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Right Methods, Principles, and Motives
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yet suggesting, instigating, planning in perfect unity with the Lord’s
enemies.
How can the universe of heaven regard such underhanded, cow-
ardly work against those who love God and keep His command-
ments? Members of the church may commit errors, and often make
mistakes; but they are to be dealt with kindly, tenderly, as Christ has
dealt with us. But the rebuke of God is upon all those who do the
work of God deceitfully, professedly friends of Christ, yet working
in an undercurrent style, in darkness, against those who love God.
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual,
restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself,
lest thou also be tempted.”
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Here is our work, brethren; will we take it up? So little of this is
done that the words of the True Witness come home to the church:
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left
thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and
repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly,
and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”
“And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the
Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist
him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan;
even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a
brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy
garments, and stood before the Angel.” This was the appearance of
Satan. He had deceived these souls by his delusions and devices.
Now these souls had repented before God, and pardon was written
against their names. Satan was accusing them of sins, and asserting
his right to do as he pleased with them because of their transgres-
sion which he had caused them to commit. But Jesus looked upon
these souls believing in Him, trusting in His righteousness, with
the tenderest and most loving compassion. “And He answered and
spake unto those that stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy
garments from him. And unto him He said, Behold, I have caused
thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change
of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair miter upon his head. So
they set a fair miter upon his head, and clothed him with garments.
And the Angel of the Lord stood by.” Shall the people of God who
are placed in positions of trust voice the words of Satan against the