We Are Called to be Separate From the World
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Today's Text:
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. Titus 2:14, 15
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The Message:
When the truth we now cherish was first seen to be Bible truth, how strange it appeared, and how strong was the opposition we had to meet in presenting it to the people for the first time. But how earnest and sincere were the truth-loving, truth-obeying ones. We were indeed a peculiar people. We were few in numbers, without wealth, without worldly wisdom or worldly honors, and yet we believed God, and were strong and successful, a terror to evildoers. Our love for one another was firm; it was not easily shaken. The power of God was manifested in our midst, the sick were healed, and there was much calm, sweet, holy joy.
But while the light has continued to increase, the advancement of the church has not been proportionate to the light. The fine gold has gradually become dim, and deadness and formality have come in to cripple the energies of the church. Their abundant privileges and opportunities have not led His people onward and upward to purity and holiness. A faithful improvement of the talents entrusted to them by God would have increased those talents greatly. Where much is given, much will be required. Those only who faithfully accept and appreciate the light God has given us, and who will take a high, noble stand in self-denial and self-sacrifice, will be channels of light to the world. Those who do not advance will retrograde on the very borders of the heavenly Canaan!
I have been shown that our faith and our works in no way correspond to the light of truth bestowed. We must have not a half-hearted faith, but perfect faith that works by [love] and purifies the soul. God calls upon you in California to come into close relationship with Him. One point will have to be guarded, and that is individual independence. As soldiers in Christ's army, there should be concerted action of the work in the various departments. No one has a right to start out on his or her own responsibility and advance ideas in our papers on Bible doctrines and place them in the foreground when it is known that there are various opinions on the same subject and that it will create a controversy. The first-day Adventists have done this. Each one has followed his or her own independent judgment and sought to present original ideas, until there is no concentrated action among them except perhaps that of opposing Seventh-day Adventists. We should not follow their example.
Each soldier is to act with reference to the others. Our strength must be in God, and it must be husbanded to be put forth in noble, concentrated action. It must not be wasted in meaningless efforts. In union there is strength. There should be union between our publishing houses and our other institutions, and then they will be a power, and will stand, although they may be few in numbers. Good soldiers of Jesus Christ will not act independent of each other. Not a particle of strife or rivalry should exist between the workers. The work is one, superintended by one Leader. Occasional and spasmodic efforts have done harm. However energetic they may be, they are of little value, for the reaction will surely come. We must cultivate a steady perseverance, continuous searching to know and do God's will.
We should know what we should do in order to be saved. We cannot, my brethren and sisters, float along with the current of the world. The work for us to do is to come out and be separate. This is the only way we can walk with God as did Enoch. Enoch had divine influences working constantly with human effort. Like Enoch we are called upon to have a strong, living, working faith; it is the only way we can be laborers together with God. We must meet the conditions laid down in the Word of God or die in our sins. We must know what moral changes are essential to be made in our characters through the grace of Christ in order to be fitted for the mansions above. I tell you in the fear of God, we are in danger of living like the Jews, destitute of the love of God and ignorant of His power, while the blazing light of truth is shining all around us.-Letter 53, 1887.
*Note: I have added in the parts that were left out by the compilers for what ever reason, that the true sentiment of the author may be seen. These parts are underlined.
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Commentary:
My friend, we are called to be a peculiar people living in the world, but not of the world. We are not to keep ourselves from contact with the world, but we are not to seek after them that we may be like them. We are to be peculiar that a contrast may be seen between those who walk in the light and those who walk in darkness.
For too many years the church which has professed to be the remnant church of God has sought after the approval of the world. No longer do we hold the Spirit of Prophecy given to us in the writings of Ellen White as divine light from God. Rather than walking in the light that God has given us, we have sought after the fallen churches of Babylon for light, neglecting the light that we have been given from God. Year after year the church has become more and more like the world.
The Seventh-day Adventist church, which was once depicted as the pure church of Philadelphia, has now become the wretched church of Laodicea. Through the churches close association with the fallen Protestant churches she has been drinking of the wine of Babylon. By drawing closer to them she has neglected the light she has been given, and her light has turned to darkness. By forsaking the One true God for the trinity, she has been corrupted by its unholy influence. As such the abominations that have plagued the fallen churches of Babylon are now plaguing our church as well.
But while the corporate church has become corrupt, the true remnant will not follow after the ways of the corporate body. They will heed rebuke of the Faithful and True Witness of God and be zealous in their repentance. These will be sanctified by the Spirit of Christ and be filled with His Spirit. Then as the message of God goes through the church, the shaking will separate the wheat from the tares. The shaking will purify the church and prepare them to give the true three angels message to the world. The true focus of the three angels message is not to call the world to worship on the true Sabbath, but to call the world back to worship the One true God. When this message goes to the world attended by the Spirit of Christ, the world will be shaken and then the end shall come.
My friend, we are called to be a peculiar people that we may be filled with the Spirit of Christ to take this message to the world. Now is the time for us to separate ourselves from the world and draw nigh unto God. As we are thus sanctified by the first angels message, we will be filled with the Spirit of Christ and will be prepared to call the world back to worship the One true God through His Son Jesus Christ. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3).
God bless,
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Video of the Week
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| One thing leads to another - David Clayton |
This is a powerful message outlining of the good news of the gospel and an illuminating breakdown of the mechanics of salvation.
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