Right in the Center of God's Will

That's where I want to live and function. I've heard leaders and pastors say very interesting things since I've been here in Ohio. I've heard that Jesus does everything for us, and that it is only the grace of God that saves us; our works have nothing to do with our salvation. I've heard obedience downplayed and I've seen the Spirit of Prophecy distorted to say something it is not saying. I've seen and heard all sorts of interesting things here in Ohio.

But I haven't heard very much at all about Sabbath reform, diet reform, dress reform, entertainment reform, etc. Hardly anything at all. And yet, reform in these areas is RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF GOD'S WILL for His people. I've heard the opposite, however. I've heard that a particular leader informed a local church that if they continue to make an issue out of Sabbath observance, they would be removed from the sisterhood of churches. The pastor of that church had been regularly purchasing meals on Sabbath, and some of the members took issue, and rightly so. But instead of supporting the church and bringing an end to this Sabbath infringement, the leader shamed the church, and protected the pastor in his sin.

I believe in a faith that works. I believe the Bible when it says that Jesus can keep us from falling (Jude 24). I believe the Bible when it says that we can participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption that is in this world (2 Peter 1:4). I believe the Bible when it says that we can put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof (Romans 13:14). And I believe the servant of the Lord when she says the following: 

"Let no man present the idea that man has little or nothing to do in the great work of overcoming; for God does nothing for man without his cooperation. Neither say that after you have done all you can on your part, Jesus will help you. Christ has said, 'Without me ye can do nothing' (John 15:5). From first to last man is to be a laborer together with God. Unless the Holy Spirit works upon the human heart, at every step we shall stumble and fall. Man's efforts alone are nothing but worthlessness; but cooperation with Christ means a victory. Of ourselves we have no power to repent of sin. Unless we accept divine aid we cannot take the first step toward the Saviour. He says, 'I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end' (Rev. 21:6) in the salvation of every soul." ~Selected Messages, Vol. 1, page 381

"Let no one say that your works have nothing to do with your rank and position before God. In the judgment the sentence pronounced is according to what has been done or to what has been left undone. (Matt. 25:34-40)." ~Selected Messages, Vol. 1, page 381

"He who repents of his sin and accepts the gift of the life of the Son of God, cannot be overcome. Laying hold by faith of the divine nature, he becomes a child of God. He prays, he believes. When tempted and tried, he claims the power that Christ died to give, and overcomes through His grace. This every sinner needs to understand. He must repent of his sin, he must believe in the power of Christ, and accept that power to save and to keep him from sin. How thankful ought we to be for the gift of Christ's example!" ~Selected Messages, Vol. 1, page 224 

We need to be very careful what we allow ourselves to believe. And we need to call our pastors and leaders on the carpet when they are distorting the truth, or misleading the people. It is our God-given duty to do so.

If we read and accept what God is saying to us through His Word and through the Spirit of Prophecy, we will experience a primitive godliness and true revival, and we will desire reform in every area of our lives. Thus, we will be living right in the center of God's will, and He will pour out His Spirit in latter rain power, so that we can participate in the loud cry of the third angel, and finish this awesome work He has committed to us.

Beware of an Eastern Influence

"For You have forsaken Your people, the house of Jacob,
      Because they are filled with eastern ways;
      They are soothsayers like the Philistines,
      And they are pleased with the children of foreigners."
                                                                    ~ Isaiah 2:6

In Isaiah's day, God's people were heavily influenced by outside, pagan practices and ideas. This "Eastern" influence eventually destroyed God's people, because they adopted many of these pagan practices and false worship. They were pleased with the children of foreigners--strangers who did not serve the God of heaven and earth. These evil associations proved to be deadly to the children of Israel. The pagan nations around them practiced divination, magic and astrology, and they worshipped Satan in the form of false gods.

Today we too have a strange but deadly fascination with Eastern ideas and practices. We are pleased with the children of foreigners--people who do not obey the Lord God of heaven and earth. We listen to their addresses, and we read their books, to our detriment. My brother, my sister--when people who practice gnosticism, shaminism, Catholic spiritual formation, and interspirituality are allowed to address our pastors and members, we know that we are in the midst of spiritual demise, and are inviting the judgment of God.

We cannot any longer tolerate this deplorable situation to continue. God holds us accountable for that which we allow. This outside, Satanic influence has affected many of our pastors, who, after years of being immersed in this environment of compromise, are at worst presenting messages that are a mingling of truth and error, and at best are refusing to speak out about the compromise, for fear of losing their positions. But it is far more important to fear God than to fear man. Our people are being spiritually weakened over time. Right and wrong are no longer seen for what they are. Sabbathkeepers are no longer careful with how they spend their time--during Sabbath hours and in general. And our people do not understand what God expects of them. There is confusion in our midst.

God expects us to cry aloud and spare not. If Jesus were here in Ohio, He would be overturning tables. If you have a voice, use it. If you have a hand than can write, do so. Use whatever means you can to communicate your commitment to follow Jesus Christ, and your displeasure for the current state of affairs. Stand up and be counted, while we still have a Seventh-day Adventist presence here in Ohio.