Personal Responsibility—The thirty-third chapter of Ezekiel shows that God′s government is a government of personal responsibility. Each one must stand for himself. No one can obey for his neighbor. No one is excused for neglecting his duty because of a similar neglect on the part of his neighbor (Letter 162, 1900).
(4BC 1164.2)
MC
VC
A Voice of Warning Needed—The thirty-third chapter of Ezekiel is an outline of the work that God approves. Those in positions of sacred trust, those honored of God by being appointed to stand as watchmen on the walls of Zion, are in every respect to be all that is embraced in the meaning of the word “watchmen.” They are to be ever on guard against the dangers threatening the spiritual life and health and prosperity of God′s heritage.
(4BC 1164.3)
MC
VC
Upon us as ministers God has placed a burden of solemn responsibility....
(4BC 1164.4)
MC
VC
God has declared to us, “Ye are the salt of the earth.”Matthew 5:13. The preserving influence that we may exert in the world, is bestowed upon us by the Lord. The bounties that we constantly receive from Him are to flow through hand and heart to those around us who have not yet become connected with the Fountainhead.
(4BC 1164.5)
MC
VC
When we see God dishonored, we ought not to remain quiet, but should do and say all that we can to lead others to see that the God of heaven is not to be thought of as a common man, but as the Infinite One, the One worthy of man′s highest reverence. Let us present God′s Word in its purity, and lift up the voice in warning against everything that would dishonor our heavenly Father (Manuscript 165, 1902).
(4BC 1164.6)
MC
VC
2. A Charge to Ministers—Upon the ministers of God rests a solemn, serious charge. They will be called to a strict account for the manner in which they have discharged their responsibility. If they do not tell the people of the binding claims of God′s law, if they do not preach the Word with clearness, but confuse the minds of the people by their own interpretations, they are shepherds who feed themselves, but neglect to feed the flock. They make of none effect the law of Jehovah, and souls perish because of their unfaithfulness. The blood of these souls will be upon their heads. God will call them to account for their unfaithfulness. But this will in no wise excuse those who listened to the sophistry of men, discarding the Word of God. God′s law is a transcript of His character. And His word is not “Yea” and “Nay”, but “Yea” and “Amen” (Letter 162, 1900).
(4BC 1164.7)
MC
VC
25, 26 (John 3:3-7). The Sign of a New Heart—[Ezekiel 36:26 quoted.] ... The youth especially stumble over this phrase, “a new heart.” They do not know what it means. They look for a special change to take place in their feelings. This they term conversion. Over this error thousands have stumbled to ruin, not understanding the expression, “Ye must be born again.”
(4BC 1164.8)
MC
VC
Satan leads people to think that because they have felt a rapture of feeling, they are converted. But their experience does not change. Their actions are the same as before. Their lives show no good fruit. They pray often and long, and are constantly referring to the feelings they had at such and such a time. But they do not live the new life. They are deceived. Their experience goes no deeper than feeling. They build upon the sand, and when adverse winds come, their house is swept away....
(4BC 1164.9)
MC
VC
When Jesus speaks of the new heart, He means the mind, the life, the whole being. To have a change of heart is to withdraw the affections from the world, and fasten them upon Christ. To have a new heart is to have a new mind, new purposes, new motives. What is the sign of a new heart?—a changed life. There is a daily, hourly dying to selfishness and pride (The Youth′s Instructor, September 26, 1901).
(4BC 1164.10)
MC
VC