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Chapter 6—Human Needs and Divine Supply
[The articles in this section are from Special Testimonies, Series A
2:9-12 (1892).]
Reasons for Inefficiency, and the Remedy
Melbourne, Australia,
July 3, 1892
I would address those who preach the word: “The entrance of
Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” All
the advantages and privileges that may be multiplied for your benefit,
that you should be educated and trained, rooted and grounded in the
truth, will be no real help to you personally unless the mind and
heart are opened so that truth shall find entrance, and you make a
conscientious surrender of every habit and practice, and every sin
that has closed the door against Jesus. Let the light from Christ
search every dark corner of the soul; with earnest determination
adopt a right course of action. If you hold onto a wrong course, as
many of you are now doing; if the truth does not work in you with
transforming power, so that you obey it from the heart because you
love its pure principles; be sure that for you the truth will lose its
vitalizing power, and sin will strengthen.
This is why many are not efficient agents for the Master. They
are constantly making provision to please and glorify themselves,
or they cherish lust in the heart. True, they assent to the law of Ten
Commandments, and many teach the law in theory, but they do not
cherish its principles. They do not obey the command of God to
be pure, to love God supremely, and their neighbor as themselves.
While constantly living a lie, can such have strength, can they have
confidence, will such become efficient workers for God?
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The Saviour prayed for His disciples, “Sanctify them through
Thy truth: Thy word is truth.” But if the receiver of Bible knowledge
makes no change in his habits or practices to correspond to the light
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