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Principles of the Gospel Must Control Us, June 10
Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, “Look, for three years I have
come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use
up the ground?”
Luke 13:7
, NKJV.
The Lord would be pleased to have His people more considerate than they now
are, more merciful and more helpful to one another. When the love of Christ is in
the heart, each will be tenderly regardful of the interests of others. Brothers and
sisters will not take advantage of each other in business transactions. They will not
charge exorbitant interest because they see their brothers or sisters in a close place
where they must have help.
Those who will take advantage of the necessities of another prove conclusively
that they are not governed by the principles of the gospel of Christ. Their course
is recorded in the books of heaven as fraud and dishonesty; and wherever these
principles rule, the blessing of the Lord will not come into the heart. Such persons
are receiving the impress of the great adversary rather than that of the Spirit of
God. But those who shall finally inherit the heavenly kingdom must be transformed
by divine grace. They must be pure in heart and life and possess symmetrical
characters....
All the means you may accumulate, even though it should be millions, will not
be sufficient to pay a ransom for your soul. Then do not remain in impenitence
and unbelief, and ... defeat the gracious purposes of God; do not force from His
reluctant hand destruction of your property or affliction of your person.
How many there are who are now taking a course which must erelong lead to
just such visitations of judgment. They live on day by day, week by week, year
by year, for their own selfish interest. Their influence and means, accumulated
through God-given skill and tact, are used upon themselves and their families
without thought of their gracious Benefactor. Nothing is allowed to flow back to
the Giver....
At last His patience with these unfaithful stewards is exhausted; and He brings
all their selfish, worldly schemes to an abrupt termination, showing them that as
they have gathered for their own glory, He can scatter; and they are helpless to
resist His power.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:350, 351
.
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