324
Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
they may see these evils and put them away; but the divided heart will
plead for indulgence rather than denial.
The apparently dry branch, by being connected with the living vine,
becomes a part of it. Fiber by fiber, and vein by vein, it adheres to the
vine till it derives its life and nourishment from the parent stock. The
graft buds, blossoms, and produces fruit. The soul, dead in trespasses
and sins, must experience a similar process in order to be reconciled
[355]
to God and to become a partaker of Christ’s life and joy. As the graft
receives life when united to the vine, so the sinner partakes of the
divine nature when connected with Christ. Finite man is united with
the infinite God. When thus united, the words of Christ abide in us,
and we are not actuated by a spasmodic feeling, but by a living, abiding
principle. The words of Christ must be meditated upon and cherished
and enshrined in the heart. They should not be repeated, parrot-like,
finding no place in the memory and having no influence over the heart
and life.
As the branch must abide in the vine to obtain the vital sap which
causes it to flourish, so those who love God and keep all His sayings
must abide in His love. Without Christ we cannot subdue a single
sin or overcome the smallest temptation. Many need the Spirit of
Christ and His power to enlighten their understanding, as much as
blind Bartimaeus needed his natural sight. “As the branch cannot
bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except
ye abide in Me.” All who are really in Christ will experience the
benefit of this union. The Father accepts them in the Beloved, and
they become objects of His solicitude and tender, loving care. This
connection with Christ will result in the purification of the heart and
in a circumspect life and faultless character. The fruit borne upon the
Christian tree is “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, meekness, temperance.”
My brother, you need a close connection with God. You have traits
of character for which you are responsible. Your powers have been
put to a wrong use. God cannot approve your course. Your standard
is that of the worldling, and not that which Christ has given us in His
life. You have looked through the eyes of the world and discerned
with their unsanctified judgment. Your soul must be cleansed from
the polluting influence of the world. You have repeatedly deviated
from strict integrity for that which you flattered yourself was gain, but