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Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

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In heaven none will think of self, nor seek <strong>the</strong>ir own pleasure; but all,<br />

from pure, genuine love, will seek <strong>the</strong> happiness of <strong>the</strong> heavenly beings<br />

around <strong>the</strong>m. If we wish to enjoy heavenly society in <strong>the</strong> earth made new, we<br />

must be governed by heavenly principles here.<br />

I was shown that <strong>the</strong>re was too much comparing ourselves among<br />

ourselves, taking fallible mortals <strong>for</strong> a pattern, when we have a sure, unerring<br />

pattern. We should not measure ourselves by <strong>the</strong> world, nor by <strong>the</strong> opinions<br />

of men, nor by what we were be<strong>for</strong>e we embraced <strong>the</strong> truth. But our faith and<br />

position in <strong>the</strong> world, as <strong>the</strong>y now are, must be compared with what <strong>the</strong>y<br />

would have been if our course had been continually onward and upward<br />

since we professed to be followers of Christ. This is <strong>the</strong> only safe<br />

comparison that can be made. In every o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>re will be self-deception. If<br />

<strong>the</strong> moral character and spiritual state of God's people do not correspond<br />

with <strong>the</strong> blessings, privileges, and light which have been conferred upon<br />

<strong>the</strong>m, <strong>the</strong>y are weighed in <strong>the</strong> balance, and angels make <strong>the</strong> report,<br />

WANTING.<br />

The Unpardonable Sin<br />

What constitutes <strong>the</strong> sin against <strong>the</strong> Holy Ghost? It is willfully<br />

attributing to Satan <strong>the</strong> work of <strong>the</strong> Holy Spirit. For example, suppose that<br />

one is a witness of <strong>the</strong> special work of <strong>the</strong> Spirit of God. He has convincing<br />

evidence that <strong>the</strong> work is in harmony with <strong>the</strong> Scriptures, and <strong>the</strong> Spirit<br />

witnesses with his spirit that it is of God. Afterward, however, he falls under<br />

temptation; pride, self-sufficiency, or some o<strong>the</strong>r evil trait, controls him; and<br />

rejecting all <strong>the</strong> evidence of its divine character, he declares that that which<br />

he had be<strong>for</strong>e acknowledged to be <strong>the</strong> power of <strong>the</strong> Holy Spirit was <strong>the</strong><br />

power of Satan. It is through <strong>the</strong> medium of His Spirit that God works upon<br />

<strong>the</strong> human heart; and when men willfully reject <strong>the</strong> Spirit and declare it to be<br />

from Satan, <strong>the</strong>y cut off <strong>the</strong> channel by which God can communicate with<br />

<strong>the</strong>m. By denying <strong>the</strong> evidence which God has been pleased to give <strong>the</strong>m,<br />

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