December 9, 1908

Extract from an Unpublished Testimony Written March 13, 1897

EGW

The word of God must be our authority in all things. The testimony of David in this respect was, “Thou art my portion, O Lord: I have said that I would keep Thy words. I entreated Thy favor with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to Thy word. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies. I made haste and delayed not to keep Thy commandments. The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten Thy law. At midnight I will arise to give thanks unto Thee because of Thy righteous judgments.”LUH December 9, 1908, par. 1

How is the Lord the portion of His people? He can be such to them only when they choose Him above everything earthly and temporal. But there are very many who prefer every other portion rather than the heavenly treasure. This is not appreciated. They prize more highly the selfish pleasures that minister only to the gratification of self. They consider the possession of lands, of houses, and of money, the most desirable prize they can gain: for they know that when once these are in their hands, they will receive the esteem and favor of the world. The standard of the world estimates a man according to his money value. This certainly can raise him to position and honor as far as the world is concerned, but it can never give him true value of character.LUH December 9, 1908, par. 2

Those who exercise true faith in Jesus Christ will be blessed with sharp discernment. Everything connected with truth and righteousness will be precious in [his] sight. The knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ whom He has sent, will lead man to place a high value on every faculty given him of God. He will have a keen sense of his obligation to keep these intrusted treasures in the most wholesome condition, that he may ever discern the value of God, and choose Him as his portion forever.LUH December 9, 1908, par. 3

The privilege bestowed upon us in doing service for Christ is the highest exaltation that can be given to the human agent. And God desires that man shall choose Him as the portion of his soul. Without this decided acceptance of the heavenly gift, in preference to any other that the world can give, Christ's followers can never be one with Him, as He is one with the Father.LUH December 9, 1908, par. 4

Consider the wondrous power of our God, and then call to mind His love for fallen man. He “so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” How can man, for whom God has done so much, for whom Christ has given His life, continue in his perversity? Can we wonder that at the close of the thousand years, all who have refused to accept Him shall be destroyed with fire from heaven outside the city of God? God declares that this shall be so. He says, “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and He shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.... And I will punish the world for their evil; and the wicked for their iniquity, and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and I will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.”LUH December 9, 1908, par. 5

I love Jesus. I tremble at the word of God. I am seeking to hide myself in the cleft of the rock, that I may behold His holiness of character. God has a people, and I want to be among them. I want, too, that you shall be among them. And if you will, without any reservation, give up your way and will to God, you may. The Spirit calls today. There is hope still.LUH December 9, 1908, par. 6

The church of God, enfeebled and defective though it is through yielding to temptation, is the only object upon earth on which He bestows His supreme regard. His interest, with all the interest of the heavenly host, is all with His people, who, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, are to shine as lights in the world. His Holy Spirit is giving rich and constant supplies of grace for every emergency. Not one needs to stumble, for Christ has said, “He that followeth Me, shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”LUH December 9, 1908, par. 7

Satan has a church upon the earth, which outnumbers the church of Christ. Christ calls it the “Synagogue of Satan,” because its members are the children of sin and transgression. They have ceased to honor God; they have cast His divine law aside; they have confounded the distinction between good and evil. But the world's Redeemer will have a church in which these essential differences will be made apparent, where the character of God will be represented. In marked contrast to the character of Satan, the beauty of holiness will be exemplified, the loveliness of truth shine forth in life and practice. Its members will love, honor, and glorify God, whom the world has despised. These are the fruits by which they are known to the world; these will have the superscription of heaven, by which all men may know that they are Christ's disciples.LUH December 9, 1908, par. 8

[To be continued.]