He that saith, I know him,
and keepeth not his commandments,
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoso keepeth his word,
in him verily is the love of God perfected:
hereby know we that we are in him.
1 John 2:4,5
"God designs to test the faith of all who claim to be followers of Christ.
He will test the sincerity of the prayers of all those who claim to earnestly desire to know their duty.
He will make duty plain.
He will give all an ample opportunity to develop what is in their hearts.
The conflict will be close between self
and the grace of God.
God is testing the characters of all. He is proving their love for His cause and for the promulgation of the truth which they profess to consider of inestimable value.
The Searcher of hearts is judging, by the fruits they bear, who are truly followers of Christ.
Earthly, selfish motives blind the mind and so operate upon the soul that it cannot be renewed in the divine image.
Those who do not, by their own perverse natures, resist His will, will not be left in darkness, but will be renewed in knowledge and true holiness, and will even glory in the cross of Christ."
Testimonies for the Church vol.2, p.687,688 E.G.W.