Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

the light of His glory, they should not think that they can sin with no
consequences, that God will not be strict to punish their wickedness.
Great privileges require goodness and holiness that correspond to
the light given. Great blessings never give permission to sin.
Nadab and Abihu had not been trained to use self-control.
Their father's gentle disposition had led him to neglect to discipline
his children. He had permitted his sons to follow whatever they
wanted. Habits of self-indulgence became so powerful over them
that even the responsibility of the most sacred work did not have
power to break. They had not been taught to respect their father and
they did not realize the need of exact obedience to the requirements
of God. Aaron's mistaken indulgence of his sons prepared them to
become the receivers of divine judgment.
Partial Obedience Not Acceptable
God cannot accept partial obedience. It was not enough that in
this solemn worship nearly everything was done as He had directed.
No one should deceive himself with the belief that any of God's
commandments are not necessary or that He will accept a substitute
for what He has required. There is no command that God has placed
in His Word that we may obey or disobey as we choose and not
suffer the consequences.
"Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons, 'Do
not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, lest you die, ... for the
anointing oil of the Lord is upon you.'" The great leader reminded
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