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Appeal to the Church
393
the world. Many professed to love God, but in works denied Him.
They did not love, serve, nor obey Him. Their own selfish interests
were primary. With a large number there seemed to be an alarming
lack of principle. They were swayed by unconsecrated influence and
seemed to have no root in themselves. I inquired what these things
meant. Why was there such a destitution of spirituality, so few who
had a living experience in religious things? I was referred to the
words of the prophet: “Son of man, these men have set up their idols
in their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before
their face: should I be inquired of at all by them? Therefore speak
unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Every man
of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth
the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to
the prophet; I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to
the multitude of his idols; that I may take the house of Israel in their
own heart, because they are all estranged from Me through their
idols.”
The people of God were represented to me as in a backslidden
state. They have not an eye single to the glory of God. Their own
glory is prominent. They seek to glorify themselves and yet call
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themselves Christians. Holiness of heart and purity of life was the
great subject of the teachings of Christ. In His Sermon on the Mount,
after specifying what must be done in order to be blessed, and what
must not be done, He says: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your
Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Perfection, holiness, nothing short of this, would give them
success in carrying out the principles He had given them. Without
this holiness the human heart is selfish, sinful, and vicious. Holiness
will lead its possessor to be fruitful and abound in all good works.
He will never become weary in well-doing, neither will he look for
promotion in this world. He will look forward for promotion to the
time when the Majesty of heaven shall exalt the sanctified ones to
His throne. Then shall He say unto them: “Come, ye blessed of My
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation
of the world.” The Lord then enumerates the works of self-denial
and mercy, compassion and righteousness, which they had wrought.
Holiness of heart will produce right actions. It is the absence of
spirituality, of holiness, which leads to unrighteous acts, to envy,