106
Counsels for the Church
deny Him by loving our ease, by shunning the duties and burdens
of life which someone must bear if we do not, and by loving sinful
pleasure. We may also deny Christ by pride of dress and conformity to
the world, or by uncourteous behavior. We may deny Him by loving
our own opinions and by seeking to maintain and justify self. We may
also deny Him in allowing the mind to run in the channel of lovesick
sentimentalism and to brood over our supposed hard lot and trials. No
[82]
one can truly confess Christ before the world unless the mind and spirit
of Christ live in him. It is impossible to communicate that which we
have not. The conversation and the deportment should be a real and
visible expression of grace and truth within. If the heart is sanctified,
submissive, and humble, the fruits will be seen outwardly and will be
a most effectual confession of Christ
[83]
93
Testimonies for the Church 3:331, 332