Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Young Sabbathkeepers 155and are called Christians. Their parents are so anxious for them thatthey accept anything which appears favorable, and do not labor withthem, and teach them that the carnal mind must die. They encouragethem to come along and act a part; but they fail to lead them to searchtheir own hearts diligently, to examine themselves, and to count thecost of what it is to be a Christian. The result is, the young profess to [162]be Christians without sufficiently trying their motives.Says the True Witness: “I would thou wert cold or hot. So thenbecause thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew theeout of My mouth.” Satan is willing that you should be Christians inname, for you can suit his purpose better. If you have a form andnot true godliness, he can use you to decoy others into the same selfdeceivedway. Some poor souls will look to you, instead of looking tothe Bible standard, and will come up no higher. They are as good asyou, and are satisfied.The young are often urged to do duty, to speak or pray in meeting;urged to die to pride. Every step they are urged. Such religion isworth nothing. Let the carnal heart be changed, and it will not be suchdrudgery, ye coldhearted professors, to serve God. All that love ofdress and pride of appearance will be gone. The time that you spendstanding before the glass preparing the hair to please the eye, shouldbe devoted to prayer and searching of heart. There will be no place foroutward adornment in the sanctified heart; but there will be an earnest,anxious seeking for the inward adorning, the Christian graces—thefruits of the Spirit of God.Says the apostle: “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorningof plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on ofapparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is notcorruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is inthe sight of God of great price.”Subdue the carnal mind, reform the life, and the poor mortal framewill not be so idolized. If the heart is reformed, it will be seen in theoutward appearance. If Christ be in us the hope of glory, we shalldiscover such matchless charms in Him that the soul will be enamored.It will cleave to Him, choose to love Him, and in admiration of Him,self will be forgotten. Jesus will be magnified and adored, and self [163]abased and humbled. But a profession, without this deep love, is meretalk, dry formality, and heavy drudgery. Many of you may retain a