17 (2 Corinthians 8:21; 1 Peter 2:12). The Honest Are His Jewels Forever—Truthfulness and frankness should be ever cherished by all who claim to be followers of Christ. God and the right should be the motto. Deal honestly and righteously in this present evil world. Some will be honest when they see that honesty will not endanger their worldly interests, but all who act from this principle will have their names blotted out of the book of life.
(6BC 1081.3)
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Strict honesty must be cultivated. We can go through the world but once; we cannot come back to rectify any mistakes; therefore every move made should be with godly fear and careful consideration. Honesty and policy will not harmonize; either policy will be subdued, and truth and honesty hold the lines of control, or policy will take the lines, and honesty cease to direct. Both cannot act together; they can never be in agreement. When God makes up His jewels, the true, the frank, the honest, will be His chosen ones, His treasures. Angels are preparing crowns for such, and light from the throne of God will be reflected in its splendor from these star-gemmed diadems (The Review and Herald, December 29, 1896).
(6BC 1081.4)
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19 (Psalm 119:126; Luke 18:1-7; Revelation 6:9). Protector and Avenger—When the defiance of God′s law is almost universal, when His people are pressed in affliction by their fellow men, God will interpose. Then will the voice be heard from the graves of martyrs, represented by “the souls that John saw slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ”(Revelation 6:9), which they held—then the prayer will ascend from every true child of God: “It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.”Psalm 119:126.
(6BC 1081.5)
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The fervent prayers of His people will be answered; for God loves to have His people seek Him with all the heart, and depend upon Him as their deliverer. He will be sought unto to do these things for His people, and He will arise as their protector and avenger. “Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him”(Luke 18:7) (The Review and Herald, December 21, 1897)?
(6BC 1081.6)
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1. God, the Ruler of All Nations—Who, then, is to be regarded as the Ruler of the nations?—The Lord God Omnipotent. All kings, all rulers, all nations, are His, under His rule and government (Manuscript 119, 1903).
(6BC 1081.7)
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1-7. Rulers Are God′s Servants—One of the most deplorable things upon the earth is the fact that there are passionate governors and unjust judges. They forget that they are under the authority of the great Governor, the all-wise God, and that He is above every ruler, prince, governor, or king.
(6BC 1081.8)
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Rulers are God′s servants, and they are to serve their time as His apprentices. It is for their good that they faithfully follow the plain “Thus saith the Lord,” keeping the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment. They are to exercise their powers without partiality and without hypocrisy, refusing to be bought or sold, scorning all bribes, and standing in moral independence and dignity before God. They are not to connive at one act of dishonesty or injustice. They are not to do a base, unjust action themselves, nor to sustain others in acts of oppression. Wise rulers will not permit the people to be oppressed because of the envy and jealousy of those who disregard the law of God.... All need to keep eternity in view, and not to act in such a way that God cannot ratify their judgment in the courts of heaven (The Review and Herald, October 1, 1895).
(6BC 1081.9)
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14. No Doubtful Piety Among True Believers—Sincere Christians have no doubtful piety. They have put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and have made no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. They are constantly looking to Jesus for His orders, as a servant looks to His master, or as a maid looks to her mistress. Wheresoever God′s providence may lead, they stand ready to go. They take no glory to themselves. They do not call anything they have—learning, talents, property—their own, but regard themselves as only stewards of the manifold grace of Christ, and servants to the church for Christ′s sake. These are messengers of the Lord, a light amid the darkness. Their hearts throb in unison with the great heart of Christ (Manuscript 1a, 1890).
(6BC 1081.10)
MC
VC