Patchwork Character Not Acceptable—[2 Corinthians 5:17 quoted.] The patchwork religion is not of the least value with God. He requires the whole heart. No part of it is to be reserved for the development of hereditary or cultivated tendencies to evil. To be harsh, to be severe, too self-important, selfish, to look out for one’s own selfish interest and yet be zealous that others shall deal unselfishly is a religion which is an abomination to God. Many have just such an experience daily, but it is a misrepresentation of the character of Christ (Letter 31a, 1894).{6BC 1101.6}

Et kludetæppe af karaktertræk er ikke antageligt.--[2 Kor. 5,17 citeret.] En religion, som kun er lappeværk, har aldeles ingen værdi for Gud. Han kræver et udelt hjerte. Ingen del af dette forbeholdes arvens udvikling eller opelskede tendenser til ondt. At være hård, for streng, for indbildsk, selvisk, at se ud over sine egne selviske interesse og stadig være nidkær for at andre skal handle uselvisk, er en religion, der er en forhånelse for Gud. Mange har en sådan erfaring til daglig, men det er en forkert fremstilling af Kristi karakter (Brev 31a, 1894).