Our Attitude Toward the Civil Authorities
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by reckless expressions they bring on a time of trouble before the great
crisis which is to try men’s souls.
The less we make direct charges against authorities and powers,
the greater work we shall be able to accomplish, both in America and
in foreign countries. Foreign nations will follow the example of the
United States. Though she leads out, yet the same crisis will come
upon our people in all parts of the world.
It is our work to magnify and exalt the law of God. The truth
of God’s holy word is to be made manifest. We are to hold up the
Scriptures as the rule of life. In all modesty, in the spirit of grace, and
in the love of God we are to point men to the fact that the Lord God is
the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and that the seventh day is
the Sabbath of the Lord.
In the name of the Lord we are to go forward, unfurling His banner,
advocating His word. When the authorities command us not to do
this work, when they forbid us to proclaim the commandments of God
and the faith of Jesus, then it will be necessary for us to say as did the
apostles: “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you
more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things
which we have seen and heard.”
Acts 4:19, 20
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The truth is to be set forth in the power of the Holy Spirit. This
alone can make our words effective. Only through the Spirit’s power
will victory be gained and held. The human agent must be worked
by the Spirit of God. The workers must be kept by the power of God
through faith unto salvation. They must have divine wisdom, that
nothing may be uttered which would stir up men to close our way.
Through the inculcation of spiritual truth we are to prepare a people
who shall be able, in meekness and fear, to give a reason for their faith
before the highest authorities in our world.
We need to present the truth in its simplicity, to advocate practical
godliness; and we should do this in the spirit of Christ. The mani-
festation of such a spirit will have the best influence upon our own
souls, and it will have a convincing power upon others. Give the Lord
opportunity to work through His own agents. Do not imagine that
it will be possible for you to lay out plans for the future; let God be
acknowledged as standing at the helm at all times and under every
circumstance. He will work by means that will be suitable, and will
maintain, increase, and build up His own people.