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Sin of Neglect
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Quotations from the writings of Ellen G. White with the phrase . . .
 
Sin  of  Neglect
 
When we consider the light and blessings we have received from God, we wonder that any among us should be so far separated from him. God regards the sin of neglect, in our day of light and opportunities, as of even greater magnitude than the evils practised by heathen idolaters, who are ignorant of the living God and the wondrous plan of redemption.  {YI, June 10, 1897 par. 10}
 
 
I would speak words of warning to the brethren of our churches, for I fear that many are acting the part of the slothful servant who hid his lord's talent in the earth. His sin was the sin of neglect, the sin of failing to improve the great treasures of knowledge that were committed to his trust. God has given precious light to His people with which to enlighten the world, and are not many treating it with indifference, and acting as though the heavenly gift were of little consequence? . . .  {UL 66.4}
 
 
The guilty sons of Eli were slain in battle. He could endure to hear that his sons were slain, but he could not bear the news that the ark of God was taken. He knew that his sin of neglect in failing to stand for the right and restrain wrong had at last deprived Israel of her strength and glory. The pallor of death came upon his face, and he fell backward and died.  {GW92 83.1}  {4T 516.2}
 
My husband has had a zeal for God and for the truth, and at times this zeal has led him to overlabor to the injury of physical and mental strength. But the Lord has not regarded this as so great a sin as the neglect and unfaithfulness of His servants in reproving wrongs. Those who praised the unfaithful and flattered the unconsecrated were sharers in their sin of neglect and unfaithfulness. {3T 88.3}    {PH159 103.1}
 
All that is withheld of that which God claims, the tenth of the increase, is recorded in the books of heaven against the withholders, as robbery. Such defraud their Creator; and when this sin of neglect is brought before them, it is not enough for them to change their course and begin to work from that time upon the right principle. This will not correct the figures made in the heavenly record for embezzling the property committed to them in trust to be returned to the Lender. Repentance for unfaithful dealing with God, and for base ingratitude, is required.  {3T 394.3}
 
God has sacred claims upon us all. He claims the whole heart, the whole soul, the whole affections. The answer which is sometimes made to this statement is, "Oh I do not profess to be a Christian!" What if you do not? Has not God the same claims upon you that He has upon the one who professes to be His child? Because you are bold in your careless disregard of sacred things, is your sin of neglect and rebellion passed over by the Lord? Every day that you disregard the claims of God, every opportunity of offered mercy that you slight, is charged to your account, and will swell the list of sins against you in the day when the accounts of every soul will be investigated. I address you, young men and women, professors or non-professors. God calls for your affections, for your cheerful obedience and devotion to Him. You now have a short time of probation, and you may improve this opportunity to make an unconditional surrender to God.  {BEcho, September 19, 1898 par. 1}
 
All that is withheld of the tenth which God claims of the increase is recorded in the books of Heaven as robbery against God. Such defraud their Creator, and when this sin of neglect shall be brought before them, it is not enough to change their course and begin to work from that time upon the right principle. This will not correct the figures in the heavenly record for embezzling the property committed to them in trust to be returned to the lender. Repentance for unfaithful dealing with God, and for base ingratitude, is required.  {RH, August 25, 1874 par. 44}
 
Vanity in dress is a great temptation for the youth, as well as love of amusement. The sacred claims that God has upon us all are, the whole heart, the whole soul, the whole affections. The answer some make to this statement is, Oh! I do not profess to be a Christian. What if you do not? Has not God the same claims upon you that he has upon the one who professes to be his child? Because you are open and bold in your careless disregard of sacred things, is your sin of neglect and rebellion passed over by the Lord?  {PH013 5.1}

The Sin of Neglect

   If those whose talents are rusting from inaction would seek the aid of the Spirit of God, and go to work, we should see much more accomplished. Urgent appeals for help would stir hearts; and the response would be made, "We will do what we can in our weakness and ignorance, looking to the Great Teacher for wisdom." Can it be that amid all these open doors for usefulness, these pathetic pleadings for help, men and women will sit with folded hands, or employ those hands only in selfish labor for earthly objects?  {CS 124.2}

 
the sin of neglect  is  registered  in  the  books  of  heaven
 
 Let us review our past year's labor, and see if we have done our whole duty. God should be made first. Have not some mingled so much of self with their labors that the Lord could not bless them with success? Have not some become self-sufficient? Have not others been dilatory, and almost idlers in the Lord's vineyard? Have they not neglected those branches of the work which were not agreeable, and chosen to do that part which was more pleasant? Dear brethren, have you watched for souls as they that must give account? Have you felt that you were responsible for their salvation? Have you suffered them to become selfish and worldly minded without faithfully presenting their danger before them? You have seen them robbing God in tithes and offerings; and have you held your peace? Have you not been afraid of incurring their displeasure, if you plainly presented their disregard of God's express command? What have you been doing, my brethren? Have you not been trying to carry the easy end of the yoke, while shunning to declare the whole counsel of God? Your churches and your Conferences will testify against you; for the sin of neglect is registered in the books of Heaven.  {RH, March 4, 1884 par. 6}
 
 
In these days of peril those who have been unfaithful in their duties in life, and whose mistakes and sins of neglect are registered against them in the book in Heaven, unrepented of and unforgiven, will be overcome by Satan. Every one is to be tested and severely tried. Satan will exert all his energies, and call to his aid his evil host, who will exercise all their experience, artifice, and cunning, to deceive souls and wrest them from the hands of Jesus Christ. He makes them believe they may be unfaithful in the minor duties of life, and God will not see, God will not notice; but that Being who numbers the hairs of our head, and marks the fall of the little sparrow, notices every deviation from truth, every departure from honor and integrity in both secular and religious things. These errors and sins corrupt the man, and disqualify him for the society of heavenly angels. By his defiled character he has placed himself under the flag of Satan. The arch deceiver has power over this class. The more exalted their profession, the more honorable the position they have held, the more grievous their course in the sight of God, the more sure the triumph of Satan. These will have no shelter in the time of Jacob's trouble. Their sins will then appear of such magnitude that they will have no confidence to pray, no heart to wrestle as did Jacob. On the other hand, those who have been of like passion, erring and sinful in their lives, but who have repented of their sins, and in genuine sorrow confessed them, will have pardon written against their names in the heavenly records. They will be hid 'in the day of the Lord's anger. Satan will attack this class, but like Jacob they have taken hold of the strength of God, and true to his character he is at peace with them, and sends angels to comfort and bless and sustain them in their time of peril. The time of Jacob's trouble will test every one, and distinguish the genuine Christian from the one who is so only in name.  {ST, November 27, 1879 par. 6}
 
 
 
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