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SINCERITY

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 26, 1869

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 34, No. 18.

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SINCERITY.

By J. A. Smith

SOME think that if they do things which are wrong, if they are sincere, and think it is right, why then they will be saved anyhow. But God has given commandments and ordinances, and promises salvation to those who will keep them. Now if men can continue to do things which are violations of the commandments, and yet can be saved, if they are sincere, why, then, there are two ways to salvation. We can keep the commandments and be saved, or if this is not so convenient, we can transgress them and be saved, provided we are only sincere!
But God will accept of nothing but strict obedience to his commands. He will accept of none but godly sincerity. To be sincere in actions which are violations of the law of God, is dangerous sincerity.
It is a good thing to be truly sincere. Such will be anxious to know and to do the whole will of God. They will pray as did David, “Open mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.” God grant that we may never be sincere in doing wrong. It is bad enough to do wrong, let alone being sincere in doing so. Let us strive to know the whole will of God, and do it, for none but those who keep the truth will enter into the city. Let us not do our own will, but that of the Lord.
J. A. SMITH.
Libertyville, Iowa.