Basic HTML Version
Do We Contradict Our Profession?, March 27
Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law
dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed
among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
Romans 2:23, 24
.
All who join themselves to the church but not to the Lord will in
time develop their true character. “Ye shall know them by their fruits.”
Matthew 7:16
. The precious fruit of godliness, temperance, patience,
kindness, love, and charity, does not appear in their lives. They bear
only thorns and briers. God is dishonored before the world by all such
professors.... They are, Satan knows, his best working agents while they
are unchanged in heart and life, and their works are in such marked
contrast to their profession that they are a stumbling block to unbelievers
and a great trial to believers....
What an account will those have to give in the day of final reckoning,
who profess to be keeping the commandments of God, while their lives
contradict their profession, for they bear no precious fruit.
Many who would shrink with horror from some great transgression
are led to look upon sin in little matters as of trifling consequence. But
these little sins eat out the life of godliness in the soul. The feet which
enter upon a path diverging from the right way are tending toward the
broad road that ends in death. When once a retrograde movement begins,
no one can tell where it may end.
A true disciple of Christ will seek to imitate the Pattern. His love
will lead to perfect obedience. He will study to do the will of God on
earth, as it is done in heaven. He whose heart is still defiled with sin
cannot be zealous of good works, and is not careful to abstain from evil,
... is not jealous over his unruly tongue; he is not careful to deny self
and lift the cross of Christ....
The fruits of the Spirit, ruling in the heart and controlling the life,
are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, bowels of mercies, and
humbleness of mind. True believers walk after the Spirit, and the Spirit
of God dwells in them.
[93]
94