Have you ceased from entering into controversy with those in Laodicea who continue to refuse to take the Word of God “as it reads”?
We have been given insight into how even our beloved prophet had to at times realise that you are never going to be able to deal with these people for they do not play by the rules of civility and are determined to forcefully push their pet “doctrine” on to us (well, to anyone who will fall for their error). There is a consistent pattern with this type of individual; it started with the covering cherub in heaven, here is a small snippet from an earlier post on this subject -
Being “perfect in beauty” he looked at himself instead of to Him who gave him this perfect beauty; and began to contemplate himself, and to admire himself. Then, as the consequence, he grew proud of himself, and began to think that the place which he occupied was too narrow for the proper, profitable, and full display of the ability which he now gave himself the credit of possessing. He concluded that the place which he occupied was not fully worthy of the dignity which now in his own estimation merged in him…But he saw no token that the Lord thought of him as he thought of himself. He could see nothing to indicate any purpose on the part of the Lord to exalt him to the dignity and the place which alone he now considered worthy of himself…(Excerpt from Ch.21 - The Spirit of the Papacy. ECE 565-604) Please read the whole chapter or the whole book on your EGW Writings App.
Yes, self exaltation - a huge problem! We have all been stung now with the sting of death, but if Christ dwells within you and within me, we can have perfect unity i.e. Two Christians can no more fight with each other than Christ can fight against Himself.
Unity is the sure result of Christian perfection. SL 85
The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ. DA 805
Many of the Biblical writers had to deal with the same problem e.g. -
I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. 3 John 9-11
We have all been feeling the effects of these false teachers that have infiltrated the church over the years and like our prophet we at times have felt that it would be a lot easier/better to “remain away from”, “not attend camp meetings”, “no desire to attend these meetings”, “have but very little confidence that the Lord is giving these men…spiritual eyesight and heavenly discernment”, “thrown into perplexity over their course”, “shall not be dragged into confusion”, etc,. The Biblical admonition is:
mark them
avoid them
withdraw
have no company with
shun
turn away
Beware of
have no fellowship with them
let him be accursed
avoid
shake off the dust of your feet.
receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew Himself
May we all be stronger and more settled in the truth as a result of these past experiences and never allow any of these errors or behaviours to enter in ever again - “but prove all things, hold fast to that which is good”, “by their fruits we shall know them”.
