Church on Earth
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The Son of God identified Himself with the office and authority
of His organized church. His blessings were to come through the
agencies that He has ordained, thus connecting man with the channel
through which His blessings come. Paul’s being strictly conscientious
in his work of persecuting the saints does not make him guiltless when
the knowledge of his cruel work is impressed upon him by the Spirit
of God. He is to become a learner of the disciples
All the members of the church, if they are sons and daughters of
God, will have to undergo a process of discipline before they can be
lights in the world. God will not make men and women channels of
light while they are in darkness and are content to remain so, making
no special efforts to connect with the Source of light. Those who feel
their own need, and arouse themselves to the deepest thought and the
most earnest, persevering prayer and action, will receive divine aid.
There is much for each to unlearn with respect to himself, as well as
much to learn. Old habits and customs must be shaken off, and it is
only by earnest struggles to correct these errors, and a full reception
of the truth in carrying out its principles, by the grace of God, that the
victory can be gained
Counsel to One Dissemination Error
Those who start up to proclaim a message on their own individual
responsibility, who, while claiming to be taught and led of God, still
make it their special work to tear down that which God has been for
years building up, are not doing the will of God. Be it known that
these men are on the side of the great deceiver. Believe them not.
As those who have been made stewards of means and ability, you
have been misapplying your Lord’s goods in disseminating error. The
whole world is filled with hatred of those who proclaim the binding
claims of the law of God, and the church who are loyal to Jehovah
must engage in no ordinary conflict. “We wrestle not against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of
the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Ephesians 6:12
. Those who have any realization of what this warfare
means will not turn their weapons against the church militant, but
434
Testimonies for the Church 3:432, 433
435
Testimonies for the Church 4:485, 486