Dishonesty in the Church
449
which had covered their heads in the time of battle was withdrawn.
Various sins that are cherished and practiced by professed Christians
bring the frown of God upon the church. In the day when the Ledger of
Heaven shall be opened, the Judge will not in words express to man his
guilt, but will cast one penetrating, convicting glance, and every deed,
every transaction of life, will be vividly impressed upon the memory
of the wrongdoer. The person will not, as in Joshua’s day, need to be
hunted out from tribe to family, but his own lips will confess his shame,
his selfishness, covetousness, dishonesty, dissembling, and fraud. His
sins, hidden from the knowledge of man, will then be proclaimed, as
it were, upon the housetop.
The influence most to be feared by the church is not that of open
opposers, infidels, and blasphemers, but of inconsistent professors of
Christ. These are the ones who keep back the blessing of the God of
Israel and bring weakness upon the church, a reproach that is not easily
wiped away. While Joshua was lying on his face upon the ground,
pouring out his soul to God with agony of spirit and with tears, God’s
command was a reproof: “Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon
thy face?”
The popular churches are filled with men who, while they make
a pretense of serving God, are thieves, murderers, adulterers, and
fornicators; but those who profess our lowly faith claim a higher
standard. They should be Bible Christians, and they must be diligent
in the study of the Chart of life. Carefully and prayerfully should they
examine the motives which prompt them to action. Those who would
put their trust in Christ should begin to study the beauties of the cross
now. If they would be living Christians they must begin to fear and
obey God now. If they will they can save their souls from ruin and
make a success of winning eternal life.
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The custom of overreaching in trade, which exists in the world,
is no example for Christians. They should not deviate from perfect
integrity, even in small matters. To sell an article for more than it
is worth, taking advantage of the ignorance of purchasers, is fraud.
Unlawful gains, petty tricks of trade, exaggeration, competition, under-
selling a brother who is seeking to pursue an honest business—these
things are corrupting the purity of the church, and are ruinous to her
spirituality.