Friday, <strong>December</strong> 6, <strong>2013</strong>Extracts from the writings <strong>of</strong> E. G. WhiteWe areto bea peopledistinct fromthe world. The eyes <strong>of</strong> the world areupon us, and we are observed bymany <strong>of</strong> whom we have no knowledge.There are those who knowsomething <strong>of</strong> the doctrines we claimto believe, and they are noting theeffect <strong>of</strong> our faith upon our characters.They are waiting to see what kind <strong>of</strong>influence we exert, and how we <strong>ca</strong>rryourselves before a faithless world. Theangels <strong>of</strong> heaven are looking uponus. “We are made a spectacle unto theworld, and to angels, and to men” (1Corinthians 4:9). 1Don’t be surprised by what youseeIs there not enough taking placeabout us to show us the dangers thatbeset our path? Everywhere are seenwrecks <strong>of</strong> humanity, neglected familyaltars, broken-up families. There is astrange abandonment <strong>of</strong> principle,a lowering <strong>of</strong> the standard <strong>of</strong> morality;the sins are fast increasing which<strong>ca</strong>used the judgments <strong>of</strong> God to bepoured upon the earth in the Floodand in the destruction <strong>of</strong> Sodom byfire. We are nearing the end. Godhas borne long with the perversity <strong>of</strong>mankind, but their punishment is noless certain. Let those who pr<strong>of</strong>ess tobe the light <strong>of</strong> the world depart fromall iniquity. We see the very samespirit manifested against the truththat was seen in Christ’s day. Forwant <strong>of</strong> Bible arguments, those whoare making void the law <strong>of</strong> God willmanufacture falsehoods to stain andblacken the workers. They did thisto the world’s Redeemer; they willdo it to His followers. Reports thathave not the least foundation will beasserted as truth. 2Remember: We as Christians are tobe Christlike!The conformity <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essed Christiansto the world is a disgrace to theirpr<strong>of</strong>ession, a disgrace to the <strong>ca</strong>use <strong>of</strong>God. They pr<strong>of</strong>ess to have come outfrom the world and to be separateyet are so near like them in dress, inconversation, and actions, that thereis no distinction. While in the possession<strong>of</strong> life and health, many devotetheir God-given time and means to theadorning <strong>of</strong> the poor mortal bodies,forgetting that these are liable at anymoment to be touched by the finger <strong>of</strong>God and laid upon a bed <strong>of</strong> death. Butas they approach their last change, andmortal anguish racks their frames, thegreat inquiry is, “Am I prepared to die?prepared to appear before God in judgment,and pass the grand review?” Askthem then how they feel about decoratingtheir persons, and if they have anysense <strong>of</strong> what it is to be prepared toappear before God, they will tell you4 The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6
that if they could take back and liveover the past, they would correct theirlives and shun the folly <strong>of</strong> the world,its vanity and pride; they would live tothe glory <strong>of</strong> God, and set an exampleto all around them.Why are so few interested in theireternal welfare, so few preparing for theirlast change? Earth attracts them, its treasuresseem <strong>of</strong> worth to them. They findenough to engross the mind and haveno time to prepare for Heaven. Satan isever seeking to plunge them deeper anddeeper into difficulty. As soon as oneperplexity or trouble is <strong>of</strong>f the mind, hestands ready to involve them in anotherby begetting within them an unholydesire for more <strong>of</strong> the things <strong>of</strong> earth.Thus their time passes, and when it istoo late, they see that they have gainednothing substantial. They have graspedat shadows, and lost eternal life.Many who imitate the customs andfashions <strong>of</strong> the world claim that they dothis in order to have an influence withworldlings. But here they make a sadand fatal mistake. If they would have atrue and saving influence, let them liveout their pr<strong>of</strong>ession, show their faith bytheir righteous works, and make widethe distinction between the Christianand the world. Our words, our dress,our actions, should tell for God. Thenall will take knowledge <strong>of</strong> us that wehave been with Jesus. Unbelievers willsee that the truth which we pr<strong>of</strong>ess hasa holy influence, that faith in Christ’scoming affects our character. If any wishto have their influence sell in favor <strong>of</strong>the truth, let them live it out, and thusimitate the humble Pattern. 3Adjusting our attitudeFrom the light which God has givenme, I know that the Lord would do farmore for us as a people if we wouldwalk in humility before Him. Everyone <strong>of</strong> God’s people will be tested andproved, and we want you to be in aposition where you will bear the proving<strong>of</strong> God and not be found wantingwhen your moral worth is weighed inthe balances <strong>of</strong> the sanctuary. We wantyou to be constantly moving onwardand upward; but that which hindersyour progress in a large degree is yourself-esteem, the high opinion that youThe Lord would do far more for us as apeople if we would walk in humility beforeHim. . . . If we have not a meek and teachablespirit, we shall not be where we <strong>ca</strong>n learnthe lessons He desires to teach us.entertain <strong>of</strong> your own ability. If therewas ever a place where self neededto die, it is here. Let us see the deathstruggle. Let us hear the dying groans.Self-exaltation ever separates the soulfrom God, no matter in whom it isfound, whether in those in responsiblepositions or in those who are in someless important place. Whatever hasbeen done to attract the attention toself has detracted from the glory thatshould have been rendered to God,and has brought leanness to yoursouls. It is through this avenue <strong>of</strong> selfesteemand self-sufficiency that Satanwill seek to ensnare the people <strong>of</strong> God.The Lord has very important lessonsfor us to learn; and if we have not ameek and teachable spirit, we shallnot be where we <strong>ca</strong>n learn the lessonsHe desires to teach us. We shall thinkwe are wise when we are not. We shallthink that we know the whole story,when we have need to study the a-b-c’s<strong>of</strong> the lesson. God will prove us againand again, until we overcome ourbesetments or are wholly given over toour rebellion and stubbornness. Thereis danger, when the Lord deals with usthus, that we shall rise up against Him,and set ourselves determinedly not tosubmit to His will. We are living in solemntimes. We are looking forward tothe judgment, and onward to eternity,and it is fitting for us to walk in greathumiliation <strong>of</strong> soul before God.There have been those who haverisen up against the testimonies thatGod has sent them. They have beenwilling to acknowledge that thetestimony given to others was all right,and that the truth was pointed out inthe <strong>ca</strong>ses <strong>of</strong> their brethren; but whentheir own errors were laid bare, andtheir own faults pointed out, theyhave declared that it could not be so.They have wrapped the garments <strong>of</strong>their self-righteousness around them,and have said, “That does not meanme.” A spirit <strong>of</strong> Phariseeism has beencoming in upon the people who claimto believe the truth for these last days.They are self-satisfied. 4Guarding our childrenAs the Israelites kept their childrenwithin their houses during the timewhen the judgments <strong>of</strong> God werein the land <strong>of</strong> Egypt, so in this time<strong>of</strong> peril we are to keep our childrenseparate and distinct from the world.We are to teach them that the commandments<strong>of</strong> God mean much morethan we realize. Those who keep themwill not imitate the practices <strong>of</strong> thetransgressors <strong>of</strong> God’s law.Parents must regard God’s Wordwith respect, obeying its teachings.To the parents in this day, as well asto the Israelites, God declares: “Thesewords … shall be in thine heart: andthou shalt teach them diligently untothy children, and shalt talk <strong>of</strong> themwhen thou sittest in thine house, andwhen thou walkest by the way, andwhen thou liest down, and when thourisest up. And thou shalt bind themfor a sign upon thine hand, and theyshall be as frontlets between thine eyes.And thou shalt write them upon theposts <strong>of</strong> thy house, and on thy gates”(Deuteronomy 6:6–9).Notwithstanding this plain instruction,some <strong>of</strong> God’s people permittheir children to attend the publicschools, where they mingle with thosewho are corrupt in morals. In theseschools their children <strong>ca</strong>n neither studythe Bible nor learn its principles. Christianparents, you must make provisionfor your children to be edu<strong>ca</strong>ted inBible principles. And do not rest satisfiedmerely with having them study theWord in the church school. Teach theThe Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6 5
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