So far as his opportunities extend , everyone who has received the light of truth is under the same solemn and fearful responsibility as was the prophet of Israel , to whom the word of the Lord came , saying : " Son of man , I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel ; therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth , and warn them from Me . When I say unto the wicked , O wicked man , thou shalt surely die ; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way , that wicked man shall die in his iniquity ; but his blood will I require at thine hand . Nevertheless , if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it ; if he do not turn from his way , he shall die in his iniquity ; but thou hast delivered thy soul ." Ezekiel 33:7-9 .
The great obstacle both to the acceptance and to the promulgation of truth is the fact that it involves inconvenience and reproach . This is the only argument against the truth which its advocates have never been able to refute . But this does not deter the true followers of Christ . These do not wait for truth to become popular . Being convinced of their duty , they deliberately accept the cross , with the apostle Paul counting that " our light affliction , which is but for a moment , worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory ;" with one of old , " esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt ." 2 Corinthians 4:17 ; Hebrews 11:26 .
Whatever may be their profession , it is only those who are world servers at heart that act from policy rather than principle in religious things . We should choose the right because it is right , and leave consequences with God . To men of principle , faith , and daring , the world is indebted for its great reforms . By such men the work of reform for this time must be carried forward . Thus saith the Lord : " Hearken unto Me , ye that know righteousness , the people in whose heart is My law ; fear ye not the reproach of men , neither be ye afraid of their revilings . For the moth shall eat them up like a garment , and the worm shall eat them like wool : but My righteousness shall be forever , and My salvation from generation to generation ." Isaiah 51:7 , 8 .
319