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Appeals for Truth and Loyalty
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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.” A cold, hardhearted Pharisaism has taken possession
of many of the professed followers of Christ, and the love of Jesus
is dead.
“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things
saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I
know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready
to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.” Here the
problem is solved. The persons here described have had light that
would have prompted them to altogether different works, if they had
followed the light and had strengthened the things that remained that
were ready to die. The light which was glowing in their own hearts
when Jesus spoke to their souls, “Thy sins be forgiven thee,” they
might have kept alive by helping those who needed help.
The work to be done is plainly specified: “Be watchful, and
strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have
not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how
thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore
thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt
not know what hour I will come upon thee.” Many have heard and
received the word of life, and have been strongly moved by the truth,
but have allowed their souls to become cold, their faith dim, through
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self-righteousness, self-importance, and pride in the possession of a
knowledge of truth which they fail to practice. The truth which is
not put in practice, loses its power. The heart is closed to its divine
influence, and those who should be workers for Christ are idle, and
souls whom they might help are left in discouragement and darkness
and despair.
Help the Sinking Souls
There are souls who are starving for sympathy, starving for the
bread of life; but they have no confidence to make known their great
need. Those who bear the responsibilities in connection with the
work of God should understand that they are under the most solemn
obligation to help these souls; and they would be prepared to help