Yes, we are all sinners. Yes, we have tasted, felt and sensed the repercussions of evil, even in the
history of the world. There are those to be met with everywhere who have no fixed principles. It hard for them to resist temptation. Let it come from what quarter, and in what form in it may, and every precaution must be taken to surround them with influences that will strengthen their moral power. Let them be separated from these helpful influences and associations, be thrown with a class who are irreligious, and they will soon show that they have no real hold from above ; they trusted in their own strength. The have been praised and exalted when their feet were standing in sliding sand. They are like unstable water, having no inward rectitude, and they will never excel. What you need is to see your dependence upon God, and to have a resolute heart. Be a man/woman where you are; be able, through Jesus Christ, to say, “No, I will not do this great wickedness against God.”
That kind of easy good nature which can never nerve itself to give decided refusal to any proposal that would injure his moral and religious influence in the sight of God and of man is always under the control of Satan far more than under the control of the Spirit of God. They are led into evil very easily because they have a very accommodating disposition, and it hurts them to give a square No, “I will not do this wickedness and sin against God.” If invited to take a glass with merry men or women, they are led as an ox to the slaughter, they join with the impious, who laugh at the ready compliance afterwards. There is no interior strength to fall back upon. They do not make God their trust. They have no high principles of duty.
In language written in red, Jesus comforts those He rebukes and chastens because of His love.
“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (Revelation 3:14-22)
Comments by Connie: Most sermons I do not remember, but early on in my life a Conference worker came to speak at the South Denver Seventh Day Adventist Church in Colorado. He talked about being 1/2 baked, like a pancake. Our Pathfinder Club was working at building a fire, frying a pancake and it stuck in my mind, the winner had to have a pancake that was not half baked. Nor do I want a character that is weak. So I pray for God my character to be tried in the fiery furnace like gold, to remove the dross, that makes me impure to Him. I pray for heavenly eyesight to see Jesus and God rightly worthy to administer JUSTICE. For they alone have the all powerful seeing eye, that discerns my motives. And my dependence is not on man 666 or church organization, however Jesus makes this accommodation, to depend upon Him 100%, because He first loved me. He gives me His Robe of His Righteousness, and its my job to put it on. Knowing and trusting that He knows me better than I know myself. Thank You Jesus!
The Red Horse War Against Gods Government understood by the parables of Jesus 