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Testimonies to Southern Africa
There can be no sinless swerving from the standard of God’s Word.
The first principles of holiness have yet to be learned by the one to
whom God’s will is not paramount
There is no place of safety or repose or justification in the trans-
gression of the law of God. He demands nothing short of absolute
surrender to Him
My heart goes out in yearning of soul for those who are living in
the very last scenes of this earth’s history, and yet are insensible to
what is just before them. A vast reformation would be wrought upon
the world if the veil of the future could be lifted, and all could see and
understand that very soon there is to be a change in the attitude of God
in His dealings with the perversity of man.
If God had decided in His councils in heaven to visit the transgres-
sor of His positive commands with instant death, there would have
resulted a much greater carefulness and restriction of the inclination to
do those things that are an offence to God. The very men who seem to
be dead to entreaties and warnings sent in mercy by God, those who
will not be deterred from their evil course of action, would be prudent
to save their lives, even if they have no love for God.
But the Lord’s arrangement, made in council with His only be-
gotten Son, was to leave man a free moral agent to a certain length
of probation. His eye would discern all their works, but He would
compel no man’s service. If the love displayed in His long-suffering
[49]
and patience would not bring them to repentance and perfect surrender
to the laws of His kingdom, then they must be left to choose whom
they would serve. Their life must testify of their choice. If they love
transgression and choose to disregard His laws after sufficient test and
trial, their case is forever decided. God cannot have such as members
of His family in heaven. Their punishment will come in accordance
with the aggravating character of their defiance and rebellion against
God. God’s long-suffering will give every opportunity for man to
repent and turn to Christ as his only hope.
Because of the goodness and long-suffering of God, many have
been led to consider and appreciate the mercy and lovingkindness of
God, and this has led them to repentance, while on the other hand,
others have become more careless, and have abused His mercy. To
their everlasting loss and shame they have followed the mind and will
of Satan irrespective of the future retribution that will surely come