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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
heaven, and he will have to answer for it when every work shall be
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brought into judgment to bear the inspection of the infinite God. In
his blindness Brother B has been lifting his puny arm to fight against
God while flattering his deceived soul that he was doing God service.
Every man’s work is to be tried by the fire of the last day, and only
gold, silver, and precious stones will stand the test.
God will not be trifled with. He may bear long with men, but He
will visit their transgressions and render to every man as his works
have been. Although men may talk boastingly and pride themselves
upon their wisdom, one breath from the lips of God can bring their
honor and glorying to the dust. I was shown that Brother B will be
inexcusable in the day of God, when every case is weighed in the
balances of the sanctuary. He knows better than to do as he has done.
He has had sufficient evidence to determine the character of the work
which God has committed to us. The fruits of this work are before
him, which he can see and understand if he will.
Brother B’s self-confidence is most wonderful, and is a fearful
snare to him. If he does not overcome this dangerous trait in his
character, it will prove his ruin. He is in his natural element when he
is battling and controverting points of doctrine; he will question and
quibble and be at variance with his brethren until Satan so controls his
mind that he really thinks that he has the truth and his brethren are in
error. He does not stand in the light and has not the blessing of God,
for it constitutes a part of his religion to oppose the settled points of
God’s commandment-keeping people. Are all these deceived? and
is Brother B the only man to whom God has given correct truth? Is
not God just as willing to give His devoted, self-sacrificing servants a
correct understanding of the Scriptures as to give it to Brother B for
them?
Does Brother B try his course by this simple test: “Does this light
and knowledge that I have found, and which places me at variance
with my brethren, draw me more closely to Christ? does it make my
Saviour more precious to me and make my character more closely
resemble His?” It is a natural, but not a pleasing, trait in our characters
to be keen in our perceptions, and tenacious in our remembrance, of
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the faults and failings of others.
Brother B does not try to be in union with his brethren; his self-
confidence has led him to feel no special necessity for union. He feels