Lack of Consecration
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and precious stones, they will be hid as in the secret of the Lord’s
pavilion. But if their work is hay, wood, and stubble, nothing can
shield them from the fierceness of Jehovah’s wrath.
The young, as well as the older, will have to give a reason of their
hope. But the mind designed by God for better things, formed to serve
him perfectly, has dwelt upon foolish things instead of eternal interests.
And that mind that is left to wander here and there, is just as capable
of understanding the truth, the evidence of keeping the Sabbath from
the word of God, and the true foundation of the Christian’s hope, as it
is to study the appearance, the manners, dress, &c. Those who suffer
their minds to be diverted with foolish stories and idle tales, feed their
imagination, but to such the brilliancy of God’s word is eclipsed. The
mind is led directly from God; the interest in his precious word is gone.
Here is a book given us to guide our feet through the perils of this dark
world to Heaven. It tells us how we can escape the wrath of God, and
also tells of the sufferings of Christ for us, the great sacrifice that has
been made for us that we might be saved and enjoy the presence of
God for ever. And if any come short at last that have heard the truth,
as they have in this land of light, it will be their own fault. They will
be without excuse. The word of God tells us how we may be perfect
Christians, and escape the seven last plagues; but they took no interest
to find this out. Other things diverted the mind, idols were cherished
by them, and God’s holy word has been neglected and slighted. God
has been trifled with by professed Christians, and when that holy word
shall judge them in the last day, they will be found wanting. That word
that they have neglected for foolish story books, tries their lives. It is
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the standard, and their motives, words, works, and the manner they
use their time, are all compared with the written word of God, and if
they come short, then their cases are decided for ever.
I saw that there was a measuring yourselves among yourselves, and
comparing your lives with the lives of others. This I saw should not be.
No one is given us as an example but Christ; he is our true pattern, and
each should strive to excel in imitating him. We are co-workers with
Christ, or co-workers with the enemy. We either gather with Christ,
or scatter abroad. We are decided, whole-hearted Christians, or none
at all. Says Christ, “I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because
thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my
mouth.”