The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 461

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.

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