Untitled article | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · September 17, 1867

A MARK OF RELIGION.

There are many marks by which a vain religion may be distinguished from that which is genuine. All religion is vain which does not influence the conduct and which does not soften and change, and which does not govern and direct, the affections. It is not meet to assert that all is vain which does not immediately elevate the Christian to the perfect standard of Christian piety, but that all is so, which does not exert a ruling, and an increasing influence over the conduct, the heart, and the temper. Where the heart is not humbled, where sin is not hated, Christ is professed in vain. Where instead of humility, pride maintains its sway, where instead of gentleness and meekness being followed, passion and rage still mark as unchanged the temper, where a misplaced word or slighting expression or look is sufficient to occasion a storm of anger, religion is vain. Practical piety is described as love and patience and works of faith and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and our Father. Faith, without its works, love without its labors, hope without patience, all are vain, and mark a vain religion.