Needs of the Church
Many come to
camp meeting with hearts full of murmuring and complaining. Through the work of
the Holy Spirit these must be led to see that their murmuring is an offense to
God. They must be led to feel self-reproach because they have allowed the enemy
to control their mind and judgment. Complaining must be turned to repentance,
uncertainty and despondency to the earnest inquiry: “How shall I become true in
faith?” When man is a partaker of the divine nature, the love of Christ will be
an abiding principle in the soul, and self and its peculiarities will not be exhibited. But
it is sad to see those who should be vessels unto honor indulging in the gratification
of the lower nature and walking in paths that conscience condemns. Men
professing to be followers of Christ fall to a low level, always mourning over
their shortcomings, but never overcoming and bruising Satan under their feet.
Guilt and condemnation constantly burden the soul, and the cry of such might
well be: “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this
death?” Romans 7:24. Through indulgence in sin, self-respect is destroyed; and when that is
gone, respect for others is lessened; we think that others are as unrighteous
as we are ourselves.
At our yearly
convocations these things should be set before the people, and they should be encouraged to find in Christ deliverance from the power of sin. He says: “When
ye shall search for Me with all your heart, ... I will be found of you.”
Jeremiah 29:13, 14. The standard should be elevated, and the preaching should
be of the most spiritual character, that the people may be led to see the
reason of their weakness and unhappiness. Many are unhappy because they are
unholy. Purity of heart, innocence of mind, only can be blessed of God. When
sin is cherished, it can in the end produce nothing but unhappiness; and the
sin which leads to the most unhappy results is pride of heart, the lack of
Christlike sympathy and love.
Written by
Testimonies
for the Church
Volume Six
Ellen G. White
1901
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