Indulgence of Appetite
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to expend if that ointment had been sold. His selfishness grew stronger
until he felt that the treasury had really met with a great loss in not
receiving the value of the ointment in money. He finally made open
complaint of the extravagance of this expensive offering to Christ. Our
Saviour rebuked him for this covetousness. This rankled in the heart
of Judas, until, for a small sum of money, he consented to betray his
Lord. There will be those among Sabbathkeepers who are no truer
at heart than was Judas; but the cases of such should be no excuse to
keep others from following Christ.
God loves the children of Brother D, but they are in fearful danger
of feeling whole, and in no need of a physician. Trusting in their
own righteousness will never save them. They must feel the need of a
Saviour. Christ came to save sinners. Said Jesus: “I came not to call
the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” The Pharisees, who felt that
they were righteous, and who trusted in their good works, felt no need
of a Saviour. They felt that they were well enough off without Christ.
The dear children of Brother D should plead with Jesus to reveal
to them their sinfulness, and then ask Him to reveal Himself as their
sin-pardoning Saviour. These precious children must not be deceived
and miss eternal life. Except they are converted they cannot enter the
kingdom of heaven. They must wash their robes of character in the
blood of the Lamb. Jesus invites them to take the steps that sinners
must take in order to become His children. He has given them an
example in life in submitting to the ordinance of baptism. He is our
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example in all things.
God requires these children to give Him their hearts’ best and
holiest affections. He has bought them with His own blood. He claims
their service. They are not their own. Jesus has made infinite sacrifice
for them. A pitying, loving Saviour will receive them if they will come
to Him just as they are, and depend on His righteousness and not on
their own merits.
God pities and loves the youth of-----, and He wants them to find
happiness in Him. He died to redeem them. He will bless them if they
come to Him in meekness and sincerity. He will be found of them, if
they seek Him with all the heart.
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