Living In The Light

April 3, Choose Friends Wisely

“Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know
in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of
all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you;
not one word of them has failed.” —Joshua 23:14 LL 102.1

Joshua declared to the people that his work among them was done; for he was soon to die. He appealed to themselves as witnesses that God had faithfully fulfilled His promises to them. . . . He assured them that as the Lord had fulfilled His promises, so would he fulfill His threatenings. If they were disobedient to His requirements, He would destroy them, as He had destroyed their enemies. LL 102.2

The Lord has not changed. His character is the same today as in the days ofJoshua. He is true, merciful, compassionate, faithful in the performance of His word, both in promises and threatenings. One of the greatest dangers that besets the people of God today, is that of association with the ungodly; especially in uniting themselves in marriage with unbelievers. With many, the love for the human eclipses the love for the divine. They take the first step in backsliding by venturing to disregard the Lord’s express command; and complete apostasy is too often the result. It has ever proved a dangerous thing for human beings to carry out their own will in opposition to the requirements of God. Yet it is a hard lesson for them to learn that God means what He says. LL 102.3

As a rule, those who choose for their friends and companions, persons who reject Christ and trample upon God’s law, eventually become of the same mind and spirit. We should ever feel a deep interest in the salvation of the impenitent and should manifest toward them a spirit of kindness and courtesy; but we can safely choose for our friends only those who are the friends of God. LL 102.4

Those who make the Word of God their rule of life are hated by the world. The ungodly are not willing to have their consciences aroused; and the silent example of Christ’s true followers is a constant reproof. . . . Those who take human feeling and human reasoning for their guide, will as surely separate from the wisdom of God, as did ancient Israel when they forsook the Lord to serve Baal and Ashtaroth.— Signs of the Times , May 19, 1881. LL 102.5

Further Reflection: How can we extend kindness to the ungodly? LL 102.6