Read This First
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then breathe upon them an unholy influence; in it there was light and
much power, but no sweet love, joy, and peace. Satan’s object was to
keep them deceived and to draw back and deceive God’s children.”
(See
Early Writings, 54-56
, for the brief account.)
The experience of these two groups of Adventists in 1845 reminds
us that there can be a genuine and a counterfeit experience—even
among those who profess to be sincere. Although God desires that
each of us should have a genuine born-again experience followed by
a life of happy Christian fulfillment, Satan endeavors to convince us
[5]
that there are short cuts—easier ways to get it. It is obvious that both
can’t be right
.
The Seventh-day Adventist church was born in difficult and ex-
citing times. Most of those who participated in its beginnings were
young yet deeply dedicated to a study of the word and eager to witness
for their faith. In those formative years of the Church often there were
deeply spiritual and emotional gatherings of Adventists. Some of the
experiences these members had gave evidence of the leading of God’s
Spirit, whereas others were obviously of another spirit
.
In this setting it was clear that they needed to “try the spirits” to
see whether they were from God. Ellen White also gave clear and
positive counsel. From this counsel articles were selected that form
this small book. A careful study of its pages will provide the reader
with timeless principles on the genuine and the counterfeit in religious
experience
.
For more than eighty years Ellen White’s much-loved book Steps
to Christ has been a best seller, with an estimated 16 million copies
distributed in a hundred languages. Its appeal for commitment to
Christ has been accepted by young and old. A New Life joins it as a
companion book offering further guidance toward a life of genuine
revival and reformation
.
In these last moments of earth’s sinful history, times are difficult
again—and also exciting. Surely God’s Holy Spirit is ready to give
us the power to finish our work for others and the work necessary for
ourselves. Can it be that you will be one through whom God will do
something special? May your careful study help you to be both eager
and ready to meet your Lord when He returns
.
Trustees of the Ellen G. White Estate