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Only One Safe Course, February 18
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.
Matthew 26:41
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What shall I say to arouse the remnant people of God? ... I warn all who
profess the name of Christ to closely examine themselves and make full
and thorough confession of all their wrongs, that they may go beforehand
to judgment, and that the recording angel may write pardon opposite their
names. My brother, my sister, if these precious moments of mercy are not
improved, you will be left without excuse. If you make no special effort to
arouse, if you will not manifest zeal in repenting, these golden moments
will soon pass, and you will be weighed in the balance and found wanting.
In the warning to “watch and pray,” Jesus has indicated the only safe
course. There is need of watchfulness. Our own hearts are deceitful; we
are compassed with the weaknesses and frailties of humanity, and Satan is
intent to destroy. We may be off our guard, but our adversary is never idle.
Knowing his tireless vigilance, let us not sleep, as do others, but “watch
and be sober.” The spirit and influence of the world must be met, but they
must not be allowed to take possession of the mind and heart.
Closely examine your own heart as in the light of eternity. Hide nothing
from your examination. Search, oh! search, as for your life, and condemn
yourself, pass judgment upon yourself, and then by faith claim the cleansing
blood of Christ to remove the stains from your Christian character. Do not
flatter or excuse yourself. Deal truly with your own soul. And then as you
view yourself a sinner, fall, all broken, at the foot of the cross. Jesus will
receive you, all polluted as you are, and will wash you in His blood, and
cleanse you from all pollution, and make you fit for the society of heavenly
angels, in a pure, harmonious heaven. There is no jar, no discord, there. All
is health, happiness, and joy.
This world is a training school for the higher school, this life a prepara-
tion for the life to come. Here we are to be prepared for entrance into the
heavenly courts. Here we are to receive and believe and practice the truth
until we are made ready for a home with the saints in light.
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