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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
employed in the office, but have not had the light of present truth as you
have had, have nevertheless been far more faithful and conscientious
than either of you whom I am addressing. If you had been diligently
gathering with Christ, some of these would now be with us in the truth.
But your lives were a stumbling block to them. God looks upon these
unbelievers with greater pity and favor than upon those who believe
the truth, yet deny Him in their works. That belief that is laid aside
when convenient, and put on and off like a garment, is not the religion
of Christ, but a spurious article that will not bear the tests even of this
world.
True religion is ever distinctly seen in our words and deportment,
and in every act of life. With the followers of Christ, religion should
never be divorced from business. They should go hand in hand, and
God’s commandments should be strictly regarded in all the details of
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worldly matters. The knowledge that we are children of God should
give a high tone of character even to the everyday duties of life, making
us not slothful in business, but fervent in spirit. Such a religion as this
bears the scrutiny of a critical world with a grand consciousness of
integrity.
Every workman in the office should consider himself God’s steward
and should do his work with exactness and faithful vigilance. The
constant inquiry should be: “Is this in accordance with the will of God?
Will this please my Redeemer?” Bible religion elevates the reason until
Christ is blended with all the thoughts. Every action, every word, and
every moment of our lives should bear the impress of our holy faith.
The end of all things is at hand, and we have no time to be idle or to
live in pleasure, at cross-purposes with God.
The Lord will not be trifled with. Those who neglect His mercies
and blessings in this day of opportunities will bring impenetrable
darkness upon themselves and will be candidates for the wrath of God.
Sodom and Gomorrah were visited with the curse of the Almighty
for their sins and iniquities. There are those in our day who have
equally abused the mercies of God and slighted His warnings. It will
be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment
than for those who bear the name of Christ, yet dishonor Him by their
unconsecrated lives. This class are laying up for themselves a fearful
retribution when God in His wrath shall visit them with His judgments.