True and False Independence-2 quotes

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TRUE and FALSE INDEPENDENCE, part 2 quotes

1) Satan is the real power and spirit behind all those who believe that we must maintain our independence at all times and circumstances, and are not to be in union with others of like faith, or we risk becoming involved in another papal hierarchy.

“Satan well knows that success can only attend order and harmonious action. He well knows that everything connected with heaven is in perfect order, that subjection and thorough discipline mark the movements of the angelic host. It is his studied effort to lead professed Christians just as far from heaven’s arrangement as he can; therefore he deceives even the professed people of God and makes them believe that order and discipline are enemies to spirituality, that the only safety for them is to let each pursue his own course, and to remain especially distinct from bodies of Christians who are united and are laboring to establish discipline and harmony of action. All the efforts made to establish order are considered dangerous, a restriction of rightful liberty, and hence are feared as popery. These deceived souls consider it a virtue to boast of their freedom to think and act independently. They will not take any man’s say-so. They are amenable to no man. I was shown that it is Satan’s special work to lead men to feel that it is in God’s order for them to strike out for themselves and choose their own course, independent of their brethren.” Testimonies, vol 1, p 650.

2) A separated Ministry in the North Western part of the United States believes and teaches this in their newsletter:

“At the present time we see God’s people being scattered by every conceivable means....Is it possible that we should desist from fighting against the disunity that seems to be everywhere?...all our efforts to gather God’s people into one belief system and one company are going against the will of God....What composed truth for the pioneers over 100 years ago is not necessarily present truth for today.”

But to all of those who may believe that we should just accept the fact that our disunity cannot be overcome because we are really going against God’s will in seeking to unite together, the God of heaven clearly states the following to you:

“Some have advanced the thought that as we near the close of time, every child of God will act independently of any religious organization. But I have been instructed by the Lord that in this work there is no such thing as every man’s being independent....In order that the Lord’s work may advance healthfully and solidly, His people must draw together.” Gospel Workers, p 487.

“There will be, among the remnant of these last days, as there were with ancient Israel, those who wish to move independently, who are not willing to submit to the teachings of the Holy Spirit of God, and who will not listen to advise and counsel. Let such ever bear in mind that God has a church upon the earth, to which He has delegated power. Men will want to follow their own independent judgment, despising counsel and reproof; but just as surely as they do this they will depart from the faith, and disaster and ruin of souls will follow. Those who rally now to support and build up the truth of God are ranging themselves on one side, standing united in heart, mind, and voice in defense of the truth.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 23.

Why then are we having problems and troubles establishing unity among our Remnant people?

“The cause of the trouble it is not difficult to determine. The workers have been independent threads, when they should have regarded themselves as threads that must be woven together to help form the pattern. These things grieve the Holy Spirit....Unsanctified independence places us where He (God) cannot work with us.” Testimonies, vol 7, p 197.

3) A separated minister in the North Eastern part of America believes and teaches this in his newsletter:

“Those who continue to cry ‘unity’ show they still do not comprehend the words of Christ...Those continuing their search for unity have not eaten of the flesh of Christ spiritually. Though they profess to be His followers and doers of His word, yet they have not flushed the structural mire of a temporal kingdom from their minds....and unless they are broken on the Rock Christ Jesus, they will continue their quest for unity until Jesus appears in the clouds of heaven. They look for a tangible unity seen with the visible eye. But God’s few faithful standard-bearers view unity with the spiritual eye...Satan is always warring for the mastery over the mind and keeping the mind dwelling on unity is leading many to frustration and finally perdition.”

But to all of those who may believe that unity is only to be spiritual and not visible, the God of heaven clearly states the following to you:

“God wants unity to be seen...” General Conference Bulletin, April 10, 1901.

“Many who profess to love God and keep His commandments are making void His law. God is greatly dishonored by the failure of professed Christians to reveal the unity that should be seen among His children.” Review and Herald, February 11, 1902.

“We are not to strengthen any evil work. Let those who have used their talents of influence in doing this, do so no longer. Let them not by pen or voice act on Satan’s side of the question. In obedience to a ‘thus saith the Lord,’ let unity of action be seen.” Review and Herald, August 6, 1901.

We are now to achieve a visible unity with one another on this earth, and not to remain content in division and wait until we get to heaven to finally be visibly united as one!

“Well, when is this unity to take place? Are we to wait until we get home to heaven? No, it should take place right here before we leave this house. The melting power of God may be felt right here and the rough edges of our hearts are to be melted right down. From our hearts is to flow forth love, peace, and harmony.” Sermons and Talks, vol 2, p 15-16.

4) If you have been following this false form of independence in any way, then you had need to quickly repent and truly reform yourselves to begin now obeying God’s will by seeking for true visible unity with your Remnant brothers and sisters!

“God does not design that His workmen shall stand apart as independent atoms....I pray that you may now, as never before, both ministers and church members, come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty powers of darkness. Study prayerfully the 17th chapter of John. This chapter is not only to be read again and again, but its truths are to be eaten and digested.

“Are these words, of such import to us, to be always neglected? God calls upon those who claim to be His children to study these words, to eat them, to live them. Seek for unity and love, else the candlestick will be removed out of its place.” Pamphlets, #156, p 12-14.

5) Another separated minister in the South Western part of the US believes and teaches this in his tapes:

“So the church has no business in forcing, basically its view or its will upon the members. Because liberty of conscience must be respected....We know that when it comes to doctrine, that God has given us as individuals the freedom to choose what we shall and shall not believe....and it is in this manner that they (God’s people) will be united as a body...”

But to those who may agree with the concept that we are all to independently believe and teach what we want to on major doctrines regardless of what our Remnant brethren believe is truth, the God of heaven clearly states the following to you:

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10.

“Jesus and holy angels are bringing up and uniting God’s people into one faith, that they may all have one mind and one judgment. And while they are being brought into the unity of the faith, to see eye to eye upon the solemn, important truths for this time, Satan is at work to oppose their advancement. Jesus is at work through His instruments to gather and unite. Satan works through his instruments to scatter and divide.” Testimonies, vol 1, p 332.

6) Satan works to destroy unity through the false form of independence, and Jesus works to build up unity through the true form of independence. Who are you really following and working for?

“You must restrain the disposition within you of being original. You must lean upon the faith of the body or you will mar the work of God, and injure the truth....Unless there is order in these things there would soon be great confusion in our ranks. It is not in the order of God for one to feel at liberty to express his views independently of the body, another express his, and so on. If such a course should be taken we should not all speak the same things and with one mind glorify God. All of us have a part to act, but it is in union with the body.” Manuscript Releases, vol 3, p 262.

“‘But,’ you say, ‘should I follow the judgment of the brethren independent of my own feelings?’ I answer: The church is God’s delegated authority upon earth....There is altogether too little respect paid to the opinion of members of the same church. It is the want of deference for the opinions of the church that causes so much trouble among brethren....A few persons may be as blind as the one in error, but the majority of the church is a power which should control its individual members....Unless the advice and counsel of the church can be respected, it is indeed powerless. God has placed a voice in the church which must control its members.

“If you are led by truth rather than error you will be willing to...sacredly regard the voice of the church.” Testimonies, vol 5, p 107-108.

“Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11.


	"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries home \| Sermon Quotes TRUE and FALSE INDEPENDENCE, part 2 quotes 1) Satan is the real power and spirit behind all those who believe that we must maintain our independence at all times and circumstances, and are not to be in union with others of like faith, or we risk becoming involved in another papal hierarchy. “Satan well knows that success can only attend order and harmonious action. He well knows that everything connected with heaven is in perfect order, that subjection and thorough discipline mark the movements of the angelic host. It is his studied effort to lead professed Christians just as far from heaven’s arrangement as he can; therefore he deceives even the professed people of God and makes them believe that order and discipline are enemies to spirituality, that the only safety for them is to let each pursue his own course, and to remain especially distinct from bodies of Christians who are united and are laboring to establish discipline and harmony of action. All the efforts made to establish order are considered dangerous, a restriction of rightful liberty, and hence are feared as popery. These deceived souls consider it a virtue to boast of their freedom to think and act independently. They will not take any man’s say-so. They are amenable to no man. I was shown that it is Satan’s special work to lead men to feel that it is in God’s order for them to strike out for themselves and choose their own course, independent of their brethren.” Testimonies, vol 1, p 650. 2) A separated Ministry in the North Western part of the United States believes and teaches this in their newsletter: “At the present time we see God’s people being scattered by every conceivable means....Is it possible that we should desist from fighting against the disunity that seems to be everywhere?...all our efforts to gather God’s people into one belief system and one company are going against the will of God....What composed truth for the pioneers over 100 years ago is not necessarily present truth for today.” But to all of those who may believe that we should just accept the fact that our disunity cannot be overcome because we are really going against God’s will in seeking to unite together, the God of heaven clearly states the following to you: “Some have advanced the thought that as we near the close of time, every child of God will act independently of any religious organization. But I have been instructed by the Lord that in this work there is no such thing as every man’s being independent....In order that the Lord’s work may advance healthfully and solidly, His people must draw together.” Gospel Workers, p 487. “There will be, among the remnant of these last days, as there were with ancient Israel, those who wish to move independently, who are not willing to submit to the teachings of the Holy Spirit of God, and who will not listen to advise and counsel. Let such ever bear in mind that God has a church upon the earth, to which He has delegated power. Men will want to follow their own independent judgment, despising counsel and reproof; but just as surely as they do this they will depart from the faith, and disaster and ruin of souls will follow. Those who rally now to support and build up the truth of God are ranging themselves on one side, standing united in heart, mind, and voice in defense of the truth.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 23. Why then are we having problems and troubles establishing unity among our Remnant people? “The cause of the trouble it is not difficult to determine. The workers have been independent threads, when they should have regarded themselves as threads that must be woven together to help form the pattern. These things grieve the Holy Spirit....Unsanctified independence places us where He (God) cannot work with us.” Testimonies, vol 7, p 197. 3) A separated minister in the North Eastern part of America believes and teaches this in his newsletter: “Those who continue to cry ‘unity’ show they still do not comprehend the words of Christ...Those continuing their search for unity have not eaten of the flesh of Christ spiritually. Though they profess to be His followers and doers of His word, yet they have not flushed the structural mire of a temporal kingdom from their minds....and unless they are broken on the Rock Christ Jesus, they will continue their quest for unity until Jesus appears in the clouds of heaven. They look for a tangible unity seen with the visible eye. But God’s few faithful standard-bearers view unity with the spiritual eye...Satan is always warring for the mastery over the mind and keeping the mind dwelling on unity is leading many to frustration and finally perdition.” But to all of those who may believe that unity is only to be spiritual and not visible, the God of heaven clearly states the following to you: “God wants unity to be seen...” General Conference Bulletin, April 10, 1901. “Many who profess to love God and keep His commandments are making void His law. God is greatly dishonored by the failure of professed Christians to reveal the unity that should be seen among His children.” Review and Herald, February 11, 1902. “We are not to strengthen any evil work. Let those who have used their talents of influence in doing this, do so no longer. Let them not by pen or voice act on Satan’s side of the question. In obedience to a ‘thus saith the Lord,’ let unity of action be seen.” Review and Herald, August 6, 1901. We are now to achieve a visible unity with one another on this earth, and not to remain content in division and wait until we get to heaven to finally be visibly united as one! “Well, when is this unity to take place? Are we to wait until we get home to heaven? No, it should take place right here before we leave this house. The melting power of God may be felt right here and the rough edges of our hearts are to be melted right down. From our hearts is to flow forth love, peace, and harmony.” Sermons and Talks, vol 2, p 15-16. 4) If you have been following this false form of independence in any way, then you had need to quickly repent and truly reform yourselves to begin now obeying God’s will by seeking for true visible unity with your Remnant brothers and sisters! “God does not design that His workmen shall stand apart as independent atoms....I pray that you may now, as never before, both ministers and church members, come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty powers of darkness. Study prayerfully the 17th chapter of John. This chapter is not only to be read again and again, but its truths are to be eaten and digested. “Are these words, of such import to us, to be always neglected? God calls upon those who claim to be His children to study these words, to eat them, to live them. Seek for unity and love, else the candlestick will be removed out of its place.” Pamphlets, #156, p 12-14. 5) Another separated minister in the South Western part of the US believes and teaches this in his tapes: “So the church has no business in forcing, basically its view or its will upon the members. Because liberty of conscience must be respected....We know that when it comes to doctrine, that God has given us as individuals the freedom to choose what we shall and shall not believe....and it is in this manner that they (God’s people) will be united as a body...” But to those who may agree with the concept that we are all to independently believe and teach what we want to on major doctrines regardless of what our Remnant brethren believe is truth, the God of heaven clearly states the following to you: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10. “Jesus and holy angels are bringing up and uniting God’s people into one faith, that they may all have one mind and one judgment. And while they are being brought into the unity of the faith, to see eye to eye upon the solemn, important truths for this time, Satan is at work to oppose their advancement. Jesus is at work through His instruments to gather and unite. Satan works through his instruments to scatter and divide.” Testimonies, vol 1, p 332. 6) Satan works to destroy unity through the false form of independence, and Jesus works to build up unity through the true form of independence. Who are you really following and working for? “You must restrain the disposition within you of being original. You must lean upon the faith of the body or you will mar the work of God, and injure the truth....Unless there is order in these things there would soon be great confusion in our ranks. It is not in the order of God for one to feel at liberty to express his views independently of the body, another express his, and so on. If such a course should be taken we should not all speak the same things and with one mind glorify God. All of us have a part to act, but it is in union with the body.” Manuscript Releases, vol 3, p 262. “‘But,’ you say, ‘should I follow the judgment of the brethren independent of my own feelings?’ I answer: The church is God’s delegated authority upon earth....There is altogether too little respect paid to the opinion of members of the same church. It is the want of deference for the opinions of the church that causes so much trouble among brethren....A few persons may be as blind as the one in error, but the majority of the church is a power which should control its individual members....Unless the advice and counsel of the church can be respected, it is indeed powerless. God has placed a voice in the church which must control its members. “If you are led by truth rather than error you will be willing to...sacredly regard the voice of the church.” Testimonies, vol 5, p 107-108. “Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11.