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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
develop what is in their hearts. The conflict will be close between
self and the grace of God. Self will strive for the mastery and will
be opposed to the work of bringing the life and thoughts, the will
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and affections, into subjection to the will of Christ. Self-denial and
the cross stand all along in the pathway to eternal life, and, because
of this, “few there be that find it.”
God is testing the characters of all. He is proving their love for
His cause and for the promulgation of the truth which they profess to
consider of inestimable value. The Searcher of hearts is judging, by
the fruits they bear, who are truly followers of Christ; who, like their
divine Pattern, will renounce the honors and treasures of the world,
and consent to be of no reputation, preferring the favor of God and
the cross of Christ, that they may, in the end, secure the true riches,
the treasure laid up in heaven, the recompense of reward—eternal
glory.
Those who do not really wish to know themselves will allow
the reproofs and warnings to pass to others, and will not discern
that their own cases are met, their errors and dangers pointed out.
Earthly, selfish motives blind the mind and so operate upon the soul
that it cannot be renewed in the divine image. Those who do not,
by their own perverse natures, resist His will, will not be left in
darkness, but will be renewed in knowledge and true holiness, and
will even glory in the cross of Christ.
I have been shown that, at the right time, God would press the
burden upon me to say to individuals, as Nathan said to David:
“Thou art the man.” Many apparently believe the testimonies borne
to others and, like David, give judgment in reference to them, when
they should be closely searching their own hearts, analyzing their
own lives, and making a practical application of the close reproofs
and warnings given to others.
Brother O, I have been shown that your affections are more
upon your earthly treasure than you are sensible of. You have been
confused in your perceptions of duty. And when the Spirit of God
operates upon your mind and would lead you to do what is according
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to the will and requirements of God, other influences that are not
in harmony with the work of God for this time hinder you from
obeying the promptings of the divine will; the result is, your faith
is not made perfect by works. Your affections should be withdrawn