Bible Biographies
15
The carnal mind is enmity against God, and it rebels against His
will. Let it once throw off the yoke of obedience and it slips uncon-
sciously into the lawlessness of crime. Iniquity abounds among those
who talk grandly of pure and perfect religious liberty. Their conduct
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is abhorrent to the Lord, and they are co-workers with the adversary
of souls. The light of revealed truth is turned from their sight, and the
beauties of holiness are but as shadows to them.
It is astonishing to see upon what flimsy foundations very many
build their hopes of heaven! They rail at the law of the Infinite One as
though they would defy Him and make His word null. Even Satan with
his knowledge of the divine law would not dare to make the speeches
which some law-hating ministers make from the pulpit, yet he exults
in their blasphemy.
I have been shown what man is without a knowledge of the will of
God. Crimes and iniquity fill up the measure of his life. But when the
Spirit of God reveals to him the full meaning of the law, what a change
takes place in his heart! Like Belshazzar, he reads intelligently the
handwriting of the Almighty, and conviction takes possession of his
soul. The thunders of God’s word startle him from his lethargy, and
he calls for mercy in the name of Jesus. And to that humble plea God
always listens with a willing ear. He never turns the penitent away
comfortless.
The Lord has seen fit to give me a view of the needs and errors
of His people. Painful though it has been to me, I have faithfully set
before the offenders their faults and the means of remedying them,
according to the dictates of the Spirit of God. This has, in many
instances, excited the tongue of slander and embittered against me
those for whom I have labored and suffered. But I have not been
turned from my course because of this. God has given me my work,
and, upheld by His sustaining strength, I have performed the painful
duties He has set before me. Thus has the Spirit of God pronounced
warnings and judgments, withholding not, however, the sweet promise
of mercy.
If God’s people would recognize His dealings with them and accept
His teachings, they would find a straight path for their feet and a light
to guide them through darkness and discouragement. David learned
wisdom from God’s dealings with him and bowed in humility beneath
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the chastisement of the Most High. The faithful portrayal of his true