Examine Yourselves
81
“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments,
is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (
1 John 2:4
). A great awakening
must come to the church. If we only knew, if we only understood, how
quickly the spirit of the message would go from church to church. How
willingly would the possessions of believers be given to support the
work of God. God calls upon us to pray and watch unto prayer. Cleanse
your homes of the picture-idols [
See
Selected Messages 2:317-320
for
a fuller discussion of the taking of pictures.—Compilers.] which have
consumed the money that ought to have flowed into the Lord’s treasury.
The light must go forth as a lamp that burneth. Those who bear the
message to the world should seek the Lord earnestly, that His Holy
Spirit may be abundantly showered upon them. You have no time to
lose. Pray for the power of God, that you may work with success for
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those nigh and afar off.
Warnings to Be Given
We must have genuine faith. As yet we scarcely grasp the reality
of the truth. We only half believe the Word of God. A man will act
out all the faith he has. Notwithstanding that the signs of the times
are fulfilling all over the world, faith in the Lord’s coming has been
growing feeble. Clear, distinct, certain, the warnings are to be given.
At the peril of our souls we are to learn the prescribed conditions under
which we are to work out our own salvation, remembering that it is
God which worketh in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
It will not do for us to float along with the current, guided by
tradition and presumptuous fallacies. We are called laborers together
with God. Then let us arise and shine. There is no time to spend in
controversy. Those who have a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus
must now become one in heart and purpose. All differences must be
swept away. The members of the church must work unitedly under the
great Head of the church.
Let those who have a knowledge of the truth arise and shine. “Cry
aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet” (
Isaiah 58:1
). No
longer mutilate the truth. Let the soul cry out for the living God. Cease
ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils. The Comforter will come
to you, if you will open the door to Him. “Seeing then that we have a
great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,