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Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

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Hence <strong>the</strong>y hate <strong>the</strong> light which reveals <strong>the</strong>ir sin.<br />

There are many styled by <strong>the</strong> world liberal, generous-hearted, noble men<br />

whom God looks upon as wicked and corrupt. He sees not as man sees. His<br />

thoughts are not as our thoughts. Many in <strong>the</strong>ir self-complacency attempt to<br />

gloss over <strong>the</strong> defects in <strong>the</strong>ir lives and characters, and flatter <strong>the</strong>mselves that<br />

all is well. To come to <strong>the</strong> light would reveal <strong>the</strong>ir danger, and strike <strong>the</strong><br />

death-blow to <strong>the</strong>ir self-satisfaction. Then <strong>the</strong>y would see <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> a<br />

holy life, and <strong>the</strong>ir own need <strong>of</strong> Christ as a Saviour.<br />

Many <strong>of</strong> those who pr<strong>of</strong>ess to believe <strong>the</strong> Bible, and even to expound its<br />

sacred truths, are yet living in <strong>the</strong> indulgence <strong>of</strong> some cherished sin--living<br />

as though <strong>the</strong>re were no God whose eye could search <strong>the</strong> inmost recesses <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> soul. They are blessed with Heaven's bounties, and yet <strong>the</strong>y express no<br />

more gratitude to <strong>the</strong> Giver than do <strong>the</strong> beasts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> field. They may now<br />

have no sense <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir own sinfulness; but when summoned before <strong>the</strong> great<br />

white throne, <strong>the</strong>y will in speechless terror stand condemned. The excuses<br />

now so flippantly urged to shield <strong>the</strong>mselves from <strong>the</strong> divine requirements,<br />

<strong>the</strong>y dare not mention with <strong>the</strong> eye <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Judge looking upon <strong>the</strong>m. They<br />

knew <strong>the</strong>ir Master's will, but did it not, and <strong>the</strong>y will be beaten with many<br />

stripes.<br />

When <strong>the</strong> claims <strong>of</strong> God are presented, those who love sin evince <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

true character by <strong>the</strong> satisfaction with which <strong>the</strong>y point to <strong>the</strong> faults and<br />

errors <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essed Christians. They are actuated by <strong>the</strong> same spirit as <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

master, Satan, whom <strong>the</strong> Bible declares to be <strong>the</strong> "accuser <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> brethren."<br />

Let an evil report be started, and how rapidly it will be exaggerated and<br />

passed from lip to lip! How many will feast upon it, like vultures upon a<br />

heap <strong>of</strong> garbage. Whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> slanderous tale comes with or without pro<strong>of</strong>,<br />

<strong>the</strong>y give it ready credence, showing a strength <strong>of</strong> faith that is surprising.<br />

And yet <strong>the</strong>se very persons will refuse to believe <strong>the</strong> truths <strong>of</strong> God's word so<br />

long as <strong>the</strong>re is <strong>the</strong> semblance <strong>of</strong> an excuse for doubt.<br />

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