Insulting God by Ellet Joseph Waggoner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 1, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 39.

Insulting God.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

This is what many professed Christians do, who would be shocked at the bare suggestion. Moreover, they are not ashamed to do it to his face. Let us illustrate. Suppose I had an acquaintance to whom I would say on almost every occasion, when we met, "I find it very difficult to believe what you say to me; I wish you would help me to believe what you say." That would not be complimentary, to say the least; but the man might be so forbearing as to repeat his statements and promises. He might even go so far with me as to take a solemn oath that his words were true. Nevertheless, I continue to say to him, "It is so difficult to believe you." And then when I meet with friends, I speak of this one, and tell them how hard it is for me to believe him. Would not such conduct be justly called an insult to the man? Would what I say have a tendency to give others confidence in him? Everybody can see that such language would be the same as saying to others, "Be very cautious in your dealing with that man; look out for him, and do not trust him too much, or you may be deceived." Now that is just the way thousands of professed Christians treat God. It is an insult to God, and a disgrace to the cause of Christ, for any professed Christian to talk about lack of faith. They do not treat God with the ordinary courtesy that they would show a neighbor. Who can expect to see sinners converted to God, when those who profess to be acquainted with him talk and act as tho he were not to be trusted?

E. J. W.