense of their true
condition? Self is the all-absorbing theme of their life. I long to reveal
Christ so plainly that they will behold Him, and cease to center their
attention on self....
Among those to whom bitter disappointment will come at the day
of final reckoning will be some who have been outwardly religious, and
[82]
who apparently have lived Christian lives. But self is woven into all
they do. They pride themselves on their morality, their influence, their
ability to stand in a higher position than others, [and] their knowledge
of the truth, for they think that these will win for them the commen-
dation of Christ. “Lord,” they plead, “we have eaten and drunk in thy
presence, and thou hast taught in our streets” (
Luke 13:26
). “Have we
not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and
in thy name done many wonderful works?” (
Matthew 7:22
).
But Christ says, “I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart
from me.” “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter
into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven” (
Matthew 7:21
).
There is no discussion; the time for that is past. The irrevocable
sentence has been pronounced. They are shut out from heaven by
their own unfitness for its companionship. (Read
Matthew 7:24-27
.)—
Letter 91, 1904
.
Through the plan of redemption, God has provided means for
subduing every sinful trait, and resisting every temptation, however
strong.—
The Review and Herald, December 22, 1885
.
If God’s people had the love of Christ in the heart; if every church
member were thoroughly imbued with the spirit of self-denial; if all