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Selected Messages Book 2
of supreme importance to be carried forward in our world; but many
do not see this, because their interest is more with the ranks of the
enemy than with the loyal soldiers of Christ. They do not see the
necessity of the cooperation of the human with the divine agency.
The Lord has bidden us: “Work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of
his good pleasure” (
Philippians 2:12, 13
). This is the plan which God
has revealed to us to guide us in all the plans and purposes of life. But
while men pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it
is in heaven” (
Matthew 6:10
), many reject the very means by which
God would establish His kingdom.
When they are willing to count all things but loss that they may
win Christ, their eyes will be opened to see things as they really are.
Then they will turn away from the earthly attractions to the heavenly.
Then they will see the true nature of the worldly, selfish enjoyments
that they now value so highly, and these things that they now hold so
dear will be given up.
All heaven is looking upon you who claim to believe the most sa-
cred truth ever committed to mortals. Angels are waiting with longing
desire to cooperate with you in working for the salvation of souls. Will
you refuse this heavenly alliance in order to maintain your connection
with society where God is not honored, where His commandments are
trampled upon? How would the truth ever have been brought to you if
others had felt so little interest in its advancement as some of you man-
ifest? The cause of God demands our help, that it may be established
upon a proper basis, and that the truth may be carried forward into
new fields, to those who are ready to perish. Can you who claim to be
sons of God refuse to aid in this work? Will you, in order to receive
an earthly return, withhold your means from the treasury of God, and
let His work be shamefully neglected? It is grievous to consider what
might have been accomplished in the saving of souls if the heart and
service of all who profess to believe the truth had been undividedly
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given to God. Work has been negligently done. If self had been hid
in Christ, sinners might, through wise, ingenious methods, have been
won to the truth, and today be in cooperation with God.
Now, before the time comes when you must render up your account
to God, I urge you to give heed to His word, “Lay up for yourselves”
a “treasure in the heavens” (
Matthew 6:20
;
Luke 12:33
), not in secret