Christian Life

We live in an epoch of time in which the prevailing belief, thought, teaching, is that it is impossible to overcome sin in this life and that this blessed gift will not be fulfilled to the saints until Jesus comes. Is this true, or is it a dangerous, and in fact fatal deception which the father of lies has fabricated, just for this time when it is so essential to have that pure “faith which works by love and purifies the heart.” The Sanctified Life, 83.

There is a statement from Inspiration that introduces a subject which I believe is at the core of our “fear,” our perceived sense of powerlessness and hopelessness in regard to overcoming sin. On the surface this statement may seem to be totally disconnected from the subject at hand, but we will see in this study an integral connection.

“It is impossible to estimate the evil results of removing one of the landmarks fixed by the word of God.” The Great Controversy, 525. If that be the case then what are the landmarks? If it is not known what they are, it would be possible to avoid removing one, or more. In fact, as Adventists, we have not only removed just one, but I have come to the realization that we have lost, or at the very least seriously minimized every one of the “landmarks fixed by the word of God”! I believe this is at the core of our weakness.

One of these pillars is Creation as presented by inspired writers (The Great Controversy, 582, 583.) It is mind blowing to study the great facts of creation and the God of creation, the significance of who He is, what He has done, and what He is to the sinner. The following are words inspired by this God:

“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:6, 9). In six days this earth was created out of nothing, by the breath of His mouth! That is power.

“The theory that God did not create matter when He brought the world into existence is without foundation. In the formation of our world, God was not indebted to pre-existing matter. On the contrary, all things, material or spiritual, stood up before the Lord Jehovah at His voice and were created for His own purpose. The heavens and all the host of them, the earth and all things therein, are not only the work of His hand; they came into existence by the breath of His mouth.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 258, 259.

In addition to physical matter all other things are of His creation. “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him” (Colossians 1:16). All thought, all law, all principle, all language, was brought into existence by our Creator. And this creation was perfect. Nothing marred the workmanship of anything God had created.  But when we turn to the study of the creation of man, there are new thoughts to contemplate.

When man was created, he was created in the image of a perfect God. “Man was to bear God’s image, both in outward resemblance and in character.  Christ alone is ‘the express image’ (Hebrews 1:3) of the Father; but man was formed in the likeness of God. His nature was in harmony with the will of God. His mind was capable of comprehending divine things. His affections were pure; his appetites and passions were under the control of reason. He was holy and happy in bearing the image of God and in perfect obedience to His will.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 45. These are marvelous truths.

But then man sinned (the fall of man—another landmark that is little understood) and as a result no longer bore the image of the Creator. But, the divine God of love had created a plan whereby man could be restored to His perfect image. Who created or made this plan? It was the God of creation, this same God of power!

So, you might ask, what does this have to do with perfection of character?

Inspiration goes on to say, “The creative energy that called the world into existence is in the word of God. This Word imparts power; it begets life. Every command is a promise; accepted by the will, received into the soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature and recreates the soul in the image of God.” The Signs of the Times, April 11, 1906.

If God could create man “in His image” with a nature “in harmony with the will of God,” with a mind “capable of comprehending divine things,” with pure affections, with “appetites and passions under the control of reason,” and “holy and happy in bearing the image of God and in perfect obedience to His will” does He not have the power to re-create us in His image—in His own timing? If He can do this when He comes, is it not possible He has the power to do this before the close of probation?

Inspiration is very clear that our characters must be made perfect before the close of probation. The following are just a small sample of statements that show this to be true. “Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort, they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward in Heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people upon earth.” The Great Controversy, 425.

“By the king’s examination of the guests at the feast is represented a work of judgment. The guests at the gospel feast are those who profess to serve God, those whose names are written in the book of life. But not all who profess to be Christians are true disciples. Before the final reward is given, it must be decided who are fitted to share the inheritance of the righteous. This decision must be made prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven; for when He comes, His reward is with Him, ‘to give every man according as his work shall be’ (Revelation 22:12). Before His coming, then, the character of every man’s work will have been determined, and to every one of Christ’s followers the reward will have been apportioned according to his deeds.

“It is while men are still dwelling upon the earth that the work of investigative judgment takes place in the courts of heaven. The lives of all His professed followers pass in review before God. All are examined according to the record of the books of heaven, and according to his deeds the destiny of each is forever fixed.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 310.

For many people this belief or teaching that we must be perfect and stand “in the sight of a holy God without a mediator” causes a panic, fear, and sometimes despair. Why should this cause such hopelessness? Are not the promises of our God as sure as His admonitions and warnings? Why believe the admonitions and warnings and cast off the promises?

“The creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in the word of God. This word imparts power; it begets life [eternal life]. Every command is a promise; accepted by the will, received into the soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature and re-creates the soul in the image of God.” Education, 126. This is a divine promise from the very God that sent His Only Begotten Son, “at the risk of failure and eternal loss” (The Desire of Ages, 49 and 131) to this world to provide for us His power “which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). These are powerful words!

“Now we have opportunity to prepare for the solemn scenes before us. We may be converted to God, and have a change of character; but when Christ shall come there will be no time for this. The change then will be with our bodies. ‘This corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality’ (1 Corinthians 15:53).” The Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, January 15, 1889.

“When He comes He is not to cleanse us of our sins, to remove from us the defects in our characters, or to cure us of the infirmities of our tempers and dispositions. If wrought for us at all, this work will all be accomplished before that time. When the Lord comes, those who are holy will be holy still. Those who have preserved their bodies and spirits in holiness, in sanctification and honor, will then receive the finishing touch of immortality. But those who are unjust, unsanctified, and filthy will remain so forever. No work will then be done for them to remove their defects and give them holy characters. The Refiner does not then sit to pursue His refining process and remove their sins and their corruption. This is all to be done in these hours of probation. It is now that this work is to be accomplished for us.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 355.

“I will never advocate the popular theory that it does not matter what doctrine men espouse, if they only have faith. ‘Faith without works is dead, being alone.’ Genuine faith will be expressed by good works. We are looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ. We may not be living when Christ shall come in power and great glory, for all are subject to death at any time, but if we are righteous, in harmony with the law of God, we shall respond to the voice that will call the people of God from their graves, and shall come forth to receive immortality. It is only the blessed and holy who will be ready for the first resurrection; for when Christ comes, he will not change the character. The change that will take place will be that change spoken of by Paul when he says: ‘… we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality’ (1 Corinthians 15:51–53). The word of God declares that we must be found blameless, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Now we are to learn obedience, submission to the divine will, that God may work in us to will and to do of His good-pleasure, and that we may work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. But our own efforts are of no avail to atone for sin or to renew the heart. Only the blood of Christ can atone for us; His grace alone can create in us a clean heart, and enable us to obey God’s law. In Him is our only hope.” The Signs of the Times, February 9, 1891. [Emphasis supplied.]

Do we believe what God says? Do we really believe in the God of creation, “who spoke … and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:9)? Do we have that “faith which works by love, and purifies the soul?”

Christ, Himself, when He walked the paths of earth once posed a significant, and plaintive question. “When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth” (Luke 18:8)? He was looking down the long years to the time just before He would return to this earth. He saw the skepticism, the lack of belief in His mighty power. If we read and understand aright the words of Holy Writ, we find that Christ had to leave whole towns with little healing. Why? Because of their unbelief! If we do not believe, we will not receive the blessing.

“Where is the faith of those who claim to be the people of God? Shall they also be included among that number of whom Christ questioned, ‘When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth’ (Luke 18:8)? Jesus died to redeem us from the curse of sin and from sin itself, and shall we render Him only a feeble half of those powers which He has paid such an infinite price to ransom from the hands of the enemy of our souls?” The Review and Herald, July 9, 1895.

“Will we put forth most earnest efforts to form this alliance with Christ, through which alone these blessings are attained? Will we break off our sins by righteousness and our iniquities by turning unto the Lord? Skepticism and infidelity are widespread. Christ asked the question: ‘When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth’ (Luke 18:8)? We must cherish a living, active faith. The permanence of our faith is the condition of our union.

“A union with Christ by living faith is enduring; every other union must perish. Christ first chose us, paying an infinite price for our redemption; and the true believer chooses Christ as first and last and best in everything. But this union costs us something. It is a union of utter dependence, to be entered into by a proud being. All who form this union must feel their need of the atoning blood of Christ. They must have a change of heart. They must submit their own will to the will of God. There will be a struggle with outward and internal obstacles. There must be a painful work of detachment as well as a work of attachment. Pride, selfishness, vanity, worldliness—sin in all its forms—must be overcome if we would enter into a union with Christ. The reason why many find the Christian life so deplorably hard, why they are so fickle, so variable, is that they try to attach themselves to Christ without first detaching themselves from these cherished idols.

“After the union with Christ has been formed, it can be preserved only by earnest prayer and untiring effort. We must resist, we must deny, we must conquer self. Through the grace of Christ, by courage, by faith, by watchfulness, we may gain the victory.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 231. This is a promise, an infallible promise by the God of the universe.

Here are just a few more mighty and powerful promises from our God that should inspire hope, courage, love kindling within us that “faith which works by love, and purifies the soul.”

” ‘For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich’ (2 Corinthians 8:9). He in whom ‘dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily’ (Colossians 2:9) descended to our world, humiliated Himself by clothing His divinity with humanity, that through humanity He might reach the human family. While He embraces the human race with His human arm, He grasps the throne of God with His divine arm, thus uniting humanity to divinity. The Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, descended the path of humiliation step by step until He reached the lowest point possible for humanity to experience; and why? That He might be able to reach even the lowest of mankind, sunken in the very depths of degradation though they be, that He might be able to elevate them to the heights of heaven. He has promised, ‘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’ (Revelation 3:21). Wonder of wonders! Man, a creature of the earth; dust, elevated to the throne of the King of the universe! Marvelous love! inexpressible, incomprehensible love!” The Review and Herald, July 9, 1895.

“And the Lord said unto Moses, Is the Lord’s hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether My word shall come to pass unto thee or not” (Numbers 11:23).

“Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is My hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver” (Isaiah 50:2)?

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1).

“The life of Christ that gives life to the world is in His word. It was by His word that Jesus healed disease and cast out demons; by His word He stilled the sea, and raised the dead; and the people bore witness that His word was with power. He spoke the word of God, as He had spoken through all the prophets and teachers of the Old Testament. The whole Bible is a manifestation of Christ, and the Saviour desired to fix the faith of His followers on the Word. When His visible presence should be withdrawn, the Word must be their source of power. Like their Master, they were to live ‘by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4).” The Desire of Ages, 390.

Oh, if we only understood the spiritual significance of these words! “Healing disease!” As with all words of Inspiration, this paragraph has deep spiritual meaning. “Healing disease,” that is, the dread and fatal leprosy of sin! He can heal it! “Stilled the sea,” that is, the raging human heart of passion and pride—He can still it! “Raise the dead” that is, the heart “dead in trespasses and sin”—He can raise the spiritually dead! And the power for this is “in His word.” Just as the power of creation was “by the breath of His mouth.” Oh, the beauty of Inspiration. The chapter in The Desire of Ages, “Thou Canst Make Me Clean” has such hope, power and beauty.

Often, when our Saviour healed disease He bade the restored soul, “Go, and sin no more” (John 8:11). Are these idle, empty words, words that Christ did not mean to be taken literally? By no means. This is where true faith comes in, that faith that “works by love and purifies the soul.”

“Faith works by love and purifies the soul. Through faith the Holy Spirit finds access to the heart, and creates holiness therein. Man cannot become an agent to work the works of Christ unless he is in communion with God through the Holy Spirit. We can be fitted for heaven only through a transformation of character; we must have Christ’s righteousness as our credentials, if we would find access to the Father. We must be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. We must daily be transformed by the influence of the Holy Spirit; for it is the work of the Holy Spirit to elevate the taste, to sanctify the heart, to ennoble the whole man, by presenting to the soul the matchless charms of Jesus.” The Bible Echo, February 15, 1893.

“All heaven is interested in our salvation. The angels of God, thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand, are commissioned to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. They guard us against evil and press back the powers of darkness that are seeking our destruction. Have we not reason to be thankful every moment, thankful even when there are apparent difficulties in our pathway?” Testimonies, vol. 6, 63.

“The grace of Christ and the law of God are inseparable. In Jesus mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other. In His life and character He not only reveals the character of God, but the possibility of man. He was the representative of God and the exemplar of humanity. He presented to the world what humanity might become when united by faith with divinity. The only-begotten Son of God took upon Him the nature of man, and established His cross between earth and heaven. Through the cross, man was drawn to God, and God to man. Justice moved from its high and awful position, and the heavenly hosts, the armies of holiness, drew near to the cross, bowing with reverence; for at the cross justice was satisfied. Through the cross the sinner was drawn from the stronghold of sin, from the confederacy of evil, and at every approach to the cross his heart relents and in penitence he cries, ‘It was my sins that crucified the Son of God.’ At the cross he leaves his sins, and through the grace of Christ his character is transformed. The Redeemer raises the sinner from the dust, and places him under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As the sinner looks upon the Redeemer, he finds hope, assurance, and joy. Faith takes hold of Christ in love. ‘Faith works by love, and purifies the soul.’ ” Selected Messages, Book 1, 349.

Promise after promise, after promise. How can we doubt? Do we have this faith? Are we strong in the Lord and of a good courage, not doubting His word who created the entire universe “by the word of His mouth?” Again I pose the question. Are not the promises of our God as sure as His admonitions and warnings? Why believe the admonitions and warnings and cast off the promises?

It is the pillar of creation, rightly understood that gives the assurance that what our God says He can do, He can indeed do. There is no need for doubt or skepticism. It is essential that we understand the great pillar of creation and know the power of the God of creation as penned by the inspired writers. This pillar, creation, is one of the mighty saving truths of our God to protect us from the skepticism and doubt of this time. It is one of the powerful truths which constitute the “faith of Jesus” and which characterize “the saints” that “keep the commandments.” This pillar, rightly understood, will keep us from the doubt and fear that will lead to defeat and give us the courage and faith to overcome, “through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Dear friends, will you doubt the Lord of Glory with such promises set before us by the very One with the creative power that “He spoke and it was done; He commanded and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:9)?

Brenda Douay is a staff member at Steps to Life. She is director of The Training Program for Ministers and Church Leaders, a correspondence course that prepares individuals to serve as pastors or Bible workers. She may be contacted by email at: brendadouay@stepstolife.org.

There is much written about Enoch, the seventh generation from Adam, throughout the Spirit of Prophecy even though he is only mentioned in four places in the Bible.

Ellen White wrote, “Enoch … represents God’s loyal people in the last days who will be separate from the world. Unrighteousness will prevail to a dreadful extent upon the earth. Men will give themselves up to follow every imagination of their corrupt hearts, and carry out their deceptive philosophy, and rebel against the authority of high Heaven.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 64. Though sparsely mentioned in the Bible, Enoch is famous. We know that he was the first person to be translated. “Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him” (Genesis 5:21–24).

Studying the life of Enoch is a lesson on how to be ready for the end time. Let’s look at a few things about him.

Enoch walked with God and spent much time in prayer. “Enoch devoted time to prayer and communion with God, and this enabled him to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. It was his devotion to God that fitted him for translation.” The Review and Herald, April 15, 1909.

“When in trouble, when assailed by fierce temptations, they have the privilege of prayer. What an exalted privilege! Finite beings, of dust and ashes, admitted through the mediation of Christ, into the audience-chamber of the Most High. In such exercises the soul is brought into a sacred nearness with God, and is renewed in knowledge, and true holiness, and fortified against the assaults of the enemy.” An Appeal to Mothers, 24. Daniel also was a man of prayer praying at three specific times daily in a certain place. (See Daniel 6:10.)

God’s people everywhere, including people of all ages, are assailed by multiple temptations and by the privilege of a consistent prayer life you will be fortified to deal with each temptation.

“To him [Enoch] prayer was as the breath of the soul. He lived in the atmosphere of heaven.” Gospel Workers, 52. Enoch had work to do just like everybody else in this world. He was a husband, a father and a citizen, and he had to make a living by the sweat of his face just as was pronounced on Adam (Genesis 3:19) and all of his posterity. In the midst of his responsibilities he communed with God.

“The infinite, unfathomable love of God through Christ, became the subject of his meditations day and night. …

“In the midst of a life of active labor, Enoch steadfastly maintained his communion with God. The greater and more pressing his labors, the more constant and earnest were his prayers.” Ibid., 51, 52.

The apostle Paul describes such communion this way: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

“It is a law of the human mind that by beholding we become changed.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 91.

Considering the world today and even in the church this could be a subject of terror. Many professing Christians spend much of their time looking at sin, watching it, listening to it. It is the natural progression of things that you will think about what you look at. What is the result? There is an interesting text in Isaiah that tells what the result will be. It says, “Then they will look to the earth, and see trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; and they will be driven into darkness” (Isaiah 8:22).

Without exception, you become what you look at and listen to. Enoch took advantage of that natural law and began to commune on the character of God and His love, and the result: “Communing thus with God, Enoch came more and more to reflect the divine image. His face was radiant with a holy light, even the light that shineth in the face of Jesus. As he came forth from these divine communings, even the ungodly beheld with awe the impress of heaven upon his countenance.” Gospel Workers, 52.

This experience is available to all and in the last days those who seek it will have the same experience as Enoch. “While still on earth, he dwelt by faith in the realms of light. …

“For three hundred years Enoch had been seeking purity of heart, that he might be in harmony with heaven. …

“To such communion God is calling us. As was Enoch’s, so must be their holiness of character who shall be redeemed from among men at the Lord’s second coming.” Ibid., 53, 54.

God will demonstrate to the whole universe what He can do in human beings through the power of the Holy Spirit if they will yield totally to Him. And He is going to do it in the last generation of people who are the weakest generation that there has ever been. (See Revelation 14:1–5.)

If we don’t have the experience, somebody else will take our place. There is a warning in the book of Revelation that says, “Don’t let somebody else take your crown” (Revelation 3:11).

How can we have the same experience as Enoch? “God must be ever in our thoughts. We must hold converse with Him while we walk by the way, and while our hands are engaged in labor. In all the purposes and pursuits of life, we must enquire, What will the Lord have me to do?” The Review and Herald, May 30, 1882.

Enoch had many responsibilities, but in the midst of all his work, he talked to the Lord about it and that had an effect on his countenance and on the way he spoke. “The love of Jesus always leads to Christian courtesy, refinement of language, and purity of expression that testify the company we are with—that like Enoch we are walking with God. There is no storming, no harshness, but a sweet fragrance in speech and in spirit.” That I May Know Him, 198.

No one will enter heaven without overcoming the disposition to speak harshly and unkindly. Heaven has already been ruined once, and the angels that ruined it were cast out. God is not going to have heaven polluted again.

In researching the life of Enoch in the Spirit of Prophecy, it was amazing to find all that was written about imagination. In Genesis 6:5, notice what it says: “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

It says in verse 11 that the earth was corrupt and filled with violence, and this was a result of corrupt imaginations. A study on this subject will find that one of the principle ways the devil tempts men and women is through the imagination. Before a person engages in open sin of some kind, it has already been formulated in the imagination. In the book Patriarchs and Prophets, in the chapter Apostasy at the Jordan, Ellen White says that there is a long process, hidden, secret to other human beings, that goes on in the mind, the soul, before a Christian engages in any kind of open sin. It has to do with the imagination.

With regard to the imagination, “They should not venture on forbidden ground, where Satan can claim control over them. If they in humility entreat God for purity of thought and a refined and sanctified imagination, He will hear them, and grant their petitions. God has not left them to perish in their sins, but will help the weak and helpless, if they cast themselves in faith upon Him.” An Appeal to Mothers, 22, 23.

No one is going to enter heaven with a defiled, impure imagination. This appears to be one of the bigger problems many Christians have. “It is your duty to control your thoughts. You will have to war against the vain imagination. … You are responsible to God for the indulgence of vain thoughts.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 82. “In place of permitting the imagination to fill the mind with day-dreams and air-castles, let the soul cultivate the habit of contemplating the world’s Redeemer.” The Youth’s Instructor, June 7, 1894.

Controlling the imagination is only possible by cultivating a prayer life as did Enoch. Many believe it impossible to live the Christian life as is described throughout Scripture and it is as impossible in one’s own strength as it was for Peter to walk on water. But, when the Holy Spirit takes control of your life all things are possible. Then you can walk on water!

But without the Holy Spirit holding you up, you will sink immediately. “We cannot keep ourselves from sin for one moment.” The Ministry of Healing, 180. Enoch understood where to go for help and he communicated with the Lord at all times. Whatever he did, he talked to the Lord about it. The result was that he had power to control his carnal imagination and develop pure thoughts.

Enoch was not a hermit. He did not live in a cave somewhere separate from the rest of the world. But he did live separately from the concentrations of wickedness that were present in the world at that time. I am sure that we are all aware that there are some places that have concentrated wickedness. “A separation from the world is required of us, for we cannot remain free from its pollution unless we follow the example of the faithful Enoch.” God’s Amazing Grace, 304.

“God’s people will separate themselves from the unrighteous practices of those around them, and will seek for purity of thought, and holy conformity to His will, until His divine image will be reflected in them. Like Enoch, they will be fitting for translation to Heaven.” The Signs of the Times, February 20, 1879.

King David learned his lesson the hard way by falling into sin. But notice what He said: “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes” (Psalm 101:3). Why did he say that? Because he knew that if he looked at sin, he would become like that in character. “I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness” (verse 4).

Enoch separated himself from the wickedness around him. “Those who follow the Lord are to be firm and straightforward in obeying His directions. Any deviation to follow human devising or planning disqualifies them for being trustworthy. Even if they have to walk as did Enoch—with God alone—His children must separate from those who do not obey Him, who show that they are not in vital connection with Him.” The Youth’s Instructor, April 28, 1898. To follow this counsel, even if they have to walk alone, is one of the great trials that sometimes happens to people who are trying to live for Jesus and be ready for His second coming. These people are scattered all over the world. I often meet people who say to me things like, “My husband or my wife doesn’t believe what I believe.” They are alone at home. “My children, or my parents, or both, don’t believe what I believe …” so they are completely isolated at home. Others say, “There’s no church anywhere near where I am that is teaching and preaching the Three Angels’ Messages, and I work in a secular workplace, and I am all alone.”

It cannot be explained why God allows different people to go through different trials but God allows people to be in situations where they have to develop a character, often alone. This is not some new experience. Enoch had it, he had to walk all alone, but he decided that even if there was nobody else in the world who believed as he did, he would still believe.

While the Lord has been bringing revival and reformation to the Second Advent Movement, there have been some interesting experiences over the past few years. We have met people in various parts of the world who have been cast out of Adventist churches because they stood up for what they believed was right. They thought they were the only ones in the whole world trying to do what’s right and we have encouraged them by telling them there are people scattered all over the world in the same situation.

Even if they have to walk as Enoch did, with God alone, His children must separate from those who do not obey Him and show they are not in vital connection with Him. Remaining in a church that is in open sin that will not turn around will cause you to be spiritually anesthetized, leaving you in a much worse condition than you were to start with. Enoch refused to compromise and was willing to walk alone.

No human being enjoys being alone. Even Jesus didn’t enjoy being alone although He had to walk alone His whole life. His mother didn’t understand Him. His earthly father didn’t understand Him. Neither did His brothers who criticized Him making His childhood hard. His disciples didn’t understand Him and even John the Baptist didn’t understand. Nobody on earth understood Him.

Enoch was the first to be translated, but while on earth he had to walk alone. The sacrifice was worth it, for Enoch is the oldest human being. He is over 5,000 years old right now.

While in vision, Ellen White had a conversation with Enoch. “There I saw good old Enoch, who had been translated. On his right arm he bore a glorious palm, and on each leaf was written ‘Victory.’ Around his head was a dazzling white wreath, and leaves on the wreath, and in the middle of each leaf was written ‘Purity,’ and around the wreath were stones of various colors, that shone brighter than the stars, and cast a reflection upon the letters and magnified them. On the back part of his head was a bow that confined the wreath, and upon the bow was written ‘Holiness.’ Above the wreath was a lovely crown that shone brighter than the sun. I asked him if this was the place he was taken to from the earth. He said, ‘It is not; the city is my home, and I have come to visit this place.’ He moved about the place as if perfectly at home.” Early Writings. 40.

Enoch has access to anywhere in the universe. How exciting it would be to join him in some of those travels some day. When you struggle standing alone and it seems like nobody understands, it will not be forever. Enoch is no longer alone. He has far more friends than any wicked man has ever had or will have.

In regard to Enoch, Ellen White wrote in The Paulson Collection, 178, “We want every one of us, to have an amiable disposition, and unless you have a sanctified, amiable disposition, you will lose heaven entirely.”

A person with an amiable disposition is someone who is easy to get along with. There will not be anybody in heaven that is hard to get along with. “We do not glorify our Redeemer when we complain of the difficulties of the way, and murmur at the providences of God.” The Signs of the Times, February 3, 1888.

Enoch was involved in evangelism. He did not have a lot of success as far as converts were concerned, but he was still involved in it. Wherever he could find two or three people willing to listen to the word of God, he would teach them. He had very small congregations of two or three. “Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him’ ” (Jude 14, 15).

Enoch gave warning to people who were living in sin. Some listened to the warning and renounced their sins, but the multitudes mocked and made fun of him. “The servants of God are to bear a similar message to the world in the last days, and it also will be received by the majority with unbelief and mockery. …

“Enoch, the witness of faith, held on his way, warning, pleading, and teaching, striving to turn back the tide of guilt and to stay the bolts of vengeance.” Gospel Workers 53.

God revealed to Enoch that the wickedness on the earth was so great, that a flood was coming. Because he knew what was coming even though it was still several hundred years away, he tried to help the people get ready so that they wouldn’t have to drown. His son, Methuselah also warned the people of the coming judgment.

“By faith Enoch was translated so that he did not see death, and was not found, because God had translated him. For before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5, literal translation). What a testimony of this faithful man!

“It is our privilege to carry with us the credentials of our faith—love, joy, and peace. When we do this, we shall be able to present the mighty arguments of the cross of Christ. When we learn to walk by faith and not by feeling, we shall have help from God just when we need it, and His peace will come into our hearts. It was this simple life of obedience and trust that Enoch lived. If we learn this lesson of simple trust, ours may be the testimony that he received, that he pleased God. Then instead of mourning and bitter repining, we shall make melody in our hearts to the Lord.” Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, 133.

If we live a life of simple obedience and trust in the Lord, we can do the same.

“We are required to improve every day. Even in this world of sin and sorrow, we may, by earnest, persevering effort, rise to the highest spiritual efficiency. … We are to please God. This we may do; for Enoch pleased God, though living in a degenerate age. And there are Enochs in this our day.” Sons and Daughters of God, 314.

“Enoch walked with God and ‘had the testimony that his ways pleased God.’ This is the privilege of every believer today. It is man dwelling with God, and God taking up His abode with man. ‘I in them, and thou in Me’ (John 17:21–23).” The Upward Look, 228.

“In all the purposes and pursuits of life, we must inquire, ‘What will the Lord have me to do? How shall I please Him, who has given His life a ransom for me?’ Thus we may walk with God as did Enoch of old.” Our High Calling, 61.

We can have that same experience today. In Ellen White’s day the world in general was optimistic. Because theologians and Christians are influenced by the world in which they live, they had theories of perfectionism and believed that you could just come to Christ and be perfect instantly. Perfectionism was a very popular teaching 150 years ago but Ellen White said it was a fallacy.

Today, after two world wars, a big depression and all kinds of trouble worldwide that is increasing, everything has flipped. We are now living in a pessimistic age where people say nobody is perfect and they do not believe anybody can be.

Christian perfection is a Biblical doctrine all through the New Testament, even though it is a very unpopular one in our time. Jesus mentioned it in Matthew 5:48 and Paul talks about it in almost every single epistle he wrote and also James and John make mention.

“We have fixed our minds upon the exceeding great and precious reward; and, in order to obtain it, we must have a perfect character. … Angels of God are weighing moral worth; and we are to obtain a fitness here to join the society of sinless angels. Do you expect that when Christ comes He will give you that fitness? Not at all. You must be found of Him without spot, without blemish, or wrinkle, or anything like it (Ephesians 5:25; 2 Peter 3:14). Now is the watching and trying time. Now it is the time to obtain a preparation to abide the day of His coming, and to stand when He appeareth. Do you say that you cannot do it because around you are so much sin and iniquity and corruption? I refer you to Enoch.” The Review and Herald, April 19, 1870.

Enoch did it. If we follow the same principles and the same way of life that he followed, we will have the same results. Remember his prayer life, his meditations, his evangelistic efforts, his disposition, his imagination, and the fact that he separated himself from the wickedness in the world, walking with God by living a life of simple obedience and trust.

When Jesus comes there will be a people who have the experience of Enoch and they will be translated. We have been given the Spirit of Prophecy so we can have explicit instruction and know how to order our lives and be ready for Jesus to come. The Holy Spirit earnestly waits to purify your imagination and give you the power to live the Christian life. You can become Christ-like.

The apostle John says that when Jesus comes we will be like Him (1 John 3:2). May the Lord help us to have that experience.

(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.