Christian Life

Obstacles, Part II

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How do we relate to obstacles? One of the most common practices among God’s people can be documented from the days of the children of Israel to the present time!

Give Up

Quite often, when people meet obstacles, they just give up. This is true even in spiritual things. Perhaps you have heard someone lament that their spouse will not accept the truth, so they are going to give up. Such choices result in a lost condition. There will be many people in hell fire who gave up truth so they could stay with their spouse.

Getting you to give up is part of the devil’s strategy. If the devil can get you to give up, he has you. That is why the Bible says, in Revelation 21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” All of the cowardly will be in the lake of fire, because when an obstacle came, they gave up.

Unbelief

Another common reaction to obstacles is to express unbelief. This is what the children of Israel did. They expressed so much unbelief that the Lord said, “I cannot lead these people into the land of Canaan; they are just not ready. They do not even believe in Me. They do not believe I can do it.”

Have you ever wondered whether there is some wonderful, powerful thing that God would like to do in your life, but He cannot do it because you do not believe? That is what happened to the children of Israel. God could not do for them what He wanted to do, because they did not believe.

Discouragement

Discouragement is another common reaction to obstacles. Certainly some of you would argue that I do not know how bad your situation is. That is true; I may not know how bad your situation is, but the Lord knows how bad your situation is, and He knows how to get you out of it. He knows how to get you through it. But you are never going to get through the obstacles if you have a halting, unbelieving spirit and just fold your hands, do nothing, and give up. It is not going to happen!

I meet people that think the Christian religion is not true because they met an obstacle, and when they met the obstacle, they either gave up, experienced unbelief, or decided to get discouraged and not do anything. Such people cannot figure out why the Christian religion does not work—when they are the ones who are not working.

The Christian religion does work. I know it works, because I have seen it work over and over again. I have seen people overcome all kinds of apparently insurmountable obstacles through the power of grace, the power of God, when they united with it.

Trials and Trouble

The children of Israel questioned, If God is leading us, why are these things happening? Those things happened to them because God was leading them. Obstacles are happening to you because God is leading you. He wants to get you to a certain place, and to get there, you have to go through some trials and trouble.

The apostle Paul wrote to the Christian churches, in Acts 14:22, “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” You may say that you cannot endure the tribulation. Well, then, you cannot go. Simple!

In vision, the apostle John was shown a picture of the saints in heaven, and the angel asked him, “Do you know who these are?”

“No, I do not know who they are.”

The angel said, “These are the people who have come through great tribulation.” (Revelation 7.) They had obstacles, but they went through the obstacles by the grace of God.

Meeting Obstacles

In Part I of this article, we learned that the most serious obstacles that we have to meet are not the external ones. It is not the danger of going bankrupt, getting a fatal disease, or something like that.

The most serious obstacles are the internal ones—such as pride—that nobody thinks are that bad. But pride is bad enough. The Bible says that everyone who is proud is going to be in the lake of fire someday. (See Malachi 1.) Pride, selfishness, and covetousness—those are the most serious obstacles, even more serious than adultery and stealing. Men think those are the most serious, but according to the Bible, pride, selfishness, covetousness, and love of the world are the most serious obstacles that we have to conquer. (See, for example, 1 John 2:15; Proverbs 16:18; Mark 7:21–23.)

How, then, should we meet obstacles?

Persistent Faith in God

The first prerequisite to successfully meeting obstacles is to have faith in God. Jesus said, in Luke 18:1, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” And then He told a story to illustrate this point.

He said that there was a certain widow in a certain city with a problem. We do not know what the legal issue of this widow was, but evidently she had not received part of the inheritance that she should have received from her deceased husband, so she was destitute. She had to have some legal relief, so she went to an unjust judge, and she said, “Avenge me of my adversary.” (Verse 3.)

The judge would not do anything. Consequently, this widow had an obstacle. She was in trouble, but she would not quit. She went to the unjust judge again, and she said, “Avenge me of my adversary.” He would not do it. So she went to the unjust judge again, and she said, “Avenge me of my adversary.”

She kept going to the unjust judge day after day after day, saying, “Avenge me of my adversary,” but he would not do anything.

Finally the unjust judge said, “I am going to avenge this woman of her adversary just to get rid of her, so she will not keep coming back.” (Verses 4, 5.) So he did it.

Jesus said, “Did you hear what the unjust judge said? And shall not your heavenly Father avenge His children that cry day and night to Him? Truly I say unto you, He will avenge them speedily, but when the Son of Man comes will He find faith on the earth?” (Verses 6–8.)

What is the lesson here? Be persistent in prayer! Say to the Lord, “You have promised. This is what you have promised. I am fulfilling the conditions. You have promised; You cannot go back on Your word.” He will not go back on His word. He never goes back on His word.

Your job and my job, when we have an obstacle—some trouble, a trial, a difficulty, or the insurmountable problem—is to keep going to the Lord in prayer and saying, “Lord, I am reading in Your book; I am fulfilling all of the conditions that I find in Your book, and this is Your promise. I pray that You will deliver me from this problem. Save me.”

Remember, the most serious problems are the internal ones. You have to overcome those if you are going to go to the kingdom of heaven. There will not be any prideful people in the kingdom of heaven. Not one person there will be selfish. There will not be anybody in the kingdom of heaven that is covetous.

Caleb’s Faith

You must have a faith like Caleb’s. When Caleb returned from spying out the Promised Land, he encouraged the people, “Let us go up right now [into the Promised Land]. With the Lord’s help, we can overcome the people there right now.” (Numbers 13:30.)

Was that true? Yes, that was true, but nobody except Joshua believed him, so they did not enter into that land. Consequently, they had to stay in the wilderness for 40 more years. After those 40 years, Caleb was 85 years old, and he was still ready to go in. All those who had doubted before had died.

Caleb was given, as his share of the Promised Land, the territory where the giants lived. Those giants were 10, 12, 13 feet tall. They were huge. And Caleb said, “Well, give me that territory where the giants are.” Then this 85-year-old man conquered the giants, because the Lord blessed him.

The Lord will bless you, too, if you will say, “Lord, help me to get through this obstacle. Help me to overcome this selfishness, this pride, this covetousness that I have inside.” The Lord will give you the help you need.

Exercise Faith

How should we meet obstacles? We have to exercise faith; we have to pray; but we also have to press on against the obstacle. Ellen White addresses this in the following statements:

“You will have obstacles and difficulties to encounter at every turn, and you must with firm purpose decide to conquer them, or they will conquer you.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 497. You have to conquer the obstacles, or they will conquer you.

“Success will come to them as they struggle against difficulties.” Prophets and Kings, 595. So, you have a work to do.

You see, those giants did not just mysteriously disappear. Caleb had to go up and conquer them. He prayed, and then he had to work.

A third thing that you need to do if you are meeting obstacles and troubles and insurmountable trials in your life is given in Patriarchs and Prophets, 293, 294: “The obstacles they encounter, instead of leading them to seek help from God, the only Source of strength, separate them from Him, because they awaken unrest and repining.

“Do we well to be thus unbelieving? Why should we be ungrateful and distrustful? Jesus is our friend; all heaven is interested in our welfare; and our anxiety and fear grieve the Holy Spirit of God. We should not indulge in a solicitude that only frets and wears us, but does not help us to bear trials. No place should be given to that distrust of God which leads us to make a preparation against future want the chief pursuit of life, as though our happiness consisted in these earthly things. It is not the will of God that His people should be weighed down with care.”

So, have faith as Caleb did, press on against the obstacles, ask God for help, and keep on going.

Persistence

Have you ever met people who have an obstacle or trial in their lives, and they try once, without success, to overcome it, so they quit? What is the problem? What would have happened to the widow in Luke 18 if she had just gone to the unjust judge and asked only one time to avenge her of her adversary? What would have happened? Nothing! But she was persistent.

Perhaps some people have tried to overcome smoking, but did not make it, so they guess they are stuck. This may be best illustrated by a quote accredited to Mark Twain: “It is no problem to quit smoking; I have quit a thousand times.” Of course, that would mean that he started smoking a thousand times!

“Many are the hindrances that lie in the path of those who would walk in obedience to the commandments of God. There are strong and subtle influences that bind them to the ways of the world, but the power of the Lord can break these chains. He will remove every obstacle from before the feet of His faithful ones or give them strength and courage to conquer every difficulty, if they earnestly beseech His help. All hindrances will vanish before an earnest desire and persistent effort to do the will of God at any cost to self, even if life itself is sacrificed.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 147.

There are millions of people who have lost their lives in order to do God’s will. If you are saved, you are going to meet all those people someday, so keep trying; keep trying.

Physical Habits

One important aspect about meeting obstacles in life, which a number of people do not like to address, is following correct physical habits. Your physical habits have a great deal to do with your state of mind and whether or not you will have the determination to attack the problem and to solve the problem with the help of God.

For example, as soon as an individual drinks an alcoholic beverage—the very first drink, not the second or third drink—it has an anesthetizing effect on the frontal lobe of the brain. This weakens willpower. Now, the devil sees an individual when he or she is drinking, and he knows that the willpower is weakened. He, then, brings to that person a strong temptation.

It is his favorite time to tempt, when you have weakened your mind or your body by lack of sleep, lack of exercise, a bad diet, alcoholic beverages, drugs, cigarettes, tobacco. Whatever it is that weakens the body weakens the mind; then you are not as able to meet the problem.

Do Not Just Wait

What is the result of meeting obstacles the way God directs? The answer is given in Zechariah 4:7 and Matthew 21:18–21. If you meet the obstacles in your life the way God directs, Jesus promises that mountains of difficulty are going to be cast into the sea; they are going to be removed.

But the mountains of difficulty will never be removed before a halting spirit who says, “Let us wait until the obstacle is removed.” The obstacle will just stay there forever. This is the problem with many Christians today. They are sitting there; they are praying; they are looking at the mountain of difficulty; and they are waiting for God to remove it, but God is waiting for them to do something.

Do not just wait! Some people say, “Oh, let us wait. Let us not pass out The Great Controversy now. Let us wait for a more opportune time.” Friend, there is never going to be a more opportune time than right now.

Some people say, “Let us wait to get the Three Angels’ Messages to the world. Let us wait until the national Sunday law happens.” Friend, that is a delusion. It is not going to be easier then than now. It is going to be harder then than now.

Some people say, “It is not time now to do evangelism. Let us wait.” And while they are waiting, the golden opportunity passes. People all around them are dying who do not know Christ and who are not saved, because people are waiting. Friend, do not wait!

The time to witness for your faith in the Bible is always now, and it is never a good idea to wait. If you have a friend or relative who is not saved, do not wait. You do not know how long they are going to live. Witness to them now.

Result

Do you know what happens to those people who meet obstacles the way the Lord tells us to meet them—with prayer, following the principles we have studied? In any church anywhere in the world, you find there are certain Christians that everybody recognizes as being rock solid; you cannot move them. They have a powerful, stable Christian experience.

Do you know who those people are every time? Just look around. They are the people who have met gigantic obstacles and problems and have overcome them. As they have surmounted one obstacle after another, those men and women have become men and women of power. That is why God allows those things to happen, so we might not be so weak, but may become men and women of power.

If you want to become a powerful Christian, you have to be willing to fight through the obstacles and ask the Lord to help you. The person who is dealing with discouraging circumstances needs to pray, needs to keep trying to deal with the obstacle, and needs to not quit. Do not talk unbelief. Do not say, “I am going to wait until the latter rain comes.”

The only people who will receive the latter rain of the Holy Spirit are those who are intensely active
in doing God’s service now. The other people are not going to receive it. They will not even know what is happening.

Do not wait until the church is purified. Do not wait until the obstacle disappears, because it will not disappear.

“When hedged about on every side, this is the time above all others to trust in God and in the power of his Holy Spirit. We are not to walk in our own strength, but in the strength of the Lord God of Israel. It is folly to trust in man or to make flesh our arm. We must trust in Jehovah; for in him is everlasting strength.” Review and Herald, January 16, 1908.

Our Battle

We are in a battle against the devil, against the world, but, most importantly, we are in a battle against our own sinful, carnal nature. The internal enemy is the most dangerous one of all. You, however, can win and inherit eternal life. You can receive the gift of eternal life, but you are not going to win, friend, unless you are willing to fight. The Bible teaches that from the beginning to the end. You must be willing to fight through the obstacles and ask the Lord to help you.

“Let the tempted soul remember that he is a representative of Christ. It is only by coming in contact with obstacles and difficulties and overcoming them that we become strong. Our necessity is God’s opportunity. If we will hold fast to Christ, every trial will work out for our good.” The Signs of the Times, October 17, 1900.

Right now you and I are on the battleground. The devil is trying to get your soul, but you can inherit eternal life if you are willing to say, “Lord, I am going to follow Jesus. I am going to meet the obstacles. Whatever the problem is, I am going to follow Christ, and I plan to become Christlike, by His grace and power.”

It will not happen in one day, but it can happen to every one of us. Every one of us can become Christlike. We can surmount these obstacles internally that are unchristlike in the character. That can happen to every one of us if we go forward and follow the principles given in this article.

When Jesus comes, will you be one of those who will realize that He has made you like Himself? And how did He do it? He made you like Himself by allowing you to go through trials and troubles and obstacles in this world. If you really want to have that experience, you need to make a covenant with the Lord right now and tell Him that is what you want.

[Bible texts quoted are literal translation.]

Pastor John Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by e-mail at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Recreation

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You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14.

Jesus has called Seventh-day Adventists to be representatives in this world that has no moral rudder and is going to eternal ruin at lightning speed. As His representatives, we are to be holding back the tide of evil that is sweeping our world. Those who are standing for truth and righteousness will be “the salt of the earth.” Matthew 5:13. “In many different ways His grace is also acting as the salt of the earth; whithersoever this salt finds its way, to homes or communities, it becomes a preserving power to save all that is good, and to destroy all that is evil.” Review and Herald, August 22, 1899.

Glorify God

As God’s ambassadors, we are to glorify God in every activity in which we engage. “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31. [Emphasis added.] I would like to examine this phrase, “whatever you do.” Would this include everything that I read? Watch? Listen to? Would it include every recreation in which my family and I engage? Yes, this phrase must encompass every activity in which I engage.

The Greek word for glory is doxa, which means, “to honor.” In other words, I am to promote the honor and glory of God in everything I do. Those things that would not bring honor to the name of God would need to be abandoned, so I do not fall even farther from the glory of God. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23.

“Seventh-day Adventists, above all people, should be patterns of piety, holy in heart and in conversation. To them have been entrusted the most solemn truths ever committed to mortals. Every endowment of grace and power and efficiency has been liberally provided. They look for the near return of Christ in the clouds of heaven. For them to give to the world the impression that their faith is not a dominating power in their lives is greatly to dishonor God.” Maranatha, 113. [Emphasis added.]

Temptations Abound

Because of the increasing power of Satan’s temptations on the people of God, we are in constant danger of having our faith overthrown by the enemy of souls. God’s people need to be constantly on their guard, watching to make sure that every step is in harmony
with our Great Pattern. We should be analyzing every activity in which we participate, making sure that what we are doing is in harmony with heaven, that angels may be by our side as protection from the enemy. Paul predicted, “that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be . . . lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” 11 Timothy 3:1, 2, 4.

The Natural Mind

It is necessary for God’s professed people to choose carefully the recreation in which we participate. “Satan is a persevering workman, an artful, deadly foe. . . . He is in every sense of the word a deceiver, a skilful charmer. He has many finely woven nets, which appear innocent, but which are skilfully prepared to entangle the young and unwary. The natural mind leans toward pleasure and self-gratification. It is Satan’s policy to manufacture an abundance of this. He seeks to fill the mind with a desire for worldly amusement, that there may be no time for the question, How is it with my soul?” Review and Herald, August 29, 1912.

Notice carefully that Satan is trying to entangle our souls in worldly amusements that will keep our minds occupied, so that we have no time to examine our hearts to see what our standing is before God in this judgment hour. “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” 11 Timothy 2:3, 4.

Satan wants to fill our minds with the amusements that control our world to divert our minds and to bring us down to a low level. “Everything that Satan can devise to divert the mind of man from its accountability to God he will devise. Look at the many amusements and pleasures he has set in operation to keep men from thinking.” The General Conference Bulletin, April 1, 1899.

Ellen White also stated, in the previous Review and Herald statement, “The natural mind leans toward pleasure and self-gratification.” This is spoken of the unconverted people, the ones whose affections are set on earthly pleasure. They love what the world loves and hate what God loves. They are unmindful of what pleases God. The gratification of self is their ultimate goal. “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh.” Romans 8:5. “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind.” Ephesians 2:2, 3. “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ: . . . who mind earthly things.)” Philippians 3:18, 19.

In order for us to choose amusements that are approved of God, we must first ask God for a true conversion in our lives. The unconverted will not be able to understand in what activity God would have him engage. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14. Without being converted, we shall surely make the wrong choice in what activity we are to be engaging as individuals or families. Our only safeguard is to be converted daily.

Unsafe Amusements

What amusements are unsafe for our participation?

Ellen White provided counsel regarding the pursuit of pleasure and amusement centers in the cities: “Many parents who choose a city home for their children, thinking to give them greater advantages, meet with disappointment, and too late repent their terrible mistake. The cities of today are fast becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah. The many holidays encourage idleness. The exciting sports—theatergoing, horse racing, gambling, liquor-drinking, and reveling—stimulate every passion to intense activity. The youth are swept away by the popular current. Those who learn to love amusement for its own sake open the door to a flood of temptations. They give themselves up to social gaiety and thoughtless mirth, and their intercourse with pleasure lovers has an intoxicating effect upon the mind. They are led on from one form of dissipation to another, until they lose both the desire and the capacity for a life of usefulness. Their religious aspirations are chilled; their spiritual life is darkened. All the nobler faculties of the soul, all that link man with the spiritual world, are debased.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 54.

Since television was an invention of the future in Ellen White’s day, she wrote of the theaters. These were places where people went to watch the drama of their choice. The same principle would apply to television viewing as to theater attendance. The television is in nearly every home in the United States, bringing to the minds of its viewers its soul-destroying vice. The television is referred to by some as the “home hypnotist.”

“Television viewing, because of the time it takes, can keep us away from other meaningful activities and pursuits, including spending time with God. When we look at an average person’s weekly activities before and after the arrival of television, we see that the amount of time in church or in reading spiritual material such as the Bible, has noticeably decreased.” Joe L. Wheeler, Remote Controlled: How TV Affects You and Your Family, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Hagerstown, Maryland, 1993, 45–50.

If you are interested in learning more about the harmful effects of television, read “The Frontal Lobe,” chapter 12 of the book, Proof Positive. A detailed study of the adverse effects of television is given there. (Dr. Neil Nedley, Nedley Publishing, Ardmore, Oklahoma, 1998.)

Effects of Television

For now, following are 17 harmful effects of watching unprofitable television for you to ponder. Television

  1. produces a hypnotic effect, bypassing frontal lobe filtering.
  2. reduces time spent in interesting reading and learning.
  3. weakens brain power.
  4. encourages poor lifestyle habits.
  5. encourages obesity.
  6. increases daydreaming.
  7. weakens creativity.
  8. may reduce our powers of discrimination.
  9. trains in non-reaction.
  10. influences viewers to regard violence lightly.
  11. makes children more irritable.
  12. increases aggressiveness.
  13. accelerates sexual activity.
  14. is addictive.
  15. reduces time available for productive achievements.
  16. steals time from family interaction.
  17. adversely affects spiritual pursuits.

Television viewing is the recreation of choice by many people in our contemporary world, but Christians are to separate completely from this sort of recreation. The same principle, I believe, should also be applied to the time that we spend on the Internet.

Guard Senses

We are to guard carefully our five senses, especially our eyes, ears, and mouth. “We are to watch every avenue of the soul, lest Satan come in and desecrate the temple of the heart, which should be wholly consecrated to God. We are to watch lest passion take possession of the soul, to watch lest selfish thoughts are cherished. The reason why there is not more vitality and power in the church is that we do not work and watch as we should. We should stand as faithful sentinels at the post of duty. I pray that the grace of Christ may come into our hearts, and that we may be ever watching for opportunities to do good.” The Signs of the Times, August 6, 1885.

Jesus said, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are [the things] which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.” Matthew 15:18–20. A person would have these kinds of sins in his or her life because of the time spent in viewing and listening to questionable things.

“They will talk of what they love most, and give thought and study to that, until by beholding they are changed to the same earthly image. Their conformity to worldly customs holds them in captivity to the god of this world; for ‘his servants ye are to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey.’ [Romans 6:16.]” The Signs of the Times, March 31, 1887.

“I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” Psalm 101:3.

“He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil.” Isaiah 33:15.

“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 11 Corinthians 6:16–18.

WWJD

Many Christians, wearing their necklaces and bracelets with the inscription “WWJD” (What Would Jesus Do), may be seen entering the theaters, playing the card game, Solitaire, or other games on their computers, or patronizing the sports arenas and musical concerts. These things divert the mind away from the eternal realities and cause us to neglect the necessary preparation for heaven.

“Many of the amusements popular in the world today, even with those who claim to be Christians, tend to the same end as did those of the heathen. There are indeed few among them that Satan does not turn to account in destroying souls. Through the drama he has worked for ages to excite passion and glorify vice. The opera, with its fascinating display and bewildering music, the masquerade, the dance, the card table, Satan employs to break down the barriers of principle and open the door to sensual indulgence. In every gathering for pleasure where pride is fostered or appetite indulged, where one is led to forget God and lose sight of eternal interests, there Satan is binding his chains about the soul.” The Adventist Home, 515.

In what kind of recreation should a Christian be involved? Is it acceptable to be found playing volleyball, softball, or basketball, for example? Ellen White wrote: “I do not condemn the simple exercise of playing ball; but this, even in its simplicity, may be overdone.” Ibid., 499. If these games are conducted correctly, they can be beneficial to our health and provide a wholesome atmosphere for children and for adults. These types of activities, if played without a spirit of competition and frivolity, are a good source of fresh air and exercise. They must be, as Ellen White described, “played in a good spirit.” Arthur L. White, Ellen G, White, vol. 6, The Later Elmshaven Years 1905–1915, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D.C., 370.

Family Activities

Mrs. White gave counsel regarding acceptable activities for the family.

“Fathers, . . . Give some of your leisure hours to your children; become acquainted with them; associate with them in their work and in their sports, and win their confidence. Cultivate friendship with them, especially with your sons. In this way you will be a strong influence for good.” The Adventist Home, 222.

“James White greatly admired Canright; it was a natural gesture to invite them to come to the mountains and join them in regaining their health. The two families enjoyed worshiping, hiking, horseback riding, and picnicking together.” Arthur L. White, vol. 2, 386.

“Nothing can increase the strength of the young like proper exercise of all the muscles in useful labor.” Child Guidance, 340.

“In pleasant weather let parents walk with their children in the fields and groves. Amid the beautiful things of nature tell them the reason for the institution of the Sabbath. Describe to them God’s great work of creation. Tell them that when the earth came from His hand, it was holy and beautiful. Every flower, every shrub, every tree, answered the purpose of its Creator. Everything upon which the eye rested was lovely and filled the mind with thoughts of the love of God. Every sound was music in harmony with the voice of God. Show that it was sin which marred God’s perfect work; that thorns and thistles, sorrow and pain and death, are all the result of disobedience to God. Bid them see how the earth, though marred with the curse of sin, still reveals God’s goodness. The green fields, the lofty trees, the glad sunshine, the clouds, the dew, the solemn stillness of the night, the glory of the starry heavens, and the moon in its beauty all bear witness of the Creator. Not a drop of rain falls, not a ray of light is shed on our unthankful world, but it testifies to the forbearance and love of God.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 358.

School Activities

“Gymnasium exercises may in some instances be an advantage. They were brought in to supply the want of useful physical training, and have become popular with educational institutions; but they are not without drawbacks. Unless carefully regulated, they are productive of more harm than good. Some have suffered life-long physical injury through these gymnasium sports. The manual training connected with our schools, if rightly conducted, will largely take the place of the gymnasium.” Christian Education, 211.

“Vigorous exercise the pupils must have. Few evils are more to be dreaded than indolence and aimlessness. Yet the tendency of most athletic sports is a subject of anxious thought to those who have at heart the well-being of the youth. Teachers are troubled as they consider the influence of these sports both on the student’s progress in school and on his success in afterlife. The games that occupy so much of his time are diverting the mind from study. They are not helping to prepare the youth for practical, earnest work in life. Their influence does not tend toward refinement, generosity, or real manliness.” The Adventist Home, 500.

“The healthful exercise of the whole being will give an education that is broad and comprehensive. Every student should devote a portion of each day to active labor.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 308.

“Some months after getting settled, Ellen White made an earnest appeal to the believers to establish a church school. She was particularly gratified that she could make available nearly an acre of land in a little triangle near the Sanitarium Road. This she set aside for the church school for as long as it should be operated there. On it a building was erected and eventually enlarged to accommodate a ten-grade school. She was pleased that her own grandchildren could attend this school. Part of her cow pasture just across the Sanitarium Road was soon serving as a baseball field.” Arthur L. White, vol. 5, 36.

More information on this subject is available in the pamphlet by Ellen White entitled Recreation.

Our Action

“Let the professed Christian ask himself, Can I seek God’s blessing upon the scene of pleasure? Would my Master be a guest at such a place? Will angels minister to me there? Can I there let my light so shine before men, that they may be led to glorify God?” The Signs of the Times, February 23, 1882.

May the Lord help us guard the amusements in which we engage so that we will not be swept away by the popular current of today.

A Fractured Remnant

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I can remember when I was young, hearing Adventist preachers tell people that although there were many different identifying marks of Babylon in the Bible, you only needed to know two things to find God’s people in the last days. They were called a remnant and the remnant is the last of anything. The remnant keep the commandments of God and they have the testimony of Jesus, the Spirit of Prophecy (Revelation 19:10). They said, if you know those two things, you can find God’s people.

I decided that I wanted to be part of God’s remnant people when Jesus comes and because of that, anything that happens to God’s remnant people is of great concern to me. It is not something that I just look on as a spectator or observer. God’s remnant people are so important to me that although there are some in God’s professed remnant church who consider me an enemy, I still pray for them to be saved. It is a great concern to me when I see God’s remnant people fractured. Why is that happening? What is going on?

This is not the first time God’s people have been fractured. Hosea 5:11 says: “Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked by human precept.”

Another time God’s people were fractured is mentioned in Matthew 26:31: “Then Jesus said to them, ‘All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: “I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” ’ ”

I’ve tried to imagine that, and I cannot comprehend what it must have felt like to be the Lord. He came to this world to willingly pay an infinite price to save people, a price that would cost unbelievable suffering and sorrow but when He did, every single person forsook Him. This is something that God’s people at some point in the future will experience.

The remnant is a small number of people scattered all over the world. It is easy to comprehend being in a situation where it seems as if you are the only one left who believes and everybody in the world has forsaken you. You are all alone with nobody left, but you still have faith. When we look at the fracture among God’s people today, we need to remember what God is getting us ready for.

Inspiration says, “As we approach the last crisis it is of vital moment that harmony and unity exist among the Lord’s instrumentalities. The world is filled with storm and war and variance. Yet under one head—the papal power—the people will unite to oppose God in the person of His witnesses. This union is cemented by the great apostate. While he seeks to unite his agents in warring against the truth he will work to divide and scatter its advocates.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 182.

This worldwide union will “have one mind” and make war against the Lamb. They cannot go to heaven to make war, so they make war against the Lamb by attacking His people in this world. At the same time, the devil unites his forces and tries to divide and scatter those who advocate the truth.

It is important to understand who is behind all these problems. If it seems those against you are in your family or local church, don’t think that they are your enemies. It is the devil who is behind what is going on. He is using them as pawns, and they are often unaware that they are being directed by a superior force. That is why Jesus said to pray for your enemies. (See Matthew 5:44.) The real enemy is the evil spirit that is using that person as a pawn.

As the devil wars against the truth, he will work to divide and scatter its advocates by jealousy, evil surmising, and evil speaking, which are instigated by him to produce discord and dissension. If only we could overcome those three things, we could solve problems more quickly than almost anything else we could do.

“The members of Christ’s church have the power to thwart the purpose of the adversary of souls. At such a time as this let them not be found at variance with one another or with any of the Lord’s workers. Amidst the general discord let there be one place where harmony and unity exist because the Bible is made the guide of life. Let the people of God feel that a responsibility rests upon them to build up His instrumentalities.” Ibid.

Ellen White says a deeper problem lies in our families. She says, “He knows that the spirit governing in the home will be brought into the church.” The Upward Look, 163.

You can be sure that if there is trouble in your church, there is trouble in the homes of the members in your church. “How many there are who reveal selfishness and unkindness in their dealings with one another. How many professing Christians seem never to be satisfied unless they are engaged in strife? How many home circles are broken because the members receive and act upon Satan’s suggestions? Well does Satan know what heaven is, and what the influence of the angels is.” Ibid.

He’s been there. He knows what it’s like.

“His work is to bring into every family the cruel elements of self-will, harshness, selfishness. Thus he seeks to destroy the happiness of the family. He knows that the spirit governing in the home will be brought into the church.” Ibid.

You can’t talk about the family without talking about husbands and wives. She says, “The husband is to treat his wife, the mother of his children, with due respect, and the wife is to love and reverence her husband. How can she do this if he treats her like a servant, to be dictated to, ordered about, scolded, found fault with before the children? He is forcing her to dislike him and even to hate him.” Ibid.

The devil often uses men to talk in a wrong way and destroy the happiness in the family.

The strength of the church and also the nation is the family. Strong families strengthen the church. With a lot of broken families in your church, your church will be weak.

Some of the causes of weakness in the church

Personal dislike – Within families there can be two people who have absolutely opposite temperaments; they think and reason differently. One may say: I have a rational mind. Why can’t my wife figure this out?

Because we are so different, it is easy to develop dislikes for each other while co-habiting. There are husbands and wives who have developed personal dislikes for each other, sometimes just because they don’t agree on some point.

Some things Ellen White wrote about the church also apply to the family. After all, if you are Christians, your family is a little church.

“Let us be careful how we pass sentence of condemnation of one for whom we may be cherishing dislike because he does not meet our ideas, for the sentence will reflect upon ourselves, and do far more harm to us than to the one we condemned. Christ would have His church strong in unity. Let us all praise God that we are not to be judged according to finite man’s discernment, which is very liable to be perverted.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 15, 195.

Friend, sometimes there is intense dislike for somebody in a person’s own family. None of us are perfect; so we need to have mercy on other family members. Maybe the thing you dislike most in a person is something they are aware of and are working on to overcome and they need encouragement. It is much harder to overcome something if someone is criticizing you and tearing you down. Pray that the Lord will help you to love those difficult family members. Without the right feelings toward them it will be impossible to love church members.

 

Rebellion – Many years ago George Vandeman wrote a book called A Planet in Rebellion. Ellen White wrote in Selected Messages, vol. 2, 58: “Rebellion and apostasy are in the very air we breathe. We shall be affected by it unless we, by faith, hang our helpless souls upon Christ.”

Rebellion is in the air. This is a special problem in families with children. The Bible says, “Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:23.)

How do you deal with the problem of rebellion in your family? Ellen White wrote: “My soul is sick and discouraged in regard to those who have been so long rebellious in Waukon [a city in Iowa]. Souls in Waukon have rebelled and stood fast in their rebellion, and very recently they have professed to see themselves, and their stubbornness is changed to a spirit of witchcraft or divination. I call upon all who have the cause of God one particle at heart to rise in the name of the Lord and put down the manifestations among them.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 11, 352.

Children must know that whether they are rebels or not, there are rules in your home that are not going to be changed. Ellen White said to one father who had a problem with a son who wanted to smoke, you need to say to your son, I want the angels of heaven to abide in my home, and so I cannot allow smoking, drinking, or carousing. You cannot bring your girl friend over to my house to sleep with overnight. You can’t do that here. I have rules in this house.

Rebellion is never solved by letting down the rules. A son like that should be told that if he is determined to live that way, he will have to leave home and live wherever he chooses, because there are rules in your father’s house.

However, in addition to having rules, in a situation like this the Lord must be sought for wisdom to know what to do so that this child or person will understand that we still love them. In fact, that we love them so much that we would die for them. How can we help them to find that out? One thing is for sure, making a house with no rules is not showing them love. Rebellion is a huge problem affecting not just homes, but churches.

Evil Surmising – Ellen White wrote, “The church is made up of persons of different temperaments and of various dispositions; they have come from different denominations. … If the love of Christ is in the hearts of the members of the church, through the abundant grace of Christ, there will be oneness, unity, among brethren. …  Selfishness is sin, and it grieves away the Spirit of Christ. When we cherish unkind thoughts and harbor suspicions against our brethren, we are cutting ourselves off from the channel of God’s light and love.” The Signs of the Times, April 13, 1891.

Many things happen in this world which may seem to be suspicious but of which we have limited facts. When you see a situation in your family or your church and you don’t know all the facts, remember, you can put either a positive or negative spin on that. Some people always put a negative spin on everything. They often get in trouble, which extends to their families and the churches they attend.

“Jealousy is as cruel as the grave, and should never be cherished in the heart, much less expressed in the actions. How cruel it is to cherish evil surmising against those who are members of Christ’s body! Accusation, condemnation, and revenge are all of Satanic origin, and evil thoughts of others should be at once rejected from the mind …” Ibid.

Jealousy comes directly from the devil. It is he who stirs us up to accuse and condemn one another and to get even with one another. We all at some time have had evil thoughts come into our minds about others, but they are to be rejected.

Overbearing or Arbitrary Spirit – Ellen White wrote, “While at family prayer that night at Bro. S.’s I was again taken off in vision, and that portion of the vision that had passed from me was repeated, and I was shown the overbearing course of R. and C., that their influence in the church was to cause division. They possessed an exalted spirit, and not the meek spirit of Christ.” Spiritual Gifts, vol, 2, 181.

It only takes a couple of overbearing people to cause division in a church.

Pride of Opinion – “ ‘For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end’ (Ephesians 3:14–21).

“Here are brought to view the possibilities of the Christian life. How far short of reaching this standard falls the church of today! Strife, discord, selfish pride of opinion, self-exaltation,—self, self, self,—all this is manifest in those who claim to be followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. When shall we awake?” The Ellen G. White, 1888 Materials, 1794.

Believing my opinion to be better than your opinion divides churches. It divides families. It creates all manner of unhappiness because we think we are so much smarter and know so much better than somebody else.

If you would like to become a really wise person, ask the Lord to help you to look in an objective analytical way at the position of the person that thinks totally opposite from you. You may just learn something.

 

Impulsive and Erratic Movements – “The religious life of some is characterized by impulsive movements. They are as likely to be erratic as to be correct. Some are impatient and restless, while others are indolent and indifferent, and there is such a diversity of opinion and action that there is division instead of harmony in the church.” The Review and Herald, October 22, 1889.

This behavior can never produce a harmonious church in unity. Erratic, impulsive behavior results in division in the church.

Hard-heartedness – “The reason why there are so many hardhearted men and women in the world is that true affection has been regarded as weakness, and has been discouraged and repressed. The better nature of these persons was stifled in childhood; and unless the light of divine love shall melt away their cold selfishness, their happiness will be forever ruined. If we wish our children to possess the tender spirit of Jesus, and the sympathy that angels manifest for us, we must encourage the generous, loving impulses of childhood.” The Desire of Ages, 516.

Jesus said, “What God has joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:6). However, the Jews then questioned why Moses had told them that they could divorce their wives and put them away (verses 7, 8). Jesus told them permission was given, not because it was right, but because of the hardness of their hearts. (See Deuteronomy 24:1–4.)

Lack of Discipline – There is very little discipline in churches today. People can do just about anything and still be a church member, but this will result in receiving the curse of God.

“God charged Eli with honoring his sons above the Lord. Eli had permitted the offering appointed by God as a blessing to Israel to be made a thing of abhorrence, rather than bring his sons to shame for their impious and abominable practices. Those who follow their own inclination, in blind affection for their children, indulging them in the gratification of their selfish desires, and do not bring to bear the authority of God to rebuke sin and correct evil, make it manifest that they are honoring their wicked children more than they honor God. They are more anxious to shield their reputation than to glorify God; more desirous to please their children than to please the Lord and to keep His service from every appearance of evil.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 578.

Sinful Neglect – “Though we have an individual work and an individual responsibility before God, we are not to follow our own independent judgment, regardless of the opinions and feelings of our brethren; for this course would lead to disorder in the church.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 30.

Each must realize that they are neither king nor pope. In church matters all must get counsel with other people.

Disrespect – Disrespect destroys families; it can also destroy a church. Ellen White says when the problem is with the husband: “There are many living martyrs today who suffer in silence.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 3, 372.

These victims are not dead, but they are considered martyrs. Could it be when we get to heaven that there may be people there with red around the border of their garment that we never knew were martyrs? Who are these living martyrs?

“They are abused with the tongue and who are tantalized, who are hurt and wounded by coarse, harsh denunciations, whose lot seems to be to live and to suffer, receiving comfort only from Jesus, who is the source of their strength. Such souls are missionaries. They are Christ’s noble ones, and their names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

“Remember, Jesus knows it all—every sorrow, every grief—He will not leave you to sink, for His arms are beneath you. You may be an enlightenment to a whole neighborhood if you are indeed patient, kind, forbearing. In this, my sister, consider your questions answered.” Ibid.

“When discouraging words are spoken to you, do not reply unless you can return a pleasant answer. When you are tried and tempted by unkind words, do not retaliate. Say to yourself, ‘I will not disappoint my Saviour.’ ” Ibid., vol. 8, 442.

“One mother says her husband is an unbeliever. She has children but they are taught by the father to disrespect the mother. She is deeply burdened for her children. She does not know what course she can pursue.” Ibid., vol. 3, 368.

“Because Satan uses the father of your children to counteract your work, do not be discouraged; do not give up the conflict. Do as you wish them to do. Treat your husband with kindness at all times and on all occasions, and bind your children to your heart with the cords of love. This is your work; this is the burden you have to bear. Talk not your home trials to anyone but Jesus; pour them into His ear.” Ibid., 369.

What can be done when communications between disparate parties have broken down?

  1. Look for an opportunity to be a good Samaritan. Remember, when the Samaritan passed the Jew who was wounded, Ellen White says he knew that if the situation were reversed, the Jew would just spit in his face and go on. He knew the wounded man was an enemy. He said, You are in trouble, so I am going to help you out anyway. The Bible says this story is actually a prophecy about the Messiah, “They that hate Me without a cause are more than the hairs of My head: they that would destroy Me, being Mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I did not take away” (Psalm 69:4).
  2. If you have said or done anything that is wrong by which the other party is offended, confess your mistake to them and ask for forgiveness. You don’t need to mention what they’ve done, but if you have done just one thing against them, confess it, tell them you are sorry, and ask for forgiveness.
  3. Pray and be brave enough to say, Lord, I am willing for You to do whatever it takes to save my child. Don’t pray that prayer unless you are serious. I know a mother who prayed that prayer, and in a short time later, her son got cancer, from which he eventually died. But before he died, he came back to the Lord. That is not the pleasant way to come back to the Lord, but when Jesus returns this mother and son will be reunited.
  4. A rift between parent and child will not be healed by giving money. Ask God for special wisdom whether you should actually give to your child what he or she is asking for as it may not be wise.
  5. If your son or daughter or perceived enemy is suffering with a medical problem or some other kind of serious problem, even if they are on the pathway to hell, it is proper for you to do something to try to alleviate their problem. They may see Jesus in you. Remember, Jesus healed ten lepers but only one said, Thank you.

If there is one in ten, or even one in a hundred that reaches salvation because of what you did to help them, it would be worthwhile and there will be rejoicing in heaven.

 

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

 

A Character of Habits

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Have you ever wondered what makes a person who he is? When Jesus comes, our bodies will be changed when the mortal body that we now have puts on immortality. (See 1 Corinthians 13 and 15.) But we will still be the same people, even though our appearances will have changed. Do you know why? It is because what makes us who we are is our character, and this character is formed by our habits.

When Jesus comes, I am sure that we will not recognize some people. Imagine someone who was very old and perhaps deformed because of an accident. When you meet them, all the scars will be gone, and they will appear young and healthier than they ever were during their life on this earth. You probably will not recognize them by their appearance, but you will know them, because they will have the same habits and personalities as they had when you knew them in this world.

Job knew that he would be the same person when he met His God. While he lay suffering from boils all over his body, he looked forward to the great day when he would meet his Maker. He said about this, “Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. [How] my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:27. Job’s body was so sick and wounded that he may not have been recognizable to his friends, but when Jesus comes, he will not have any boils; he will have a completely new, healthy body. Yet, he will still be the same person. He will have the same thoughts, the same emotions and the same habits that he had in this life.

“We shall be individually, for time and eternity, what our habits make us.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 452. Now, that can be a very wonderful thought if our habits are good, or it can be a rather discouraging thought if our habits are not good. Thank the Lord that our habits can change, because every one of us has some habits that we would like to change. However, changing our habits is not an easy thing to do. Jeremiah wrote, “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? [Then] may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.” Jeremiah 13:23. Day by day, as we form habits, they become more and more firmly established, and someday, when we are sealed, they will never be able to be changed either we will be sealed with good habits, or we will be sealed with bad habits.

However, there is no need to become disheartened. The Lord can help us do what looks impossible to us, and would be impossible for us if we had only our own strength. Later in this article we will study how the Lord can help us do the seemingly impossible, but first I would like to look at one other aspect of habits that we need to study carefully.

Eternal Loss

Did you know that there are not only bad habits, which will keep us out of Heaven if they are not overcome, but also good habits which we need to cultivate? There are some habits that may not be such that they would keep us out of heaven, but they could greatly affect us throughout eternity. For years, I struggled with what it means when Ellen White describes these habits. Consider it with me carefully, and we will see if we can better understand it:

“For all that we might become through the right use of our talents God holds us responsible. We shall be judged according to what we ought to have done, but did not accomplish because we did not use our powers to glorify God. Even if we do not lose our souls, we shall realize in eternity the result of our unused talents. For all the knowledge and ability that we might have gained and did not, there will be an eternal loss.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 363.

I have read and re-read that passage and wondered, How could that be? How could it be through the billions and billions of years of eternity that there would be an eternal loss because I did not develop some talent here on earth? If I do not learn to play the piano well here, I will have a million years to practice up there. What difference does it make? If I do not learn to speak correctly here, I will have a million years to learn there. All that really matters is that I make it there, right? And yet, this statement startled me. I thought, “What in the world does this mean? Could I get to heaven, and yet not have all that I could have had, and have to endure some eternal loss?”

I also pondered over what Paul says about this in 1 Corinthians 3:11–15: “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation [with] gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on [it] endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”

Paul is here talking about people who will be saved in heaven, but they will be saved with a loss. Jesus taught in the parable of the talents that the one who had the most talents was given another one. Could it be that those who develop their talents in this life will receive more talents in heaven? That seems to be indicated in Mathew 10 and Matthew 25, but it goes even beyond that. We take our characters with us to heaven. Those characters that are firmly established on earth will be the characters that will last throughout eternity.

Habits Develop Early

Why is it that those who do poorly in grade school continue to do poorly in high school and college? Is it simply because they do not have the knowledge to make it? No, it is because the habits they developed in grade school go on with them to high school, and the habits they had in high school go on with them to college.

Young people go to college and think, “I have not done well in the past, but now I will turn over a new leaf.” I tried to do this, and it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I had to seek the Lord’s help, and I thank Him that He brought me through.

Some young people start college with such poor habits that they flunk. (That is like those who will not make it to heaven at all.) Others have not developed the best habits, but at least they make it through college by plodding along. Although they never really develop their abilities to the utmost, they at least still graduate. And yet, throughout their lives, they carry a loss, because they did not learn all that they could have.

There is one more group of college students. These are the ones who have learned to utilize their time, learned to concentrate, developed their memories, and learned how to listen during their early school years, and they carry these skills into their college years. They are blessed throughout life.

This is the way it will be in heaven. Some will not make it at all, because they have developed such bad habits. Others who have not developed specific bad habits, but have not developed all the talents God has given them, when they get to heaven, will carry the loss throughout eternity.

Habits Seldom Changed

When is the easiest time for habits to be developed? Ellen White counseled parents:

“What the child sees and hears is drawing deep lines upon the tender mind, which no after circumstance in life can entirely efface. The intellect is now taking shape, and the affections receiving direction and strength. Repeated acts in a given course become habits. These may be modified by severe training, in after life, but they are seldom changed.” Child Guidance, 199, 200.

You know by your own experience that this is true. Very few people ever change the habits they develop in their youth. These habits are retained throughout life, usually with little modification. However, God’s prophet did not leave us without hope. Although these bad habits are “seldom changed,” it is not impossible to change them if we allow God’s Spirit to work in our hearts.

It is true, however, that the older one gets, the harder it is to change, but we cannot let this be an excuse. Hard or not, now is the time to make the needed changes. If a person is 50 years old, he or she may say, “I am too old to change now. If I were 15 years old, I could have done it, but I guess I will just have to wait until I get to heaven to change my habits.” That will not happen!

If it is hard to change after 50 years, how hard do you think it will be to change after 500 or 5,000 years? Now is the time to change our characters. Someone says, “Oh, heaven is not like that. Whatever we have been like here, if we simply make it, somehow we will immediately be little saints when we get to heaven.”

Lucifer found a way to become discontented, rebellious, and jealous. It all happened in heaven, which shows that it can go on there. That is why God has to make sure that our characters are developed here, so we will be safe to be saved in heaven. Our characters will not be changed after we arrive in heaven. The personality that we have here is the personality that we will have there. Job said, “When God comes, I will see Him for myself. It will be me, not someone else.” It will be our characters that we take to heaven—if we get there, by God’s grace.

Fitting Up Place

The following are several quotations from the pen of inspiration on this subject. Here we can see exactly what God’s expectations are for us.

“We are here to form perfect characters for heaven.” Review and Herald, July 13, 1886.

“An important work is before us. We are to obtain a moral fitness for heaven.” Ibid., July 6, 1886. That is what this life is all about. Just like college is to prepare us intellectually to carry on a business or a profession, so this life is the fitting up place for heaven.

“Those who would be saints in heaven, must first be saints upon the earth; for when we leave this earth, we shall take our characters with us.” Ibid., August 19, 1890. Whatever you want to be like in heaven, that is what you must be like here.

Heaven will be a happy place for everyone who gets there, because no one will get there who has not learned to be happy. In The Signs of the Times, November 14, 1892, we read: “Let no unkind words fall from the lips of those who compose the home circle. Make the atmosphere fragrant with tender thoughtfulness of others. Only those will enter heaven who in probationary time have formed a character that breathed a heavenly influence. The saint in heaven must first be a saint upon the earth. The habits of speech, the character of our actions, put a mold upon us; and that which we cultivate in our association with others in this life, goes down into the grave with us, and will be unchanged when we shall come up from the grave. Many are deceiving themselves by thinking that the character will be transformed at the coming of Christ; but there will be no conversion of heart at His appearing. Our defects of character must here be repented of, and through the grace of Christ we must overcome them while probation shall last. This is the place for fitting up for the family above.”

“How long a time are you designing to take to prepare to be introduced into the society of heavenly angels in glory? In the state which you and your family are in at present, all heaven would be marred should you be introduced therein. The work for you must be done here. This earth is the fitting-up place. You have not one moment to lose. All is harmony, peace, and love in heaven. No discord, no strife, no censuring, no unloving words, no clouded brows, no jars there; and no one will be introduced there who possesses any of these elements so destructive to peace and happiness. Study to be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, laying up for yourselves a good foundation against the time to come, that you may lay hold on everlasting life.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 705, 706.

“What can be done for you? Do you design to wait until Jesus comes in the clouds of heaven? Will He make you all over new when He comes? Oh, no, this will not be done then. The fitting up must be done here. All the hewing and squaring must take place here upon earth in the hours of probation. You must be fitted up here; the last blow must be given here.” Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White, vol. 2, The Progressive Years 1862-1876, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D.C., 95.

Grace Sufficient

The longer one waits to begin the overcoming process, the more difficult it becomes, but thank the Lord that no one is so old and so entrenched in habits that God cannot change him or her if they really want to change. God has promised extra grace—grace sufficient for every need.

This extra measure of grace is given to us through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the angels, and their help is available in this life only. We have not been promised these extra gifts in heaven, for it is here in this life that the grace is needed. Without this added grace, we are in the situation that Paul described in Romans: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but [how] to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do.” Romans 7:18, 19.

Paul realized that without help he could do nothing at all about his evil tendencies, so what did he do? Did he just sit back and say, “Well, God, you will just have to accept me as I am, because I cannot change; I know that You will take care of perfecting my character when I get to heaven”? No! He cried, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Verses 24, 25. He realized that alone he could do nothing, and that he could not take his sinful character to heaven, so he looked to Christ as his hope.

Overcoming With the Spirit

Paul explained more about this hope in Romans 8: “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God [did] by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:3, 4.

Paul had some habits of the flesh that he wanted to overcome, but could not in his own strength. Have you ever been convicted about something that needed to be changed in your life, but you have tried and found you cannot change? That is where Paul was. Some have been convicted about smoking. They have tried and tried, and they just cannot break the addiction. They are slaves to this wicked habit. Other people are impatient. They do not want to be, nor do they mean to be impatient, but they try hard, and they are still impatient. It is seemingly impossible to overcome the habit. Some are afflicted with habits of laziness. They do not have enough get-up-and-go to even read their Bibles or the Spirit of Prophecy. There are still others who have developed habits of lust over years and years. They are constantly thinking thoughts of lust, and they cannot break free from them. The list of evil habits that we have goes on and on: gluttony, fretfulness, worrying, daydreaming, envying, and more.

We want to overcome, but we cannot, just as it was with Paul. What is our only hope? Paul tells us: “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:13. [Emphasis added.]

There has to be a new birth in each of our lives. There must be a crucifying of the old life and a resurrection to a new life. Jesus came down to make this possible. He said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3.

It takes the crucifixion, death, and burial of the old life, and a resurrection to a new life of holiness. Is that possible? Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. This is not just an empty phrase. It is a promise, and it is guaranteed by the infinite power of the God of the universe.

Replacing the Old with the New

We must put off our acquired habits that do not reflect the sunshine of obedience and the trust of heaven. Yet we must not just give up our bad habits; we must also develop good habits. The Christian life is not just a matter of “do not do this” or “do not do that.” It also involves developing what is good.

It is not good enough to simply overcome fretfulness. We must then go on to cultivate cheerfulness. It is not good enough to just overcome lust. We must then learn to develop the true, holy, and sanctified love that God wants each one of us to have. It is not good enough to just overcome worrying. We must develop a faith that will carry us through every trial and every perplexity. It is not good enough to just overcome grumbling. We must develop an attitude of praise and thanksgiving that, as Paul said, is thankful in every situation.

The parable in Luke 11:24–26 is about a man who had an unclean spirit. That means he had bad habits that he could not overcome, and these were such bad habits that the devil actually took over his life in some of these areas. The Lord came and cast out the demon and set this man free. The demon then went out from this man, we are told in verse 24, and went “through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none.” So then this demon said, “ ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with [him] seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last [state] of that man was worse than the first.” You cannot have an empty life forever. Sooner or later that vacuum will be filled with something. If it is not filled with what is good, it will be filled with what is evil. Today is the only day that God has given us to develop habits that will make us the kind of people who will be happy in heaven throughout eternity.

Stop and Think

When Jesus comes, there will be two classes of people: those who have changed and those who have remained the same. “Therefore, if anyone [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 11 Corinthians 5:17.

Again recall the statement that we looked at in the beginning, from Testimonies, vol. 4, 452. “We shall be individually for time and for eternity what our habits make us.” Stop and think about the habits that you have formed throughout your life. What habits do you have that must be overcome, that will keep you from entering heaven? What talents have you neglected developing? Do you want to suffer an eternal loss because you did not gain all the knowledge or ability you might have?

Let us fix our minds on the goal to be won, and press toward the mark. Now is the probationary time that we have been allotted. Do not despair, my dear friends, our Savior and all the host of heaven are near to help you in this work. No one is too weak or too sinful to be saved, if they will fully surrender themselves to God. This is my prayer for each of you.

Pastor Marshall Grosboll, with his wife Lillian, founded Steps to Life. In July 1991, Pastor Marshall and his family met with tragedy as they were returning home from a camp meeting in Washington state, when the airplane he was piloting went down, killing all on board.

White Robes of Righteousness, Part I

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In studying about the final events and the final hour in which we are living, the following statement came to my attention: “The bright light going among the living creatures with the swiftness of lightning represents the speed with which this work will finally go forward to completion.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 754. Ellen White is referring in this statement to Ezekiel 1:13, part of a vision given to Ezekiel. Other references about lightning in the Bible reveal something outstanding. Matthew 28:3, speaking of the angel of the Lord, states: “His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.” Why should this be mentioned? Let us consider and study this phrase and its meaning in this mighty final hour.

  1. Angels. Angels mentioned in the New Testament were dressed in white: “raiment white as snow,” Matthew 28:3; “long white garment,” Mark 16:5; “two angels in white,” John 20:12; “two men [angels] stood by them in white apparel,” Acts 1:10; “the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen,” Revelation 15:6.
  2. Jesus Christ. At the time Jesus Christ our Redeemer was transfigured, “His raiment was white as the light.” Matthew 17:2. Mark 9:3 states, “His raiment became shining, exceedingly white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.” Luke 9:29 says that as Jesus prayed, “His raiment [was] white [and] glistering.” In Revelation 1:13, 14, we read that the Son of man was clothed with a garment down to the foot, and “His head and [His] hairs [were] white like wool, as white as snow.”
  3. The Father. Consider now the Father, the Ancient of Days. “The Ancient of days did sit, whose garment [was] white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool.” Daniel 7:9. Verse 13 tells that the Son of man joined the Ancient of days. John saw a “great white throne,” Revelation 20:11, before which man was judged, “every man according to their works.” Verse 13.
  4.  24 Elders. In Revelation 4:4, the 24 elders are “clothed in white raiment” around the throne of God.
  5. Heaven’s Horses. White signifies purity, cleanliness, godliness, and holiness and righteousness of the Lamb of God. We see in Revelation 19:11 that Jesus is riding a white horse, and that “the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” Verses 7, 8. Verse 14 tells us, “The armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.”
  6. Coming of Jesus. Ellen White wrote: “Our eyes were drawn to the east, for a small black cloud had appeared, about half as large as a man’s hand, which we all knew was the sign of the Son of man. We all in solemn silence gazed on the cloud as it drew nearer and became lighter, glorious, and still more glorious, till it was a great white cloud.” Early Writings, 15. Revelation 19:11-16 describes the coming of the Lord with the angelic host dressed in white. Revelation 14:14 tells us that the Son of man is coming on a white cloud. Revelation 19:17-21 describes the destruction of the wicked who preferred to wear fig-leaf garments of their own devising to their final destruction, rather than the white raiment of Christ’s righteousness and eternal life.
  7. Earth’s Human Family. As we consider the heavenly beings the Father, the Son, and the angelic hosts as white as snow¾what does this mean to humanity and to God’s people? White is maximum lightness, holiness, godliness; it is heavenly. White is in stark contrast to black, which signifies darkness, wickedness, and hell.

When fresh snow has fallen, it is sparkling white without spot or blemish whatsoever. What God is longing to teach the human family in darkness on this earth is the contrast to the light, white heavenly atmosphere. However, before we can be dressed in garments of white in heaven, we must have garments of white on earth. If heavenly beings are dressed in all white, what does God expect of the human family?

From the Beginning

Let us begin our study at the beginning creation. Genesis 2:7 and verses 21-25 state that the Lord God created Adam and Eve, and both were naked but not ashamed. “The white robe of innocence was worn by our first parents when they were placed by God in holy Eden. They lived in perfect conformity to the will of God. All the strength of their affections was given to their heavenly Father. A beautiful soft light, the light of God, enshrouded the holy pair. This robe of light was a symbol of their spiritual garments of heavenly innocence. Had they remained true to God it would ever have continued to enshroud them. But when sin entered, they severed their connection with God, and the light that had encircled them departed. Naked and ashamed, they tried to supply the place of the heavenly garments by sewing together fig leaves for a covering.

“This is what the transgressors of God’s law have done ever since the day of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. They have sewed together fig leaves to cover the nakedness caused by transgression. They have worn the garments of their own devising, by works of their own they have tried to cover their sins, and make themselves acceptable with God.

“But this they can never do. Nothing can man devise to supply the place of his lost robe of innocence. No fig-leaf garment, no worldly citizen-dress, can be worn by those who sit down with Christ and angels at the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 311.

Adam and Eve had the white robe of innocence, the robe of light, garments of heavenly innocence, until sin entered. They possessed the white robe of heavenly purity and godliness. All heavenly beings and the contents of heaven are associated with white.

Then Came “Knowledge”

“Adam and Eve both ate of the fruit, and obtained a knowledge which, had they obeyed God, they would never have had,¾an experience in disobedience and disloyalty to God,¾the knowledge that they were naked. The garment of innocence, a covering from God, which surrounded them, departed; and they supplied the place of this heavenly garment by sewing together fig-leaves for aprons.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 1, 1084.

“Had Adam and Eve never disobeyed their Creator, had they remained in the path of perfect rectitude, they could have known and understood God. But when they listened to the voice of the tempter, and sinned against God, the light of the garments of heavenly innocence departed from them; and in parting with the garments of innocence, they drew about them the dark robes of ignorance of God. The clear and perfect light that had hitherto surrounded them had lightened everything they approached; but deprived of that heavenly light, the posterity of Adam could no longer trace the character of God in His created works.” Ibid.

When Adam and Eve sinned, they saw their nakedness immediately, and sewed fig leaves as garments. This was their own devising. (Genesis 3:6, 7.) “And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where [art] thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I [was] naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou [wast] naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?” Genesis 3:8-11.

Adam and Eve were hiding. As God looked for them, Adam indicated that they were afraid, because they were naked. Adam’s sin revealed it all; both to him and to us today.

Mercy of God

What a loving God we have, however, for He declared to the serpent, in verse 15, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” God presented the gospel that though Christ would suffer for humanity’s sake on the cross (bruise His heel), Satan will suffer destruction by the cross (head to be bruised). This gave hope to Adam and to the human family. God lovingly made a coat of skins for Adam and Eve to replace the fig-leaf aprons. (Genesis 3:21.) How much God cares for His created beings!

“When the curse was pronounced upon the earth and upon man, in connection with the curse was a promise that through Christ there was hope and pardon for the transgression of God’s law. Although gloom and darkness hung, like the pall of death, over the future, yet in the promise of the Redeemer, the Star of hope lighted up the dark future. The gospel was first preached to Adam by Christ. Adam and Eve felt sincere sorrow and repentance for their guilt. They believed the precious promise of God, and were saved from utter ruin.” Review and Herald, April 29, 1875.

God pleads with His people today, through the revelation of the cross, with mercy and love. He desires the human family to reveal Christ and His righteousness. God realizes our deep need and identifies our problems and our needs.

Rags to Robes

“But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6.

An example of God’s mercy is given in Zechariah 3:3, 4. When Joshua the high priest was shown clothed with filthy garments, the Lord said, “Take away the filthy garments. . . . Thine iniquity is passed from thee, and I will clothe thee with a change of garments.” So also will God take our filthy garments and we will be new creatures in Christ (11 Corinthians 5:17), and we will walk in the newness of life (Romans 6:4).

“None are so low, so corrupt and vile, that they cannot find in Jesus, who died for them, strength, purity, and righteousness, if they will put away their sins, cease their course of iniquity, and turn with full purpose of heart to the living God. He is waiting to strip them of their garments, stained and polluted by sin, and to put upon them the white, bright robes of righteousness; and He bids them live and not die.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 453.

“This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising. Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us. ‘All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.’ Isaiah 64:6. Everything that we of ourselves can do is defiled by sin. But the Son of God ‘was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin.’ Sin is defined to be ‘the transgression of the law.’ 1 John 3:5, 4. But Christ was obedient to every requirement of the law. He said of Himself, ‘I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart.’ Psalm 40:8. When on earth, He said to His disciples, ‘I have kept My Father’s commandments.’ John 15:10. By His perfect obedience He has made it possible for every human being to obey God’s commandments. When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 311, 312.

“He [God] would have us comprehend something of His love in giving His Son to die that He might counteract evil, remove the defiling stains of sin from the workmanship of God, and reinstate the lost, elevating and ennobling the soul to its original purity through Christ’s imputed righteousness. The only way in which the fallen race could be restored was through the gift of His Son, equal with Himself, possessing the attributes of God.” That I May Know Him, 206.

God desires to restore us to the original purity of the white robe of innocence. He will change our robes of human devising, the fig-leaf garments, to His robe of righteousness, which is whiter than snow. God is longing, waiting with long patience, that His people be clothed with His perfect character, the garment of righteousness, for His coming draweth nigh.

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James 5:7, 8. Today is our opportunity to form this holy, righteous character for the eternal home.

Garments of Salvation

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10. God is longing to clothe His people¾He gives them the garment of salvation. Notice again¾to clothe us with the garment of salvation.

“Behold, God [is] my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah [is] my strength and [my] song; he also is become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2.

The garment of salvation reveals that God is our salvation, whom we trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. Thereby, we are not afraid, for God is our strength and our song, and He has become our salvation.

As stated in Isaiah 61:10, the Lord has covered us with the robe of righteousness; that is, His white raiment. We are totally in Christ, and He has become our salvation, our hope, and our guide for eternity.

Preparation

God offers much to get us started, prepared to wear that white robe. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18. Notice the longing of God to remove all sin. Notice the phrase, “white as snow,” and the word, “wool.” These are the characteristics of God the Father and Jesus Christ our Saviour mentioned above in the Word of God. They long to pass on to God’s people these qualities and purity.

David was convicted, and he longed for a clean heart and to be purged and to be whiter than snow. “Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:2, 7, 10. He longed to be recreated with a clean heart and to be renewed.

“When the light from Christ shines into our souls, we shall see how impure we are; we shall discern the selfishness of motive, the enmity against God, that has defiled every act of life. Then we shall know that our own righteousness is indeed as filthy rags, and that the blood of Christ alone can cleanse us from the defilement of sin, and renew our hearts in His own likeness.” Conflict and Courage, 292.

God’s Longing

From Isaiah 57:14, 15, we read that God “Shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

Do not hinder anyone from growing and working in and for the Lord, for God is longing to revive His people with a humble and contrite spirit and to wash us with His own blood. “And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.” Revelation 1:5. Not only are we washed and regenerated by Christ our Saviour, but we are also being renewed by the Holy Spirit for the hope of eternal life: “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7.

“He [Jesus] made the infinite sacrifice, not only that sin might be removed, but that human nature might be restored, rebeautified, reconstructed from its ruins, and made fit for the presence of God.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 537.

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire.” Matthew 3:11. Jesus was preparing to be baptized by John the Baptist. John the Baptist, realizing the solemnity of the baptism of Christ, proclaimed that Jesus will baptize us with the Holy Spirit and with fire, which cleanses us and purifies from all earthliness. Verse 16 shows the work of the Holy Spirit. He descended on Jesus like a dove, as Jesus was being baptized, to demonstrate how we must be “born again.” Read John 3:3-8.

If we were born again but drifted away, we should be rebaptized. “The Lord calls for a decided reformation. And when a soul is truly reconverted, let him be rebaptized. Let him renew his covenant with God, and God will renew His covenant with him. . . . Reconversion must take place among the members, that as God’s witnesses they may testify to the authoritative power of the truth that sanctifies the soul.” Evangelism, 375.

“If we would be overcomers, we must search our hearts to be sure that we are not cherishing anything that is offensive to God. If we are, we cannot wear the white raiment that is here promised. If we would stand before God in the white linen, which is the righteousness of the saints, we must now do the work of overcoming.” Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, 138.

“Let us each examine ourselves carefully to see if we are in the faith; let us be diligent to make sure work for eternity. Jesus says that he will confess the name of the overcomer before his Father, and before the holy angels. If we would have our names honored before the heavenly host in the day of God, we must obtain the white raiment now. We must clothe ourselves with humility as with a garment. Every step heavenward must be a step of humility.” Ibid., 139.

To be continued . . .

A real estate broker in Collegedale, Tennessee, for 15 years, Bill Humeniuk decided to retire early so he would be able to spend more time in Bible study and working for the Lord. Five years ago, he started Advent Hope Ministries, Inc., which is primarily a “Bibles for Africa” project. He may be contacted by e-mail at: adventhope@hughes.net or at: www.biblesforafrica.org.

White Robes of Righteousness, Part II

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From the Scriptures, we read that God desires His people to be perfect, without spot or blemish: “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” 11 Peter 3:13, 14.

“Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27.

“Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 214.

“Those who, through faith in the merits of the blood of Christ, have clean hands and a pure heart, will receive the white robe, the crown of righteousness, and the life that will run parallel with the life of God. There is no limit to the blessings that we may receive in answer to sincere, fervent prayer. The love of God to fallen man is measureless, and if our Father sees that we will not be lifted up with the blessings he has power to bestow upon us, but will receive them with humble and grateful hearts, he will abundantly grant unto us our requests. He says: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.’ [Matthew 7:7, 8.]” The Signs of the Times, December 23, 1889.

Soul Made White

“He [the Lord] desires us to seek for a pure, clean soul, a soul washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. It is the white robe of Christ’s righteousness that gives the sinner admittance into the presence of the heavenly angels. Not the color of his hair, but his perfect obedience to all God’s commandments, opens to him the gates of the Holy City.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 920.

“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Revelation 3:3, 4. Although Sardis specifically was asked to not defile their garments, this also pertains to all of God’s people. He is requesting that we walk with Him in white, to overcome, and to be clothed in white raiment. If we do this, our names will be retained in the book of life. Praise the Lord! The Lord’s white raiment is retained without one spot, defilement, or blemish. This is Christ’s righteousness and eternal life.

“Angels of God are weighing moral worth. They are watching the development of character in those now living, to see if their names can be retained in the book of life. A probation is granted us in which to wash our robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. Who is doing this work? Who is separating from himself sin and selfishness?” Ibid., 960.

For Eternity

The Laodicean Church is described in Revelation 3 as being lukewarm, having need of nothing, feeling that they are okay. However, God tells them they are wretched and naked. (Verse 9.) They are not clothed with the white raiment of Christ’s righteousness. In verse 18, Jesus Himself appeals to them, “Buy of me . . . white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed.” These verses say much more, but we are dwelling only on the subject of raiment—not to be naked, but clothed in Christ Jesus. Christ continues, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Verses 21, 22. God is pleading with His people, with the church of Laodicea, to listen, to hear Him. “I love you,” He is saying, “and I desire you to be with Me for eternity.”

“The gold of faith and love, the white raiment of a spotless character, and the eyesalve, or the power of clear discernment between good and evil¾all these we must obtain before we can hope to enter the kingdom of God. But these precious treasures will not drop upon us without some exertion on our part. We must buy¾we must ‘be zealous and repent’ [Revelation 3:19] of our lukewarm state. We must be awake to see our wrongs, to search for our sins, and to put them away from us. . . .” Our High Calling, 351.

“Again and again has the voice from heaven addressed you. Will you obey this voice? Will you heed the counsel of the True Witness to seek the gold tried in the fire, the white raiment, and the eyesalve? The gold is faith and love, the white raiment is the righteousness of Christ, the eyesalve is that spiritual discernment which will enable you to see the wiles of Satan and shun them, to detect sin and abhor it, to see truth and obey it.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 233.

Those who are lukewarm are not in a hopeless state. There is a chance to remedy their state. “The Laodicean message is full of encouragement; for the backslidden church may yet buy the gold of faith and love, may yet have the white robe of the righteousness of Christ, that the shame of their nakedness need not appear. Purity of heart, purity of motive, may yet characterize those who are halfhearted and who are striving to serve God and mammon. They may yet wash their robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Review and Herald, August 28, 1894.

“Now He [Jesus] stands at the door of the heart as a heavenly merchantman; He says, ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.’ [Revelation 3:20.] ‘Open unto me; buy of me the heavenly wares; buy of me the gold tried in the fire.’ Buy faith and love, the precious, beautiful attributes of our Redeemer, which will enable us to find our way into the hearts of those who do not know Him, who are cold and alienated from Him through unbelief and sin. He invites us to buy the white raiment, which is His glorious righteousness; and the eyesalve, that we may discern spiritual things. Oh, shall we not open the heart’s door to this heavenly visitor?” Bible Echo, January 15, 1892.

“The gold that Jesus would have us buy of Him is gold tried in the fire; it is the gold of faith and love, that has no defiling substance mingled with it. The white raiment is the righteousness of Christ, the wedding garment which Christ alone can give. The eyesalve is the true spiritual discernment that is so wanting among us, for spiritual things must be spiritually discerned.” Review and Herald, April 1, 1890.

“The counsel of the true Witness is full of encouragement and comfort. . . . Purity of heart, purity of motive, will characterize every one who is washing his robe, and making it white in the blood of the Lamb.” Ibid., July 24, 1888.

“Let thy garments be always white.” Ecclesiastes 9:8. Solomon understood living in the Lord and lived to His glory during the last years of his reign. For years he had lived in sin, and he had learned that it was all vanity. He returned to the Lord in his old age, appealing to God’s people to keep their garments white, which is for eternity¾part of heaven and Christ’s righteousness.

The Dark Days

It would perhaps be helpful to review briefly the dark days of the 1260 year period mentioned in Daniel 11:29-36. We cannot here discuss the details of the horror for God’s people or the innumerable martyrs during this period of the papal rule, but read verse 35: “And [some] of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make [them] white, [even] to the time of the end: because [it is] yet for a time appointed.” Yes, some fell. The faithful were tried and purged of sin and worldliness. Purification followed; they were cleaned and made “white” until the time of the end. The 1260 years ended in 1798.

All of God’s faithful faced tribulation and purging. Praise God! They were clothed in white robes of Christ’s righteousness.

“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:10. Here again it is mentioned that during the 1260 years (see verses 7, 9) many would be purified and made white by trials and tribulation. They were wise and understood.

Twice Daniel mentions the details of the 1260 years: God’s people understood the trials and the purging; they were tried, purged or purified, and made white. Was it worth it? Millions of God’s faithful understood and were made white.

John the Revelator, speaking of Jesus, said: “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled.” Revelation 6:9-11.

John also reveals during the fifth seal how God’s people were martyred, slain for the Word of God. They pled, “How long” will this continue, in verse 10. Ultimately, they all received a gift white robes and rested in the grave for a while, waiting for the resurrection to be robed in white for eternity.

Now is the Time

Now that we have arrived at and passed the “time of the end”¾1798 and on¾it definitely appears that the “end of time” has arrived. Mrs. White, through the Holy Spirit, pleads with God’s people that now is the time: “It is now that we must keep ourselves and our children unspotted from the world. It is now that we must wash our robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. It is now that we must overcome pride, passion, and spiritual slothfulness. It is now that we must awake and make determined effort for symmetry of character. ‘Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.’ [Hebrews 3:15.] We are in a most trying position, waiting, watching for our Lord’s appearing. The world is in darkness. ‘But ye, brethren,’ says Paul, ‘are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.’ [1 Thessalonians 5:4.] It is ever God’s purpose to bring light out of darkness, joy out of sorrow, and rest out of weariness for the waiting, longing soul.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 215, 216.

In the final hour, just before probation closes, a trying situation will occur among God’s people. “The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out¾the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths. . . . The remnant that purify their souls by obeying the truth gather strength from the trying process, exhibiting the beauty of holiness amid the surrounding apostasy.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 911.

Now that God’s people, after much preparation, have washed their robes of character and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, they are ready for the final hour. The remnant are waiting, watching, and longing for the Lord’s appearing. They are without spot or stain of sin and exhibit the beauty of holiness.

Finally an announcement is made that the marriage of the Lamb “is” come, and His wife, the church, hath made herself ready, and that she is clothed in fine linen, clean and white, which is the righteousness of the saints. “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” Revelation 19:7, 8.

Now that the saints have fully acquired the fine linen, clean and white, which is the righteousness of Christ, and made herself ready, Jesus is coming to gather the remnant of His wife, the church, to that eternal home.

“God is the husband of His church. The church is the bride, the Lamb’s wife. Every true believer is a part of the body of Christ. Christ regards unfaithfulness shown to Him by His people as the unfaithfulness of a wife to her husband. We are to remember that we are members of Christ’s body.” Ibid., 985.

“The church is the bride, the Lamb’s wife. She should keep herself pure, sanctified, holy. Never should she indulge in any foolishness; for she is the bride of a King. Yet she does not realize her exalted position. If she understood this, she would be all-glorious within.” Ibid., 986.

“The church is the bride of Christ, and her members are to yoke up with their Leader. God warns us not to defile our garments.” Ibid., 986.

Humanity in Heaven

John the Revelator saw something that was pleasing to his experience with the vision. “I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.” Revelation 7:9. He saw God’s people from all the ages before the throne. They were clothed in white robes with palms in their hands.

“The palms signify that they have gained the victory, and the white robes that they have been clothed with the righteousness of Christ. Thank God that a fountain has been opened to wash our robes of character, and make them as white as snow.” Ibid., 970. What a victorious people dressed in white!

“And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:13.

One of the elders (verse 11) asks, “Who are those dressed in white?” “And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Verse 14.

Yes, God’s dear people from earth are finally in heaven before God’s throne, victorious, dressed with white raiment, washed in the blood of the Lamb. They are clothed with God’s garments of white righteousness, holiness, purity, and godliness forever. In this final hour, pray that we may wear the robe of righteousness made white as snow by the blood of the Lamb.

‘“Those with whom Christ dwells will be surrounded with a divine atmosphere. Their white robes of purity will be fragrant with perfume from the garden of the Lord. Their faces will reflect light from His, brightening the path for stumbling and weary feet.” Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 135.

Heaven is Waiting

God the Father, Jesus Christ our Redeemer, the heavenly angels, the 24 elders around the throne of God, and even the symbolic horses of Jesus’ second coming are all white as snow. Now, heaven is waiting for humanity to possess the garments of heaven¾the clean, white raiment.

“Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15. This shame happened in the Garden of Eden; may it not happen in this final hour. May we reveal the character of God and His righteousness to the world with our white raiment of true primitive godliness, total purity, holiness, and righteousness with the character of Christ perfectly reproduced in us.

“God places before him [the ambitious man] the highest objects of ambition a spotless white robe, a crown studded with jewels, a scepter, a throne of glory, and honor that is as enduring as the throne of Jehovah. . . .

“Jesus presents a white robe, a crown of glory richer than any that ever decked the brow of a monarch, and titles above those of honored princes. The recompense for a life devoted to the service of Christ exceeds anything that the human imagination can grasp. Christ does not call upon men to lay aside their zeal, their desires for excellence and elevation, but He would have them seek, not for perishable treasure or fleeting honor, but for that which is enduring.” That I May Know Him, 91.

“The life of God in the soul is Christ in you a well of water springing up into everlasting life. This springing up into life will refresh all who connect with you. If your character is such that God can approve, it will be a complete Christian character filled with grace that is not assumed, but that has a natural growth. If your affections are obedient unto Christ your motives pure, there will be in your life, in your every day deportment, lessons of instruction to all around you. You will be living epistles known and read of all men. Your connection with God will lift you above every thing that has a debasing tendency, your pure and uncorrupted life will be ever pointing your . . . associates upward to God and heaven saying to them you must seek peace and purity and happiness from above. Jesus is the source of your comfort strength and fortitude, amid vexation, trials and grievous temptations. . . . They need to wash their robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb.” The Signs of the Times, February 7, 1878.

The songs of our hearts should be those of George Jackson, “A Heart Like Thine,” and Elisha A. Hoffman, “Are You Washed in the Blood?”

I want, dear Lord, a heart that’s true and clean;
A sunlit heart with not a cloud between.
A heart like Thine, a heart as white as snow;
On me, dear Lord, a heart like this bestow.
When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb!
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

May it be our desire in this final hour to be clothed in the white raiment, the robe of Christ’s righteousness, which we will wear and possess for eternity in our characters.

[All emphasis added.]

A real estate broker in Collegedale, Tennessee, for 15 years, Bill Humeniuk decided to retire early so he would be able to spend more time in Bible study and working for the Lord. Five years ago, he started Advent Hope Ministries, Inc., which is primarily a “Bibles for Africa” project. He may be contacted by e -mail at: adventhope@hughes.net or at: http://www.biblesforafrica.org.

Practical Thoughts on Bible Subjects

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Humility is that grace which enables us to put a just estimate upon ourselves. It is just what is requisite in order that we may know our place and keep it. It enables us to obey the injunction not to think of ourselves “more highly” than we ought to think (Romans 12:3). It opens our eyes to our own defects. It gives us a sense of our own failure to imitate the heavenly pattern. Without it we could not hunger and thirst after righteousness, for we should think ourselves good enough already. We learn lessons of humility with much pain; yet nothing is sweeter and more divinely peaceful than this excellent grace. The pain which we experience in taking lessons in humility is because our nature is entirely averse to this lowly disposition. Vanity and pride fill the hearts of the sons of men. The grace of God alone can effect this wondrous change. Dying to pride is a painful process. The change, when wrought, is one of heavenly serenity and blessedness. It is our business to humble ourselves. If we leave this work to be done for us by the Lord, we shall infallibly bring upon ourselves His afflicting hand; for it is by this that He humbles the children of men. God humbles men as Gideon “taught the men of Succoth,” with “thorns of the wilderness and briers” (Judges 8:16). Better learn humility this way than not at all. But far better would it be to make it a business to humble our own hearts daily and continually before the Lord. We can abase ourselves or we can have the Lord abase us. The valley of humiliation is in itself the sweetest, and, what is of greater consequence, the safest part of the heavenly journey. John Bunyan tells us that in this valley our Lord, in the days of His earthly sojourn, had His country house. One thing is certain, that whoever walks in this valley will have the Saviour for his companion.

FALSE HUMILITY

This is one of the worst forms of pride. Persons under this deception suppose themselves very humble and lowly in heart. In fact, they really believe that they are far in advance of their brethren in all that renders men acceptable in the sight of God. Under this impression, people become proud of their humility. If there were one particle of honesty or frankness to sin, we should not so often fall into it. But sin deceives us. That is its very nature. The deceitfulness of sin is that which makes it so dangerous an adversary. Sin is the eldest born of Satan. He is the arch-deceiver. Deception is his business. Cheating is an art which he has carried to the highest perfection. Nothing but fraud and guile can proceed from such a source. Though the prince of darkness, he can transform himself into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). And such is his skill in beguiling men that he is able to give to pride the outward form of humility, and to make it, many times, pass for this excellent grace.

This kind of humility is often manifested in acts of austerity or apparent self-denial for the purpose of attention or securing the approval of others. Sometimes it is shown in the wearing of mean and slovenly apparel, that thereby one’s humility may be declared. But all these acts of apparent humility are performed to gratify the pride of a self-righteous heart, or to receive the approval of those whose good opinion is specially desired. One test generally if not invariably distinguishes false humility from that which is genuine. One can bear reproof, the other cannot. One is grateful for correction; the other is altogether too holy to allow of any such treatment of its exalted piety. Another almost universal test is found in the fact that spurious humility seeks by word and act to draw men’s attention to itself; but that which is genuine would hide from every eye but God’s. “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find” (Proverbs 20:6)? Reader, have you genuine or spurious humility?

MODERATION

This becomes the Christian at all times, when in prosperity or adversity. Overmuch joy at any earthly blessing is entirely out of place. Our mountain does not stand so strong that it shall certainly continue even one day. Our griefs are not so great that we should abandon ourselves to unrestrained sorrow. Our case might be worse. This will always be true until among the lost. Let us restrain both joy and sorrow so far as earthly blessings and calamities are concerned, within the bounds of moderation. An eastern monarch asked one of his wise men for some saying that would moderate his joy in great prosperity, and his grief in deep affliction. The sage replied: “Remember this too shall pass away.” This is an admirable saying, but it is not equal to this one from Paul: “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5). If we walk in the presence of God and of the great day of account, prosperity and adversity will alike seem small to us in the presence of eternal realities.

SOWING AND REAPING

“Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Men cannot sow thistles and reap grain. They cannot do evil deeds and receive the reward of well doing. Every act on our part is one whereby we sow something; and everything sown shall bear its own proper fruit. Could we realize that every act of wrong doing shall be followed by its own natural consequences, and that everything thus sown by us shall bear a plentiful harvest of evil, how circumspect should we be in walking in the fear of the Lord. What a fatal error on the part of parents to allow the young to “sow their wild oats.” Such a crop once sown needs no care in order to have it bear a plentiful harvest, and nothing is more certain than that they who sow the seed shall themselves reap the harvest in the very kind which they sow. Beware of wrong doing. You must meet it again, and with it all the evil which it has caused in the world.

A PROMISE

“If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us” (2 Timothy 2:12). Our Lord proposes to do great things for those who are worthy to receive them. Reigning with Christ will be no less than actually sitting down with Him upon His throne, and wearing a crown which His own hand shall place upon our heads. But none shall show in this exaltation who do not prove themselves worthy by enduring the proper test. Everyone who reigns with Jesus shall first suffer with Him. The anguish of the cross shall precede the triumph of the saved. No man who shuns the cross shall ever sit down upon our Lord’s throne of glory.

He is to confess His people before the Father and the angels. But everyone thus confessed has first been proved worthy of this great honor. Those who now deny Christ before men shall then be denied by Him.

How wise it would be in us to make the last day our ever-present companion. Then every act would be wrought in God, and all our work such as we would willingly meet in the Judgment.

REPROOF

It is often painful to give reproof, yet it is a duty which cannot be neglected. Some persons, from lack of experience, or from error in judgment, may be incapable of administering reproof by word of mouth. Let such do it by their example, or if some word must be spoken let them do it with real humility and reserve. Many of this class have done great harm by their utter lack of heavenly wisdom. Observe Nathan’s course with David. A terrible crime had been committed by David. A most severe and cutting reproof was called for. But only witness the wisdom of Nathan. It was not merely to rebuke David, it was also to save him from utter ruin, upon the brink of which he stood, that Nathan labored. Few persons could have given to such a man, in such a snare of Satan, a reproof so wisely directed that it should lead him to genuine repentance. The 51st Psalm is the language of that repentance which does not need to be repented of. Let those who are reproved by the testimonies of the Spirit of God read that Psalm again and again. Drink deep into its spirit. It is infinitely wiser than to yield to the stubborn hardness of our natural heart, and to the sorrow of the world that worketh death.

DAVID’S SPIRIT WHEN REPROVED

“Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice” (Psalm 51:8).

Language can hardly be found to express with greater force the effect of the terrible rebuke upon David. The blow had broken his bones. Now what did David do? Did he say I am utterly disheartened; it is no use to make further efforts? This would be the language of most persons. They would say with Cain, “My punishment is greater than I can bear” (Genesis 4:13). It was not the sin but the punishment that troubled Cain. Instead of seeking the face of the Lord he went out from His presence, and to drown his reflections built a city. Not like this did David. He is anxious about his sin. So anxious that he makes a public confession which he puts on record for all coming time. And so zealous to return to God that he prays to be purged with hyssop, and washed till he is whiter than snow. He knows the joys of God’s salvation, and he never could be satisfied till these were returned to him. How admirable is this spirit in David. Why not do we manifest it when crushing reproof breaks our own bones?

UNJUST GAINS

“He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous; and the gifts of unjust men are not accepted.” This is from the Apocrypha, [Ecclesiasties 34:18] but it is worthy of serious attention. We cannot divide with the Lord things wrongfully obtained and so bribe Him to allow us to retain our unjust gains by giving Him a part. What can we do with such money? Use it to make restitution, and remember to add something to it when you restore. (See Luke 19:8, 9.)

THE LAST TRUMPET

The righteous dead shall be raised to immortality at the sound of the last trump (1 Corinthians 15:52). This trumpet is sounded at the descent of the Lord from Heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16). It is called the trump of God. It is the signal by which Christ sends the angels after His saints (Matthew 24:31). Zechariah says the Lord God shall blow the trumpet (Zechariah 9:14). Isaiah calls on all the inhabitants to hear when the Lord blows the trumpet (Isaiah 18:3, 4). When the great trumpet is blown then those who are ready to perish shall come and worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem (Isaiah 27:13).

This is not the trump of the seventh angel. This is a literal trump and shall be literally heard. That is a symbolical trump like the six which precede it. They have not been literally heard. This one will not be. The fulfillment of predicted events has marked their sounding. So of the seventh trumpet. One is blown by the Son of God, the other by an angel. Therefore the trump of God is not the same as the trump of the seventh angel. The trump of the angel begins to sound before the close of human probation (Revelation 10:7). A period of time denominated days, i.e., years at the commencement of His voice is occupied in the finishing the mystery of God. But not so with the trump of God. When that sounds in an instant all the righteous are changed to immortality. But if this be not the seventh trumpet why is it called “the last trump?” The answer I think is this: The trump of God has been heard upon the earth before. When God spoke the ten commandments His trumpet was literally heard (Exodus 19:16; 20:18). It shall be heard again when the Son of God descends. That will be the last trump. The one event was the Father’s descent, the other the descent of the Son in the Father’s glory (Matthew 16:27). There is an intimate connection between the two events (Hebrews 12:26).

REPENTANCE

This always involves the ceasing to do evil. Whatever passes for repentance that allows a man to retain any of his sinful ways, or to continue any of his sinful acts, or to return to any of his old sins after a time, is a repentance that needs to be repented of. How forcible are the words of the Apocrypha, Ecclesiastics 34:25, 26: “He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what availeth his washing? So is it with a man that fasteth for his sins, and goeth again, and doeth the same; who will hear his prayer? or what doth his humility profit him?”

WHAT GOD GAVE MAN AT CREATION

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). Observe it does not say that the breath of life became a living soul, but that the man formed of the dust of the ground became a living soul. In other words, the man became a living person. What was it, then, which God gave to the man He had formed? The language of Job 33:4, clearly states the answer: “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.”

This, then, is what God gave to man, even life. Not unconditional life; the man was created to answer the pleasure of his wise Creator (Revelation 4:11). If he fulfill this gracious purpose of his Maker he shall continue to live, and when his probation is accomplished, and his fidelity proved, he shall have life with no condition. A life like this is as certain never to end as the life of Him who made him. But if he fails in his probation, his right to live is forfeited.

Mankind have been favored with a second probation. Their first was, in a state of innocence, that they might become confirmed in virtue. They failed in their probation, and their innocence was lost. They have a second probation in which to recover their lost innocence, and to become established in virtue. The angels that sinned, did this against greater light than man, and hence can have no further probation. Man sinned being tempted by their chief, and God gives to men a second trial. But they must in it meet and overcome the temptations of the evil angels. The failure in our first probation brought death upon all our race. The life that we now have, has no immortality to it. “What is your life?” says James. “It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). Yet such as ourselves may live forever. This life is long enough for the recovery of our lost innocence, and for our establishment in virtue. Life eternal, which is ours now by promise, shall at the close of our trial be our infinite reward.

The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, December 22, 1868.

 

How to Have Peace

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Years ago, there was an automobile on the market called the Packard. The advertising slogan of the car was: “Ask the man who owns one.” The Packard automobile company felt that their customers were good advertisers. And as far as merchandise is concerned a satisfied customer is the best advertisement.

Jesus is longing to make satisfied customers who in turn will recommend what He has to others. He says, “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich” (Revelation 3:18, first part), and that gold is faith and love, and if you have it, you’re rich, but from where did you get it? You got it from Jesus. This yoke He offers us is an easy yoke. Is it?

Maybe somebody’s thinking, Well, if all I had to do was wear His yoke, I think it would be easy, but you just don’t know how many other irons I’ve got in the fire. That’s the problem. So many other interests, so many other burdens, so many worries. No wonder people get worn out.

In order that we might understand how to do what He’s talking about He came to earth and lived the life He wants us to live. He came to show us how to live so as to secure life’s best results. Jesus did not divorce Himself from the common things of life; on the contrary. He spent most of His life helping to share the burdens of the home and helping to make the family living. From the time He was old enough to handle tools, all through His teens and twenties, He was working with His hands to take care of the problems of a home where poverty was the daily experience. And yet during all that time, in the more difficult experiences that came during His public ministry, His medical missionary work, He was never fussed up, He was never fuming, He was never angry, He didn’t get a nervous breakdown from the pressures.

It was in Gethsemane and on the cross that He carried the load that broke His heart, but that load He never asked us to carry. That is the load of sin. But at Nazareth and Capernaum by the shore of Galilee and in the villages of Judea He showed us how to live the peaceful life, the restful life, not by divorcing ourselves from human problems, but by being able to do more effective work because His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

The rest that He invites us to is not the rest of inactivity. It’s not the experience of getting off on an island somewhere where the birds sing and the fruit drops from the trees and all we do is reach over and pick it and eat it and sing; be so glad that there is no phone and no people knocking at the door wanting to sell us something, nobody bothering us with their problems. This isn’t the life He lived. It isn’t the life He offers us. Incidentally, friend, if you had a chance to try that you’d soon be wanting to get back to the mainland. The rest offered is found in wearing the yoke of Christ.

This article will address four diverting and distracting influences.

“Jesus says, ‘Abide in Me’ (John 15:4). These words convey the idea of rest, stability, confidence. Again He invites, ‘Come unto Me, … and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28). The words of the psalmist express the same thought: ‘Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.’ And Isaiah gives the assurance, ‘In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength’ (Psalm 37:7; Isaiah 30:15 last part). This rest is not found in inactivity …” Inactivity won’t give you the rest “… for in the Saviour’s invitation the promise of rest is united with the call to labor: ‘Take My yoke upon you: … and ye shall find rest’ (Matthew 11:29). The heart that rests most fully upon Christ will be most earnest and active in labor for Him.

“When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life. Hence it is Satan’s constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ.” Steps to Christ, 71.

What Jesus is wanting us to do when He asks us to take His yoke and link up with Him, is get our mind off ourself because the source of unrest is self. Some people exhibit that obsession with self by being great sinners, but there are ways that the saints can be as obsessed with self as the sinners are.

“It is Satan’s constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ. The pleasures of the world, life’s cares and perplexities and sorrows, the faults of others, or your own faults and imperfections—to any or all of these he will seek to divert the mind.” Ibid.

Satan wants to divert our minds. He doesn’t care a bit what diverts us; it’s what we’re being diverted from that he’s concerned about – that’s Jesus. He doesn’t want us to look to Jesus. He doesn’t want us to think about Jesus. He doesn’t want us to get the joy and the peace that comes from wearing His yoke and sharing His burdens. He constantly says, “Oh look here, did you see that? Look there, there’s something you’ve got to take care of.” Satan is very tactful, very careful. If he thinks that the thing that will divert you is racing horses and betting money on them, he will divert you with that. If it is a glass of whiskey that will get your attention, he will have somebody offer you that. But if he finds out that those kinds of things have no attraction to you, he will have some other temptation.

 

Most Successful Distractions:

  • the pleasures of the world
  • life’s cares and perplexities and sorrows
  • the faults of others
  • your own faults and imperfections

 

These are the things Satan is seeking to divert our minds to and with which he is most successful. All of these distractions are designed to divert us from Christ. One thing he does not want us to bear is His yoke. He fears that we will find the rest that Christ has offered and he says, Well, you may get to rest sometime but before you do, remember all these things you’ve got to take care of.

A distortion of the truth is that those who choose to follow Christ will lose the fun they get out of life. He has the world convinced that it is the pleasures of this life that give the most pleasure. They might be fun for a while, but once the consequences become apparent, it soon becomes obvious that those things have no lasting satisfaction.

There was a man who spent more money than you and I ever saw and who had more wisdom than you and I will ever have of ourself in just trying to have a good time and be satisfied with the pleasures of this world. Describing his own experience, Solomon said, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness” (Proverbs 14:12, 13). The king was rich and he could have and do anything he wanted; nothing was out of his reach, but he found that the pleasures of this world do not satisfy.

As I read this text I think of an experience a friend of mine told. One morning a man walked into the doctor’s office. Waiting his turn he came to talk with the physician, and he said, “Dr., I don’t know what is the matter with me but I just don’t feel well; I feel sick, feel bad.” So the doctor asked him questions, looked at his tongue, listened to his heart, had the other tests made that a physician would expect to make, and finally, he sat down again with him in the consultation room and he said, “My friend, as far as I can tell you’re okay. I think what the matter with you is, is that you need something to cheer you up. I’ve got an idea. There is a theatre having a fine show this week. There is a clown there that makes everybody laugh.” The man seeking help was the clown. He was making everybody laugh but he was seeking out the doctor to get some peace, some rest, some happiness. In many a party the person that laughs the loudest may be so weary and burdened and sad and anxious inside. The pleasures of this world do not satisfy.

Do not think that Jesus is trying to take the pleasure out of your life when He says, “Leave that stuff and come and bear the yoke with Me.” There’s more pleasure, more satisfaction, more abundant peace and joy in working with Jesus than there is in playing with the world.

Number two is getting closer to home. There are many of us that long ago said goodbye to the sins of Sodom and the fun of Babylon, but life’s cares and perplexities and sorrows have diverted our mind. You ask, how do you get away from those things? After all, we have to live. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He pointed us to the lilies of the field and He said they grow without worry. “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin” (Matthew 6:28). Now Christ was not mocking us. There is no sense in His saying that to us if we cannot live without worry. Don’t be anxious, He says. Then He says, “Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things” (verse 33) … the food you have to eat, the clothes you have to wear – all these things God will add if you just make His kingdom first, if you’ll just come and bear His yoke.

God is looking for volunteers who will enlist in His army and take what He pays without question, will accept His invitation to come and share His yoke and take the consequences. Of course, if you’re determined to have more than He pays, then you can have the worries and the ulcers and the coronaries, the nervous breakdowns, and maybe even lose your soul. For it is written, “They that will be rich fall …” They don’t rise; they fall. This is the heavy yoke; it isn’t the light yoke. “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:9). [Emphasis supplied.] Do you know a man could drown in honey? But this is not talking about drowning in honey; it’s talking about drowning in money. That’s even worse.

“They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” Now notice carefully what the text says. It doesn’t say, Those that are rich. It says those that will be rich; that is, those that want to, and that work at it, and worry over it and are determined to be rich. That takes in a lot of people that never are rich. Millions of them. This is the devil’s game. It’s something like these electric rabbits that the dogs chase in the races. They never really catch the rabbit. But what would they do if they did?

And the covetous people of this world, they are divided into two classes – a small class that have caught the electric rabbit and they’re finding out how unsatisfying it is and the rest that are chasing it and never get it. “They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare.” My friends, if there is anybody who needs our prayers it is the rich men of this world and those who are spending their time and their gray matter trying to be rich. They need our prayers that God will help us to show them the true riches. But listen. If you are simply a third-grade cheap edition of that same worry, how can you possibly help them? If you are wearing your life away to make a few shekels and it is just giving you ulcers, all sorts of worries, long faces, how in the world are you going to help the man that’s really immersed in it? Don’t you see God is longing for satisfied customers that have found something better? He says if you’ll do it, He’ll add whatever you need.

Notice what Paul says in the 8th verse: “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” Are you content? Someone may say, this thought just destroys ambition in people and makes them lazy. To bear the yoke of Christ, to share His burden is the greatest thing in all this world to awaken holy ambition.

There is a time to sleep, but even your dreams can be part of the program. “A dream cometh through the multitude of business” (Ecclesiastes 5:3), the wise man says. There are people who are so obsessed with the cares and the burdens of this life that they not only work at it all day long but they dream about it at night. Their sleep is troubled with worries and fears. It is a wonderful thing to be so linked up with Jesus that the thing you dream about at night is winning souls. That’s possible, my friends. Read the experience of young Ellen Harmon when she was only 15 years old there in Portland, Maine. She says, “Night after night in my dreams I seemed to be laboring for the salvation of souls.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 34. This was some time before she was called as God’s special messenger. Just a teenager, just a girl, but oh, she was linked up with Jesus in wearing His yoke, bearing His burden. She had something on her mind and heart; it was the salvation of souls. I am so thankful, friends, for the rest that Jesus offers us in fellowship with Him.

The third thing: the faults of others. Here is where the saints are really tempted. Testimonies, vol. 9, 184: “When you do your appointed work without contention or criticism of others, a freedom, a light, and a power will attend it that will give character and influence to the institutions and enterprises with which you are connected.

“Remember that you are never on vantage ground when you are ruffled and when you carry the burden of setting right every soul who comes near you.” What a picture of human nature. That’s no way to find rest.

“… when you carry the burden of setting right every soul who comes near you.” But someone says, But they need setting right. What is it they need to be set right by? They need to become like Jesus. Are you going to act like the devil trying to get them to be like Jesus? Would that be the way to help them? Are you going to be critical, faultfinding, sour and bitter, trying to help them to be sweet? Satan knows how to handle people that borrow his armor and his weapons. It’s when we lay down all those weapons of the enemy and take Jesus’ way, then the devil flees.

“Remember that you are never on vantage ground when you are ruffled and when you carry the burden of setting right every soul who comes near you. If you yield to the temptation to criticize others, to point out their faults, to tear down what they are doing, you may be sure that you will fail to act your own part nobly and well.” Ibid.

Let’s quit it if we’ve ever started and if we’ve never started let’s never begin.

Now this comes closer into the home. One of the sorriest, most pitiful things in life that I know is a house that was meant to be a home that no longer deserves that sacred word, where the members of the family are criticizing one another. The husband knows the faults of the wife, the wife knows the faults of the husband. The parents know the faults of the children, the children know the faults of the parents. Do you know why they know them? well they’re looking for them; they see them, and they are there. Lies are bad enough and sometimes the truth is worse. What’s happening all the time? That time spent in pointing out defects and harping on traits that are unfavorable is all the time lost from wearing the yoke of Jesus. Does it give people rest? Oh no, it gives them unrest. I’m not talking about discipline. I’m talking about a travesty of discipline. I’m not talking about authority in the proper way. I’m talking about a perversion of authority. Criticism awakens criticism in return – in the home, in the church, in the community. He hit me; I’ll hit him. He said something about me; I think I know something about him that is about as bad as what he told about me, maybe worse. And the tones rise and get louder and even the neighbors hear. Christians, people going to heaven, we need love. We can only get it from Jesus. But we will have to lay down the heavy yoke of criticism and faultfinding. “Come unto Me … and I will give you rest.”

Now the fourth one: our own faults. There are some hearts that are burdened more with this one than all the rest put together. There are conscientious souls that would not even think of running after the pleasures of this world and that would not say one critical word about other people, but they are burdened and distressed and worried and concerned about their own relationship to Christ. The devil has got them over a barrel and he is whipping them. He’s saying, “Didn’t you do that thing? Yes. And you think you’re a Christian? You’re not a Christian.”

“Many who are really conscientious, and who desire to live for God, he [Satan] too often leads to dwell upon their own faults and weaknesses, and thus by separating them from Christ he hopes to gain the victory. We should not make self the center and indulge anxiety and fear as to whether we shall be saved. All this turns the soul away from the Source of our strength. Commit the keeping of your soul to God, and trust in Him. Talk and think of Jesus. Let self be lost in Him. Put away all doubt; dismiss your fears.” Steps to Christ, 71, 72. Dismiss your fears. Put away your doubts.

What should we do then with our sins and weaknesses? Give them to Jesus. Now all I’m saying is not for people who are deliberately hanging on to their sins. “If we confess our sins” … that’s not only admitting them, but giving them to Jesus. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). When does He forgive us? When we confess. When does He take our sins? When we give them to Him. If we’ve never done it before do it right now. If we’ve done it in the past and the ghosts come back to haunt us let us this moment cast our helpless souls on Jesus and place our sins upon the Lamb. That’s where peace comes. That’s where rest comes.

This moment I can choose to turn from all the fun of this world, all the sorrow and worry of this world, the faults of others and my own faults and fix my gaze upon Jesus, the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. He has invited me to be a junior partner in the firm of which he’s the senior partner. What a privilege!

Pray to Jesus: Is there any pleasure in this world that’s keeping me from You? If He brings anything to your mind, give it up to Him. Don’t wrestle with it; give it up to Him. Then, Lord, is there any care or worry or perplexity that’s burdening me, wearing my life out that You haven’t given me to carry? Give it to Him; believe He takes it. Then, Lord, have I been bothered and diverted by criticizing and faultfinding? If He brings something to your mind, give it to Him; ask Him to forgive you; ask Him to help you not to do it again. Lastly, Lord, have I been worried and burdened down with a knowledge of my own faults? Has that been keeping me from having peace and rest? Lord, I give those things to You. I know You hear me and I know You will help me.

 

Elder W.D. Frazee studied the Medical Missionary Course at the College of Medical Evangelists in Loma Linda, California. He was called to Utah as a gospel medical evangelist. During the Great Depression, when the church could not afford to hire any assistants, Elder Frazee began inviting professionals to join him as volunteers. This began a faith ministry that would become the foundation for the establishment of the Wildwood Medical Missionary Institute in 1942. He believed that each person is unique, specially designed by the Lord, of infinite value, and has a special place and mission in this world which only he can fill. His life followed this principle and he encouraged others to do the same.

Conformity of the Mind

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Jesus clearly taught that the commandments can be broken by thought and speech, as well as by actions. A common belief is that you can think anything you want, as long as you do not act on it. However, the Christian religion teaches the exact opposite. It will be safe to allow into the kingdom of heaven only those who respect and keep God’s commandments.

In several ancient manuscripts you will find that Jesus said, “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment” (verse 22). There is no such thing as having cause to be angry with your brother. There is cause to be angry that God has been dishonored, but never with your brother. The Christian religion is the strictest religion in the world because it requires control of both thoughts and emotions. Because anger is an emotion, it must be under godly control.

It was while Jesus’ hearers were sitting on the mountainside overlooking the Sea of Galilee and the Land of Bashan that this instruction was given. Bashan was a land of thick forests, mountains and gorges. It was a rugged country where many criminals hung out and there had been reports of robberies and murders. In the audience were those who had denounced these evil-doers.

However, “At the same time they were themselves passionate and contentious; they cherished the most bitter hatred of their Roman oppressors and felt themselves at liberty to hate and despise all other peoples, and even their own countrymen who did not in all things conform to their ideas. In all this they were violating the law which declares, ‘Thou shalt not kill’ (Exodus 20:13).

“The spirit of hatred and revenge originated with Satan, and it led him to put to death the Son of God. Whoever cherishes malice or unkindness is cherishing the same spirit, and its fruit will be unto death. In the revengeful thought the evil deed lies enfolded, as the plant in the seed. ‘Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him’ (1 John 3:15.)” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 56.

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment’ ” (Matthew 5:21). This verse is not talking about insects like mosquitoes or even animals that may be pests, but human beings.

All who are not in control of their thoughts and emotions will find that there will be a time when they cannot control their speech or their actions. Jesus pointed out that sin starts in the mind with that first thought. The Christian warfare is spiritual;. it is a battle that takes place in the mind. The work of the gospel is to solve the sin problem right at its roots.

The sixth commandment is broken when a person is not in control of their feelings and develops animosity, unkindness, anger, and malice in the mind. Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart [mind] the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). Negative feelings harbored toward another will eventually be uttered, probably not to the person, but to somebody else. The Bible calls that “backbiting” and that behavior is classed with haters of God (see Romans 1:30). Haters of God break the first commandment.

Psalm 15 lists eleven characteristics necessary to abide in the kingdom of heaven. Out of the eleven, four have to do with speech. To be saved, a person:

  • speaks the truth in his heart (verse 2)
  • does not backbite with his tongue (verse 3)
  • does not take up a reproach against his neighbor (verse 3)
  • swears to his own hurt and does not change (verse 4)

 

God is all knowing. Records are being kept and nothing is missed or forgotten. On each one’s page is listed every thought that they have ever thought since they were born, every feeling, emotion, and imagination of each mind. Every word ever spoken with the tone uttered can be reproduced and brought to your memory at any time, in addition to all of your actions. That is why Jesus said, “By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).

“The chief requisite of language is that it be pure and kind and true.” Education, 235.

“God’s word condemns also the use of those meaningless phrases and expletives that border on profanity. It condemns the deceptive compliments, the evasions of truth, the exaggerations, the misrepresentations in trade, that are current in society in the business world.” Ibid., 236.

Everyone wants a deal! The buyer often devalues the object of purchase to lower the price, then brags about what a good deal he got while the seller over values the object to the buyer and then brags of what they got for a useless object. But God sees all and reads each heart of its motives.

Norman Rockwell, an American author, painter and illustrator of American culture, painted a scene of trading. The painting portrays a man as selling to a woman a chicken which is being weighed on a hanging spring scale. Looking at the painting you can see what they cannot see. The lady has her hand under the spring, pushing it up. The man on the other side has his finger on the spring, pushing it down. Both are trying to cheat the other. Each is breaking the eighth commandment.

These same misrepresentations in trade are current in society and in the business world. Jesus said, “Let your speech be, ‘Yea, yea; Nay, nay:’ and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one” (Matthew 5:37 ASV). This command extends well beyond what we say. Nothing goes unnoticed.

“To love God with all the heart is the first great law of the universe. When the love of God fills the heart, love to our fellow men will flow forth in words and deeds as the fruit of that love.” The Review and Herald, May 3, 1898.

“… these passionate words are a savor of death unto death. He who utters them is not co-operating with God, but with Satan. In heaven his wicked railing is placed in the same list as swearing.” Ibid., April 1, 1902.

When passionate words are spoken, reason is disengaged and the one speaking them is no longer in control of their intellect or reason but controlled by emotions.

Often young people decide that rules are too strict and become rebellious against them. Ellen White wrote to a student at Battle Creek who had this problem. Writing to him she said, “Study critically the character of the government of our school. The rules which were enforced were none too strict. But anger was cherished; for the time being, reason was dethroned and the heart was made a prey to ungovernable passion.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 431. Passion is an emotion and emotions are feelings and are not rational or reasonable.

Before the digital age, black and white movies were made using hired organists to play music that would help set the mood for what the people were doing on the screen. It is astonishing what can be done. The organist can change your feelings in seconds, just by changing the tenor of what is played. Emotions are not rational. They can be affected by music, drugs, and numerous other things. It would be very dangerous to take to heaven those who are controlled by their emotions.

Ellen White went on to write this young man: “Impulse had overcome reason, and you could not recall the injury done to yourself nor to an institution of God. Our only safety under all circumstances is in being always master of ourselves in the strength of Jesus our Redeemer.” Ibid.

There are people who may cross our path that are very difficult and even evil who provoke you to think if not act with strong emotion. Are you planning on having perfect control of your thoughts and emotions after that person overcomes whatever weaknesses of character they have that provoke you? What if you die before that happens?

Some people say they are going to develop perfect control of their emotions and feelings after this other person gets over their weakness and their trouble. What if that person never overcomes their weakness? What if they are lost? Do you want to be lost, too?

“ ‘Whoever shall say to his brother, Raca’ [vain fellow], shall be in danger of the council” (Matthew 5:22). We are told: “In the gift of His Son for our redemption, God has shown how high a value He places upon every human soul, and He gives to no man liberty to speak contemptuously of another. We shall see faults and weaknesses in those about us, but God claims every soul as His property—His by creation, and doubly His as purchased.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 56.

Do you realize how valuable you are in God’s sight? Your neighbor is just as valuable as you are, even if he has character weaknesses right now that he has not overcome. “God claims every soul as His property—His by creation, and doubly His as purchased by the precious blood of Christ. All were created in His image, and even the most degraded are to be treated with respect and tenderness. God will hold us accountable for even a word spoken in contempt of one soul for whom Christ laid down His life.” Ibid., 56, 57.

Live in the knowledge that one day you will give account of your words. It does not matter how bad or degraded a person may be. No one has a right to speak contemptibly of that person. All are to be treated with courtesy, tenderness, and respect. That is what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount.

Ellen White wrote to her children: “Do not think that your state is good enough, and make no effort to get nearer to God. Unless you overcome pride of dress, pride of heart, love of self, all anger and every evil passion, God will not own you as His, and will not receive you to Himself at His appearing. You can be overcomers. Go to God daily for strength, and every day overcome.” The Youth’s Instructor, December 1, 1852.

We have been commanded to have no other gods before Him. God will not acknowledge as His those who do not overcome all anger and evil passion. This is very unpopular theology today. We are living in a time when Paul said people would have a form of godliness but deny the power (2 Timothy 3:5). People today want an easy religion. They do not want a religion where you have to fight to be in control of your thoughts and emotions.

Ellen White wrote these encouraging words: “By some a constant battle is maintained for self-control. Daily they strive silently and prayerfully against harshness of speech and temper. These strivings may never be appreciated by human beings. They may get no praise from human lips for keeping back the hasty words which sought for utterance. The world will never see these conquests, and if it could, it would only despise the conquerors. But in heaven’s record they are registered as overcomers. There is One who witnesses every secret combat and every silent victory.” The Signs of the Times, August 23, 1899.

Challenge God to show you how real He is. Tell Him you want to be real; you want control of your thoughts and emotions. Then you will find that a miracle will start happening in your life. Nobody will be able to tell you that He does not exist, because you will have experienced His power revealed in your life. Until then, you will not have victory.

We need divine help. Memorizing scripture is a good way to overcome the temptation of allowing emotions to rise. Quoting scripture will shift the gears in your mind. The more scripture memorized, the more ammunition you will have when the devil comes to you with temptations. God’s grace is enough for every situation and it is His will that we will be fit for heaven when Jesus returns.

“The teacher can do much to discourage that evil habit, the curse of the community, the neighborhood, and the home—the habit of backbiting, gossip, ungenerous criticism. In this no pains should be spared. Impress upon the students the fact that this habit reveals a lack of culture and refinement and of true goodness of heart; it unfits one both for the society of the truly cultured and refined in this world and for association with the holy ones of heaven.” Education, 235.

“On the Saviour’s coronation day He will not acknowledge as His any who bear spot or wrinkle.” The Review and Herald, May 5, 1903.

“He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend” (Proverbs 22:11).

Today, there is an awful lot of pretending going on. Too many people are pretending to be Christians, but they are not in control of their thoughts, their feelings, or their words. They could be called “pretend Christians.”

If I fit into this category I need to be converted; otherwise my religion is for nothing. “Christ will have nothing to do with pretense. He will welcome to the heavenly courts only those whose Christianity is genuine. The lives of those professing Christians who do not live the life of Christ are a mockery to religion.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, 206, 207.

What must I do to be saved? Christ answered that question on the Sermon on the Mount. Only commandment-keepers will be in heaven. But that involves being in control of thoughts and feelings, and as a result of that self control, the saved will also be in control of their speech and actions.

There are some who while they pretend to be commandment-keepers, are breaking them all because they do not love God with all their heart, soul, and mind, and they do not love their neighbor as themselves.

“Christ has promised to make them harmonious on every point, not pleasant and agreeable and kind today, and tomorrow harsh and disagreeable and unkind, falsifying their profession of faith. But they refuse to place themselves where He can help them. They are breaking the commandments of God; for they have left their first love.” The Review and Herald, January 14, 1904.

What is the remedy? If somebody has done something evil against me, instead of going and talking to the other people in the church about it, go right to them about it. That is what Jesus said in Matthew 18. Peter asked Jesus if someone does sin against me, does something really bad against me, how many times should I forgive him? Up to seven times (verse 21).

The rule among the Sadducees and Pharisees was that they should forgive somebody three times. So Peter thought if he said he would forgive his brother seven times that would be very generous. However Jesus said, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (verse 22).

Matthew 18 is not talking about when somebody does something that I do not like. It is talking about when my brother sins against me. Sin is when they break the law—sin against me: tell me a lie, steal from me, or commit some other violation of God’s law with regard to me. Jesus said, “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more” (verses 15, 16).

When you go to talk to your brother who has sinned against you, Ellen White says, “Talk quietly together. Let no angry words escape your lips. Present the subject in a way that will appeal to his best judgment. And if he will hear you, you have gained him as a friend.

“Whatever the character of the offense may be, this does not change the plan God has made for the settlement of misunderstandings and personal injuries. Act out the spirit of Christ. Take the recipe God has provided, and carry it to the spiritually diseased [one]. Give him the remedy that will cure the disease of disaffection. Do your part to help him. Feel that it is a duty and privilege to do this, for the sake of the unity and peace of the church, which is very dear to the heart of Christ. He does not want any wound to remain unhealed in any member of His church. All heaven is interested in the interview between the injured member and the one who has been guilty of error. After settling the difficulty, pray together, and angels of God will come to you and bless you. There is music in heaven over this union.

“As the erring one accepts the testimony borne, and gives evidence of true repentance, the sunshine of heaven fills his heart. Hearts are drawn together. The healing oil of love removes the disease and soreness of the wrong. The Holy Spirit binds heart to heart.

“Those who have been united in Christian fellowship offer prayer to God, and pledge themselves to deal justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). If they have wronged others, they continue the work of repentance, confession, and restitution; and the disease is healed. They are fully set to do good to one another. This is the fulfilling of the law of Christ.

“Repentance, confession, and restitution are all required. But these cannot atone for the sin, for God has been wronged in the person of His saints. The Lord Jesus alone is able to atone for sin, by the application of His blood, shed for the guilt of the sinner. His blood cleanses from all sin.” The Upward Look, 106.

 

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

A Tribute to My Father

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Ralph S. Larson was born on November 14, 1920, near Salem, Oregon. He peacefully slipped into the sleep of death on August 19, 2007.

The eighth child in a family that would include five sons and four daughters, his mother’s family, which was of Irish and Scottish descent, traversed the Great Plains in the wagon trains of the nineteenth century. His father was a Swedish immigrant.

The men in his family worked in the forests, lumber mills, dairies, and businesses of the Pacific Northwest. He might have lived a similar life had he not become a Seventh-day Adventist through the evangelistic campaigns and radio broadcasts of Elders Dan and Melvin Venden, respectively the uncle and father of Louis and Morris Venden. One evening when he was a teenager, after listening to one of their radio sermons, he knelt beside his bed and quietly gave his life to God.

While studying at Walla Walla College [Walla Walla, Washington], he noticed Jeanne Reiderer from Ketchikan, Alaska. She noticed him too. After their marriage, they transferred to La Sierra College in Riverside, California, where he studied during the day and drove taxi cabs at night, often delivering military men to March Air Force Base. After he graduated, he did his ministerial internship in Elko, Nevada, where they lived in a house that had been built out of used railroad ties. Thus began 60 years of ministry.

The Early Years of Ministry (1946 – 1966)

The early years of ministry were spent in the Hawaiian Islands, where Elder Larson moved with his wife and baby son David in 1946. There he pastored a number of churches while his family grew with the addition of Thomas, who was born in Honolulu in 1948, and Karen, who was born in Hilo in 1950. Along the way, in order to benefit the church schools, he helped run a poi factory on Kauai and an orchid exporting business on the Big Island of Oahu. In 1957, the Hawaiian Mission made his dreams come true by commissioning him to full-time public evangelism.

The family moved to the Northern California Conference in 1959 where Elder Larson continued his evangelistic work. The evangelistic meetings were held throughout Northern California in an airatorium, an inflated tent that attracted much attention because it looked like a huge, upside-down bathtub. He enjoyed mechanical things of this sort, preferring to overhaul the engines of the family automobiles himself and being one of the very first to build a motorized home by riveting a trailer house to the chassis of a truck in which he had installed a powerful Chevrolet engine.

Those were very happy years for the Larson family. He was an excellent father who regularly scheduled time with his children for swimming, horseback riding, and other fun things, and he let no one interfere with these special times. He was not a severe disciplinarian, but his expectations were simple and clear: act respectfully, speak truthfully, and fight fairly.

The Middle Years of Ministry (1966 – 1985)

Elder Larson’s middle years of ministry, roughly the time between 1966 and 1985, flourished during a time of much turbulence. In society at large, after the ethos of the 1950s disappeared with the murder of John F. Kennedy in 1963, everything seemed to change. This was a tumultuous time in the life of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination too. As should have been expected, the turbulence in society and in the church found their parallels in the Larson family. From infancy on, Elder Larson had taught his children to think for themselves, never imagining that in doing so they might come to see some things differently. As children, they naively assumed the same thing, that if they thought clearly and followed the evidence wherever it led, they would arrive precisely where their highly respected and deeply loved father had. When it slowly became clear that this was not how things were turning out, everyone in the family experienced much pain. And yet, although they were often stressed and strained to the very end, the cords of love that bound the family never snapped.

After leaving Northern California, Elder Larson served in the state of Washington and, after completing additional graduate work at Andrews University [Berrien Springs, Michigan], moved to the campus of Atlantic Union College (AUC) [South Lancaster, Massachusetts]. While at AUC, he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Andover-Newton Theological Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts.

Eventually, he accepted an invitation to do evangelistic work, always his first love, in New Jersey; then shortly thereafter moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to pastor one of its congregations. Only intense encouragement from some administrators and some relatives persuaded him and Jeanne, reluctantly, to move to Loma Linda, California, and to the Campus Hill Church. [See Pastor John Grosboll’s remembrances of this time in the October 2007 LandMarks.]

Because he became embroiled in intense theological debates, this was a difficult chapter in his life. Yet, as always, he found enough courage and strength to persevere, and many people benefited from his ministry.

It was with joy that he accepted an invitation to teach at the Seventh-day Adventist theological seminary in the Philippines. This allowed him to return to public evangelism, which was always his first love, as he took his students on the campaign trail from that campus.

As the theological controversies in the church intensified, Elder Larson increasingly identified with those who believed that many of the issues could be traced back to 1957 and the publication of Questions on Doctrine (Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D.C., 1957). In forceful sermons, articles, and books, he contended that on some issues this book did not accurately portray the writings of Ellen White and a number of the other pioneers and that these inaccuracies were too massive to be accidental and too important to be ignored. Although he was often lampooned, he did not relent but stood his ground and advanced his cause whenever he could. In the end, he and his colleagues turned out to be right on this issue, as the annotations in the most recent edition of Questions on Doctrine repeatedly document. George Knight, an Adventist historian who often disagreed with Elder Larson, even though he became an Adventist in one of his evangelistic campaigns, prepared these annotations.

Questions on Doctrine and later developments prompted theological issues as well. Surely some version of the positions Elder Larson and his colleagues took will prevail there as well.

The Latter Years of Ministry (1985 – 2007)

When he officially retired in 1985 at 65 years of age, two decades of ministry were still before him. Working with self-supporting ministries whose mission is to preserve historic Adventism was a matter of integrity for Elder Larson. Also, in these endeavors he enjoyed a measure of collegiality with other ministers that he had not known since 1959 in Hawaii. In addition, they prevented him from wasting his retirement years in idleness, requiring him to preach, teach, write, and travel to many parts of the world instead. These were all pluses, yet for the first time, he was working outside of and, in some cases, partly against the denomination.

Sadness entered Elder Larson’s life in the early 1990s. Thomas died in 1990. During this same time, the Pacific Union Conference revoked his honorary ministerial credentials, something the denomination provides its retired clergy who are in good and regular standing. Jeanne especially could not understand how the church that they had served with dedication and distinction for decades could now reject them. During the last months of her life, Elder Larson devoted himself to her care until she died from cancer on November 16, 1994.

How fortunate for him that Betty Newman caught his eye in March 1995 at a meeting of historic Adventists. Thirteen days later, he proposed marriage. She resisted, and he insisted. They were married in July of that year. Their first three years together were relatively easy, but everything changed for them when a misfortunate cardiac procedure nearly killed him, sending him home a physically devastated man after four months in the medical center. Then he was diagnosed with Parkinsonism. As he slowly declined in physical strength, but very little in clarity of mind, Betty’s loving care of him became increasingly heroic. She refused to transfer to anyone else what she often described as her privilege of caring for her husband.

His characteristic courage in the face of adversity did not fail him. Rarely complaining, he suffered from not being able to speak above a whisper, a consequence of having a tube in his throat for so long (during the aforementioned cardiac procedure and hospitalization), and from his inability to continue working with his colleagues. I once asked him what he did when he could not sleep at night. “I rehearse every detail of my life, reciting all the ways God has blessed me,” he replied.

Elder Larson’s greatest legacy is the thousands of people all over the world who were blessed through his active ministry.

This article is adapted from a tribute David R. Larson gave at the memorial service held to honor his father September 1, 2007. Individuals from around the world attended the service—both those who agreed with Elder Larson and those who did not. They all respected the man and his stand for truth. David is a professor of religion at Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California.