Chapter 32—Fidelity and Perseverance Needed
The state of the church in-----is far from what it should be. Unless
there is a decided change, it will wither and die. There is much
faultfinding; many are giving way to doubt and unbelief. Those who
talk faith and cultivate faith will have faith, but those who cherish and
express doubts will have doubts.
There has been a neglect on the part of the ministers. They have not
urged home to the hearts of their hearers the necessity of faithfulness.
They have not educated the church on all points of truth and duty nor
labored with zeal to bring them into working order and to get them
interested in every branch of the cause of God. I have been shown
that had the church been properly educated, they would have been
far in advance of their present position. The neglect on the part of
the ministers has made the people careless and unfaithful. They have
not felt their individual responsibility, but have excused themselves
on account of the failure of the ministers to do the work of a pastor.
But God does not hold them excused. Had they no Bible, had they
no warnings, reproofs, and entreaties from heaven to bring duty to
their minds, there would be less condemnation. But the Lord has given
counsel and instruction; the duty of each individual has been made so
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plain that he need make no mistake.
God gives light to guide those who honestly desire light and truth;
but it is not His purpose to remove all cause for questioning and doubt.
He gives sufficient evidence to found faith upon, and then requires
men to accept that evidence and exercise faith.
He who will study the Bible with a humble and teachable spirit will
find it a sure guide, pointing out the way of life with unfailing accuracy.
But what does your study of the Bible avail, brethren and sisters, unless
you practice the truths it teaches? That holy book contains nothing
that is nonessential; nothing is revealed that has not a bearing upon
our actual lives. The deeper our love for Jesus, the more highly we
shall regard that word as the voice of God directly to us.
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