“Be Ye Therefore Perfect”

The Lord estimates as of supreme value the holiness of his people, and He permits reverses to come upon individuals, upon families, and upon churches, that his people may see their danger and humble their hearts before him in repentance. He will treat his backslidden ones with tenderness. He will speak pardon to them, and clothe them with the garments of Christ's righteousness. He will honor them with his presence.KC 113.1

In this, the great day of atonement, it is our duty to confess our sins and acknowledge God's mercy and love in pardoning our transgressions. Let us thank the Lord for the warnings he has given to save us from our perverse ways. Let us witness to his goodness by revealing a change in our lives. If those to whom the Lord has sent reproof, warning them that they are not walking in his way, will repent and with humility and contrition of heart make confession, the Lord will surely receive them again into favor. If they will honor God by obeying his commandments, they will be exalted by him. He will teach them what constitutes true honor and strength and victory. Those who despise the word of the Lord, who, although they have the oracles of God to reprove wrong and encourage righteousness, continue to walk in their own way, indulging their desire for self-exaltation and leading those who have confidence in them into wrong paths will, unless utterly forsaken by God, become weary of themselves.KC 113.2

God chastens his people, with the hope of saving their souls. The defections among God's people are keenly felt by Him who died to ransom them from Satan's power. The church is burdened and saddened. A cloud hangs over her. Let every soul seek God, inquiring, “Lord, is it I who have brought this discouragement upon thy people? Is it because of my perversity that Zion is burdened? Have I given occasion for our enemies to triumph—If so, Lord, have mercy upon thy sinful child, and save me for thy mercies’ sake.KC 113.3

Let there be a close examination of self. Do not seek to hide yourself under your citizen's dress, saying that you are doing as others do, and therefore you cannot be far out of the way. Yes, you may do as many apostates who live today have done. Some are even now travelling over this ground. But is the picture a pleasant one? If with the experience of others before us we walk contrary to the way of the Lord and are punished, whom have we to blame but ourselves?KC 113.4

O that a deep realization of the importance of these things may come to the people of God! O that all departure from the narrow path of obedience and holiness may be seen as it is! O that men and women may seek the Lord as they have never done before!KC 113.5

A season of great trial is before us. It becomes us now to use all our capabilities and gifts in advancing the work of God. The powers the Lord has given us are to be used to build up, not to discourage and tear down.KC 113.6

Those who are ignorantly deceived are not to remain in these conditions. The Lord says to his messengers, Go to them, and declare unto them what I have said, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. “Thou shalt speak my words unto them,” God said to the prophet, “whether they will hear or whether they will forbear; for they are a most rebellious house. But thou, O son of man, hear what I say unto thee: be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house.”KC 113.7

There are those claiming to be children of God whose course of action the Lord does not justify. Faithful work is to be done in giving reproof, as well as in giving encouragement. The cross is not to be shunned. No unchristlike course of action to your brethren is to be justified. The time is right upon us when persecution will come to those who proclaim the truth. Those who teach the truth, opening the word of God to others, must surrender self entirely to God. To them the truth will bring its own reward, filling the soul with joy.KC 114.1

Will the people of God now humble their hearts before him, confessing and forsaking their sins, that they may receive the forgiveness and favor of God, and come into complete harmony with him? It is not because of a lack of evidence that sinners perish, but because of their unwillingness to appropriate the means whereby God designs they shall learn his will. The ignorance of many is voluntary and inexcusable.KC 114.2

The outlook is not flattering, but notwithstanding this, let us not give up our efforts to save those who have had an experience but are ready to perish, for whose ransom the Prince of heaven offered up his precious life. When one means fails, try another way. Our efforts must not be dead and lifeless. As long as life is spared, let us work for God. In all ages of the church God's appointed messengers have exposed themselves to reproach and persecution for the truth's sake. But wherever God's people may be forced to go, even though, like the beloved disciple, they are banished to desert islands, Christ will know where they are, and will strengthen and bless them with peace and joy.KC 114.3

Soon there is to be trouble all over the world. It becomes everyone to seek to know God. We have no time to delay. With earnestness and fervor the message must be given: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come, ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” “Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice. Isaiah 56:1-5.KC 114.4

God's love for his church is infinite. His care over his heritage is unceasing. He suffers no affliction to come upon the church but such as is essential for her purification, her present and eternal good. He will purify his church even as he purified the temple at the beginning and close of his ministry on earth. All that he brings upon the church is test and trial comes that his people may gain deeper piety and more strength to carry the triumphs of the cross to all parts of the world. He has a work for all to do. There must be constant enlargement and progress. The work must extend from city to city, from country to country, and from nation to nation, moving continually onward and upward, established, strengthened, and settled.KC 114.5

“By their fruits ye shall know them.” The inward adorning of a meek and quiet spirit is priceless. In the life of the true Christian, the outward adorning is always in harmony with the inward peace and holiness. Thus in the righteousness of the members shall the church be established. God's people are to show a faith, orderly, stedfast, and immovable. The Bible is their standard. Rich currents of grace from heaven will produce light in them which they are to impart to others. In all its power the truth is to be proclaimed. Those who faithfully do this work, keeping the commandments of God in deed and in truth will be acknowledged as laborers together with God.KC 114.6

“The work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.” From the beginning to the end of the history of the church, Christ will be to his people all that these words express, if they will heed the invitation, “Come unto me all ye that labor. Matthew 11:28-30. Christ is to his people life and strength, efficiency and power, wisdom and holiness. When we realize this as we should the prayer will go from unfeigned lips, “The Lord is exalted; for he dwelleth on high.” Isaiah 33:5, 6, 14-17.KC 115.1