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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
of deportment. Let men find an example in the life of Joseph and stand
firm in principle, however strongly tempted. We want to be strong
men and women for the right. There are those around us who are
weak in moral power. They need to be in the company of those who
are firm, and whose hearts are closely knit with the heart of Christ.
Everyone’s principles will be put to the test. But there are those who
go into temptation like a fool to the correction of stocks. They invite
the enemy to tempt them. They unnerve themselves, are weakened in
moral power, and shame and confusion are the result.
How contemptible in the sight of a holy God are those who profess
to stand in vindication of His law and yet violate its precepts! They
bring reproach upon the precious cause and give the opposers of truth
occasion to triumph. Never should the mark of distinction between the
followers of Jesus and the followers of Satan be obliterated. There is a
distinct line drawn by God Himself between the world and the church,
between commandment keepers and commandment breakers. They
do not blend together. They are as different as midday and midnight—
different in their tastes, their aims, their pursuits, their characters. If
we cultivate the love and fear of God we shall loathe the least approach
to impurity.
May the Lord attract souls to Himself and impart to them individu-
ally a sense of their sacred responsibility to form such characters that
Christ will not be ashamed to call them brethren. Elevate the standard,
and then the heavenly benediction will be pronounced upon you in
that day when every man will receive according to the deeds done in
the body. Workers for God must live as in His sight and be constantly
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developing in character, in true virtue and godliness. Their minds and
hearts must be so thoroughly imbued with the Spirit of Christ and so
solemnized by the sacred message they have to bear that every thought,
every action, every motive, will be above the earthly and sensual. Their
happiness will not be in forbidden, selfish gratifications, but in Jesus
and His love.
My prayer is: “O Lord, anoint the eyes of Thy people, that they may
discern between sin and holiness, between pollution and righteousness,
and come off victors at last.”
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