CONSISTENCY | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 25, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 33.

CONSISTENCY.

WE are often puzzled and startled by the conduct of those in whose piety we thought we might place undoubting confidence, and whom we should have pointed out as Christian examples to others. Upon some occasions they exhibit such appearance of conformity to the world as would lead us to suppose they belong to it.

How desirable, therefore, that we should deal faithfully with ourselves, and see that Christian principles pervade our hearts, and form and fashion our whole lives! Let us cherish a tender conscience. Let us remember whatever benefits us for religious duties; whatever cools the fervor of our devotions; whatever indisposes us to read our Bible, or to engage in prayer; whatever we could not engage in with a perfectly clear conscience; wherever the thought of a suffering Saviour or a holy God—of the hour of death, or of the day of judgment, falls like a cold shadow on our enjoyment; the pleasures which we cannot thank God for, and on which we cannot ask his blessing,—these are not for us.

Let us never go where we cannot ask God to go with us. Let us never be found where we cannot act as Christ would have us. Let us pass each day as pilgrims consciously on the way to their heavenly inheritance. Let us press after closer communion with Jesus. Let the love of God reign in our hearts, and thus shall we be kept from a thousand snares, and become possessed of a peace and joy to which the worldling is a stranger.—The Witness.