Christian Life

How Readest Thou? Part II

by

The title of this article comes from the reply Jesus gave to a certain lawyer when he queried: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 10:25. Jesus responded: “How readest thou?” Verse 26. The same can be asked of each of us. Do we study just to gain knowledge to settle theological questions or win arguments? Or do we study to be truly converted, having our eyes on Jesus? We must focus on specific things that are necessary to be converted and saved as individuals and as a people. We need to be focused on Jesus and learn of Him.

Our Greatest Need

Our greatest need is to get en-rolled in the school of Christ, to study His life as we have never before studied it.

“Heaven is a school; its field of study, the universe; its teacher, the Infinite One. A branch of this school was established in Eden; and, the plan of redemption accomplished, education will again be taken up in the Eden school.

“ ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.’ 1 Corinthians 2:9. Only through His word can a knowledge of these things be gained; and even this affords but a partial revelation.” Education, 301.

“The greatest want of the world is the want of men—men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.

“But such a character is not the result of accident; it is not due to special favors or endowments of Providence. A noble character is the result of self-discipline, of the subjection of the lower to the higher nature—the surrender of self for the service of love to God and man.” Ibid., 57.

Brothers and sisters, the highest and greatest education that man can obtain will be found in the Bible—Genesis to Revelation—and in the little books written by Ellen White. These are the greatest textbooks that have ever been written, yet they are the books that are collecting the most dust. They contain information for eternal life.

Steps of Repentance

“Christ must be revealed to the sinner as the Saviour dying for the sins of the world; and as we behold the Lamb of God upon the cross of Calvary, the mystery of redemption begins to unfold to our minds and the goodness of God leads us to repentance. In dying for sinners, Christ manifested a love that is incomprehensible; and as the sinner beholds this love, it softens the heart, impresses the mind, and inspires contrition in the soul.” Steps to Christ, 26, 27.

“Repentance includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it. We shall not renounce sin unless we see its sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change in the life.” Ibid., 23.

We Own Not Ourselves

Somehow Satan has given us the idea that we are complete owners of ourselves, that we can think, do, act, and worship the way we want. But consider this food for thought: “Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23.

“How natural it is to regard ourselves as complete owners of ourselves! But the Inspired Word declares, ‘Ye are not your own.’ ‘Ye are bought with a price.’ 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20. . . . In our relation to our fellow men we are owners of our entrusted mental and physical capabilities. In our relation to God, we are borrowers, stewards of His grace. . . .

“It is your privilege to obey the living Word of God as a truly converted and transformed soul, to perform the highest service as a free, heaven-born spirit, to give evidence that you are worthy of the sacred trust that God has given you by sending His only begotten Son to die for you. If you believe in Christ as your personal Saviour, you receive every grace, every spiritual endowment, necessary for the perfecting of the Christian character.” Our High Calling, 40.

Hunger and Thirst

Have you and I come to that real hunger and thirst for righteousness?

“[God] has promised, ‘I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.’ Isaiah 44:3. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, who long after God, may be sure that they will be filled. The heart must be open to the Spirit’s influence, or God’s blessing cannot be received.” Steps to Christ, 95. That quote should not be too difficult to understand, should it?

Let me ask you a question, Which has more faith, birds or man? Mrs. White explains this: “The swallow and the crane observe the changes of the seasons. They migrate from one country to another to find a climate suitable to their convenience and happiness, as the Lord designed they should. But God’s people sacrifice life and health by seeking to gratify appetite. In their desire to accumulate treasure, they forget the Giver of all their blessings. Their health is abused, and their God-given powers are used to carry out their unsanctified, ambitious projects. Their days are filled with pain of body and disquietude of mind because they are determined to follow wrong habits and practices. They will not reason from cause to effect, and they sacrifice health, peace, and happiness to their ignorance.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 13, 335, 336.

Rejection of Truth

“Rejection of truth has produced [the] present condition. ‘The prevalence of sin is alarming; the world is being filled with violence as in the days of Noah. Would the world be in its present condition if those who claim to be the people of God had reverenced and obeyed the law of the Lord? It is the rejection of the truth, man’s dispensing with the commandments of God, that has produced the condition of things which now exists. God’s Word is made of none effect by false shepherds. The decided opposition of the shepherds of the flock to the law of the Lord reveals that they have rejected the Word of the Lord, and have put their own words in its place. In their interpretation of the Scriptures they teach for doctrines the commandments of men. In their apostasy from the truth they have encouraged wickedness, saying, “We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us.” [Jeremiah 8:8.] The words of Christ to the Pharisees are applicable to them. Christ said to these teachers, Ye are both ignorant of the Scriptures and of the power of God. [See Matthew 22:29.] . . .

“ ‘The condition of our world today is just as the prophet has represented that it would be near the close of this earth’s history.’ ” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1155.

A Skeptic’s Understanding

“How readest thou?” A choice example of the knowledge of the Bible possessed by skeptics is here related: Once a skeptic was at a dinner and sat next to a Bible teacher who engaged him in conversation and opened to him the subject of faith in Christ. The skeptic said that he had once been a reader of the Bible. He related, “I came across the story of Noah and the ark. I am a lumberman, and it interested me. I began to figure out its dimensions and how many feet of lumber went into it. I was astonished and impressed at its size. A few days later, I opened the Bible again and saw that the Levites took the ark on their shoulders and carried it around the wilderness. Such foolishness made me angry. I have never looked inside the Bible again.”

This is a sample of some people’s understanding of the Bible and the arguments used against authenticity of the Bible! The Bible needs to be studied prayerfully and earnestly to find the gospel plan of salvation. Oh, friend, how do you study the Bible?

“It is not by looking away from Him that we imitate the life of Jesus, but by talking of Him, by dwelling upon His perfections, by seeking to refine the taste and elevate the character, by trying, through faith and love, and by earnest, persevering effort, to approach the perfect Pattern. By having a knowledge of Christ—His words, His habits and His lessons of instruction—we borrow the virtues of the character we have so closely studied, and become imbued with the spirit we have so much admired. Jesus becomes to us ‘the chiefest among ten thousand,’ the One ‘altogether lovely.’ [The Song of Solomon 5:1, 16.]” Our High Calling, 58.

“The character of Christ was one of unexampled excellence, embracing everything pure, true, lovely, and of good report. . . . Not one of His hours from childhood to manhood was misspent, none were misappropriated. . . .

“Jesus was sinless and had no dread of the consequences of sin. With this exception His condition was as yours. You have not a difficulty that did not press with equal weight upon Him, not a sorrow that His heart has not experienced. His feelings could be hurt with neglect, with indifference of professed friends, as easily as yours. Is your path thorny? Christ’s was so in a tenfold sense. . . .

“Take Jesus as your standard. Imitate His life. Fall in love with His character. Walk as Christ walked.” Ibid., 59.

“For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” Hebrews 7:26.

“How readest thou?”

Would You Deny Christ?

Would we even think of denying (crucifying) Christ today? Hastily we might respond with a definite “No way!” But let us take a serious look at this question.

“He who would confess Christ must have Christ abiding in him. He cannot communicate that which he has not received. The disciples might speak fluently on doctrines, they might repeat the words of Christ Himself; but unless they possessed Christlike meekness and love, they were not confessing Him. A spirit contrary to the spirit of Christ would deny Him, whatever the profession. Men may deny Christ by evilspeaking, by foolish talking, by words that are untruthful or unkind. They may deny Him by shunning life’s burdens, by the pursuit of sinful pleasure. They may deny Him by conforming to the world, by uncourteous behavior, by the love of their own opinions, by justifying self, by cherishing doubt, borrowing trouble, and dwelling in darkness. In all these ways they declare that Christ is not in them. And ‘whosoever shall deny Me before men,’ He says, ‘him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.’ [Matthew 10:33.]” The Desire of Ages, 357.

“True, saving faith is a precious treasure of inestimable value. It is not superficial. The just lives by faith a truly spiritual, Christlike life. It is through faith that the steps are taken one at a time up the ladder of progress. Faith must be cultivated. . . .

“The life of obedience to all of God’s commandments is a life of progression, a life of constant advancement. . . .

“ ‘Grace and peace’ will be multiplied ‘through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.’ [11 Peter 1:2.] Here is the Source of all spiritual power, and faith must be in constant exercise, for all spiritual life is from Christ.” Our High Calling, 67.

Ladder to Heaven

How are you and I going to get to heaven? The only way is by the ladder that we must climb. You may ask what ladder that may be. Genesis 28:12 says, “And he [Jacob] dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.”

“Let us consider this ladder which was presented to Jacob. . . . The sin of Adam cut off all intercourse between heaven and earth. Up to the moment of man’s transgression of God’s law there had been free communion between earth and heaven. They were connected by a path which Deity could traverse. But the transgression of God’s law broke up this path and man was separated from God. . . .

“Every link which bound earth to heaven and man to the infinite God seemed broken. Man might look to heaven, but how could he attain it? But joy to the world! The Son of God, the Sinless One, the One perfect in obedience, becomes the channel through which the lost communion may be renewed, the way through which the lost paradise may be regained. Through Christ, man’s substitute and surety, man may keep the commandments of God. He may return to his allegiance and God will accept him. Christ is the ladder. ‘By me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture.’ John 10:9. . . .

“The ladder is the medium of communication between God and man. Through the mystic ladder the gospel was preached to Jacob. As the ladder stretched from earth, reaching to the highest heavens, and the glory of God was seen above the ladder, so Christ in His divine nature reached immensity and was one with the Father. As the ladder, though its top penetrated into heaven, had its base upon the earth, so Christ, though God, clothed His divinity with humanity and was in the world ‘found in fashion as a man’ (Philippians 2:8). The ladder would be useless if it rested not on the earth or if it reached not to the heavens.

“God appeared in glory above the ladder, looking down with compassion on erring, sinful Jacob. . . . It is through Christ that the Father beholds sinful man. . . . The broken links have been repaired. A highway has been thrown up along which the weary and heavy laden may pass. They may enter heaven and find rest.” Our High Calling, 66.

Thank God that ladder, Jesus Christ, has been provided for mankind to have an escape to a better land through obedience to His Word.

“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou [art] the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” Psalm 25:5.

Are You Enrolled?

Are you getting your education? Are you getting the right education? Are you enrolled in the preparatory school?

“Those who in this earth become sons of God sit together with Christ in the preparatory school, getting ready to be received into the higher school. Day by day we are to make an individual preparation; for in the courts above no one will be represented by proxy. Each one must heed for himself the call, ‘Come unto me, . . . and I will give you rest. . . .’ [Matthew 11:28.]

“The Lord Jesus has paid your tuition fees. All that you have to do is to learn of Him. The Christlike politeness practiced in the higher school is to be practiced in this lower school, by both old and young believers. All who learn in Christ’s school are under the training of heavenly agencies; and they are never to forget that they are a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.

“They are to represent Christ. They are to help one another to become worthy of admission into the higher school. They are to help one another to be pure and noble, and to cherish a true idea of what it means to be a child of God. They are to speak encouraging words. They are to lift up the feeble hands and strengthen the feeble knees. Upon every heart there is to be inscribed the words, as with the point of a diamond, ‘There is nothing that I fear, save that I shall not know my duty, or shall fail to do it.’ . . .

“A self-controlled spirit, words of love and tenderness, honor the Saviour. Those who speak kind, loving words, words that make for peace, will be richly rewarded. . . . We are to let His spirit shine forth in the meekness and lowliness learned of Him.

“Jesus is the great Teacher. . . . He is so willing, so ready to take you into a closer fellowship with Himself. He is willing to teach you how to pray with the believing confidence and assurance of a little child. . . . Enroll your name anew as a student in His school. Learn to pray in faith. Receive the knowledge of Jesus. . . .

“Will you not sit at the feet of Jesus and learn of Him?” Our High Calling, 102.

“How readest thou?” Are you learning of Christ? Are you making sure you are not denying or crucifying Christ afresh? What is your answer today?

[All emphasis supplied.]

An ordained minister of the gospel, Howard Anderson, now retired, lives in Zellwood Station, Florida. He may be contacted by telephone at: 407-886-1951.

“How Readest Thou?” Part I

by

As you read and study this article, I encourage you to ask yourself the question, How do I read God’s Word? Do you read to be able to win a biblical argument or to really know and understand what truth is? Do you let the Word of God speak for itself that you may be saved when Jesus comes?

We are saved individually, not in groups. Not understanding real truth can cost us eternal life.

The Question

The question was asked by a certain lawyer years ago, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” The answer came by way of a question, “How readest thou?”

“And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him [Jesus], saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” Luke 10:25–27.

We need to ask the question again: “What must I do to have eternal life?” The answer to the question is the same: “How readest thou?”

Do we just study the Word of God to gain knowledge of the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy until we develop an “Excedrin headache”? Do we study to settle a theological question or to win an argument? On the other hand, do we study to have a converted knowledge of the saving power of God and Jesus Christ? Have we come to the point that we know Jesus personally? Have we come to know that, as The Song of Solomon 2:1 states, Jesus is “the rose of Sharon, [and] the lily of the valleys”?

In Revelation 22:16, Jesus states that He is “the root and the offspring of David, [and] the bright and morning star.” Jesus is King of kings, Lord of lords, Creator, Redeemer, Saviour, Intercessor, and Friend—our only Hope. Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6. This same Saviour who ascended to heaven and is now sitting on the right hand of God, making intercession for us and preparing a place for you and me, is coming back soon! (Mark 16:19; Romans 8:34; John 14:1–3.) Oh! how we need to take a new look at the cross and fall in love with the wonderful Saviour.

Stop Playing Religion

We need to have a Damascus road experience, as did Saul, who had an experience with Jesus and became a true, converted worker for God. Saul became totally God’s man. We, as individuals, need the scales lifted from our eyes, so we can really see the lovely Jesus, our precious Redeemer.

“The Lord requires of all who profess to be his people, far more than they give him. He expects believers in Christ Jesus to reveal to the world, in word and deed, the Christianity that was exemplified in the life and character of the Redeemer. If the word of God is enshrined in their hearts, they will give a practical demonstration of the power and purity of the gospel. The testimony thus borne to the world is of much more value than sermons, or professions of godliness that do not reveal good works. Let those who name the name of Christ remember that individually they are making an impression favorable or unfavorable to Bible religion, on the minds of all with whom they come in contact.” The Southern Watchman, January 17, 1905.

“In this age, just prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven, God calls for men who will prepare a people to stand in the great day of the Lord. Just such a work as that which John did, is to be carried on in these last days. The Lord is giving messages to his people, through the instruments he has chosen, and he would have all heed the admonitions and warnings he sends. The message preceding the public ministry of Christ was, Repent, publicans and sinners; repent, Pharisees and Sadducees; ‘for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Our message is not to be one of peace and safety. As a people who believe in Christ’s soon appearing, we have a definite message to bear,—‘Prepare to meet thy God.’ ” Ibid., March 21, 1905.

Our message must be as direct as was that of John. He rebuked kings for their iniquity. Notwithstanding the peril his life was in, he never allowed truth to languish on his lips. Our work in this age must be as faithfully done.

It is time to stop playing religion, time to stop having merely a form or profession. Rather, we need to have a genuine, Damascus road, converted experience. It is time to get rid of pride, selfishness, and every other sin.

Our Need

“It is written, Man”—each person individually—“shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4.

What the world needs is Jesus; and we, as Seventh-day Adventists, need Him more than ever. Satan is, and will be, attacking you and me—the church—more than ever to get us to join his camp. We need to look at and study the cross. Jesus loved you and me so much He died for us. If we would just take time to capture the scene of the cross and understand the suffering He went through for each of us, we would see a revival and reformation, and our characters would be developed into the image of Christ. Oh, friend, let us become children of God.

A New Creature

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And [that] he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more. Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 11 Corinthians 5:14– 17.

Now, what does that mean?

“The love of Christ in the heart is what is needed. Self is in need of being crucified. When self is submerged in Christ, true love springs forth spontaneously. It is not an emotion or an impulse, but a decision of a sanctified will. It consists not in feeling, but in the transformation of the whole heart, soul, and character, which is dead to self and alive unto God. Our Lord and Saviour asks us to give ourselves to Him. Surrendering self to God is all He requires, giving ourselves to Him to be employed as He sees fit. Until we come to this point of surrender, we shall not work happily, usefully, or successfully anywhere (Letter 97, 1898).” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, 1100, 1101.

“When the soul is brought into close relationship with the great Author of light and truth, impressions are made upon it revealing its true position before God. Then self will die, pride will be laid low, and Christ will draw His own image in deeper lines upon the soul (MS 1a, 1890).” Ibid., 1099.

What Should We Do?

“How readest thou?” Do you read and study to be obedient overcomers, grateful for what Christ has done, so you can inherit a place in heaven? Or do you read to gain knowledge to establish opinionated, religious theologies or to win an argument?

Oh, how we need to look to the cross of Calvary and listen for the echoes of those who hated him and cried out, “Crucify Him; Crucify Him!”

In Matthew 22:29, we read, “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.” And Colossians 2:6–10 tells us, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.”

We need to note the meaning of verse 9 as explained by Ellen White: “ ‘In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.’ Men need to understand that Deity suffered and sank under the agonies of Calvary. Yet Jesus Christ whom God gave for the ransom of the world purchased the church with His own blood. The Majesty of heaven was made to suffer at the hands of religious zealots, who claimed to be the most enlightened people upon the face of the earth (MS 153, 1898).” Ibid., vol. 7, 907.

“Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:6. Mrs. White gives a very good explanation of this verse: “As you arose from the watery grave at the time of your baptism, you professed to be dead, and declared that your life was changed—hid with Christ in God. You claimed to be dead to sin, and cleansed from your hereditary and cultivated traits of evil. In going forward in the rite of baptism, you pledged yourselves before God to remain dead to sin. Your mouth was to remain a sanctified mouth, your tongue a converted tongue. You were to speak of God’s goodness, and to praise His holy name. Thus you were to be a great help and blessing to the church (MS 95, 1906).” Ibid., 908.

“We are to lift the cross, and follow the steps of Christ. Those who lift the cross will find that as they do this, the cross lifts them, giving them fortitude and courage, and pointing them to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world.” Review and Herald, July 13, 1905.

Jesus “said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23. “These words are spoken to every one who desires to be a Christian. He who shuns the cross shuns the reward promised to the faithful (Letter 144, 1901).” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1120.

Beware of False Doctrine

The following quote from Mrs. White is especially powerful: “Satan has wrought with deceiving power, bringing in a multiplicity of errors that obscure truth. Error could not stand alone, and would soon become extinct, if it did not fasten itself like a parasite upon the tree of truth. Error draws its life from the truth of God. The traditions of men, like floating germs, attach themselves to the truth of God, and men regard them as a part of the truth. Through false doctrines Satan gains a foothold, and captivates the minds of men, causing them to hold theories that have no foundation in truth. Men boldly teach for doctrines the commandments of men, and as traditions pass on from age to age, they acquire a power over the human mind. But age does not make error truth, neither does its burdensome weight cause the plant of truth to become a parasite. The tree of truth bears its own genuine fruit, showing its true origin and nature. The parasite of error also bears its own fruit, and makes manifest that its character is diverse from the plant of heavenly origin (Letter 43, 1895).” Ibid., 1094, 1095.

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26.

Converted, Christ-based Religion

To only develop a form of religion is very dangerous, when we need a converted, Christ-based religion. Consider the following statements penned by Ellen White:

“The young man [the rich young ruler; see Matthew 19:16–22] . . . had cherished an idol in the soul; the world was his god. He professed to have kept the commandments, but he was destitute of the principle which is the very spirit and life of them all. He did not possess true love for God or man.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 392.

“He chose his riches before Jesus. He wanted eternal life, but would not receive into the soul that unselfish love which alone is life, and with sorrowful heart he turned away from Christ.” Ibid., 393.

“In the parable [Matthew 25:1–13], all the ten virgins went out to meet the bridegroom. All had lamps and vessels for oil. For a time there was seen no difference between them. So with the church that lives just before Christ’s second coming. All have a knowledge of the Scriptures. All have heard the message of Christ’s near approach, and confidently expect His appearing. But as in the parable, so it is now. A time of waiting intervenes, faith is tried; and when the cry is heard, ‘Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him,’ [verse 6] many are unready. They have no oil in their vessels with their lamps. They are destitute of the Holy Spirit.” Ibid., 408.

“The class represented by the foolish virgins are not hypocrites. They have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the truth, they are attracted to those who believe the truth; but they have not yielded themselves to the Holy Spirit’s working. They . . . have been content with a superficial work. They do not know God. They have not studied His character; they have not held communion with Him; therefore they do not know how to trust, how to look and live. Their service to God degenerates into a form. . . . The apostle Paul points out that this will be the special characteristic of those who live just before Christ’s second coming.” Ibid., 411.

“Saddest of all words that ever fell on mortal ear are those words of doom, ‘I know you not.’ [Matthew 25:12.]” Ibid., 413.

The Bottom Line

“Why cannot those who claim to understand the Scriptures, see that God’s requirement under grace is just the same he made in Eden,—perfect obedience to his law. In the Judgment, God will ask those who profess to be Christians, Why did you claim to believe in my Son, and continue to transgress my law? Who required this at your hands—to trample upon my rules of righteousness?” Review and Herald, September 21, 1886.

“How readest thou?” Are you sure where you will spend eternity? Have you made your election sure? What is the bottom line to be ready for Jesus’ soon return? We need a new spiritual vision. We need a new converted goal. We need a new conviction. We need a full conversion. We need a true, personal relationship with Jesus. We need to get ready for His soon coming.

I do not know of a better quote with which to close this study than the following:

“Many who profess sanctification are entirely ignorant of the work of grace upon the heart. When proved and tested, they are found to be like the self-righteous Pharisee. They will bear no contradiction. They lay aside reason and judgment, and depend wholly upon their feelings, basing their claims to sanctification upon emotions which they have at some time experienced. They are stubborn and perverse in urging their tenacious claims of holiness, giving many words, but bearing no precious fruit as proof. These professedly sanctified persons are not only deluding their own souls by their pretensions, but are exerting an influence to lead astray many who earnestly desire to conform to the will of God. They may be heard to reiterate again and again, ‘God leads me! God teaches me! I am living without sin!’ Many who come in contact with this spirit encounter a dark, mysterious something which they cannot comprehend. But it is that which is altogether unlike Christ, the only true pattern.

“Bible sanctification does not consist in strong emotion. Here is where many are led into error. They make feelings their criterion.” The Sanctified Life, 9, 10.

The Center of My Hope

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14.

“Remove the cross from the Christian and it is like blotting out the sun which illumines the day, and dropping the moon and the stars out of the firmament of the heavens at night. The cross of Christ brings us nigh to God, reconciling man to God, and God to man. The Father looks upon the cross, upon the suffering He has given His Son to endure in order to save the race from hopeless misery and to draw man to Himself. He looks upon it with the relenting compassion of a Father’s love. The cross has been almost lost sight of, but without the cross there is no connection with the Father, no unity with the Lamb in the midst of the throne in heaven, no welcome reception of the wandering who would return to the forsaken path of righteousness and truth, no hope for the transgressor in the day of judgment. Without the cross there is no means provided for overcoming the power of our strong foe. Every hope of the race hangs upon the cross. . . .

“Through the cross we learn that our heavenly Father loves us with an infinite and everlasting love, and draws us to Him with more than a mother’s yearning sympathy for a wayward child. Can we wonder that Paul exclaimed, ‘God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ’? It is our privilege also to glory in the cross of Calvary, our privilege to give ourselves wholly to Him who gave Himself for us. Then with the light of love that shines from His face on ours, we shall go forth to reflect it to those in darkness.” Our High Calling, 46.

To be continued . . .

[All emphasis supplied.]

An ordained minister of the gospel, Howard Anderson, now retired, lives in Zellwood Station, Florida. He may be contacted by telephone at: 407-886-1951.

Looking Backward . . . Looking Forward

by

With the passing of the old year it is natural, and perhaps profitable, to review the record of [last year]. Although we cannot change the past, we may be able to draw from it encouragement and warning for the future. It ought to be clear to the observing and thoughtful that history is being made very fast in these days. Events of great significance follow each other in rapid succession, and the sensation of yesterday is overshadowed by the greater sensation of today. This has been true in almost every line of human experience. In this time of great light the minds of men have been stimulated to wonderful achievement, and the fruits of the intense life have been seen in the whole intellectual field. That which casts a dark shadow over the whole picture is the fact that the Bible and the God of the Bible have, with such increasing emphasis, been refused their place as the inspiration and the power for good; and as an inevitable consequence evil has become more and more rampant. That control in human affairs which is often called self-control, but which is really the restraining influence of the Spirit of God, has been in a large degree, rejected, and rapid progress has been made in that experience which will finally demonstrate to the universe the true nature of sin,—unrestrained sin,—sin in its real hideousness. . . . The backward view reveals mistakes and failures, but there are also victories and progress. Let us profit by these experiences, as we face the conflicts which are yet to come.

We are not prophets, but we have the words of the prophets. We are not stargazers and prognosticators, but we are expected to discern the signs of the times. We should not attempt to be wise above what is written, but “the things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children.” [Deuteronomy 29:29.] In the light, therefore, which is cast upon our situation by the sure word of prophecy, and by attending to the voice of current events, we may be sure of some things in our forecast of the experiences of the coming year. We have no ground to expect an improvement in the general situation. On the contrary, we have every reason to expect that “evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse.” [11 Timothy 3:13.] There are no indications that there will be a genuine revival of true religion among the great denominations of the day. The time of false revivals is at hand, and they may appear at any time; but there can be no true repentance and turning to God without a radical change in the whole attitude of Christendom toward the fundamentals in Christianity,—the Bible and the Lord’s Christ. And the day of their visitation seems not to have been perceived. Those who do not wish to be partakers of her sins must now come out from a fallen church. The current in the social and political world has gained too much headway in the wrong direction to make it easy to reverse it, and the array of facts and figures concerning the increase of lawlessness, . . . constitutes a terrible indictment against public morality. There is no power in the ethics and the philosophy of “the new evangelism” to cope with this situation, and peace congresses held by nations which are steadily increasing their fighting power are not likely to convert the world. The whole drift is toward the battle of the great day. The only hope for the world is in the third angel’s message. This message, we are confident, will make rapid progress during the coming year. If all the believers will heartily cooperate with God’s purpose concerning his people and work at this time, the next twelve months may witness such a revelation of the power and glory of God as has not been seen since apostolic times. For this the preparation has already been made. Only our own unfaithfulness will defer or dim the glory. The time demands whole-hearted service. Let the coming year be filled with it.

“Editorial,” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Washington, D. C., December 29, 1904, 3.

The Blessing of the Fifth Commandment

by

If I were to ask a child if there is a favorite rule that he or she likes to obey, chances are that the response would be a facial expression that says, “Are you serious?” As ridiculous as my question may be, I can confidently recall the time when I had a favorite commandment. My favorite commandment was “honor your father and mother.” (Exodus 20:12.) And as far as I can remember, I tried to keep that commandment with all my strength. The reason for my ambition, I must admit, was not because I loved my parents. Even though I did love them, the real reason I tried to keep that commandment was because I heard that if I kept it, I would live a long life. This appeal had a strong impact on my heart, so beginning around the age of five, my attitude toward my parents was ruled by this commandment. More specifically, however, was the way I treated my mother. I would always make sure that she was happy; I would ask how she was doing or if anything was troubling her. We held close communication and shared many secrets. And when she asked or ordered me to do something, I made sure that it was done. Yes, I considered it my duty to make her happy; I considered it a blessing to obey the fifth commandment.

As the years went by and I grew older, my attitude towards the fifth commandment began to change. When I was eleven, my mother, siblings, and I moved to New York City. It was here that I began to see myself as an individual of society. Prior to this, most of my time away from school was spent with family. Not anymore! The city was big and attractive, so I began to explore. In addition, my restraining stepfather was no longer a part of my life. Since he was no longer there to dictate my coming and going, I felt free to roam. In all of this, however, I continually made an effort to honor my mother. When she called, I answered. When she ordered, I obeyed. But though I answered and obeyed, my heart began to dread restrictions. And because I wanted to be like others, I slowly began to disregard the fifth commandment.

One day, an incident occurred which, to this day, is one of the most memorable events of my youth. Instead of going home after school as my mother ordered, I decided to hang out in the school yard with some of the other students. We were playing basketball when all of a sudden another student approached me. I was surprised at this because he was one of the popular students of the school. He was around my age, but he had a reputation of being a hard little boy, one who was accustomed to the streets. When he approached me, I was not prepared for what he had to say. In a demanding tone, he asked me to help him steal a puppy. Yes, to steal! I immediately became uneasy, but because I wanted to be accepted, I tried so hard to hide my fears, and I began to make excuses. “It’s getting late.” “Oh, my mother is waiting for me.” “I need to catch the next bus home.” I gave so many appeals hoping to set myself free, but he was not persuaded. Instead, he began to persuade me with violent threats. He threatened to get his older brother to hurt me if I did not comply. Since I knew a little about his brother’s reputation, I concluded that he was not to be offended. Therefore, I submitted to the little boy’s demand and followed him to where the puppy was.

He took me to an alley located around three blocks away from the school. There the puppy was, locked in a fence which faced a position that made it impossible for us to open the gate. Once he realized this, my comrade suddenly changed his plans. No longer was I to help him steal the puppy; I was told to steal it myself while he just watched out. So there I was struggling with this extremely secured fence. I pulled, I pushed, I twisted, and I turned. I could not get it opened. In the process, a noise was made that caused me and my comrade to run and hide. When we arrived at our hiding spot, he suddenly became very violent. He cursed me. He grabbed me. He held me up against the wall. I shook. I trembled. I began to cry. In his anger he made more violent threats, and out of fear I promised to try harder. So when the scene was clear, we went back to get the puppy. Once again I pulled, I pushed, I twisted, and I turned. This time the fence gave way, and I was able to grab the poor little creature. Immediately, I brought the puppy to my anxious little comrade. Now that he had his object, he became cheerful and happy. And after giving me a brief, halfhearted apology, he departed with a smile on his face. As for me, I went home with a frightened heart and a trembling body.

This event is so important because of the two lessons I have learned from it. First, it causes me to recognize the blessing of the fifth commandment. Had I followed my mother’s order and gone straight home after school that day, this awful experience would have been completely avoided. Because of my disobedience, I found myself in the wrong place at the wrong time. As a result, Satan was able to use this little boy as an instrument to lead me even further into disobedience. Not only was I dishonoring my mother, but now I was dishonoring my neighbors and stealing from them. And as my teenage years progressed, I committed more and more crimes against my neighbors until I was almost destroyed. All of this happened because I abandoned the blessing of the fifth commandment.

The second lesson I have learned from this experience is that it is better for me to be alone and obey than to join the crowd and disobey. Before I tried to fit in with other students, I was honoring my mother, getting good grades, and staying out of trouble. But because I wanted to be accepted, I started to disregard my mother’s orders. When I was alone, I was obedient and peaceful, but in the crowd I was rebellious and causing trouble. All of this happened because I abandoned the blessing of the fifth commandment.

So to help you to avoid making the same unwise decision I made, here is a poem for you to remember:

Obey your parents, this is right,

for this will bring eternal life.

Rebel and you will find for sure,

that death is waiting at your door.

A member of Steps to Life staff, Demario Carter works in the Mail Order Services Department. He can be contacted by e-mail at: landmarks@stepstolife.org or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Prayer – The Soul of Religion

by

Everyone who has a relationship with God, as a personal, caring heavenly Father, and with His Son as a personal, loving Savior will have joy of heart and peace that flows like a river. (I Peter 1:8; Isaiah 48:18.) Their prayer will be a two-way connection with heaven. They can move mountains and they know the God of heaven and His Son face to face. It is God’s invitation, so why do so many of us fail to realize it in our lives? “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3.

We could list a few things that are essential to a meaningful walk with God, but as those who enjoy a real and abundant connection with heaven will testify, a vital connection is sustained only when our mind is locked into the mind of Christ. God is faithful and eager to establish that kind of relationship with you and with me. So what can we do to make that blessing ours?

Essentially, the list may be reduced to two items: do what we know to be right and commune with God. It is this last point we wish to make the focus of our discussion today.

A powerful and rewarding conscious contact with the most Supreme Being of the universe is prayer. We may pray to God at any time and under any circumstance. It can move the hand of Omnipotence, bring you through a trial you thought had no resolution, and strengthen your sense of shelter and protection in a world filled with many a danger, and strengthen your bond, love, and unity with your best and most faithful Friend. It will be found that as we develop this vital connection with the Creator, we will see that our prayer has become “the soul of our religion.” How do we find and sustain that kind of prayer?

The Vitality of Prayer

“Do not neglect secret prayer, for it is the soul of religion. With earnest, fervent prayer, plead for purity of soul. Plead as earnestly, as eagerly, as you would for your mortal life, were it at stake. Remain before God until unutterable longings are begotten within you for salvation, and the sweet evidence is obtained of pardoned sin.

“The hope of eternal life is not to be received upon slight grounds. It is a subject to be settled between God and your own soul—settled for eternity. A supposed hope, and nothing more, will prove your ruin. Since you are to stand or fall by the word of God, it is to that word you must look for testimony in your case. There you can see what is required of you to become a Christian. Do not lay off your armour, or leave the battlefield until you have obtained the victory, and triumph in your Redeemer.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 163, 164.

“I have frequently seen that the children of the Lord neglect prayer, especially secret prayer, altogether too much; that many do not exercise that faith which it is their privilege and duty to exercise, often waiting for that feeling which faith alone can bring. Feeling is not faith; the two are distinct. Faith is ours to exercise, but joyful feeling and the blessing are God’s to give. The grace of God comes to the soul through the channel of living faith, and that faith it is in our power to exercise.” Early Writings, 72.

Just as vital prayer will never happen without surrender to God and obedience to His word, it follows that, “All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.” The Desire of Ages, 668.

What an unfathomable joy and privilege is ours to be linked with God in this manner, that when obeying Christ we are actually doing the things we want to do and enjoy doing! To know Him personally like this, is to know Him as a personal friend. (John 6:40, 46.). If we are finding the pull of the carnal heart a strong opposing influence, the honest Christian will pray for the change of heart, “Lord, take out of me the heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh. Give me a heart to know you and put your Spirit in me that I may not desire iniquity. Then when the devil comes to me like a flood there will be nothing in me that will desire his pleasures.” (Ezekiel 36:26, 27; Isaiah 59:19, last part.)

It takes time to change the carnal heart, to form new habits and new interests. By beholding we become changed, the righteousness of God being revealed from faith to faith. (11 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 1:17.) Those who are justified by the blood of Jesus will see the light on their path shine more and more unto the perfect day. (Proverbs 4:18.) They grow more like Him as, by the power of the Holy Spirit, they overcome every defect of character. (Zechariah 4:6.). God will give you the desires of your heart and if Christ’s likeness is what you seek, God will work in you to will and to do of His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12, 13.) However, if the pleasures of the world are your interest, God will leave you to pursue your interests. Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened to you, seek and ye shall find. (Matthew 7:7.) Ye shall find Him when ye search for Him with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13.) Remember, what Jesus was, we may become, transformed into the image of the Son of God.

The way we relate to God and His Son will strengthen our unity with them. (John 14:23; 17:20–23.) So how does prayer contribute to that relationship? “Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. The eye of faith will discern God very near, and the suppliant may obtain precious evidence of the divine love and care for him.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 533.

Prayer—When in Distress

Sometimes the mountains in our lives are physical; we may be faced with a task that seems to demand more physical output than we have in reserve and we feel mentally and physically exhausted. Sometimes the mountains are spiritual. Every soul faces temptations, which if resisted, will bring the ire of the demonic realm upon us and hardship, or persecution may result. Here is where prayer can move the arm of Omnipotence. Has an all loving God given us a formula for dealing with these otherwise insurmountable difficulties? We are not left to face the trial alone.

“In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bore them, and carried them all the days of old.” Isaiah 63:9. Look at His promise and believe.

“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he asked for shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he requested.

“Therefore I say unto you, Whatsoever things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].” Mark 11:24.

“Without faith, [it is] impossible to please Him.” Hebrews 11:6. Where does that kind of faith come from, the kind that moves mountains? From everyday surrender, obedience and prayer, coupled with a knowledge of and a love for God’s Word. It builds a history of exercising faith in God on everyday matters. As we get to know Him and trust Him, we understand Him and how He works. We learn how to align ourselves with His methods. Seeing Him ‘face to face’ we behold Him and grow more like Him. (II Corinthians 3:18.)

“The Lord will teach us our duty just as willingly as He will teach somebody else. If we come to Him in faith, He will speak His mysteries to us personally. Our hearts will often burn within us as One draws nigh to commune with us as He did with Enoch. Those who decide to do nothing in any line that will displease God, will know, after presenting their case before Him, just what course to pursue. And they will receive not only wisdom, but strength. Power for obedience for service, will be imparted to them, as Christ has promised.” The Desire of Ages, 668.

“The strength acquired in prayer to God, united with individual effort in training the mind to thoughtfulness and care-taking, prepares the person for daily duties and keeps the spirit in peace under all circumstances, however trying. The temptations to which we are daily exposed make prayer a necessity. In order that we may be kept by the power of God through faith, the desires of the mind should be continually ascending in silent prayer for help, for light, for strength, for knowledge. But thought and prayer cannot take the place of earnest, faithful improvement of the time. Work and prayer are both required in perfecting Christian character.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 459.

“I asked the angel why there was no more faith and power in Israel. He said, ‘Ye let go of the arm of the Lord too soon. Press your petitions to the throne, and hold on by strong faith. The promises are sure. Believe ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them.’ ” Early Writings, 73.

There will be moments when the earnest follower of Jesus Christ will “feel” nearer to the Saviour than on other occasions. “At times a deep sense of our unworthiness will send a thrill of terror through the soul; but this is no evidence that God has changed toward us, or we toward God. No effort should be made to rein the mind up to a certain intensity of emotion. We may not feel today the peace and joy which we felt yesterday; but we should by faith grasp the hand of Christ, and trust Him as fully in the darkness as in the light.” Messages to Young People, 111, 112.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6–7.

There is no escaping the fact we live in perilous times. Satan is working tirelessly to strike terror into the hearts of men. When filled with fear, the mind can become confused, quite irrational, and easily persuaded by whatever control mechanism he wants to employ. The terror stricken heart will then conform to anything that brings relief.

Trusting in the devil’s methods brings a short-lived respite, for the end is sure destruction. While the unbelieving may not think so, Christ’s methods have a guaranteed deliverance. Contrary to the experience of he who knows not God, the faithful believer will have a history of proving the goodness of God in their lives. “The Lord says, ‘Call upon Me in the day of trouble.’ Psalm 50:15. He invites us to present to Him our perplexities and necessities, and our need of divine help. He bids us be instant in prayer. As soon as difficulties arise, we are to offer to Him our sincere, earnest petitions. By our importunate prayers we give evidence of our strong confidence in God. The sense of our need leads us to pray earnestly, and our heavenly Father is moved by our supplications.

“Often those who suffer reproach or persecution for their faith are tempted to think themselves forsaken by God. In the eyes of men they are in the minority. To all appearances their enemies triumph over them. But let them not violate their conscience. He who has suffered in their behalf, and has borne their sorrows and afflictions, has not forsaken them.

“The children of God are not left alone and defenseless. Prayer moves the arm of Omnipotence. Prayer has ‘subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire’—we shall know what it means when we hear the reports of the martyrs who died for their faith—and ‘turneth to flight the armies of the aliens (enemy). Hebrews 11:33, 34.’

“If we surrender our lives to His service, we can never be placed in a position for which God has not made provision.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 172, 173. And “whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” For “the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations.” I John 3:22; II Peter 2:9.

“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 119:165.

On one occasion Christ was talking with His disciples, and remembering that they were not yet acquainted with the limitless resources at His command, “He said to them, ‘Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name.’ John 16:24. He (Jesus) explained that the secret of their success would be in asking for strength and grace in His name. He would be present before the Father to make request for them. The prayer of the humble suppliant He presents as His own desire in that soul’s behalf. Every sincere prayer is heard in heaven. It may not be fluently expressed; but if the heart is in it, it will ascend to the sanctuary where Jesus ministers and He will present it to the Father without one awkward, stammering word, beautiful and fragrant with the incense of His own perfection.

“The path of sincerity and integrity is not a path free from obstruction, but in every difficulty we are to see a call to prayer. There is no one living who has any power that he has not received from God, and the source whence it comes is open to the weakest human being. ‘Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name,’ said Jesus, ‘that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do [it].’” The Desire of Ages, 667.

Is your Savior and dearest Friend any less interested in supplying your needs today as He was when He met every need of His disciples and subsequent followers at the beginning of His church? “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.

Caution—Beware of the Destroyer

In his second epistle to the Corinthian church, Paul encourages the people with counsel to have love and forgiveness toward one another and not to be despondent, “lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” II Corinthians 2:11. The deeper counsel here lies in the words, “we are not ignorant of his devices.” Could it be that, notwithstanding our privilege of Bible revelations, the destroyer may still get an advantage over us? The sad reality is, yes. One of the lies Satan frequently uses is that, we are too great a sinner to be deserving of salvation and God will not accept us. To believe this would drive us to despair and has the potential to cause us to distrust God!

“The one thing essential for us in order that we may receive and impart the forgiving love of God is to know and believe the love that He has to us. I John 4:16. Satan is working by every deception he can command, in order that we may not discern that love. He will lead us to think that our mistakes and transgressions have been so grievous that the Lord will not have respect unto our prayers and will not bless and save us. In ourselves we can see nothing but weakness, nothing to recommend us to God, and Satan tells us that it is of no use; we cannot remedy our defects of character. When we try to come to God, the enemy will whisper, It is of no use for you to pray; did not you do that evil thing? Have you not sinned against God and violated your own conscience? But we may tell the enemy that ‘the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.’ I John 1:7. When we feel that we have sinned and cannot pray, it is then the time to pray. Ashamed we may be and deeply humbled, but we must pray and believe. ‘This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.’ I Timothy 1:15.” Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 115.

Help, Do Not Hinder—Prayer Unites

“Give the erring one no occasion for discouragement. Suffer not a Pharisaical hardness to come in and hurt your brother. Let no bitter sneer rise in mind or heart. Let no tinge of scorn be manifest in the voice. If you speak a word of your own, if you take an attitude of indifference, or show suspicion or distrust, it may prove the ruin of a soul. He needs a brother with the Elder Brother’s heart of sympathy to touch his heart of humanity. Let him feel the strong clasp of a sympathizing hand, and hear the whisper, Let us pray. God will give a rich experience to you both. Prayer unites us with one another and with God. Prayer brings Jesus to our side, and gives to the fainting, perplexed soul new strength to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. Prayer turns aside the attacks of Satan.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 250.

Conclusion

Why is prayer the soul of religion? What is the soul of a man, but the very heart of his being, the part that is his true person or character. Just as the character reflects the soul of the man, so our prayer will tell us something of the vitality of our religion and the capacity of our connection with God.

So we have seen that earnest and sincere prayer will reach the ear of the Father, but, “if I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear [me],” Psalm 66:18; yet, what a blessing when He has not turned away from hearing my prayer, nor closed off His mercy. (Psalm 66:19, 20.)

“Again, he speaks of some who ‘have not cried unto Me with their heart.’ [Hosea 7:14.] Such petitions are prayers of form, lip service only, which the Lord does not accept.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 533, 534.

“There is need of prayer,—most earnest, fervent, agonizing prayer,—such prayer as David offered when he exclaimed: ‘As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God.’ ‘I have longed after Thy precepts;’ ‘I have longed for Thy salvation.’ ‘My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.’ ‘My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto Thy judgments.’ This is the spirit of wrestling prayer, such as was possessed by the royal psalmist. [Psalm 42:1; 119:40; 119:174; 84:2; 119:20.]” Testimonies, vol. 4, 534.

May the Father bless as your prayer life takes on a deeper, more earnest hungering and thirsting for the well-spring of life, the true indwelling of the Son of God.

Jeremiah Kayne works in the tertiary educational sector in Australia. He is a lay preacher and for the past 15 years, he and his wife have been operating a ministry sending Bibles, Bible studies, and literature to mission fields throughout the world.

Are We Properly Clothed?

by

Revelation 3:17, 18 says, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”

These startling words of Christ are spoken in love to those dwelling in Laodicea who profess to be among God’s remnant. Could it be possible that some of us could be deceived as to our spiritual condition? Such an alarming description given by our Saviour, who discerns the secrets of the heart, calls for some serious thinking.

“What is it that constitutes the wretchedness, the nakedness of those who feel rich and increased with goods?—It is the want of the righteousness of Christ. In their own righteousness they are represented as clothed with filthy rags, and yet in this condition they flatter themselves that they are clothed upon with Christ’s righteousness. Could deception be greater?” This Day With God, 228.

A Question

What is it going to take to awaken our sleepy heads from our deception that we may comprehend how God sees most of us? Ellen White wrote: “The knowledge of our state as God views it, seems to be hidden from us. We see, but perceive not; we hear, but do not understand; and we rest as unconcerned as if the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, rested upon our sanctuary. We profess to know God, and to believe the truth, but in works deny Him. Our deeds are directly adverse to the principles of truth and righteousness, by which we profess to be governed.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 84.

Sadly, rather than accepting Christ’s righteousness, many within the church today have done exactly as did Adam and Eve in their 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.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 311.

Praise God! He is ready, if we are ready, to awaken all lukewarm believers and help them to see the necessity of changes that must be made in their lives if they will be properly clothed. This is no small matter. In fact, it is a life and death issue. “He [God] is waiting to strip them [believing souls] of their garments stained and polluted with sin, and to put upon them the white robes of righteousness; He bids them live and not die.” The Faith I Live By, 134.

Now, since God is just waiting to put upon us the white robes of Christ’s righteousness, why are we so reluctant to accept His precious gift? The Bible has the answer: Because we are “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:17.

Wretchedness

Have you ever really seen such a person? I have. On one of my visits to Africa, I was scheduled to spend 30 days in the Cameroons, visiting every outpost. As we started out by Volkswagen, we had eight flat tires in just a few miles. Our tires were absolutely useless. I suggested we return to the capital city and try to find some other used tires, since new tires were unavailable. We searched for several hours through a huge pile of old, used tires until we finally found four that we hoped would do the job.

As these tires were being put on the car, I decided to see the little town. Believe me, it was only a few blocks in size. As I was walking slowly, looking in the shops, the smell was anything but pleasant, for beside the narrow sidewalk ran an open sewer ditch. Suddenly I smelled a stench I could hardly stand. But from where was it coming?

As I turned a corner, I almost bumped into him. I hesitate to describe what I saw. There he stood, about 6 feet 4 inches tall, dirty, and covered with mud and filth. I could hardly stand the odor, yet there he was stark naked, with not even a loincloth. On his stomach and sides were large ulcers, some as large as six inches across, with puss oozing from them. Some of his toes were missing, for he was filled with leprosy. I also noticed that half of his fingers had been eaten away. But when I looked at his face I was really shocked, for the leprosy had eaten away both eyeballs—only the sockets remained—and part of his nose was missing. What a shocking experience! I shall never forget this man who was in such a hopeless condition.

There is Hope

The Scriptures describe what God sees in many of us as believers today. Isaiah 1:5, 6 says, “Why should ye be stricken any more? Ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head [there is] no soundness in it; [but] wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.”

Yet there is hope. While we have failed to grasp God’s grace and strength provided through Christ, none are so sinful that they cannot find strength, purity, and righteousness in Jesus who died for us. The True Witness not only points out our Laodicean spiritual disease, but He offers the remedy. We are invited to come to Him and buy the white raiment of His righteousness, that we might be clothed with the robes of His righteousness so that the shame of our nakedness will not appear.

How do we buy Christ’s white raiment? “When the work of repentance is earnest and deep, the individual members of the church will buy the rich goods of heaven. [Revelation 3:18.] Oh, how many behold things in a perverted light, in the light in which Satan would have them see.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 961.

Imputed and Imparted

If only we could see ourselves as God sees us, not as Satan wishes us to see ourselves, then through earnest repentance we could buy the remedy for the Laodicean condition. The True Witness exhorts us to “be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19. The white raiment of Christ’s righteousness is often referred to in inspired writings as a robe or as robes in the plural. In truth, Christ has only one righteousness, but His righteousness is applied to man in two different ways—imputed and imparted. These are given to man for two different purposes.

“The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed; the righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven; the second is our fitness for heaven.” Messages to Young People, 35. Thus, the robes of righteousness that Christ provides for repentant man consist of:

  1. justifying righteousness, and
  2. sanctifying righteousness.

Robes of Righteousness

Inspiration often uses the plural noun when speaking of Christ’s robes of righteousness. A few of those references are given here: “Christ could stoop to raise unnumbered multitudes from the abyss of ruin and clothe them with the spotless garments of His own righteousness.” The Great Controversy, 415.

Revelation 16:15 says, “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”

“Only those who are clothed in the garments of His righteousness will be able to endure the glory of His presence when He shall appear with ‘power and great glory.’ [Luke 21:27.]” Sons and Daughters of God, 368.

We notice from these quotations that ‘garments’ is in the plural. We might think of the imputed robe of Christ’s righteousness as being the foundation garment, for we must receive it first. This robe signifies that the believer has confessed, repented of, and forsaken his sins; that he has been forgiven or justified.

Immediately after we are clothed with this robe, Christ places upon man His imparted robe of righteousness. Christ enters his heart to dwell there by faith. Christ’s imparted righteousness signifies that the believer is being sanctified; that his character is being fitted for heaven. Christ, with man’s cooperation, is living out His life within. This outer garment of sanctifying righteousness is often referred to in inspired writings as “the wedding garment.” [Matthew 22:11, 12.] All who attain to these two robes of divine righteousness are properly clothed and ready for the coming of the bridegroom to the wedding. Without these two divine garments, no man can see God and live.

Man’s Part

The next Bible verse introduces to us a different part of God’s truth. It declares that man has a part to act in wearing the robes of Christ’s righteousness. In Revelation 7:14, we are told, “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

Now the questions arise, What robes does man wash? And how does he wash them? We need not wash the imputed robe of Christ’s righteousness, for it is spotless. “It is the righteousness of Christ that makes the penitent sinner acceptable to God and works his justification. However sinful has been his life, if he believes in Jesus as his personal Saviour, he stands before God in the spotless robes of Christ’s imputed righteousness.” The Signs of the Times, July 4, 1892.

Neither does man wash Christ’s robe of imparted righteousness, for it too is spotless. When it comes to sanctification, we find that during sanctification the imparted righteousness of Christ is to become part of man’s very own character, for it is the character of man that must be fitted for heaven. This is not done instantaneously. Verily, it is the work of a lifetime, be it long or short.

At the new birth, Christ imputes and imparts His righteousness to the believer. Both are spotless robes. The repentant one is now ready for Christ to come just as was the thief on the cross. But then, during sanctification, man’s character is to be developed to recognize and resist sin and temptation in its many forms, and to become more and more Christlike every day. This requires cooperation between Christ and man, for Christ does not furnish man with a ready-made, spotless character. God furnishes the talents and His imparted righteous building blocks. But we build the character. For further study, I suggest you read Christ’s Object Lessons, 331.

Cooperation Needed

Please allow me to illustrate. For some years now I have been wearing one suit for preaching engagements. The other day, my wife told me it was time to get a new suit, so we went shopping for one. Fortunately, we found a department store that had a sale on men’s clothing. Surprisingly, the first suit that the salesman showed me was exactly what I wanted.

As I put the suit on, I felt there was a problem, probably necessitating the need for an alteration, for the suit felt slightly snug. But the tailor, after careful examination, said, “No, it does not need to be altered. The suit is a perfect fit exactly as it is, but you must lose about ten pounds.” I agreed and purchased the suit, and I am cooperating by reducing my weight; then the suit will fit properly.

This is a striking illustration of how we are to cooperate with God. He does not alter His character requirements; we must develop characters that fit His divine pattern. In our human, defective, stained, and polluted robes of character, we are to wash in the blood of the Lamb every day. As we continue to wash, God accounts our character as perfect in Christ. So, washing our garments is a very important work.

“The provision has been made for us to wash. The fountain has been prepared at infinite expense, and the burden of washing rests upon us, who are imperfect before God. The Lord does not propose to remove these spots of defilement without our doing anything on our part. We must wash our robes in the blood of the Lamb. We may lay hold of the merits of the blood of Christ by faith, and through His grace and power we may have strength to overcome our errors, our sins, our imperfections of character, and come off victorious, having washed our robes in the blood of the Lamb.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 183.

Work of Leaders

In this process, there is a work for God’s ministers and leaders to do. “We should teach those who are filthy how to cast away their old, sin-stained garments of character, and how to put on Christ’s righteousness.” The Southern Work, 27. We should also teach men that if they cooperate with the divine, the divine will cooperate with them, and they will come off victoriously.

“The whole purpose in giving His Son for the sins of the world is that man may be saved, not in transgression and unrighteousness but in forsaking sin, washing his robes of character, and making them white in the blood of the Lamb. He proposes to remove from man the offensive thing that He hates, but man must cooperate with him in the work. Sin must be given up, hated, and the righteousness of Christ must be accepted by faith. Thus will the divine cooperate with the human.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 632.

Repentant sinners also need to be informed that God has given detailed instructions for them as to how to wash their robes. In The Signs of the Times, August 1, 1878, Ellen White declares, “Here is a work for man to do. He must face the mirror of God’s law, discern the defects in his moral character and put away his sins, washing his robes of character in the blood of the Lamb. Envy, pride, malice, deceit, strife, crime will be cleansed from the heart that is recipient of the love of Christ, and cherishes the hope of being made like him when we shall see him as he is.”

In The Review and Herald, August 5, 1887, she wrote, “The Lord would have us wash our robes of character now, remove every stain in the blood of the Lamb. …

“We need to have higher and more distinct views of the character of Christ, to lead us to copy his example. We need to better understand what constitutes a pure religious life. We must learn to be Christlike in disposition and character.”

In these quotations, we are told how to wash our robes, for God would have us:

  1. face the mirror of God’s Law,
  2. identify our sins,
  3. put our sins away, and
  4. learn to be Christlike in character. When must this be done? Now! Day by day!

“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 himself from sin and selfishness?” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 960.

Again we read, “Now we have the precious opportunity of washing our robes of character in the blood of the Lamb till they are spotless in his purity.” The Signs of the Times, December 22, 1887.

Wedding Garment

We will quickly note that the wedding garment and our robes of character are one and the same thing. “The wedding garment in the parable is represented as a pure, spotless character which Christ’s true followers will possess.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 310. The wedding garment represents the character which all must possess who shall be accounted fit guests for the wedding. “The parable of the wedding garment opens before us a lesson of the highest consequence.” Ibid., 307.

What happens to the man who comes to the wedding feast without a wedding garment? These are “they who would not put off the garment of earth in order to be clothed with the robe of heaven.” Ibid., 318. In Matthew 22:13, we read of the king who declares of these, “Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

How different the experience will be for those who have put on the wedding garment. Revelation 19:7, 8 says, “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.” “Clothed in the glorious apparel of Christ’s righteousness, they have a place at the King’s feast. They have a right to join the blood-washed throng.” Ibid., 315. Why? Because they have washed their robes of character, they are a blood-washed throng.

So we see that this parable of the wedding garment, as told by Jesus, contains a lesson of the highest consequence. “The wedding garment represents the character which all must possess who shall be accounted fit guests for the wedding.” Ibid., 307. After the marriage, these fit guests will have a home with their King forever and ever.

“If we now wash our robes of character at this fountain, God will give us a place in the mansions that are being prepared for those who love Him.” The Signs of the Times, November 22, 1905.

Inspiration asks some very serious questions which each of us must, sooner or later, be prepared to answer. Are you keeping your garments unspotted from the world as you read in James 1:27? “Have you been washing your robes of character and making them white in the blood of the Lamb; or are you defiling your robes of character with moral pollution?” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 442.

Fullers’ Soap

We will now turn back to the topic of our preparation for the glorious coming of our King to the wedding. The prophet Malachi brings to light a time of special preparation for God’s people who are to face the exceedingly turbulent times of the end. God will give them special help for this special time. As they are washing their garments of character in the blood of the Lamb, God will come to their aid even as a refiner’s fire and as fullers’ soap. This glorious promise is recorded in Malachi 3:1–3: “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit [as] a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.”

Most of us seem to understand what is meant by the refiner’s fire—the process whereby gold and silver are refined and purified. But just what is the significance of the fuller’s soap? In Bible times, a fuller was a person who laundered, or whitened, cloth or clothing. Webster’s Dictionary states that fuller’s soap is extracted from a certain type of clay. “Fuller’s earth is a highly absorbent substance composed of clay and silica material, either natural or artificial, used for taking grease out of cloth. Fuller’s herb,” says Webster’s, “is a plant formerly used for taking stains out of cloth.”

In several places in the Scriptures, a fuller’s field is said to be located “at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller’s field.” Isaiah 7:3. The field was located in a place where the fuller could get not only the necessary detergent, clay substance, and needed bleach and herbs, but also an abundance of pure water. It was thus that he was able to achieve fantastically white, bright, spotless cloth and clothing.

We can readily appreciate what a great help fullers’ soap, God’s special cleansing grace, would be in the washing of our garments and character. Mark vividly describes, in Mark 9:3, the garment of Jesus on the Mount when He was transfigured before some of His disciples. “And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.”

We can scarcely imagine the whiteness of Christ’s garment! However, Jesus has opened an abundant fountain of His blood for us in which to wash our garments of character. He promises to supply fullers’ soap in abundance. Praise His name! His provisions are complete. We need only to cooperate.

Time of Judgment

We are now in the time of the judgment. In The Review and Herald, May 9, 1893, after penning the three verses in Malachi, previously quoted, Ellen White explains: “The coming of Christ which is here referred to is not his second advent to this earth, but his coming to the investigative judgment in the most holy place of the sanctuary in heaven. Thus the message is especially to us, who are living in the time of the judgment.”

For emphasis, permit me to repeat that last phrase, “The message of Malachi is especially to us who are living in the time of the judgment.” That time is now! The time of the judgment spoken here, that began in 1844, had a two-fold purpose:

  1. to accomplish the investigative judgment, and
  2. through a special work of putting away sin, to prepare a people to be able to stand when Christ appears.

To the members of God’s church, I will say that we are the modern sons of Levi, brought to life in Malachi. If we are to abide the day of His coming, our garments of character must be refined, purified, and purged. Why? So that we may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

Read from The Great Controversy, 425. In the first paragraph, Ellen White quotes Malachi 3:1–3; then she follows with this vivid description: “Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. 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. This work is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14.

“When this work shall have been accomplished, the followers of Christ will be ready for His appearing. ‘Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.’ Malachi 3:4. Then the church which our Lord at His coming is to receive unto Himself will be a ‘glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.’ Ephesians 5:27. ‘Then, she will look forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.’ Song of Solomon 6:10.”

What a solemn time in which to live! A time when a whole group from among God’s professed people, through the grace of God and their own diligent efforts, must be conquerors in the battle with evil. For it will be necessary for them to stand before God during the time of final trouble without a mediator in the heavenly sanctuary. This means that if they were to sin, there would be no forgiveness available. No other people will have lived under such a condition as this, but we need not be discouraged, for God is our Helper. What a Saviour is our Lord!

Get Ready

What a glorious future we have to look forward to! Preceding each of the following passages, Ellen White first quotes Malachi 3:1–3:

“Soon every man will be judged according to his deeds. Wake up, my brethren, before Christ comes to your name in the record books of heaven, and passes judgment upon every unchristlike word and deed.” The Kress Collection, 95.

In The Review and Herald, December 1, 1896, in connection with these verses, Ellen White declares, “A message which is as a two-edged sword must be given to the people, to clear away the evils that are seen among them. A living testimony that will awaken the paralyzed conscience is to be borne.”

But alas, at such a time when Jesus wants to come to take unto Himself a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, as we read in Ephesians 5:27, what is the condition of this people? He finds them in a condition of self-deception, thinking that they are properly clothed when they are actually wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Rather than being among those who are deceived and spiritually paralyzed, let us determine to be one of God’s messengers to bear His special awakening message, though it may be as unflattering as the Laodicean message and as piercing as a two-edged sword.

With Ellen White, let us sound the alarm, “Wake up, my brethren, get ready! get ready! get ready!”

“In a view given June 27, 1850, my accompanying angel said, ‘Time is almost finished. Do you reflect the lovely image of Jesus as you should?’ Then I was pointed to the earth and saw that there would have to be a getting ready among those who have of late embraced the third angel’s message. Said the angel, ‘Get ready, get ready, get ready. Ye will have to die a greater death to the world than ye have ever died.’ I saw that there was a great work to do for them and but a little time in which to do it.” Early Writings, 64.

Properly Clothed

Permit me to give one more important point. All need to understand the answer to the question, What does it actually mean to be clothed in the garments of Christ’s righteousness; to be clothed in the white raiment that is offered in Revelation 3? I will let Inspiration answer: “When we submit ourselves to Christ the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged to 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 garments of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, nor the nakedness and the deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 312.

When the Lord dwells in our hearts, we think the thoughts of God and do the works of God. After reading these inspired messages, let us ask ourselves, Am I properly clothed? If we are not, we need to heed the words of the angel, “Get ready, get ready, get ready.”

For over 60 years Pastor Lawrence Nelson served as an evangelist and minister for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Of that time, he served 13 years as the director of evangelism for youth at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Upon retirement from the General Conference, he continued to pastor, but when, as a result of his stand for truth, he was denied the opportunity to continue his pastorate, he started Keep the Faith Audio Tape Ministry, recording his sermons and making them available to individuals. Before his retirement from this ministry in 2004, over 18,000 audio tapes were being sent around the world each month.

Boundless Grace

by

Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Ephesians 4:7. The measure of the gift of Christ is “all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” [Colossians 2:9.] This is true whether viewed as the measure of the gift which God made in giving Christ, or as the measure of the gift which Christ himself gave. For the gift that God gave is his only begotten Son, and in “him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” [Colossians 2:9.] Therefore, from this standpoint, the measure of the gift of Christ being only the measure of the fullness of the Godhead bodily and this being only the measure of the grace that is given to every one of us, it follows that unto every one of us is given without measure, simply boundless grace.

Viewed from the measure of the gift in which Christ himself gives to us, it is the same; because “he gave himself for us;” (Titus 2:14) he gave himself for our sins, and in this he gave himself to us. And as in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and as he gave himself, then the measure of the gift of Christ on his own part is also only the measure of the fullness of the Godhead bodily. It therefore follows that from this standpoint also, the measure of grace that is given to every one of us is only the measure of the fullness of the Godhead, that is, simply immeasurable.

Thus in whatever way it is viewed, the plain word of the Lord is that unto every one of us he has given grace to the measure of the fullness of the Godhead bodily; that is, boundless, immeasurable grace—all the grace he has. This is good. But it is just the Lord, it is just like the Lord to do that; for he is good.

And this boundless grace is all given, given freely, to “every one of us.” [Ephesians 4:7.] To us it is. To you and me, just as we are. And that is good. We need just that much grace to make us what the Lord wants us to be. And he is just so kind as to give it all to us freely, that we may be indeed just what he wants us to be.

The Lord wants every one of us to be saved, and that with the very fullness of salvation. And therefore he has given to every one of us the very fullness of grace, because it is grace that brings salvation. For it is written, “The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11. Thus the Lord wants all to be saved, and therefore he gave all his grace, bringing salvation to all. The marginal reading of this text tells it that way, and it is just as true as the reading in the verse itself. Here it is: “The grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men, hath appeared.” All the grace of God is given freely to everyone, bringing salvation to all. Whether all or any one will receive it, that is another question. What we are studying now is the truth and the fact that God has given it. Having given it all, he is clear, even though men may reject it.

The Lord wants us to be perfect: and so it is written: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” [Matthew 5:48.] Desiring that we shall be perfect, he has given us, every one, all the grace that he has, bringing the fullness of his salvation, that every man may be presented perfect in Christ Jesus. The very purpose of this gift of his boundless grace is that we may be made like Jesus, who is the image of God. Even so it is written: “Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ … for the perfecting of the saints … till we all come in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” [Ephesians 4:7, 12, 13.]

Do you want to be like Jesus? Then receive the grace that he has so fully and so freely given. Receive it in the measure in which he has given it, not in the measure in which you think you deserve it. Yield yourself to it, that it may work in you and for you the wondrous purpose for which it is given, and it will do it. It will make you like Jesus. It will accomplish the purpose and the wish of him who has given it. “Yield yourself unto God.” [Romans 6:13.] “I beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” [II Corinthians 6:1.]

It can never be repeated too often, that under the reign of grace it is just as easy to do right, as under the reign of sin it is easy to do wrong. This must be so; for if there is not more power in grace than there is in sin, then there can be no salvation from sin. But there is salvation from sin; this no one who believes Christianity can deny.

Yet salvation from sin certainly depends upon there being more power in grace than there is in sin. Then, there being more power in grace than there is in sin, it cannot possibly be otherwise than that wherever the power of grace can have control, it will be just as easy to do right as without this it is easy to do wrong.

No man ever yet naturally found it difficult to do wrong. His great difficulty has always been to do right. But this is because man naturally is enslaved to a power—the power of sin that is absolute in its reign. And so long as that power has sway, it is not only difficult but impossible to do the good that he knows and that he would. But let a mightier power than that have sway, then is it not plain enough that it will be just as easy to serve the will of the mightier power, when it reigns, as it was to serve the will of the other power when it reigned?

But grace is not simply more powerful than is sin. If this were indeed all, even then there would be fullness of hope and good cheer to every sinner in the world. But this, good as it would be, is not all; it is not nearly all. There is much more power in grace than there is in sin. For “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” [Romans 5:20.] And just as much more power in grace than there is in sin, just so much more hope and good cheer there are for every sinner in the world.

How much more power, then, is there in grace than there is in sin? … Whence comes grace?—From God, to be sure. “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” [Philemon 3.] Whence comes sin?—From the devil, of course. Sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. Well, then, how much more power is there in grace than there is in sin? It is as plain as A B C that there is just as much more power in grace than there is in sin, as there is more power in God than there is in the devil. It is therefore also perfectly plain that the reign of grace is the reign of God; and that the reign of sin is the reign of Satan. And is it not therefore perfectly plain also, that it is just as easy to serve God by the power of God as it is to serve Satan with the power of Satan?

Where the difficulty comes in, in all this, is that so many people try to serve God with the power of Satan. But that can never be done. “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt.” [Matthew 12:33.] Men cannot gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of thistles. The tree must be made good, root and branch. It must be made new. “Ye must be born again.” [John 3:7.] “In Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” [Galatians 6:15.] Let no one ever attempt to serve God with anything but the present, living power of God, that makes him a new creature; with nothing but the much more abundant grace that condemns sin in the flesh, and reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Then the service of God will indeed be in “newness of life;” [Romans 6:4] then it will be found that his yoke is indeed “easy” and his burden “light;” [Matthew 11:30] then his service will be found indeed to be with “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” [I Peter 1:8.]

Did Jesus ever find it difficult to do right? Every one will instantly say, No. But why? He was just as human as we are. He took flesh and blood the same as ours. “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” [John 1:14.] And the kind of flesh that he was made in this world, was precisely such as was in this world. “In all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren.” [Hebrews 2:17.] “In all things”! It does not say, in all things but one. There is no exception. He was made in all things like as we are. He was of himself as weak as we are; for he said, “I can of mine own self do nothing.” [John 5:30.]

Why, then, being in all things like as we are, did he find it always easy to do right?—Because he never trusted to himself, but his trust was always in God alone. All his dependence was upon the grace of God. He always sought to serve God, only with the power of God. And therefore the Father dwelt in him, and did the works of righteousness. Therefore it was always easy for him to do right. But as he is, so are we in this world. He has left us an example, that we should follow his steps. “It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure,” [Philippians 2:13] as well as in him. All the power in heaven and in earth is given unto him; and he desires that you may be strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power. “In him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily”; [Colossians 2:9.] and he strengthens you with might by his Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your heart by faith, that you may be “filled with all the fullness of God.” [Ephesians 3:19.]

True, Christ partook of the divine nature, and so do you if you are a child of promise, and not of the flesh; for by the promises ye are partakers of the divine nature. There was nothing given to him in this world, and he had nothing in this world, that is not freely given to you, or that you may not have.

All this is in order that you may walk in newness of life; that henceforth you may not serve sin; that you may be the servant of righteousness only; that you may be freed from sin; that sin may not have dominion over you; that you may glorify God on the earth; and that you may be like Jesus. And therefore “unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. … Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” And I “beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” [Ephesians 4:7, 13.]

Can every believer have grace enough to keep him free from sinning?—Yes. Indeed, everybody in the world can have enough to keep him from sinning. Enough is given; and it is given for this purpose. If any one does not have it, it is not because enough has not been given; but because he does not take that which has been given. For “unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Ephesians 4:7. The measure of the gift of Christ is himself wholly, and that is the measure of “all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” To the fullness of the Godhead there is, indeed, no measure; it is boundless, is it simply the infinity of God. Yet that is the only measure of the grace that is given to every one of us. The boundless measure of the fullness of the Godhead is the only thing that can express the proportion of grace that is given to every one who is in this world. For “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” This grace is given in order that “as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through the righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord,” [Romans 5:20, 21] and in order that sin shall not have dominion over you, because you are under grace.

It is given also “for the perfecting of the saints.” The object of it is to bring each one to perfection in Christ Jesus to the perfection too, that is fully up to God’s standard; for it is given for the building up of the body of Christ, “till we all come in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” It is given to “every one of us,” “till we all come” to perfection, even by the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Again, this grace is given to every one where sin abounds; and it brings salvation to everyone to whom it is given. Bringing salvation in itself, the measure of the salvation which it brings to every one is only the measure of its own fullness, which is nothing less than the measure of the fullness of the Godhead.

As boundless grace is given to every one bringing salvation to the extent of its own full measure, then if any one does not have boundless salvation, why is it?—Plainly it can be only because he will not take that which is given.

As boundless grace is given to every one, in order that it shall reign in him against all the power of sin, as certainly as every sin reigned; and in order that sin shall not have dominion, then if sin still reigns in any one, if sin yet has dominion over any one, where lies the fault?—Clearly it lies only in this, that he will not allow the grace to do for him and in him that which it is given to do. By unbelief he frustrates the grace of God. So far as he is concerned, the grace has be given in vain.

But every believer, by his very profession, says that he has received the grace of God. Then if in the believer grace does not reign instead of sin; if grace does not have dominion instead of sin, it is plain enough that he is receiving the grace of God in vain. If grace is not bringing the believer onward toward a perfect man in the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, then he is receiving the grace of God in vain. Therefore the exhortation of the Scripture is, “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” II Corinthians 6:1.

The grace of God is fully able to accomplish that for which it is given, if only it is allowed to work. We have seen that grace being altogether from God, the power of grace is nothing but the power of God. It is plain enough therefore that the power of God is abundantly able to accomplish all for which it is given,—the salvation of the soul, deliverance from sin and from the power of it, the reign of righteousness in the life, and the perfecting of the believer unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,—if only it can have place in the heart and in the life to work according to the will of God. But the power of God is “unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Unbelief frustrates the grace of God. Many believe and receive the grace of God for the salvation from sins that are past, but are content with that, and do not give it the same place in the soul, to reign against the power of sin, that they did to save from sins of the past. This, too, is but another phase of unbelief. So as to the one great final object of grace—the perfection of the life in the likeness of Christ—they do practically receive the grace of God in vain.

“We then, as workers together with him beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Giving no offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed.” [II Corinthians 6:1–3.] Nor does this word “ministry” refer simply to the ordained ministry of the pulpit; it includes every one who receives the grace of God, or that has named the name of Christ. For “as every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” [I Peter 4:10.] Therefore he does not want any one to receive the grace of God in vain, lest that grace and its blessed working be misrepresented to the world, and so men be further hindered from yielding to it. He does not want his grace to be received in vain, because when it is, offense is given in many things, and the ministry of grace itself is blamed. Yet when the grace of God is not received in vain, but is given the place that belongs to it, “no offense” will be given “in anything,” and the ministry will not only be not blamed but will be blest.

And now to show how complete and all-pervading the reign of grace will be in the life where it is not received in vain, the Lord has set down the following list, embracing “all things,” and in which we shall approve ourselves unto God. …

“In all things approving ourselves” unto God, “In much patience, In afflictions, In necessities, In distresses, In stripes, In imprisonments, In tumults, In labors, In watchings, In fasting, By pureness, By knowledge, By longsuffering, By kindness, By the Holy Ghost, By love unfeigned, By the word of truth, By the power of God, By the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honor and dishonor, By evil report and good report: As deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; As dying, and behold, we live; As chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; As poor, yet making many rich: As having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” [II Corinthians 6:4–10.]

This list covers all the experiences that can ever enter into the life of any believer in this world. It shows that where the grace of God is not received in vain, that grace will so take possession and control of the life, that every experience that enters into the life will be taken by grace, and turned to making us approved unto God, and building us up in perfection unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. “We then, as workers together with him, beseech ye also that you receive not the grace of God in vain.” [II Corinthians 6:2.]

From the book, Lessons on Faith, 79-89.

©1995 by TEACH Services, Inc., used with permission. www.teachservices.com

In 1888, the Lord brought a message of righteousness to the church through Elders E.J. Waggoner and A.T. Jones. This message was identified as the beginning of the loud cry of the third angel whose glory was to fill the whole earth in preparation for the second coming of Jesus.

What Doest Thou Here?

by

There came a time in Elijah’s life when the Lord asked him a very important question. “The Lord said, What doest thou here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:13.That is the question I want to ask you, dear reader. If the Lord were to ask you that question today, what would your answer be? It does not have to be the Lord who asks you that question. Maybe your local church pastor may ask you that question, or another Seventh-day Adventist. Or maybe your next door neighbor.

It is an important question and we need to have a good answer to it. Can you remember the first time that you heard the Advent message? The time you decided that this was God’s truth? The time that you decided to be one of God’s remnant people? You knew then that there were some changes that had to happen in your life. There were things that you had to leave behind, things that you could no longer do. There were places that you could not visit any longer. There were friends that you could no longer be friends with. Some had to make a choice between employment and the Sabbath. Do you know why you made those choices? Are you quite clear in your mind about that?

Today circumstances have moved on for many of you. Some of you are no longer welcome even in your Seventh-day Adventist Church. Why are you here rather than there? Do you know the reason? From time to time I attend my local Conference Church. I remember a few weeks ago when I was in a Conference Church. If you had come to me after that service and asked me the question, that many people asked me, “What was wrong with the sermon we heard?” I would have found that question very difficult to answer because I could not remember what that sermon was about. Within a few minutes, what that man had said went out of my head. All I could tell you was this, that during that Sabbath morning service, I heard nothing and I saw nothing which could have showed me that I was in a Seventh-day Adventist Church.

About two months ago, I was in a Seventh-day Adventist Church and the preacher was a very good speaker. People came up to me afterwards and they said to me, “Was that not an excellent sermon?” Some of those people who asked me that question come to historic Seventh-day Adventist meetings. But there was nothing in that sermon that told me that he was a Seventh-day Adventist minister. It was a good sermon, but it was not a Seventh-day Adventist sermon. So what was I doing in that church?

Let me try to explain by using a kind of a parable. Suppose that you developed an interest. Your new hobby was model railways. If you have an interest like that, you might want to join a club or society of people who have the same interest.

These societies have regular meetings each week. Why would you go to those meetings? Because you want to meet other people who share your interest. What will you talk about when you go to those meetings? You want to talk about model railways. When you have special speakers coming to those meetings, what will those men talk about? They will talk about model railways, because that is what the society is for.

But what if the time came when the members of that society started to get interested in postage stamps instead? And when you went along to your model railway society, all that they wanted to talk about was postage stamps, comparing their collections, hearing talks about postage stamps and exchanging their duplicate stamps. Would you still want to be a member of that club? How would you feel about that?

But it is not just a question about how you would feel. How much would you learn about model railways in a club that talked about postage stamps? Would your interest in model railways grow, week by week, if you went to a club like that? Suppose that they had an excellent lecturer that came to that club and gave a good lecture about postage stamps and the other people in the club said to you, “Was that not an excellent lecture?” Or maybe they said to you, “What was wrong about that?” What would you say?

If you love the Adventist message, then that message is your whole focus and interest. Did you join the Seventh-day Adventist Church because you loved the Advent message? In 2 Thessalonians 2:10, Paul talks about some people that are going to be lost. He says that some will perish because they received not the love of the truth.

Do you have a love for the truth? Do you want to meet with others that have a love for the truth? Do you want to hear the truth? If you do not have a love of the truth, then you will perish.

I read some words from Sister White that made a deep impression on me. She wrote about different opinions and different views in the church. She said, “This I do know, that our churches are dying for the want of teaching on the subject of righteousness by faith.” Gospel Workers, 301.

If we do not have the truth on righteousness by faith as a living reality in our lives, then we will die spiritually. This is the truth around which all the other truths cluster. Every truth in the Bible must be studied in the light of that truth. We may wish to speak about the state of the dead or the second coming of Jesus or the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, but all those truths are given us to show us about the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

This is what the Seventh-day Adventist Church should be about. I know that the congregations I meet with, in Seventh-day Adventist Churches, are being starved for lack of these precious truths. They never hear the truth of righteousness by faith—the truth that sinful men and women may overcome those sins through faith in the power of Jesus Christ.

I want to meet with those who love this message. I want to hear messages about the truth of God’s word. I want to share experiences with people who know the truth. I want to hear what great things the Lord has done for you. I am tired of being starved and I want to feed upon the bread of life.

What are you doing here? What is your answer to Him? The Lord will want an honest answer and your answer will be tested. If you go to home churches because you have a quarrel with your pastor, a new pastor will come to your church and he will be very nice to you. Then you will discover why you went to that home church.

If you attend an independent Seventh-day Adventist meeting because your church has a woman pastor, will you still be there when your pastor is a man? If you are there because they will not let you do anything in church, will you still be there when they ask you to take the Sabbath School Lesson? Or lead out in the Prayer Meeting? Or give a talk to the young people? Will these things persuade you that it is just fine to be there?

Sister White says that the time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. Every one will be tested to see whether they have received a love of the truth, because if they have not received a love of the truth, they will perish. The contest is very simple. It is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. Who is giving the commandments in your life?

It is my prayer that each one of us will stand before the throne of God, one day, because we received a love of the truth that we might be saved.

New Bottles

by

“We want to understand the time in which we live. We do not half understand it. We do not half take it in. My heart trembles in me when I think of what a foe we have to meet and how poorly we are prepared to meet him. The trials of the children of Israel, and their attitude just before the first coming of Christ, have been presented before me again and again to illustrate the position of the people of God in their experience before the Second Coming of Christ—how the enemy sought every occasion to take control of the minds of the Jews, and today he is seeking to blind the minds of God’s servants.” Selected Messages, vol. 1, 406.

As we analyze this statement, it becomes apparent that we could learn a great deal by studying the experiences of the Jews at the time of the First Advent. This is a type of what we are going to go through just before the Second Advent. There was a very powerful group of leaders among the Jewish people of that time. They were wealthy, highly educated and their counsel was accepted as the voice of God. These men claimed to be the thought leaders of the people of God and they had control of their church organization. They did not believe all of the inspired writings, but they claimed that they believed the most important parts. In other words, they had no confidence in the Spirit of Prophecy. Ellen White said that they were skeptics, materialists. But, despite all this, they were in control of the professed church, in Jesus’ day.

They did not believe the historic message that God had given to the children of Israel. These Sadducees were even guilty of removing some of the primary landmarks that God had given to His people, some of the peculiar truths, which had made them different from the world. Educated in Greek schools, such as the one in Alexandria, Egypt, they adopted many worldly philosophies. Today, we would call them “liberal Adventists.” (And yes, they were “Adventists,” because they were looking forward to the First Advent of Christ. They were even Seventh-day Adventists because they kept the Sabbath.) Under the control of Satan’s delusive power, they had left the historic doctrines that God had given to His people, and the majority of the people went along with them. If you had been a self-supporting worker, such as John the Baptist, you might have thought that this group was one of the most dangerous developments among God’s people. They held a lot of influence among the leadership in Jerusalem, and they even had connections with the Romans.

Many people, today, think that those who have removed the doctrines concerning the sanctuary, the investigative judgment, the necessity of overcoming sin, the divine authority of the Spirit of Prophecy and other landmark Adventist doctrines are the greatest danger to the truth. Of course, we would never deny that we need to spend time attacking and trying to correct these falsehoods. Jesus publicly condemned the sophistries of the Sadducees in His day. However, there was another influence even more dangerous which Jesus put much more effort into counteracting. This group was so insidious that even Jesus’ own disciples were strongly influenced by it. These men were called Pharisees.

When we try to focus our energies attacking the errors of Sadduceism (liberalism), I say to myself, are we missing the point? That is dangerous and we should be opposed to it, but that is not the biggest danger.

 

What is Pharisaism?

 

What is Pharisaism and how do we avoid being influenced by it? Ellen White described Pharisaism as the spirit of human nature, manifested in all ages among the human family. Jesus said concerning the Pharisees: “The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not.” Matthew 23:2, 3.

Pharisaism is the spirit of self-exaltation, seeking to be in control of others and of the work. In a speech, in 1901, Ellen White declared that God’s work is to advance without asking permission or support from those who have taken to themselves a kingly power (Pharisaism). (See General Conference Bulletin, April 3, 1901.)

“For years a degree of Pharisaism has been springing up amongst us . . . A spirit which desires to rule . . . but very little of the spirit which leads men to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn of Him . . Human inventions and human plans are eclipsing sacred things, and excluding divine instruction. . . They rule without a vestige of the authority of God . . . and others are becoming leavened by this wrong influence.” 1888 Materials, 1558, 1559. Jesus told His disciples, in Matthew 16, to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. We hear much today about properly constituted church authority, but the Pharisees did not have any divine authority for what they were doing.

The essence of Pharisaism, as described in Hosea 10, is professed service to God when a person is actually working for himself. It results in a critical, unforgiving spirit that is devoid of love. Those who exhibit this spirit show a resistance to the truth and are involved in evil surmising. Where does evil surmising come from? Ellen White says, “Surmisings are a repast from the enemy, a banquet of his own preparing.” Review and Herald, October 17, 1899.

She warns that there is far more Pharisaism among our people than they suppose. “It is a spirit of wanting to be first . . . A spirit of criticism toward others . . . Envy, jealousy, suspicion, faultfinding, and false witnessing . . . A spirit of retaliation is secretly at work: yet those who are thus creating disaffection and disunion . . . all the while claim to be firm believers in the truth. Such do not practice the spirit of the truth. The leaven of their evil surmisings permeates the company where it exists.” Review and Herald, December 18, 1888. Simply speaking, Pharisaism leads people to make a profession of that which is true, while their lives are not in harmony with their profession.

When Jesus came to this earth, a war was waged between His humble, self-sacrificing spirit and the spirit of Pharisaism—the predominate spirit in the church among the professed people of God at that time.

 

New Wine Must Have New Bottles

 

Jesus said, “No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wine skins, and both are preserved.” Matthew 9:16, 17.

You cannot put new wine into old wineskins. You cannot unite the teachings of Christ with Pharisaism. Many people have tried it, but always to their own destruction. Ellen White says, “The principles of Christ’s teaching [could not] be united with the forms of Pharisaism. Christ was not to close up the breach that had been made by the teachings of John. He would make more distinct the separation between the old and the new . . . The effort to unite the teachings of Jesus with the established religion would be vain. The vital truth of God, like fermenting wine, would burst the old, decaying bottles of the Pharisaical tradition.” The Desire of Ages, 278, 279.

When Jesus came, what He taught could not be united with the insidious and deceptive forms of Pharisaism. This group, which outwardly professed the truth, had made a god out of their church organization. The words of Christ, Ellen White says, were an arraignment of the whole system of Pharisaism. He declared, that by placing their requirements above the divine principles, the rabbis were putting themselves above God.

Remember, that the experience of the children of Israel at Christ’s first coming illustrated the position of God’s people just before the Second Coming. Can the forms of Pharisaism be united with the truth anymore today than they could two thousand years ago? No, never! What is the only hope for us, then?

“Only in Christ Jesus will the church near the period of Christ’s coming be able to stand. She is required of her Redeemer to advance in piety, and to have increased zeal, understanding better as she nears the end that her own high calling is of God in Christ Jesus.” 1888 Materials, 333.

I often hear people say today, “It is all right. Just let the tares grow. The tares and the wheat have to grow together until the harvest. This apostasy will just have to continue until Jesus comes.” How does God’s prophet answer this? She said that as we (the church) approach the end, we are required of our Redeemer to advance in piety and to have increased zeal. We must have a better understanding of our high calling in Christ Jesus.

However, the devil has a far different plan. He intends to leaven the camp with so many tares and so much Pharisaism that the wheat will be choked out. And the success that he is having is almost unbelievable. Parents come to us from all over the country, telling us sad stories of what has happened to their children. They say, “My children are all out in the world. They grew up in an Adventist home, they went to an Adventist church, they went to an Adventist school, and now they are gone.”

 

A Reformation and a Coming Out

 

Ellen White wrote, “Pharisaism (is) . . . leavening the camp . . . Seventh-day Adventist Churches were affected; . . . but the Lord had given me a message, and with pen and voice I would work until this leaven was expelled and a new leaven was introduced, which was the grace of Christ.

“I was confirmed in all I had stated in Minneapolis, that a reformation must go through the churches.” 1888 Materials, 356, 357. God is telling us that we cannot go to heaven the way we are. There must be a reformation in our lives and in our churches. Inspiration says, “Reforms must be made, for spiritual weakness and blindness were upon the people who had been blessed with great light . . . As reformers they had come out of the denominational churches, but they now act a part similar to that which the churches acted. We hoped that there would not be the necessity of another coming out.” Ibid.

That last sentence has direct bearing on the home church movement that is springing up all over the world. Some of us that should be leaders in Adventism are so blind. The Lord is taking the work into His own hands. I see people without education, training or knowledge, starting churches all over the world. God is at work. If you and I do not do our part to save our children and the people around us, the Lord will use someone else, and we might lose our souls.

Continuing from 1888 Materials, 356, 357: “While we will endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace, we will not with pen or voice cease to protest against bigotry.”

Bigotry is Pharisaical control—human control over the church. Human beings are never to control the church of God. Read that in The Desire of Ages, 414, 415. She says, “Many will close their ears to the message God sends them and open their ears to deception and delusion . . . Our brethren separate themselves from God, by reason of the homage they give to human beings.” 1888 Materials, 357, 358.

“There was much talk, but very little of the mind of Christ . . . The enemy often employed them in his service . . . Under the influence of the great deceiver they would take a position to oppose the most sacred things of God.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 16, 219.

“There must be no rings of men to unite together in unholy fellowship to strengthen each other in ways and ideas that are opposed to the spirit of God . . . Unless they were changed in spirit and confessed their mistakes, they would go into greater deceptions.” 1888 Materials, 359, 360.

“As long as you maintain this spirit of Pharisaism, God’s Spirit will not, cannot work with you.” Ibid., 410.

 

Pharisaism and Christ’s Teaching Do Not Mix

 

We must realize that preaching and teaching and all religious service is utterly vain, worthless, and helpless unless the Spirit of God is working. As long as the leadership maintains the spirit of Pharisaism, God’s Spirit will not work with them, because they do not feel their utter dependence upon Him. When they humble their hearts before God, they will see the danger of Pharisaism in every church. That includes home churches. As the disciples lived and worked with Jesus, and listened to His teaching, they began to understand what really counted in religion. It is important to have a faith that works by love in the heart and purifies the mind and soul.

The more they understood that principle, the more they knew that there was no place for union with the old religion of the Pharisees. The disciples found that an effort to unite the teachings of Jesus with the established religion would have been a mistake.

As Ellen White says, “The new doctrines, like fermenting wine would have burst the old decaying bottles of the Pharisaical tradition.” Signs of the Times, September 19, 1892. To the Pharisees, the teaching of Jesus was new in almost every respect. It was unrecognized, unacknowledged as truth. They professed to have great respect for the religion of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Moses. Nevertheless, when Christ taught the original truths that had been committed to the fathers, His teaching was new to the Pharisees.

That is the exact condition we are in today. Historic Adventists are not teaching something new, although we meet that accusation frequently. The reason people think it is new is because the doctrines they hold have been perverted. We are teaching the original truths that were given to Adventism, just like Jesus was teaching the original truths that were given to the fathers. They were new to the Pharisees, but they were actually the old, original theories.

In this type of situation, the devil comes with a very skillful, sly temptation. The leaders in Adventism were tricked by this in Minneapolis, in 1888. The people were confused about what the truth was. When a message was presented to them, which they thought was new (it was really just the good old truth), they rejected it. Their minds were so distorted that they said, “We must cling to the old-theories (their distorted beliefs).” The result was that they had no part in the message that God was sending to His people, right then.

Today, just as at the First Advent, Christ is looking for new bottles. Bottles which are not warped and perverted by long-held traditions and fallacies. Ellen White wrote about this in Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 333: “Now, those who have had years in this same experience, know not God nor Jesus Christ whom He has sent, and should such go forth as representatives of Jesus Christ? These men will never give the right mold to other minds; they have not grown up to the full stature of men and women in Christ. They simply have the name of Christians but are not fitted for the work of God, and never will be until they are born again, and learn the A.B.C. in true religion of Jesus Christ. There is a little hope in one direction. Take the young men and women, and place them where they will come as little in contact with our churches as possible, that the low grade of piety which is current in this day shall not leaven their ideas of what it means to be a Christian.”

God is finding new bottles today. I am amazed as I travel and visit God’s people. God is taking people who have been drug addicts, and those who have been involved in all kinds of crime, and He is showing them the gospel, and they are accepting it. Among this class, who have a willing heart and are not self-sufficient, God is finding new bottles to carry on His work.

Ellen White gives us the promise that if we were willing to become new bottles, the Lord will fill us with wine. Do you want to be a new bottle? Do you want to say, “Lord, I want to be converted? I do not want to have a Pharisaical heart anymore. Take the desire for kingly power out of my heart. I am willing to do whatever You say. I am willing to take my place among the brethren.” If this is your sincere prayer, the Lord will answer you.

 

Sparkling Gems of Truth

by

Watchmen on the walls of Zion are called to keep God’s remnant informed of end time events which are daily developing around us. But there is something vastly more important than our knowing all about these closing events and making sure we have followed God’s counsel to get out of the cities, to become free of debt, and to be aware of Satan’s plans to deceive. In addition to knowing the signs of the times, we need absolute assurance that we have individually been born again. What a tragedy if, in the final moment of God’s judgment, we should discover that we are in the same situation as Nicodemus, the great theologian who could repeat from memory the entire Old Testament Bible of his day. Yet he was startled to hear from the Great Physician that he was not ready to see God because he had a serious heart problem which required a transplant. In order to be ready for heaven he must be born again.

Let us first review the experience of Nicodemus as found in John chapter 3 verses 1–5: “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Jesus spoke with such positive words to Nicodemus that there was no doubt as to his need for a change of heart. God loves us so much that He wants us to have characters like unto the character of His Son Jesus. Therefore through His written word and the testimonies of His Spirit, He has sent to us many sparkling gems of truth. These are God’s divine means of enabling boys and girls, men and women, to form jewel-like characters, fitted to live with Him in that beautiful city, the New Jerusalem.

Consider Albert, a man in his early 30s. His face was pale and drawn and he only had a short time to live, that is, unless an organ donor could be found, for he needed a heart transplant. Having a wife and children, he was understandably troubled and anxious. The community solicited funds for his anticipated surgery. Finally a day arrived when upon answering the telephone he heard those welcomed words, “A donor heart has been found.” Immediately his mind was filled with hope and rejoicing. After the proper preparations were made, Albert surrendered himself fully into the hands of his physician. The surgery was successful.

After some weeks had passed, what a transformation had taken place! What a change! No longer was Albert pale and haggard. His life had been restored. His face shown with a healthy radiance. His eyes were bright. His joy and thanksgiving were reflected upon the entire community where he lived. All the people rejoiced with him. However, there was one thing that he could not forget. He meditated over the fact that someone had lost his life to make it possible that he might live.

Now let us consider some spiritual lessons from Albert’s experience. Before he received a new heart, Albert was a sick and dying man. Today many are as sick spiritually as Albert was physically. To use a Bible term, their hearts are natural or carnal and their characters so diseased that they do not have long to remain spiritually alive. Note God’s description of such a heart. He declares, “Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5, last part).

Spiritually speaking, men do not always realize the extent of the diseased condition of their hearts; that is, not until they look into the mirror of God’s law, the Ten Commandments. It is then that they see themselves as they actually are, wretched and hopelessly near death. They long to be forgiven, but praise God, there is a divine remedy for spiritual illness and that remedy is the Gospel.

“The truths of the gospel are not unconnected; uniting they form one string of heavenly jewels, … and like threads of gold they run through the whole of Christian work and experience.” This Day With God, 224. So we are told God’s precious sparkling gospel promises to unite to form one golden string of remedial heavenly gems.

These truths can be plucked off the string and examined. Let’s look at the one called justification.

In examining this jewel of truth, let’s look at Larry as an illustration. Larry seemed to be extremely discouraged and despondent. His friend George told him of some of the wonderful, encouraging gems of truth to be found in the Bible and urged him to study God’s word.

Larry was convinced of his need to study but when he opened the Bible he knew not where to begin. So he started reading through Genesis and then into Exodus, but when he reached Exodus 20, he was startled, for upon comparing himself with God’s law he was faced with a shocking revelation of his truly diseased spiritual condition. He asked himself if this could be the reason for his mental despondency. Without realizing it Larry had echoed the words of Paul as he cried out: “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me …” (Romans 7:24)?

Larry felt desperate. Is there no remedy? But when he turned to the New Testament Larry was filled with joyful excitement. Yes! There is a remedy for all sin sick souls! He found it in Jesus Christ our spiritual physician. He listened as he heard the Physician’s invitation, “Come unto Me” (Matthew 11:28). Larry responded. He cast himself upon Christ’s mercy. Jesus looked upon him with love and tender compassion.

In somewhat the same words as He said to Nicodemus that night so long ago, Jesus spoke to his heart. Larry needed a new heart. There’s nothing that could be done to repair or patch up his old heart. It would be necessary to undergo a spiritual heart transplant. Without the needed procedure he would die. The new heart would be free and all services would be donated. It would just take cooperation to be born again into a new life altogether with Jesus.

But how could this happen? Ellen White wrote, “In order to obtain the righteousness of Christ [that’s a new heart], it is necessary for the sinner to know what that repentance is which works a radical change of mind and spirit and action. …

“Who is desirous of becoming truly repentant? What must he do? —He must come to Jesus, just as he is, without delay. He must believe that the word of Christ is true, and, believing the promise, ask, that he may receive. When sincere desire prompts men to pray, they will not pray in vain. The Lord will fulfill His word, and will give the Holy Spirit to lead to repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 393.

It seems too simple, just come to Jesus just as I am, believing that God’s word and its promises are true and that the Physician will send the Holy Spirit to repair him. The Physician has given to every man a measure of faith to believe in order that he might respond to His calling; however, for a man’s faith to increase he must come to the Great Physician to receive not only repentance but also a greater measure of faith, even a faith that will make salvation by grace possible.

In his bedroom with his Bible open before him, Larry fell upon his knees. His mind was drawn to Christ on the cross. While kneeling at the foot of the cross looking up at Jesus these words burned into his soul: “A Donor has been found.” He now understood how Jesus Himself had passed through a horrible death on the cross in order that Larry, a repentant sinner, might live. With sadness Larry realized that for him to live someone had to die and that Someone was his divine surgeon, Jesus Christ, God’s own dear Son.

Turning to his open Bible he read this precious promise: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh …” (Ezekiel 36:26). Larry prayed for the promised Helper and his prayer was answered. The Spirit led him into a true sorrow for his sins, into repentance and faith and a full surrender to the Great Physician who, as promised, performed the recreative surgery.

Larry had obeyed as he heard the Physician plead, “My son, give Me thine heart” (Proverbs 23:26). But oh, what an exchange! Larry had received a clean, unselfish, new healthy heart in exchange for his sinful, selfish, spiritually diseased heart. Larry’s sins were forgiven! Through faith Larry had received the sparkling gift of justification.

God warns us through Ellen White that as a people we have at times neglected to teach these preparatory truths to souls who are seeking salvation. Surely we do not consider these truths as unnecessary or as an unpleasant duty, or do we? If we have fallen into this trap, let us heed the following rebuke: “Some open revival meetings, and by this means call large numbers into the church. But when the excitement is over, where are the converted ones? Repentance and confession of sin are not seen. The sinner is entreated to believe in Christ and accept Him, without regard to his past life of sin and rebellion. The heart is not broken. There is no contrition of soul. The supposed converted ones have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 19.

“The Lord desires His servants today to preach the old gospel doctrine, sorrow for sin, repentance, and confession. We want old-fashioned sermons, old-fashioned customs, old-fashioned fathers and mothers in Israel. The sinner must be labored for, perseveringly, earnestly, wisely, until he shall see that he is a transgressor of God’s law, and shall exercise repentance toward God, and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ.” Ibid.

Reading in The Signs of the Times, November 24, 1887: “Believe, believe, believe in Jesus, is the soothing lullaby that is lulling the world to sleep … .” Why, “the devils believe, and tremble” (James 2:19). A lukewarm Laodicean may believe all the truth and God’s promises, but he is not being saved thereby, for he is not converted. Jesus said in John 3 verse 3 that unless a man is born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. An unconverted one believes only with a measure of faith that is given to all men. We are to teach new converts that it is by repentance and faith we are justified before God and through divine grace enabled to render obedience to His commandments.

Back to the story of Larry. As Albert had received a new physical life through the gift of his donor heart, just such an amazing transformation had taken place in the life of Larry. He had received the heart, the mind, and the faith of His Savior. He was filled with hope, rejoicing, and gratitude. Relieved of the burden of his sins he was no longer miserable and spiritually wretched. New spiritual life had been put within him. His eyes sparkled with joy. His face shone with a healthy radiance. He reflected his joy and thankfulness upon all with whom he came in contact. He pointed them to the Great Physician who alone is able to forgive sins and to heal spiritual diseases.

The entire community where he lived became aware of the change in Larry. He did not fail to also tell his friends that they must go to Jesus just as they are to receive the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. Day by day Larry diligently studied God’s precious word. As he increased in wisdom and knowledge he continued to grow up spiritually in Christ.

From the Inspired writings we are told that many of us, especially the youth, fail to understand the true significance of what it means to have a new heart. Ellen White clearly defines this meaning. “The youth especially stumble over this phrase, ‘a new heart.’ They do not know what it means. … When Jesus speaks of the new heart, He means the mind, the life, the whole being.” Sons and Daughters of God, 100. And, so we will not possibly misunderstand, she explains further: “To have a new heart is to have a new mind, new purposes, new motives.” Ibid.

Paul understood this for he explains, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Actually, the new birth is a new creation. How can this be? How does this new life come about? Inspiration tells us, “When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature.” The Desire of Ages, 324.

One must remember that having once received a new heart it must be maintained in the same way we receive it – through surrender to the will of God.

Let’s take a look at King David. He was converted in his youth; however, he did not always maintain his surrender and fell into grievous sins. So the question, If one has lost his born again experience, how can he regain it? The answer: in the same way that David did, for after David’s great sin he once again surrendered to the Great Physician pleading, Give me a new heart, O my God (see Psalm 51).

Through the Spirit of Prophecy Inspiration has revealed, “One of the most earnest prayers recorded in the word of God is that of David when he plead, ‘Create in me a clean heart, O God’ (Psalm 51:10). God’s response to such a prayer is, A new heart will I give you. This is work that no finite man can do. Men and women are to begin at the beginning, seeking God most earnestly for a true Christian experience. They are to feel the creative power of the Holy Spirit. They are to receive the new heart, that is kept soft and tender by the grace of heaven. The selfish spirit is to be cleansed from the soul.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1165.

When David sinned, he displayed a carnal, selfish, stony heart. This mindset was removed, his heart was renewed by the creative power of the Holy Spirit. At the beginning of a Christian experience or for a renewed Christian experience, we must fully repent and surrender to Christ. Then with Christ dwelling in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, we again can receive the new mind, even “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Oh beloved, let us praise God that we can experience such a sparkling gem of gospel truth.

Satan has also perfected jewels but they are counterfeit jewels. They glitter, but not with a heavenly light. We are living in the end time. Conditions and events in the world and in the church clearly reveal that at such a time as this, many in the churches are spiritually sick. This allows them to be easily deceived by Satan’s glittering, worldly counterfeit jewels. Their minds need the healing touch of the Great Physician.

We have been warned that in these latter days, erroneous, infidel theories will be taught as Bible truths to God’s people. Such errors insidiously attack the spiritual heart, causing a variety of spiritual illness and producing grave spiritual consequences. Webster defines an infidel as a person not holding to the faith but opposing, or unfaithful to Christianity. Surely we should avoid reading or listening to words that spring from the heart of an infidel. The best way to avoid cancer and other serious physical diseases is to live a lifestyle that will prevent them from occurring. Likewise, deadly spiritual illness can be prevented only if we preoccupy and fortify the mind with truth. This must be done, however, before we meet the soul destroying so-called jewels of Satan’s string of falsehoods.

Through our modern prophet, Ellen White, God has revealed that, “None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict.” The Great Controversy, 593, 594.

Another precious gem to pluck off the string of heavenly jewels is called sanctification. Paul said that sanctification is a very vital part of salvation, for God hath chosen us to salvation through sanctification. He said, Have you not read what I wrote in my second letter to the Thessalonians? “We are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification …” (2 Thessalonians 2:13). I will say to you today as I said in my farewell counsel to the elders of Ephesus, “Brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).

Ellen White agrees with Paul on this subject, Is sanctification a necessity? In an article Ellen White first asked, “What does the Lord require of His blood-bought heritage?” She then answers, “The sanctification of the whole being.” The Review and Herald, November 24, 1904. Beloved, never should we consider sanctification as unnecessary to salvation or as a second-rate experience. Sanctification is not an option or an appendage. It is a sparkling gem of truth that God has provided for our redemption, a vital part of the saving gospel.

Let us now observe this gem of sanctification from another angle. All will agree that it is the Lord who justifies man. But how do men attain to sanctification by their own good works? What saith Inspiration? Through Moses God declares, “I am the Lord which sanctify you” (Leviticus 20:8). And in the New Testament Paul writes, “The very God of peace sanctify you wholly” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Jude 1 is addressed to them that are sanctified by God the Father. Ellen White tells us, “We want the sanctification that God Himself gives.” The Review and Herald, July 15, 1890.

So the question: How does God sanctify man? Bible illustrations testify that only the presence of God can sanctify or make holy a person or a thing. For example, in the story of Moses it was the presence of God in the burning bush that made both it and the ground surrounding it holy. God commissioned Bezaleel to shape the intricate gold work for the wilderness sanctuary. He gave him special wisdom and skill for the work. While Bezaleel was melting the gold, and pounding and shaping the golden cherubims for the most holy place, they were not yet holy or sanctified. Yet when they were later dedicated in the service of God and the presence of God visibly entered the sanctuary to dwell therein, then the cherubim for the mercy seat were no longer just gold statuary. They were sacred, sanctified emblems representing the work of the angel in the heavenly sanctuary.

So, just as God entered into the sanctuary to sanctify it by His presence, so it is the presence of God inside the hearts of men that sanctify them. “I will dwell in them, … and I will be their God” (2 Corinthians 6:16, last part). God’s presence in our very own heart is true sanctification. Paul teaches that believers are to be “sanctified by the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:16, last part). This is Bible sanctification. This work can be accomplished only through faith in Christ by the power of the indwelling Spirit of God. (See The Great Controversy, 469.) Thus it is, Christ in you, that sanctifies. The indwelling Holy Spirit is “as the personal presence of Christ to the soul.” The Review and Herald, November 29, 1892.

Notice the following passages from the Spirit of Prophecy: “Sanctification of the soul by the operation of the Holy Spirit is the implanting of Christ’s nature in humanity.” This Day With God, 224.

“Sanctification is not an emotion, but a heaven-born principle that brings all the passions and desires under the control of the Spirit of God.” The Signs of the Times, May 19, 1890.

“The Lord Jesus loves His people, and when they put their trust in Him, depending wholly upon Him, He strengthens them. He will live through them, giving them the inspiration of His sanctifying Spirit, imparting to the soul a vital transfusion of Himself.” That I May Know Him, 78.

“To be sanctified is to become a partaker of the divine nature, catching the Spirit and mind of Jesus … .” The Review and Herald, April 28, 1891.

The Great Physician desires to give us a heart transplant to replace our stony heart and to keep it healthy through a daily, heavenly process of sanctification – Christ in you.

These important truths have been revealed to us in such a clear and simple manner so that by God’s divine grace we may commit our lives to His creative power and be ready to spend eternity with Him when Jesus returns.

 

For more than fifty years, Lawrence Nelson served the Seventh-day Adventist Church as a church pastor, evangelist, and then in Conference, Union, and General Conference leadership. When God laid upon him the responsibility to “tell it like it is” to alert the people how the church was leading them into the worldwide ecumenical movement, he was forbidden to preach in any church within the Oregon Conference. Though nothing could be found in his preaching that was contrary to the doctrines of the church, he was considered divisive. As a result, Keep the Faith Audio Tape Ministry was born. Elder Nelson passed to his rest on April 18, 2012.