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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
that they may be saved. No one else can do this work for you; the
offerings of others, if ever so liberal, cannot take the place of yours.
It is a surrender to God which you have to make, which no other
one can make for you. It is only the Spirit’s power, working through
mighty faith, that can make you able to successfully resist the many
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snares Satan has laid for your feet. The words and example of your
Redeemer will be the light and strength of your heart. If you follow
and trust in Him, He will not leave you to perish. You fear too
much the displeasure of those who do not love and serve God. Why
should you wish to keep the friendship of your Lord’s enemies or be
influenced by their opinions? “Know ye not that the friendship of
the world is enmity with God?” If the heart were right, there would
be a more decided separation from the world.
The Lord would have done a great and good work in this vicinity
last spring had all felt the need of this work and come up to the
help of the Lord. There was not unity of action. All did not feel
the necessity of the work and engage in it heartily. There was not a
surrendering of all to God. You were shown me as being troubled
and perplexed, a mist of darkness gathering over you. You were
questioning and were not in a position to receive strength yourselves
nor to impart it to others. It is a solemn, fearful time. There is no
time now for cherishing idols, no place for concord with Belial or for
friendship with the world. Those whom God accepts and sanctifies
to Himself are called to be diligent and faithful in His service, being
set apart and devoted to Him. It is not a form of godliness, nor a
name upon the church records, that constitutes “a living stone” in
the spiritual building. It is being renewed in knowledge and true
holiness, being crucified to the world and made alive in Christ, that
unites the soul to God. The followers of Christ have one leading
object in view, one great work: the salvation of their fellow men.
Every other interest should be inferior to this; it should engage the
most earnest effort and the deepest interest.
God first requires the heart, the affections. He requires His
followers to love and serve Him with all their heart, with all their
soul, with all their strength.
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His commandments and grace are adapted to our necessities,
and without them we cannot be saved, do what we may. Acceptable
obedience He requires. The offering of goods, or any service, will