I  have been impressed with the subject of the influence of the  church—what this influence should be. By earnest prayer the members are  to obtain power that will make their influence a savor of life unto  life. What is needed today is practical Christianity,  not merely for a day or a year, but for a lifetime. The man who  professes to be a Christian, and yet reveals in his life no practical  godliness, is denying Christ. Opposite his name in the books of heaven  are written the words, Unfaithful steward. {RH January 28, 1904, par. 1}

How  is the world to be enlightened, save by the lives of Christ’s  followers? You profess to believe in Christ, to be a follower of his. Do  you do his works? Can the world see plainly that you have been with  Jesus, and learned of him? How are unbelievers to know that you belong  to Christ if you show no zeal in his service, but instead cherish  worldly ambition and follow worldly plans? Christ declares, “He that is  not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth  abroad.” {RH January 28, 1904, par. 2}

God  can not prepare for the day of trial before us those who are careless  and indifferent. With those who are neither cold nor hot he has nothing  to do. “I would thou wert cold or hot,” he says. “So then because thou  art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my  mouth.” The half-hearted Christian exerts an influence more harmful than  the influence of the avowed infidel. {RH January 28, 1904, par. 3}

There  are many whose lives are but a pretense of godliness. They are a law  unto themselves, and they always will be, unless the grace of Christ  subdues their hearts. They lift up their souls unto vanity, and God has  no use for them in his service. {RH January 28, 1904, par. 4}