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Fundamentals of Christian Education
more than blamed. The church is not to be judged as sustaining these
characters, though they be found within her borders. Should the church
expel them, the very ones who found fault with their presence there,
would blame the church for sending them adrift in the world; they
would claim that they were treated unmercifully. It may be that in the
church there are those who are cold, proud, haughty, and unchristian,
but you need not associate with this class. There are many who are
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warm-hearted, who are self-denying, self-sacrificing, who would, were
it required, lay down their lives to save souls. Jesus saw the bad and
the good in church relationship, and said, “Let both grow together
until the harvest.” None are under the necessity of becoming tares
because every plant in the field is not wheat. If the truth were known,
these complainers make their accusations in order to quiet a convicted,
condemning conscience. Their own course of action is not wholly
commendable. Even those who are striving for the mastery over the
enemy, have sometimes been wrong and done wrong. Evil prevails
over good when we do not trust wholly in Christ, and abide in Him.
Inconsistencies of character will then be manifested that would not be
revealed if we preserved the faith that works by love and purifies the
soul.
We are not compelled to choose as familiar associates those who
reject the love of God that has been expressed in giving His Son to our
world, “that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.” Those who love God will not choose the enemies
of God to be their friends. The question was asked, “Shouldest thou
help the ungodly, and love them which hate the Lord?” Will you prefer
the association of the irreligious and disloyal, to that of those who
are obeying the commandments of God? Will you choose to separate
yourself from those who love God, and place yourself as far as possible
from the channel of light? You want to keep in an atmosphere of purity
and faith, and bring into your character principles that will be as solid
timbers. Christians will not choose and cultivate the society of non-
Christians. If the Lord gives you a special position in the world, as He
did Joseph and Daniel, then he will sustain and keep you in the midst
of temptation. But you will never be where you will find too much
light, in our world. Then how perilous it is to choose the association
of those who love darkness rather than light, and will not come to the
light, lest their deeds should be reproved.—
The Review and Herald,
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