Devotion instead of escapism. By Ellen White
Only those who crucify the self and stand up to the dark forces will find freedom from sin. Do not be discouraged because the coming time of Jacob’s trouble will bring severe trials. Rather, work earnestly and diligently in the present time: now is the time to recognize the truth as it is in Jesus. Now we need a personal life of faith. In these precious last hours of probation, we need a deep and living experience. In this way, we will develop the character traits that are necessary for our coming deliverance.
The time of tribulation is the trial by fire that will bring Christlike characters to light. It will be such that God’s people will finally renounce Satan and his temptations. The final conflict will reveal Satan’s true nature to them. He is a cruel tyrant. Thus, what nothing else could achieve will happen: Satan will finally lose all sympathy with them. For those who love and cherish sin also love and cherish its originator: Jesus’ mortal enemy. Those who excuse sin and cling to a false character show affection for Satan and pay homage to him…
All of heaven is interested in humanity and desires its salvation. That is the great goal behind everything God does for humanity… However, the heavenly army is astonished that so few are interested in freedom from enslaving evil influences, that so few are doing everything they can to support Jesus in His great mission to liberate them. If people would recognize the work of the great deceiver who wants to keep them as bitter slaves to sin, how decisively they would renounce the works of darkness, how steadfast they would remain in temptation, how much they would recognize and eliminate every fault that tarnishes God’s image in them; how closely would they press themselves to Jesus’ side, and what earnest petitions would ascend to heaven for a quieter, closer, and happier walk with God.
The Review and Herald, August 12, 1884.
Source: hoffnung-weltweit.info
