64
Confrontation
the moral image of God in man that he bears scarcely a resemblance
to the noble Adam as he stood in Eden in his holy innocency. Every
prohibition of God is for the health and eternal well-being of man.
[73]
In obedience to all the requirements of God there will be peace and
happiness unaccompanied with shame or reproaches of conscience.
But very few of the Christian world are following their Master in a
course of humble obedience, progressing in holiness and perfection
of Christian character. Intemperance and licentiousness are greatly
increasing, and are practiced to a large extent under the cloak of Chris-
tianity. This deplorable state of things is not because men are obedient
to God’s law, but because their hearts rise in rebellion to His holy
precepts.
Repentance toward God, because His law has been transgressed,
and faith in Jesus Christ are the only means whereby we may be
elevated to purity of life and reconciliation with God. Were all the
sins, which have brought the wrath of God upon cities and nations,
fully understood, their woes and calamities would be found to be the
results of uncontrolled appetites and passions.