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Testimonies for the Church Volume 8
Every act, every word, every thought, is to be in accord with these
principles.
The precious graces of the Holy Spirit are not developed in a
moment. Courage, fortitude, meekness, faith, unwavering trust in
God’s power to save, are acquired by the experience of years. By a
life of holy endeavor and firm adherence to the right the children of
God are to seal their destiny.
No Time to Lose
We have no time to lose. We know not how soon our probation
may close. Eternity stretches before us. The curtain is about to be
lifted. Christ is soon to come. The angels of God are seeking to attract
us from ourselves and from earthly things. Let them not labor in vain.
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When Jesus rises up in the most holy place, lays off His mediato-
rial robes, and clothes Himself with the garments of vengeance, the
mandate will go forth: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: ...and
he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let
him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with
Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
Revelation
22:11, 12
.
A storm is coming, relentless in its fury. Are we prepared to meet
it?
We need not say: The perils of the last days are soon to come upon
us. Already they have come. We need now the sword of the Lord to cut
to the very soul and marrow of fleshly lusts, appetites, and passions.
Minds that have been given up to loose thought need to change.
“Girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly
on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus
Christ; as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according
to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance: but like as He who
called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living;
because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:13-16
,
A. R. V. The thoughts must be centered upon God. Now is the time
to put forth earnest effort to overcome the natural tendencies of the
carnal heart.