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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
fervor of the love of Christ. Many have gained by the study of our
publications a knowledge of the arguments that sustain the truth, but
they have not become Bible students for themselves. They are not
constantly seeking for a deeper and more thorough knowledge of the
plan of salvation as revealed in the Scriptures. While preaching to
others, they are becoming dwarfs in religious growth. They do not
often go before God to plead for His Spirit and grace that they may
rightly present Christ to the world.
Human strength is weakness, human wisdom is folly. Our success
does not depend on our talents or learning, but on our living connection
with God. The truth is shorn of its power when preached by men who
are seeking to display their own learning and ability. Such men display
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also that they know very little of experimental religion, that they are
unsanctified in heart and life and are filled with vain conceit. They do
not learn of Jesus. They cannot present to others a Saviour with whom
they themselves are not acquainted. Their own hearts are not softened
and subdued by a vivid sense of the great sacrifice which Christ has
made to save perishing man. They do not feel that it is a privilege to
deny self and to suffer for His dear sake. Some exalt self, and talk of
self; they prepare sermons and write articles to call the attention of
the people to the minister, fearing that he will not receive due honor.
Had there been more lifting up of Jesus and less extolling the minister,
more praise rendered to the Author of truth and less to its messengers,
we would occupy a more favorable position before God than we do
today.
The plan of salvation is not presented in its simplicity for the
reason that few ministers know what simple faith is. An intellectual
knowledge of the truth is not enough; we must know its power upon our
own hearts and lives. Ministers need to come to Christ as little children.
Seek Jesus, brethren, confess your sins, plead with God day and night,
until you know that for Christ’s sake you are pardoned and accepted.
Then will you love much because you have been forgiven much. Then
you can point others to Christ as a sin-pardoning Redeemer. Then
you can present the truth from the fullness of a heart that feels its
sanctifying power. I fear for you, my brethren. I counsel you to tarry
at Jerusalem, as did the early disciples, until, like them, you receive
the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Never feel at liberty to go into the desk
until you have by faith grasped the arm of your strength.