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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
who profess to be Christ’s followers can say in the language of the
apostle: “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the
world.” “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but
Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live
by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for
me.” If willing obedience and true love characterize the lives of the
people of God, their light will shine with a holy brightness to the
world.
The words which Christ addressed to His disciples were designed
for all who should believe on His name: “Ye are the salt of the earth:
but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is
thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden
underfoot of men.” A profession of godliness without the living
principle is as utterly valueless as salt without its saving properties.
An unprincipled professed Christian is a byword, a reproach to
Christ, a dishonor to His name. “Ye are the light of the world. A city
that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle,
and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light
unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which
is in heaven.”
The good works of God’s people have a more powerful influence
than words. By their virtuous life and unselfish acts the beholder is
led to desire the same righteousness which produced so good fruit.
He is charmed with that power from God which transforms selfish
human beings into the divine image, and God is honored, His name
glorified. But the Lord is dishonored and His cause reproached by
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His people’s being in bondage to the world. They are in friendship
with the world, the enemies of God. Their only hope of salvation
is to separate from the world and zealously maintain their separate,
holy, and peculiar character. Oh! why will not God’s people comply
with the conditions laid down in His word? If they would do this
they would not fail to realize the excellent blessings freely given of
God to the humble and obedient.
I was amazed as I beheld the terrible darkness of many of the
members of our churches. The lack of true godliness was such that
they were bodies of darkness and death, instead of being the light of