“He that is not with Me, is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me, scattereth abroad.” The mind, the heart, the strength, of every son and daughter of Adam, belongs to God. None of us are at liberty to shape our own course of action as we please. And we can not possibly be neutral. Our influence is cast either for the right or for the wrong. Do not think that because you do not manifest decided hostility against Christ, you are doing him service. Those who think thus deceive their own souls. Every time that you are not guided by the Holy Spirit, your influence is used against Christ. You are scattering abroad. We can not withhold from Christ a portion of his intrusted goods and resources without giving the power of darkness an advantage. By withholding that which God has given us to use in his service, be it time, or means, or influence, we work against him.
(ST October 28, 1897, 1)
God's workers should earnestly co-operate with heavenly intelligences, using every particle of light and grace for the saving of the souls for whom Christ has died. When one of Christ's professed servants relaxes his hold, Satanic agencies take up the work, hurting and destroying where an active, interested worker might save and strengthen.
(ST October 28, 1897, 2)
Souls are in the darkness of error, ignorant of God, of Christ, and of the truth. But too many of those who call themselves Christians, carry no burden for their fellow-beings. They expect the minister to devise all the plans, and set in operation all the influences that are to win souls to the cross of Christ. By far the larger number of professed Christians feel themselves detached from the perishing world around them. Yet they are a part of the great web of humanity, and Heaven looks upon them as brothers to sinners, as well as to saints. As they mingle with others, they exert an influence that either helps souls on the way to heaven, or helps to drive them to perdition. Each one acts himself.
(ST October 28, 1897, 3)
I would that those who profess to be servants of Christ could, with the angels, look down from the heavenly courts upon the world, and upon the churches that profess to be serving God and obeying his orders. What would they see?—They would see God's precious time spent, and nothing accomplished. They would see his intrusted means used for self-gratification and self-indulgence.
(ST October 28, 1897, 4)
What more would they behold from the lofty heavens, from which angels descend, cooperating with every one who is dedicated to the service of God?—They would see that this world is the scene of a continuous conflict. They would see that human beings are required to fill posts of duty. They would see unnumbered agencies of evil at work, taking advantage of those who are off guard, to set in operation influences fraught with evil.
(ST October 28, 1897, 5)
What further would they see?—They would see that in the great judgment day those who have not worked for Christ, who have drifted along, carrying no responsibility, thinking of themselves, pleasing themselves, will be placed by the Judge of the whole earth with those who did evil. Both receive the same condemnation. If those who thus wasted their lives were given another probation, would they not work soberly and righteously, with soul and mind and strength, to accomplish something for the Master, who left them an example by his life of self-denial and self-sacrifice, by his diligence in the work of saving perishing souls?
(ST October 28, 1897, 6)
When Satan succeeds in lulling the professed followers of Christ to carnal security, so that they fall asleep at their post, a shout of joy runs through the ranks of the invisible foe. The enemy uses the listless, sleepy indolence of Christians to strengthen his forces and win souls to his banner. Many who think that, tho they are doing no actual work for Christ, they are yet on his side, are enabling the enemy to preoccupy ground and gain advantages. By their failure to be wide-awake, diligent workers for the Master, by leaving duties undone, and words unspoken, they have allowed Satan to gain control of souls.
(ST October 28, 1897, 7)
There is an abundance of work to be done in our world, and no one with reason and a knowledge of the will of God will be excused from doing his share. “Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord, against the mighty.” These words mean much to those who have no spirit to labor, no desire to wear the yoke or lift the burdens in the service of Christ. Our faith must be a living faith. It must work by love, and purify the soul. We are to study to show ourselves approved, workmen that need not to be ashamed. We are to employ our intrusted capabilities in God's service, thus demonstrating our fidelity to him. If we do only a third of what our talents enable us to do, with the other two-thirds of our power we are working against Christ.
(ST October 28, 1897, 8)
“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end, for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”“Take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”
(ST October 28, 1897, 9)