Church Trials
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humility should a brother do this, considering his own weakness, lest
he also should be tempted.
I have seen the great sacrifice which Jesus made to redeem man.
He did not consider His own life too dear to sacrifice. Said Jesus:
“Love one another, as I have loved you.” Do you feel, when a brother
errs, that you could give your life to save him? If you feel thus, you
can approach him and affect his heart; you are just the one to visit
that brother. But it is a lamentable fact that many who profess to
be brethren, are not willing to sacrifice any of their opinions or their
judgment to save a brother. There is but little love for one another. A
selfish spirit is manifested.
Discouragement has come upon the church. They have been loving
the world, loving their farms, their cattle, etc. Now Jesus calls them
to cut loose, to lay up treasure in heaven, to buy gold, white raiment,
and eyesalve. Precious treasures are these. They will obtain for the
possessor an entrance into the kingdom of God.
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The people of God must move understandingly. They should not
be satisfied until every known sin is confessed; then it is their privilege
and duty to believe that Jesus accepts them. They must not wait for
others to press through the darkness and obtain the victory for them
to enjoy. Such enjoyment will last only till the meeting closes. But
God must be served from principle instead of from feeling. Morning
and night obtain the victory for yourselves in your own family. Let
not your daily labor keep you from this. Take time to pray, and as you
pray, believe that God hears you. Have faith mixed with your prayers.
You may not at all times feel the immediate answer; but then it is that
faith is tried. You are proved to see whether you will trust in God,
whether you have living, abiding faith. “Faithful is He that calleth you,
who also will do it.” Walk the narrow plank of faith. Trust all on the
promises of the Lord. Trust God in darkness. That is the time to have
faith. But you often let feeling govern you. You look for worthiness
in yourselves when you do not feel comforted by the Spirit of God,
and despair because you cannot find it. You do not trust enough in
Jesus, precious Jesus. You do not make His worthiness to be all, all.
The very best you can do will not merit the favor of God. It is Jesus’
worthiness that will save you, His blood that will cleanse you. But
you have efforts to make. You must do what you can on your part. Be
zealous and repent, then believe.