14
Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
We need just such lessons as the Bible gives us, for with the reve-
lation of sin is recorded the retribution which follows. The sorrow and
penitence of the guilty, and the wailing of the sin-sick soul, come to
us from the past, telling us that man was then, as now, in need of the
pardoning mercy of God. It teaches us that while He is a punisher of
crime, He pities and forgives the repenting sinner.
In His providence the Lord has seen fit to teach and warn His
people in various ways. By direct command, by the sacred writings,
[13]
and by the spirit of prophecy has He made known unto them His will.
My work has been to speak plainly of the faults and errors of God’s
people. Because the sins of certain individuals have been brought to
light, it is no evidence that they are worse in the sight of the Lord than
many whose failings are unrecorded. But I have been shown that it
is not mine to choose my work, but humbly to obey the will of God.
The errors and wrongdoings in the lives of professed Christians are
recorded for the instruction of those who are liable to fall into the same
temptations. The experience of one serves as a beacon light to warn
others off the rocks of danger.
Thus are revealed the snares and devices of Satan, the importance
of perfecting Christian character, and the means by which this result
may be obtained. Thus God indicates what is necessary to secure His
blessing. There is a disposition on the part of many to let rebellious
feelings arise if their peculiar sins are reproved. The spirit of this gen-
eration is: “Speak unto us smooth things.” But the spirit of prophecy
speaks only the truth. Iniquity abounds, and the love of many who
profess to follow Christ waxes cold. They are blind to the wickedness
of their own hearts and do not feel their weak and helpless condition.
God in mercy lifts the veil and shows them that there is an eye behind
the scenes that discerns their hidden guilt and the motives of their
actions.
The sins of the popular churches are whitewashed over. Many of
the members indulge in the grossest vices and are steeped in iniquity.
Babylon is fallen and has become the cage of every foul and hateful
bird! The most revolting sins of the age find shelter beneath the cloak
of Christianity. Many proclaim the law of God abolished, and surely
their lives are in keeping with their faith. If there is no law, then there
is no transgression, and therefore no sin; for sin is the transgression of
the law.