Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Our Ministers 449than to part with them to secure treasure in heaven. This ruler claimedthat he had kept all the commandments of God from his youth up, andconfident in his fidelity and righteousness, and thinking that he wasperfect, he asks: “What lack I yet?” Jesus immediately tears off his [484]sense of security by referring to his idols, his possessions. He hadother gods before the Lord, which were of greater value to him thaneternal life. Supreme love to God was lacking. Thus it is with somewho profess to believe the truth. They think they are perfect, think thatthere is no lack, when they are far from perfection and are cherishingidols which will shut them out of heaven.Many pity the Southern slaves because they are bound down tolabor, while slavery exists in their own families. Mothers and childrenare allowed to toil from morning till night; they have no recreation.A ceaseless round of labor is before them and crowded upon them.They profess to be Christ’s followers; but where is the time for them tomeditate and pray, and obtain food for the intellect, that the mind, withwhich we serve God, may not be dwarfed in its growth? God callsupon every individual to use the talents He has committed to them toHis glory, and by thus improving them to gain others also. God haslaid obligations upon us to benefit others. Our work in this world forthe good of others is not done until Christ shall say in heaven: “It isdone.” “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy,let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteousstill: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.”Many seem to have no true sense of their responsibility beforeGod. They are required to strive to enter in at the strait gate, becausemany shall seek to enter in and shall not be able. Heaven requiresthem to try to induce others also to strive to enter in at the strait gate.A work is before young and old to labor earnestly to save not onlytheir own souls, but the souls of others. There are none who havereasoning faculties who have not some influence. By their indifferencethey use that influence to hinder souls from striving to enter in at thestrait gate, or by their earnest, persevering, untiring efforts they urge [485]upon them the necessity of striving diligently to enter there. No oneoccupies a neutral position, doing nothing to encourage others anddoing nothing to hinder them. Says Christ: They that gather not withMe scatter abroad. Take heed, old and young; you are either doingthe work of Christ, to save souls, or the work of Satan, to lead them to