EGW
In the lack of pure, unselfish love among Sabbath-keepers is manifested the working of Satan's corrupting influence. The constant tendency of the world is to crowd out the mercy and love that God would implant in the hearts of his children. Even among those who occupy important positions in the sacred work of God, the sentiment is uttered that “business is business;” implying that religion is to be kept apart from matters of business. Men may be very exact in their accounts, very rigorous in their religious observances; but all this is as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal, if the love of God is not manifested in the daily life. Christ spoke words of rebuke to the scribes and Pharisees, because they failed in their duty to their fellow-men in this regard. He said, “Ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” RH July 28, 1891, par. 1
The influence of the world leads those who engage in business activities, even in the work of God, to be content with a low level. Under the exercise of faithfulness to the cause of God, they gratify selfish ambition and unholy desires, thus enfeebling conscience and perverting religion. The Lord does not accept this kind of faithfulness. Look well to this matter. God is working that he may lift us up to a high standard of character; but as long as there is so little realization of the great need of his Holy Spirit in the transaction of business, in councils and board meetings, there will be continual deterioration in spiritual life, while at the same time there may be great activity in setting agencies at work for the advancement of the knowledge of the truth. But if the truth is not brought into the life, to sanctify the soul, those who engage in these activities will become stumbling-blocks to others. In the fear of God I tell you that these things have been repeated to me many times. We are far from being spiritual in character. The natural tendencies of the human heart must be subdued by the grace of God. They cannot be kept under our own control, but must be put under the control of the Spirit of God. Unless we do submit ourselves to God, we cannot work according to his will. Self, self, self, is mingled with the sacred work of God, and it stains and mars that which is most holy. RH July 28, 1891, par. 2
Men in important positions glorify themselves instead of God. They little realize how self works in their most solemn councils, and the working of self is the result of their failure to become partakers of the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world through lust. This lust is not to be understood as referring simply to licentiousness, but to all unlawful desires, to ambition, grasping for power, desire for the praise of men. It comprehends all the desires of the selfish heart. It is revealed when men wish to make others recognize their power over them, showing them that they can put those they dislike into hard places. There are many, many ways in which a man can be hard and cruel, and yet term his actions works of justice, faithfulness to the cause. This spirit of exaction will increase in all the business of the cause unless men shall humble themselves and put their will on the side of God's will. When the professed servants of God surrender themselves fully to him, they will become teachable, considerate of others, full of love and tenderness. Their consciences will become tender, and they will represent not the attributes of Satan, but the attributes of God, exhibiting the working of the principles of love and truth. They will drink from the Fountain from which only flow the pure streams of salvation, and will manifest in their lives the love and sympathy that characterized the life of Christ. They will send forth pure streams that will be as living water to the world. RH July 28, 1891, par. 3
Men are connected with the work of God who are destitute of the pitying, tender love of Jesus; but the work of the Lord needs not to be done in a harsh, denunciatory way. Christ ever made mercy his delight; in kindness and love he melted his way into the hard, obdurate heart. The driving process is not according to the order of God. Jesus invites men to come to him. He says, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.” O, what mercy, what tender compassion was ever manifested by the world's Redeemer for the fallen children of men! And yet there are men who profess to be the followers of Christ, who cannot be depended upon to love mercy, and deal justly, to be pitiful and courteous. They cultivate a harsh, coarse spirit, and move in accordance with their feelings. RH July 28, 1891, par. 4
If anything happens to disturb them, woe be to him who shall go to them to ask a favor; for they will treat him with a denunciatory spirit, wholly unlike the spirit of Christ. When opportunity comes where they might be a blessing in speaking kindly words, in doing kindly deeds, they speak and act in a way that stirs up the worst passions of the human heart, and become agents of Satan in opening doors of temptation to those with whom they are associated. Those who are in connection with them are led to doubt the truth of Christianity. Men in responsible office give decisions in councils when they are in no fit state of mind to think unselfishly; for they have not the spirit of Christ, because something has happened to stir up their feelings, and they have yielded to the control of the evil one. RH July 28, 1891, par. 5
Moses was successful in leading Israel because he felt his own inefficiency. He cherished the spirit of meekness, and God could talk with him, and guide him in right ways. “And Moses said unto the Lord, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. Now, therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? So shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.” RH July 28, 1891, par. 6
After the Lord had given Moses all these gracious assurances, did he rest in satisfaction, and settle down in content?—No; he still desired something of the Lord; he prayed, “I beseech thee, show me thy glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” The glory of God was revealed to Moses, and it will be revealed to those who seek for it as earnestly as did Moses. Those who have taken the solemn vows of the ministry upon them, should reveal the glory of God. They should live with singleness of purpose to glorify their Redeemer. Self must die. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” RH July 28, 1891, par. 7
Ministers should hunger and thirst after God. They should plead as did Moses, that they may have clear conceptions of God. They should pray that they may have clear conceptions of their own weakness, and of the necessity of the power and presence of God. Like Moses, they should say, “I cannot do this solemn work without thy presence.” They should feel that they cannot possibly fulfill the purpose of God unless his Spirit and power is with them in their ministry. The minister must drink at the Fountain of life, or he cannot refresh others. But “blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” RH July 28, 1891, par. 8
As the wax takes and retains the impression of the seal, so should the soul take and retain the image of God. We should be “filled with all the fullness of God.” The character, the Spirit of God, is to be revealed in finite man. When the truth is received into the soul, a great work begins, that sanctifies the man; “for he that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” Those who are united with Christ become laborers together with God. The grace of God that bringeth salvation, teaches us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we must live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for and hasting unto the day of God. Man must co-operate with God. No radical change will be wrought in life and character, unless we depend upon the grace of Christ every hour. Many have altogether too low an idea of that which constitutes religion, and the standard must be raised, or they will perish in their sins, and drag others to perdition with them. RH July 28, 1891, par. 9
Religion is not a mere theory, a sentiment; it is an earnest working out of our salvation with fear and trembling; for it is “God that worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Faith and love are precious plants, but they need careful cultivation and care, that they may flourish in the life and bear fruit to the glory of God. Those who enter the mansions which Christ has gone to prepare will be those who love God and keep his commandments. They must have the gold tried in the fire, the gold of faith and love. Those who hold high positions in the cause of God need to seek for this gold; they need the transforming grace of Christ. The crucifixion of self must take place, or their names will be blotted out of the book of life. God can make them pillars in his work; he can make them faithful servants by his grace. Then let them seek God while still it is called today. Now is the time when the Lord is testing character, weighing moral worth in the balances of the sanctuary. O, let us seek the gold tried in the fire, let us seek the white raiment of Christ's righteousness, that the shame of our nakedness do not appear, and anoint our eyes with the heavenly eye-salve, that we may discern the working of God, and not be found groping our way in blindness. RH July 28, 1891, par. 10