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Selected Messages Book 2
and he feels as destitute of the refreshing of the Holy Spirit as were
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the hills of Gilboa of dew and rain.
At times the follower of Christ may by circumstances be compelled
to witness scenes of unholy pleasure, but it is with a sorrowful heart.
The language is not the language of Canaan, and the child of God will
never choose such associations. When he is necessarily brought into
society that he does not choose, let him lean upon God, and the Lord
will preserve him. But he is not to sacrifice his principles in any case,
whatever the temptation.
Not of Christ
Christ will never lead His followers to take upon themselves vows
that will unite them with men who have no connection with God,
who are not under the controlling influence of His Holy Spirit. The
only correct standard of character is the holy law of God, and it is
impossible for those who make that law the rule of life to unite in
confidence and cordial brotherhood with those who turn the truth of
God into a lie, and regard the authority of God as a thing of nought.
Between the worldly man and the one who is faithfully serving
God, there is a great gulf fixed. Upon the most momentous subjects—
God and truth and eternity—their thoughts and sympathies and feelings
are not in harmony. One class is ripening as wheat for the garner of
God, the other as tares for the fires of destruction. How can there be
unity of purpose or action between them?
“Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?
whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God”
(
James 4:4
).
“No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and
love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (
Matthew 6:24
).
But we are to beware of indulging a spirit of bigotry and intoler-
ance. We are not to stand aside from others in a spirit that seems to say,
“Come not near me; I am holier than thou.” Do not shut yourselves
away from your fellow men, but seek to impart to them the precious
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truth that has blessed your own heart. Let it be manifest that yours is
the religion of love.