Unity and Love in the Church
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self-sufficiency. There are a few who they think are right, but they
question and find fault with every act of others. These persons must not
be allowed to imperil the interests of the church. In order to raise the
moral tone of the church, each should feel it his duty to seek personal
spiritual culture, through the practice of strict Bible principles, as in
the sight of a holy God.
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Let each church member feel that he himself must be right with
God, that he must be sanctified through the truth. Then he can represent
Christian character to others and can set an example of unselfishness.
If each will do this, the church will increase in spirituality and in favor
with God.
Every church member should feel under obligation to consecrate
his tithe to God. None are to follow the sight of their eyes or the
inclination of their selfish hearts and thus rob God. They should not
use their means to gratify vanity or for any other selfish indulgence,
for in so doing they entangle themselves in Satan’s snares. God is
the giver of tact, of ability to accumulate wealth, and therefore all
is to be laid upon His altar. The requirement is: “Honor the Lord
with thy substance.” The tendency to covetousness must be constantly
restrained, else it will eat into the hearts of men and women, and they
will run greedily after gain.
In the wilderness of temptation, Satan, the adversary of souls,
presented before Christ the glories of this world and said: “If Thou
therefore wilt worship me, all shall be Thine.” The Saviour repulsed
Satan; but how easily is man seduced by the representations of the
great enemy! Many are charmed with the attractions of the world; they
serve mammon rather than God, and so lose their souls.
In a little while we are to meet our Lord; and what account shall
we have to give Him of the use we have made of our time, our talents
of influence, and our possessions? Our joy should be in the work of
saving souls. I solemnly inquire of the Healdsburg church: Is God
among you of a truth? Says the True Witness: “Thou hast a few
names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they
shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy.” Are you of this
number? Have you held fast your integrity? As drowning men, have
you clung to Jesus, who is your refuge? Are you obeying Him, living
for Him, loving Him? Is each member pure and holy and undefiled,
one in whose mouth there is no guile? If so, you are most happy;
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