The Lord Does not accept ( 9 )
Quotations from the writings of Ellen G. White with the phrase . . .
| The Lord does not accept the service of those who live an inefficient, do-nothing-life. They exert an influence that leads away from Christ. Self-denial and nobility of purpose marked his life. From the beginning to the close of his earthly ministry he went about doing good. In his life no sin appeared. No selfishness marred word or act. "Which of you convinceth me of sin?" he asked the Pharisees, knowing that they could find nothing of which to accuse him. And at his trial, Pilate declared emphatically, "I find in him no fault at all." {RH, February 29, 1912 par. 3} |
| |
| The Lord does not accept the service of those who live an inefficient, do-nothing life. They exert an influence that leads away from Christ. Self-denial and nobility of purpose marked His life. From the beginning to the close of His earthly ministry He went about doing good. In His life no sin appeared. No selfishness marred word or act. "Which of you convinceth me of sin?" (John 8:46), He asked the Pharisees, knowing that they could find nothing of which to accuse Him. And at His trial, Pilate declared emphatically, "I find in him no fault at all" (John 18:38). {TDG 68.1} |
| |
| The influence of the world leads those who engage in business activities, even in the work of God, to be content with a low level. Under the exercise of faithfulness to the cause of God, they gratify selfish ambition and unholy desires, thus enfeebling conscience and perverting religion. The Lord does not accept this kind of faithfulness. Look well to this matter. God is working that he may lift us up to a high standard of character; but as long as there is so little realization of the great need of his Holy Spirit in the transaction of business, in councils and board meetings, there will be continual deterioration in spiritual life, while at the same time there may be great activity in setting agencies at work for the advancement of the knowledge of the truth. But if the truth is not brought into the life, to sanctify the soul, those who engage in these activities will become stumbling-blocks to others. In the fear of God I tell you that these things have been repeated to me many times. We are far from being spiritual in character. The natural tendencies of the human heart must be subdued by the grace of God. They cannot be kept under our own control, but must be put under the control of the Spirit of God. Unless we do submit ourselves to God, we cannot work according to his will. Self, self, self, is mingled with the sacred work of God, and it stains and mars that which is most holy. {RH, July 28, 1891 par. 2} |
| |
| The Lord does not accept worldly policies for the carrying forward of His work. This spirit must not come into the management of our conferences. The work given to the human agent is to copy the character of Jesus Christ. Shall worldly policies be allowed to hide the principles of men who claim to be doing the work of God? I say, No; no. The agencies of God and Satanic agencies cannot combine. {2SAT 308.2} |
| |
| The matter of the Gospel Primer is not healed. This matter is presented to me again and again. A patchwork effort has been made to set things right, but this effort the Lord does not accept. Unless the men who took part in this work learn the meaning of true principle, unless they have eyes to see and ears to hear and hearts to understand, unless they realize that God's work is sacred in His sight, they might better sever their connection with the work. The reproach of God rests upon the effort made to keep back funds from the Southern field. {2SAT 158.1} |
| |
| The case of Brother C. H. Jones has been presented to me. Should he resign his position to take up some other line of work? If the Lord should say, "This is My will," it would be right for Brother Jones to do this. . . . When the Lord selects a man who in His sight is the proper man for this place, it will be right for Brother Jones to sever his connection with the Pacific Press. But at present the Lord does not accept his resignation.-- Letter 67, 1902. {5BIO 167.6} |
| |
| which the Lord does not accept |
| Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. The eye of faith will discern God very near, and the suppliant may obtain precious evidence of the divine love and care for him. But why is it that so many prayers are never answered? . . . The Lord gives us the promise: "Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart" (Jer. 29:13). Again, He speaks of some who "have not cried unto me with their heart" (Hosea 7:14). Such petitions are prayers of form, lip service only, which the Lord does not accept. . . . In Heavenly Places, page 73.2 |
| |
| Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. The eye of faith will discern God very near, and the suppliant may obtain precious evidence of the divine love and care for him. But why is it that so many prayers are never answered? David says, "I cried unto Him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." [PS. 66:17, 18.] By another prophet the Lord gives us the promise, "Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." [JER. 29:13.] Again, he speaks of some who "have not cried unto me with their heart." [HOS. 7:14.] Such petitions are prayers of form, lip-service only, which the Lord does not accept. {GW92 35.1} |
| |
| Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. The eye of faith will discern God very near, and the suppliant may obtain precious evidence of the divine love and care for him. But why is it that so many prayers are never answered? Says David: "I cried unto Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." By another prophet the Lord gives us the promise: "Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart." Again, he speaks of some who "have not cried unto Me with their heart." Such petitions are prayers of form, lip service only, which the Lord does not accept. {4T 533.3} |
| |