Nature and Influence of the “Testimonies”
609
“The volumes of Spirit of Prophecy, [
The Great Controversy
] and
also the Testimonies, should be introduced into every Sabbathkeeping
family, and the brethren should know their value and be urged to read
them. It was not the wisest plan to place these books at a low figure
and have only one set in a church. They should be in the library of
every family and be read again and again. Let them be kept where they
can be read by many.” [
Testimonies for the Church 4:390
(1880).]
Let ministers and people remember that gospel truth hardens when
it does not save. The rejection of light leaves men captives, bound
about by chains of darkness and unbelief. “The soul that refuses to
listen to the invitations of mercy from day to day can soon listen to the
most urgent appeals without an emotion stirring his soul. As laborers
with God we need more fervent piety and less self-exaltation. The
more self is exalted, the more will faith in the Testimonies of the Spirit
of God be lessened.... Those who trust wholly in themselves will see
less and less of God in the Testimonies of His Spirit.” [
Testimonies for
the Church 5:134
(1882).]
[682]
How to Receive Reproof
“Those who are reproved by the Spirit of God should not rise up
against the humble instrument. It is God, and not an erring mortal,
who has spoken to save them from ruin.” [
Testimonies for the Church
3:257
(1873).] It is not pleasing to human nature to receive reproof, nor
is it possible for the heart of man, unenlightened by the Spirit of God,
to realize the necessity of reproof or the blessing it is designed to bring.
As man yields to temptation, and indulges in sin, his mind becomes
darkened. The moral sense is perverted. The warnings of conscience
are disregarded, and its voice is less clearly heard. He gradually loses
the power to distinguish between right and wrong, until he has no
true sense or his standing before God. He may observe the forms of
religion and zealously maintain its doctrines, while destitute of its
spirit. His condition is that described by the True Witness: “Thou
sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;
and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and
blind, and naked.” When the Spirit of God, by message of reproof,
declares this to be his condition, he cannot see that the message is true.
Is he therefore to reject the warning? No. God has given sufficient