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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
The Bible is full, clear, and explicit; the character of the true
disciple of Christ is marked out with exactness. We must search the
Scriptures with humble hearts, trembling at the word of the Lord, if we
would not be in any way deceived in regard to our true character. There
must be persevering effort to overcome selfishness and self-confidence.
Self-examination must be thorough, that there be no danger of self-
deception. A little catechizing of self on special occasions is not
sufficient. Daily examine the foundation of your hope, and see whether
you are indeed in the love of Christ. Deal truly with your own hearts,
for you cannot afford to run any risk here. Count the cost of being a
wholehearted Christian, and then gird on the armor. Study the Pattern;
look to Jesus, and be like Him. Your peace of mind, your hope of
eternal salvation, depend on faithfulness in this work. As Christians
we are less thorough in self-examination than in anything else; it is no
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wonder, then, that we make such slow advancement in understanding
self.
I am writing these things to you because I want you to be saved.
I do not want to discourage you, but to urge you to more earnest,
vigorous effort. Self-love will prompt you to make a superficial work
of self-examination; but let no vain confidence cheat you out of eternal
life. Do not build yourself up on the mistakes and errors of others, but
between God and your own soul settle the important question upon
which hangs your eternal destiny.
“Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh
on the heart,”—the human heart, with its conflicting emotions of joy
and sorrow,—the wandering, wayward heart, which is the abode of
so much impurity and deceit. He knows its motives, its very intents
and purposes. Go to Him with your soul all stained as it is. Like
the psalmist, throw its chambers open to the all-seeing Eye, exclaim-
ing: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my
thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the
way everlasting.” Submit your heart to be refined and purified; then
you will become a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption that is in the world through lust. Then you will “be ready
always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the
hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” The peace of Christ will
be yours. Your name will stand registered in the book of life; your title
to the heavenly inheritance will bear the royal signet, which none on