How good is natural goodness?

This principle applies to every believer and not merely to
preachers. Any natural goodness—for example, patience—is like a
rubber band which can only be stretched to a certain length; it will
soon reach its breaking point and will never be able to carry on with
God. Quite differently, though, if the natural goodness (in this case
patience) comes from God, for it may be stretched and stretched as
long as is required. Let it be clearly understood that natural resources
cannot supply spiritual needs. What is of the first, Adam, can never
help what is of the second, Christ. Oh, how many think that as long
as they love people, they are all right. But is it all right? Does this
love come from God?

One brother has said that only what comes from heaven may
return to heaven. We consider heaven our home because we and all
we have come from heaven. So that a returning to heaven is said to
be a returning home. Yet if what we have is not heavenly but earthly,
then heaven will be our hotel instead of our home. It is certain that
God will not receive back to himself what has not come out from
Him.