Video Ministries

The True, the Frank, the Honest

Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Rev.
2:10. }

God's all-seeing eye notes the defects of all and the ruling passion of
each, yet He bears with our mistakes and pities our weakness. He bids His
people cherish the same spirit of tenderness and forbearance. True
Christians will not exult in exposing the faults and deficiencies of others.
They will . . . fix the mind upon that which is attractive and lovely. To
the Christian every act of faultfinding, every word of censure or
condemnation, is painful. . . .

Would all professed Christians use their investigative powers to see what
evils needed to be corrected in themselves, instead of talking of others'
wrongs, there would be a more healthy condition in the church today. Some
will be honest when it costs nothing; but when policy will pay best, honesty
is forgotten. Honesty and policy will not work together in the same mind. In
time, either policy will be expelled, and truth and honesty reign supreme,
or, if policy is cherished, honesty will be forgotten. They are never in
agreement; they have nothing in common. One is the prophet of Baal, the
other is the true prophet of God. When the Lord makes up His jewels, the
true, the frank, the honest, will be looked upon with pleasure. Angels are
employed in making crowns for such ones, and upon these star-gemmed crowns
will be reflected, with splendor, the light which radiates from the throne
of God. . . .

The Lord is testing and proving His people. You may be just as severe and
critical with your own defective character as you please; but be kind,
pitiful, and courteous toward others. Inquire every day: Am I sound to the
core, or am I false-hearted? Entreat the Lord to save you from all deception
on this point. Eternal interests are involved. While so many are panting
after honor and greedy of gain, do you, my beloved brethren, be eagerly
seeking the assurance of the love of God and crying: Who will show me how to
make my calling and election sure?

Satan carefully studies the constitutional sins of men, and then he begins
his work of alluring and ensnaring them. We are in the thickest of
temptations, but there is victory for us if we fight manfully the battles of
the Lord. All are in danger. But if you walk humbly and prayerfully you will
come forth from the proving process more precious than fine gold, even than
the golden wedge of Ophir. If careless and prayerless, you will be as
sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.

Some have become almost lost in the mazes of skepticism. To such I would
say: Lift your mind out of that channel. Fasten it upon God. The more
closely faith and holiness bind you to the Eternal One, the clearer and
brighter will the justice of His dealings appear to you. Make life, eternal
life, the object of your pursuit (Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 95-98).

>From Lift Him Up - Page 287

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