Work for this Time
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are to know for themselves that obedience to God’s commandments
means eternal life.
Means and earnest labor may be safely invested in such a work as
this, for it is a work that will endure. Thus those who have been dead
in trespasses and sins are brought into fellowship with the saints and
are made to sit in heavenly places with Christ. Their feet are placed
on a sure foundation. They are enabled to reach a high standard, even
the loftiest heights of faith, because Christians make straight paths for
their feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way.
Every church should labor for the perishing within its own borders
and for those outside its borders. The members are to shine as living
stones in the temple of God, reflecting heavenly light. No random,
haphazard, desultory work is to be done. To get fast hold of souls ready
to perish means more than praying for a drunkard and then, because
he weeps and confesses the pollution of his soul, declaring him saved.
Over and over again the battle must be fought.
Let the members of every church feel it their special duty to labor
for those in their neighborhood. Let each one who claims to stand
under the banner of Christ feel that he has entered into covenant relation
with God, to do the work of the Saviour. Let not those who take up
this work become weary in well-doing. When the redeemed stand
before God, precious souls will respond to their names who are there
because of the faithful, patient efforts put forth in their behalf, the
entreaties and earnest persuasions to flee to the Stronghold. Thus those
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who in this world have been laborers together with God will receive
their reward.
The ministers of the popular churches will not allow the truth
to be presented to the people from their pulpits. The enemy leads
them to resist the truth with bitterness and malice. Falsehoods are
manufactured. Christ’s experience with the Jewish rulers is repeated.
Satan strives to eclipse every ray of light shining from God to His
people. He works through the ministers as he worked through the
priests and rulers in the days of Christ. Will those who know the truth
join his party, to hinder, embarrass, and turn aside those who are trying
to work in God’s appointed way to advance His work, to plant the
standard of truth in the regions of darkness?