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.