On Which Side is Your Influence?
By R. F. COTTRELL
THE half-hearted do not aid, but injure the cause of truth. Witnesses in whose testimony there is perfect harmony almost compel belief; but their disagreement destroys confidence. If in unity there is strength, in discord there is weakness. Therefore our Lord prayed that his disciples might be one—perfectly united in their testimony—that the world might believe their testimony and know the truth. Jno. xvii, 20, 23. Unity among those who know the truth convinces men; but the want of unity makes skeptics. The skepticism of the present day is attributable, in a great measure, to the discord and divisions existing among professing Christians. If it were impossible for Christians to be united in the truth, by the aid of the word and the Spirit of God, they would not be responsible for the evil effects of the existing state of things. But if they remain so because they are unwilling to obey God and accept the means of unity which he has provided, the sin lies at their own door. There are at the present time a considerable number who testify that God is sending out the last message to man, by which he is gathering his people into unity of faith, and preparing them for the judgment and for translation. The testimony of these persons is harmonious181They are agreed in accepting of every part of the work, as God in his providence is developing it. There is power in their testimony; honest souls are being brought into unity of faith and obedience. The work bears the impress of the Author of truth and unity. But there are some who accept of a part of the truth—a part of the present work of God. Their testimony is that a part of this message is true, and a part is false; a part of the work is of God, and a part is not—it is partly from Heaven, and partly from beneath. What is the effect of the testimony of these? Does their influence aid men in believing and embracing the great truths of God's word—points even which they admit to be truth? No; but the reverse. Their influence is to weaken the testimony in behalf of the truth. Instead of having an influence to gather men into the truth, their influence causes them to doubt. And yet they do not see it. They would be glad to see their families and friends converted to a part of the truth; but their influence is nothing to effect this, as long as they virtually deny the heavenly origin of the work by rejecting a part of it. But let them take a decided stand to believe and obey all the truth—let them fully admit that God is the author of the message—that he is leading his people, and in all respects is leading them right—then their influence will tell for the truth, and for the conversion of their friends. The unconverted want an assurance that the call is from Heaven. But the influence of those who confess in part only, holds them in doubt, and consequently in disobedience. O, half-hearted, half-converted friend! I desire you to know and to feel that you are one of the greatest obstacles in the way of the progress of truth, and the conversion and salvation of men. Unless you can accept the truth and the work of God fully, your unconverted neighbors, friends, and families, will rise up against you in the Judgment, and condemn you. Your indecision keeps them undecided; and your rejection of a part of the truth causes them to reject the whole, as not of God. And in this they are more consistent than you. Either God is sending out the last message, or he is not. Either he is leading us into unity, or he is not. If God is in the work, why not accept it wholly? If not, why have any confidence in fanatics who are being led by the Devil, as all fanatics are? The Lord does not work in partnership with the Devil. Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt. The work in which we as a people are engaged is the true message from Heaven foretold in prophecy, or it is false and delusive. If the latter, why favor it in the least; if the former, why not embrace it fully? Or do you say, like the chief priests and elders of old, “We cannot tell?” If you cannot decide with the light already given, you need not expect more. It would be useless to tell you. It is from Heaven. The best testimony is already before you. Then why not receive it as from Heaven, and give your undivided influence in its favor? Look to it. Ask yourself on which side your influence is. Is it for the truth, or against it? Are you gathering with Christ, or scattering abroad? It is a fearful position to half accept of the truth, and then stand in the way of others—to stand in the vestibule of the house of God, and prevent your best friends from entering. The True Witness says to you, “I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” The Lord would have us one thing or the other, either for or against. If the present work, which purports to be the last message from Heaven, is false, denounce it, and warn men against it. But if it is true, give your whole heart to obedience, and your whole influence to forward the work. Come up heartily, cheerfully, to every part of the reform, and make a whole sacrifice to God. Then others will see that you have confidence in the work and are in earnest, and your influence will tell on the Lord’s side. Those whom you are now hindering, you will help; and they will be converted to God. Think of it, dear reader. On which side is your influence?