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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
God requires of them, but which they have neglected to perform. It
is not enough that they are trees in the garden of God. They are to
answer his expectation by bearing fruit. He holds them accountable
for their failure to accomplish all the good which they could have
done, through his grace strengthening them. In the books of Heaven
they are registered as cumberers of the ground.
When the testing time shall come, those who have made God’s
word their rule of life will be revealed. In summer there is no
noticeable difference between evergreens and other trees; but when
the blasts of winter come, the evergreens remain unchanged, while
other trees are stripped of their foliage. So the false-hearted professor
may not now be distinguished from the real Christian, but the time
is just upon us when the difference will be apparent. Let opposition
arise, let the voice of the dragon be heard, let persecution be kindled,
and the half-hearted and hypocritical will waver and yield the faith;
but the true Christian will stand firm as a rock, his faith stronger, his
hope brighter, than in days of prosperity.
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the un-
godly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of
the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law
doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted
by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his
leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
[
Psalm 1:1-3
.]
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