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::R0705 : page 8::

“IT IS MY WAY”

Many people, when reproved for an improper word or action, excuse or justify themselves by saying, “It is my way.” Is this a proper ground for justification? Let us see what the Scriptures say about it?

The Lord says, “Amend your ways.”—Jer. 7:3. If our ways are not right they should be amended, and not justified. The weeping prophet says, “Let us search and try our ways, and turn again unto the Lord.”—Lam. 3:40. The Lord calls us to consider our ways. (Hag. 1:5,7.) By careful consideration our ways may not appear excusable.

But the fact that certain ways are our own ways, should be no excuse for retaining them, but rather a reason for rejecting them. If we should honor God, we would not do our own way, (Isa. 58:13). “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.”—Isa. 55:8. Of the wicked he says, “Destruction and misery are in their ways.”—Rom. 3:16. In pleading with Israel he says, “Thou shalt remember thy ways and be ashamed.”—Ezek. 16:61. The psalmist asks, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” and the answer is given, “By taking heed thereto according to thy word.”—Ps. 119:9. His own experience is given in verse 104: “Through thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.” The law of God is a detector of false ways, therefore we should test all our ways by it. If they are not in harmony with this rule let us not extenuate nor follow them, but “ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein.”—Jer. 6:16.—Sel.

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— December, 1884 —