447. Pentecost Conference Testimonies 1931

1 John 2:3-17. This is the sign that we know Him in Spirit and truth: that we live a godly life and keep His commandments. Coming to the conference time and again is of no use if we do not carry out God’s will so that we keep His commandments—do what we hear. Let us be diligent to do good, so that we can come to know Him. If we confess Him with our mouth but do not keep His commandments, we are liars. If it is bondage to keep His commandments—as some believe—let them think so. There is a creative power in His commandments. Nothing other than doing His will overcomes the world. Doing His will is to keep His commandments, which is what people seem to be so fearful of doing nowadays. Is this the thing that can help us? Whoever keeps His commandments, truly the love of God has been perfected in him. As He walked here on earth in the days of His flesh, so are we to walk—close behind Him in His footsteps. The greatest thing we can attain to here on earth is to do His will, that is, to keep His commandments. The fact that God gives victory over sin is greater than when He raises people from the dead, for example, as He raised Lazarus from the dead. It is greater than speaking in tongues, etc. It is eternal life. Doing God’s will—keeping His commandments—always goes against our flesh. There is light in the commandment; there is power in it. It is so blessed for every soul when darkness departs. For he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes; he who hates his brother is in darkness. If that is the case, all our light is of no use. Remember that God created your brother, and if you hate people who are born of God, you are in darkness. If you see your brother in need and shut up your heart from him, how does the love of God abide in you? We must labor for brotherly fellowship. If anything is hindering us, it is our flesh. Be silent! Suffer and be silent if you want fellowship. If sin manifests itself, difficulties will arise.

The fact that you love your brother is sure evidence that you are in the light. Then you will not be an offense. As long as you commit sin, you are a child; however, He forgives sins for His name’s sake. The fathers have endured many things. Those who are older in age, that is, those who have lived a life with God for some time and given their life, have considerable experience. This is not the case with a novice. As the years pass, you get more and more experience. The Father leads us to the Son, but everyone who has come to the Son will discover what we have to go through when we follow in Jesus’ footsteps. He leads us to perfection—those who are willing to submit and will follow Jesus. Do not love the world. We must be crucified to the world and the things in the world so that we love the Lord above everything. If we cling to anything in this world, the love of the Father is not in us. If we forsake things of this earth out of love for God and for our neighbor, we will receive them in the resurrection of the righteous. Then we have been transferred to a totally different kingdom that consists of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. This kingdom is to develop. It grows by faith—by obedience. Everything that belongs to our flesh must be destroyed. Then brotherly love comes naturally. Brotherly love is in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. If we love the brothers, we do not want to have anything to do with the world. There is no brotherly love in the pride of life, in the lust of the flesh, etc. Just live crucified! That is the way to make progress. Then you will have nothing to do with the world, and then you will have brotherly love. In the flesh there is no progress. The word of the cross is exactly what is needed. Darkness will then fade away, and the true light will shine. As long as we hold firmly to the message of the cross, we have fellowship and peace and joy, because then we live a victorious life. The word of the cross creates unity. This is the sword that we must use. Whoever loves the truth also loves the sword.