p. 173 | STRENGTH OF WILL by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 30, 1878

STRENGTH OF WILL.

By R. F. Cottrell

It is good to have decision of character and strength of will sufficient to embrace truth, however unpopular it may be, and to endure opposition and persecution without yielding the right. For want of this firmness, courage, and endurance, many will be found at last in that company called “the fearful,” who, with all the unbelieving, abominable, &c., have their portion in the lake of fire. Rev. 21:8. Oh for the moral courage, decision, and endurance that God can approve!

But it is possible to have too much strength of will and independence of mind. Some embrace the truth earnestly, and advocate it with ardent zeal for a time, who have too much independence to exercise that submission to the judgment of others which the gospel teaches, and which is necessary in order to the unity of faith and spirit to which believers should attain. After running well for a season, something in their brethren dissatisfies them, and in a little while they are as set against the church and the truth as they ever were in favor. They rush on in their independence, regardless of truth or reason. They are not like the other class, tame and passive yielders to the popular will; but are bold and defiant opposers, doing all they are able to pull down and destroy.

Now, while I would hold the truth with decision and endurance, at the same time I would have that spirit of submission which is necessary to a unity of spirit. “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves to the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” To be yielding to experienced brethren is not to yield the truth. R. F. COTTRELL.