“A Great Gulf Fixed”
169
Today there is a class in our world who are self-righteous. They
are not gluttons, they are not drunkards, they are not infidels; but they
desire to live for themselves, not for God. He is not in their thoughts;
therefore they are classed with unbelievers. Were it possible for them
to enter the gates of the city of God, they could have no right to the
tree of life, for when God’s commandments were laid before them
with all their binding claims they said, No. They have not served God
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here; therefore they would not serve Him hereafter. They could not
live in His presence, and they would feel that any place was preferable
to heaven.
To learn of Christ means to receive His grace, which is His char-
acter. But those who do not appreciate and utilize the precious op-
portunities and sacred influences granted them on earth, are not fitted
to take part in the pure devotion of heaven. Their characters are not
molded according to the divine similitude. By their own neglect they
have formed a chasm which nothing can bridge. Between them and
the righteous there is a great gulf fixed.
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