The Great Controversy - Righteousness is Love

290far between' cases of true conversion are, and the almost unparalleledimpertinence and hardness of sinners, we almost involuntarily exclaim, 'HasGod forgotten to be gracious? or, Is the door of mercy closed?'"Such a condition never exists without cause in the church itself. Thespiritual darkness which falls upon nations, upon churches and individuals,is due, not to an arbitrary withdrawal of the succors of divine grace on thepart of God, but to neglect or rejection of divine light on the part of men. Astriking illustration of this truth is presented in the history of the Jewishpeople in the time of Christ. By their devotion to the world andforgetfulness of God and His word, their understanding had becomedarkened, their hearts earthly and sensual. Thus they were in ignoranceconcerning Messiah's advent, and in their pride and unbelief they rejectedthe Redeemer. God did not even then cut off the Jewish nation from aknowledge of, or a participation in, the blessings of salvation. But thosewho rejected the truth lost all desire for the gift of Heaven. They had "putdarkness for light, and light for darkness," until the light which was in thembecame darkness; and how great was that darkness!It suits the policy of Satan that men should retain the forms of religion if butthe spirit of vital godliness is lacking. After their rejection of the gospel, theJews continued zealously to maintain their ancient rites, they rigorouslypreserved their national exclusiveness, while they themselves could not butadmit that the presence of God was no longer manifest among them. Theprophecy of Daniel pointed so unmistakably to the time of Messiah'scoming, and so directly foretold His death, that they discouraged its study,and finally the rabbis pronounced a curse on all who should attempt acomputation of the time. In blindness and impenitence the people of Israelduring succeeding centuries have stood, indifferent to the gracious offers ofsalvation, unmindful of the blessings of the gospel, a solemn and fearfulwarning of the danger of rejecting light from heaven.Wherever the cause exists, the same results will follow. He who deliberatelystifles his convictions of duty because it interferes with his inclinations willfinally lose the power to distinguish between truth and error. Theunderstanding becomes darkened, the conscience callous, the hearthardened, and the soul is separated from God. Where the message of divinetruth is spurned or slighted, there the church will be enshrouded in darkness;faith and love grow cold, and estrangement and dissension enter. Churchmembers center their interests and energies in worldly pursuits, and sinnersbecome hardened in their impenitence.