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| ". . . This people have been rich in good works. They have understood in a large degree how to practice good works. When the light of present truth is given them through carefully prepared methods, when the golden oil is received into the willing hearts of our workers, the treasures of truth and grace will be communicated from one to another. By the women of the W.C.T.U. the law of God is misunderstood. If they can be enlightened in regard to this point, we shall see that their educated ability will do much more than it is now doing to create working forces for the advancement of truth and righteousness. . . . {7MR 168.1}
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Here is a lesson which professed Christians at the present day may study with profit. God's displeasure rests upon those who seek only their own ease and temporal prosperity, leaving their brethren to endure hardship and privation and to bear heavy responsibilities in the church. There is an unceasing conflict between the cause of truth and holiness and that of error and ungodliness. All who claim to be children of God must be armed for the battle. God has not left this warfare upon a few soldiers, while the others rest at ease. Said the great apostle, to his Corinthian brethren, "I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened." All who profess any interest in the cause of God, the advancement of truth, and the conversion of sinners, should be soldiers in the Lord's army. They should have one interest, one motive, one object, as long as life shall last. The great reason why so little is accomplished in the cause of God is indolence and indifference of his professed people. {ST, May 5, 1881 par. 11}
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The Lord marks out a way in which he would have them walk. He has lent them talents to be used for his glory, to do a certain work for the Master; but Satan says, "I will countermand the order of Christ. I will find another line of work for active brain and busy hands, whereby they shall serve me. I will eclipse eternal interests before this youth, and attract his mind by worldly interests and when he is disappointed in one, I will thrust before him other attractions. I will blind his power to discern, that he may work against the advancement of truth. I will bind him about with worldly allurements like the finest threads, whose power to bind will become at last like ropes of steel, and he shall be bound in my service. I can lead him where I choose, and he will not discern that he is in hostility to Jesus Christ, my rival, and disloyal to God." {YI, March 23, 1893 par. 3} |
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| Satan and his evil angels, combined with wicked men, are seeking by every possible device to bear before the world a testimony against the truth of God's word. The enmity of Satan against Christ is determined and unrelenting, and in the great controversy between good and evil, while Satan and his confederacy are bringing in their false testimony against God and his truth, in order that men may not receive the love of the truth, but believe a lie, who is burdened of soul to make plans or devise means whereby agencies may be put in operation for the advancement of truth? Will those who profess to believe the truth stand in idleness, when Satan and his hosts work with intense activity for the overthrow of the cause of truth? Will the professed followers of Christ allow him to preoccupy the field? Who will be a volunteer to witness for God in these far-off lands? Who will open the Scriptures to those who are ignorant of the words of life? Who will let his light shine out to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death? {HM, September 1, 1892 par. 3}
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| In order that the gospel may go to all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples, self-sacrifice must be maintained. Those in positions of trust are in all things to act as faithful stewards, conscientiously guarding the funds that have been created by the people. There must be care to prevent all needless outlay. In erecting buildings and providing facilities for the work, we should be careful not to make our preparation so elaborate as to consume money unnecessarily; for this means in every case inability to provide for the extension of the work in other fields, especially in foreign lands. Means are not to be drawn from the treasury to establish institutions in the home field, at a risk of crippling the advancement of truth in regions beyond. { 7T 215.2}
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| The great army of evil is constantly working to gain the victory for Satan. The synagogue of Satan has come out to contest every step made in the advancement of truth. Will those who profess to believe the truth join the powers of darkness? You have done it, but not all. I thank God that He has honest believers and laborers in the field, but they need to be educated. They need to be disciplined. They need to be taught how to work. { GCB April 5, 1901, Art. B, par. 38 }
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| The duty to help in the advancement of truth does not rest alone upon the wealthy. All have a part to act. The man who has employed his time and strength to accumulate property is accountable for the disposition he makes of that property. If one has health and strength, that is his capital, and he must make a right use of it. If he spends hours in idleness and needless visiting and talking, he is slothful in business, which God’s word forbids. Such have a work to do to provide for their own families, and then lay by them in store for charitable purposes as God has prospered them. { 1T 324.3} { RH May 6, 1862, par. 8 }
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The zeal of those who obey the Lord will be increased as the world and the church unite in making void the law. Every objection raised against the commandments of God will make way for the advancement of truth and enable its advocates to present its value before men. There is a beauty and force in the truththat nothing can make so apparent as opposition and persecution. — Manuscript Releases 13:71, 72 (1896). { LDE 140.4}
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| oppose the advancement of truth |
| Never were these men placed in a more trying position; but they came forth from the test with principles unsullied. As the mist that had hovered over their minds cleared away, they saw what would be the result of this decree. Should they lend their influence to restore the stake and the torture? Should they oppose the advancement of truth, — oppose the Spirit of God in its work of calling men to Christ? Could they refuse obedience to the Saviour’s command, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”? [Mark 16:15.] Ought they to consent that those who might desire to renounce error should be denied the privilege? Having entered the kingdom of Heaven themselves, should they bar the way so that others could not enter? Rather would they sacrifice their dominions, their titles, and their own lives. { 4SP 159.1 }
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| The Lord’s hand has been reached out in tenderest compassion and love; but they do not care to trust him. They want to feel fully able to devise and plan for themselves. They walk in the sparks of their own kindling, therefore walk in darkness, and have no light. The Lord’s voice is heard, saying, “Follow me.” “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” But like Saul, they want their own way. The Lord marks out a way in which he would have them walk. He has lent them talents to be used for his glory, to do a certain work for the Master; but Satan says, “I will countermand the order of Christ. I will find another line of work for active brain and busy hands, whereby they shall serve me. I will eclipse eternal interests before this youth, and attract his mind by worldly interests and when he is disappointed in one, I will thrust before him other attractions. I will blind his power to discern, that he may work against the advancement of truth. I will bind him about with worldly allurements like the finest threads, whose power to bind will become at last like ropes of steel, and he shall be bound in my service. I can lead him where I choose, and he will not discern that he is in hostility to Jesus Christ, my rival, and disloyal to God.” { YI March 23, 1893, par. 3 }
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