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Testing the Voice of the Shepherds, November 4
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of
mine.
John 10:14
.
Every one of us will be sorely tempted; our faith will be tried to the
uttermost.
We need to be anchored in Christ, rooted and grounded in the faith.
Satan works through agents. He selects those who have not been drink-
ing of the living waters, whose souls are athirst for something new and
strange, and who are ever ready to drink at any fountain that may present
itself. Voices will be heard, saying, “Lo, here is Christ,” or “Lo, there;”
but we must believe them not. We have unmistakable evidence of the
voice of the True Shepherd, and He is calling upon us to follow Him.
He says, “I have kept my Father’s commandments.” He leads His sheep
in the path of humble obedience to the law of God....
“The voice of a stranger” is the voice of one who neither respects nor
obeys God’s holy, just, and good law. Many make great pretensions to
holiness, and boast of the wonders they perform in healing the sick, when
they do not regard this great standard of righteousness. But through
whose power are these cures wrought? Are the eyes of either party
opened to their transgressions of the law? and do they take their stand
as humble, obedient children, ready to obey all of God’s requirements?
John testifies of the professed children of God: “He that saith, I know
him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not
in him.”
1 John 2:4
.... If those through whom cures are performed, are
disposed, on account of these manifestations, to excuse their neglect
of the law of God, and continue in disobedience, though they have
power to any and every extent, it does not follow that they have the great
power of God. On the contrary, it is the miracle-working power of the
great deceiver.... We must beware of the pretended holiness that permits
transgression of the law of God. Those cannot be sanctified who trample
that law under their feet, and judge themselves by a standard of their
own devising.
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