Avoid Hard Thrusts

We have a very solemn message to give to the world, and it must be given in the spirit of love and meekness.

By N. P. NEILSEN, Vice-President for the South American Division

We have a very solemn message to give to the world, and it must be given in the spirit of love and meekness. It must be given to save souls, and not to drive them away from the truth. No harsh words or railing accusation should mar the presentation. The message must be given plainly, yet with kind­ness and tenderness. The truth must be pre­sented in a way that will appeal to the hearts of the hearers and draw them toward us, rather than given with sharp thrusts that unduly wound and hurt those who belong to other churches, or who differ from us in their views.

Our work is not to condemn, but to save, We are opposed to sin, but we are not opposed to the sinner. We hate the sin, but love the sinner and therefore we desire to help him get rid of his sin. We are opposed to error, because we love the truth. We should love the people who may be in the error, and help them to break loose from the shackles that bind them.

We are a prophetic people, and as such we must present the prophecies clearly and plainly,. including the prophecies, pertaining to the Papacy. But while we present the prophecies regarding the great system of error as mani­fested in the Papacy, we must ever remember that there are many honest persons among Cath­olics who are seeking for light. In our study of the prophecies, we can refer to the Papacy as a system of error, rather than to the Catholic people who are bound down by that system. All sincere and honesthearted people will de­sire to leave any system of error, when they recognize it as such. The truth of God re­ceived in its simplicity will make us free. Con­cerning our attitude toward the Catholics as well as others, Sister White has given us wise counsel:

"Let not those who write for our papers make unkind thrusts and allusions that will certainly do harm, and that will bedge up the way, and hinder us from doing the work that we should do in order to reach all classes, the Catholics included. It is our work to speak the truth in love, and not to mix in with the truth the unsanctified elements of the natural heart, and speak things that savor of the same spirit possessed by our enemies. All sharp thrusts will come back upon us in double measure . when the power is in the hands of those who can exercise it for our injury.

"Over and over the message has been given to me, that we are not to say one word, not to publish one sentence, especially by way of personalities,—unless positively essential in vindicating the truth,—that will stir up our enemies against us, and arouse their passions to a white heat."—"Gospel Workers," P. 326. "This message must be given ; but we should be careful not to thrust and crowd and condemn those who have not the light that we have. We should not go out of our way to make hard thrusts at Catholics. Among the Catholics there are many who are most conscientious Christians, and who walk in all the light that shines upon them ; and God will work in their behalf."—Id., p. 329.

Catholic people, generally speaking, are a good people, but they have for many years been hound by a system of error and by the tradi­tions of men. They have been enthralled in this system for centuries and have not been able to see clearly. We are opposed to all error, and we refuse to build our faith upon the traditions of men. But we love the Catholic people, and therefore we are anxious to help them get away from the errors that may have bound them captives. The truth will make them free, but not ridicule, nor accusation, nor yet arguments.

People who are blinded by error may be just as sincere as we are. Criticizing them will not win them; ridiculing their belief will not bring them to Christ. Let us help them to get away from error by presenting the truth; but let it be presented in humbleness of heart, in love, and in the spirit of the Master. Let us present the truth which has the power to set captives free. The Saviour said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."


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By N. P. NEILSEN, Vice-President for the South American Division

July 1937

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