Page 17 - How to Be a Victorious Christian - eBook

over to God. They are "lukewarm," uncommitted, unsurrendered to God. "The
message of the True Witness finds the people of God [the Laodiceans] in a sad
deception, yet honest in that deception." -Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 253. The parallel
description of the ten virgins is that they are not hypocrites, but have been content
with a superficial work. Like the

Laodiceans, they are in an uncommitted, unsurrendered condition.

Willard Saxby was at first positive that the message from Ellen White did not apply
to him, that she was mistaken. But the realization that she, his wife, and Elder A all
felt that it did, caused him soberly and seriously to examine himself. As a result of
his consequent examination of his heart and life, he was led to the conclusion that the

message did indeed apply to himself.

We, the Seventh-day Adventist people today, may be tempted to feel that the
Laodicean message in it~ interpretation and application in the Spirit of Prophecy
writings does not apply to us, personally. To Brother Jones and Sister Smith,
possibly. But to me! 5

Ellen White stated that the message applies to "the greater part" of the church. Note:
The message is recorded in Scriptures for the last church, for us who are living
today. The messenger to the remnant church states that it applies to us. Does my
conscience, and does yours, suggest that perhaps the message does apply to us,
personally? Three to one?

"Examine yourselves: are you living the life of faith? Put yourselves to the test" (2
Cor. 13:5, N.E.B.).*

Determine to know the worst of your case. Ascertain if you have an inheritance
on high. Deal truly with your own soul. -Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 163.

With fasting and earnest prayer, with deep heart searching, stern self-
examination, lay bare the soul; let no act escape your critical examination. -Ibid.,
vol. 2, p. 158.

Those who have no time to give attention to their own souls, to examine
themselves daily whether they be in the love of God, and place themselves in the

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