Daily Living

Conviction vs. Preference

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As a young attorney, David C. Gibbs Jr. could hardly believe his ears as the pastor relayed how his church was being sued by the state for operating its ministry. As he reviewed the legal documents, Dr. Gibbs was astonished that such a thing could happen in modern America. From that very first case through the present day, God has blessed Dr. Gibbs’ commitment to legally help churches, pastors, and Christians free of charge. The ministry has grown substantially through God’s blessing over the last 40 years as attorneys, legal assistants, and other ministry workers have joined the team of “legal missionaries.”

Shared here are excerpts from his book, Conviction vs. Preference, by Attorney David C. Gibbs Jr., Christian Law Association, Conneaut, Ohio 44030. These are actual incidents that have occurred during court proceedings.

When a Christian stands to defend his beliefs in a court room, his testimony becomes quite critical, for the court has said a man cannot hold his beliefs if he cannot describe them. A belief is not a hunch. It is not a feeling or an “it seems to me.”

There are people who have gone to the witness stand and after stating what they believe are asked, “Well, why do you believe that? Can you show me that in the word of God?” Some do not even know if what they believe is there, but reply with “it sort of seems to me.” The problem the court has with a “well, it seems to me,” is that feelings change rapidly and as a consequence, a hunch or a feeling, or an “it seems to me” will not be honored.

In a court of law, a defendant must be able to state his beliefs from the Bible orally. The court does not expect eloquence, but it does expect the defendant to be able to explain his or her beliefs in a simple and concise manner. It also requires knowledge of those beliefs. This becomes important because often we like to hide behind a title. We may claim to be a “separated fundamentalist” or “a Christian,” which are descriptive terms that may have to be described more fully. In the matter of beliefs and believers, the court realized there must be a test to determine which beliefs are upheld and which beliefs will not be honored and protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

In 1972, the court came down with such a test. Ironically, that test case involved Christian education. An Amish man who lived in the state of Wisconsin by the name of Jonas Yoder told the state that he would no longer send his children to the state school. The state of Wisconsin advised him that he must, to which he replied, “I don’t think you hear me. I am not going to send my children to your school.” Mr. Yoder was threatened with being sued if he refused to comply but still he refused. He was warned that if he was sued and if the state won the case, he could go to jail. His only response was that he would not send his children to the school. Even under the threat of losing his children, he refused to change his mind, explaining that his religious beliefs prohibited him from complying with the demand.

Mr. Yoder did not fare very well in court. He lost the case and was told that now that he had had his day in court, he must comply with the ruling. He still refused, never altering his position and he found out something very interesting. After losing his appeal, his case went to the U. S. Supreme Court, where Mr. Jonas Yoder was told that the First Amendment protected him and he was not required to send his children to the state school. This case laid down the test that was to be used for all subsequent cases to determine which beliefs are to be protected by the First Amendment and which are not.

The first definition the court made was, “Every religious belief is one of two types. It is either a conviction or a preference.”

Most Christians carelessly use the word conviction. In reality, the test of whether or not a matter is a conviction is a very severe one and not to be taken lightly. It will be seen here that most of us possess only preferences.

WHAT IS A PREFERENCE?

A preference is a belief that is held with such intensity that a person can go into full time service in the name of that belief. He can be a minister of the gospel, a Christian schoolteacher or a missionary. He might even give all of his wealth to it and the court decides he still has only a preference. His belief may energize him to stand on a street corner and witness and proselytize, but it would still only be a preference. If a belief can change under some circumstances, the court calls it a preference. True conviction cannot be changed!

  1. Peer Pressure

The court has found that peer pressure causes many people to change their beliefs. A minister may study the word of God and believe that there is something he knows he must do. He resolves in his heart to make that change, but when he shares it with his friends or other ministers or his congregation, they convince him to tone it down a bit so others can cooperate with him. Little by little he bends, proving that what he first said was a preference. He preferred it, he wanted to do it and even resolved to do it, but he changed. The court says that if you can change the belief, it is a preference.

Bear in mind that if a person can ever show from the word of God where something they do is wrong then they must change it. In the context of this topic it refers to peer pressure causing good men to change. In that case the belief is a preference.

  1. People Pressure

People pressure causes many people to change their beliefs. When a man knows what he believes is right and allows the pressure of others to cause him to bend, the court calls the belief a preference. The court is well aware that the family is probably the strongest influence of change in a person’s life. The court says if “family pressure” will cause you to change, your beliefs are preferences.

  1. Lawsuit Pressure

Lawsuit pressure causes many people to change their beliefs. There have been many men who say, “I am for this, but I am not going to get sued over it because the news media makes us into villains.” Defending a ministry against a lawsuit can be very expensive. There are some great victories that are publicized but not many are interested in those who have churches of about 100 that are reduced to 20, or a man with a church of 350 to 400 reduced to 60. If you avoid taking a stand that will cause you to get sued because you do not want to see your church membership drop and that causes you to change your beliefs, then your belief was a preference.

  1. Jail Pressure

Jail pressure causes many people to change their beliefs. Jails today are thought by some to be like holiday inns but they are horrible places. The incarcerated are isolated from their Christian influence, friends and family. They are told when to go to bed, when to get up, when to eat, how to eat, when to stand, when to sit, when to go to the restroom. And they are thrown into the middle of often-brutal men who normally relish the thought of breaking a Bible-toter.

Would you go to jail for a matter of your faith? Throughout history great men of faith have gone to jail and nobody understood why they went. The court says if you change your beliefs for fear of going to jail, then your beliefs are preferences.

You may believe you could go to jail but would you, as a man, watch your wife go to jail? Levi Whisner, in Ohio, faced that threat and made plans for who was going to take care of their children while he and his wife were incarcerated.

  1. Death Pressure

Death pressure causes most people to change their beliefs. The court will ask if you are prepared to die for your belief. The court says that for a belief to be a conviction it will not change, even in the face of death. Why? What creates a conviction? For a Christian it is only one thing. He believes that his God requires it of him.

Only a belief that is God-ordered is a conviction. Therefore the court must first decide if your belief is a conviction or a preference. Only a conviction is protected by the Constitution.

WHAT IS A CONVICTION?

  1. A conviction is something that you purpose in your heart, as a fabric of your belief system. It is one that you will not change due to any circumstance. It says, “When you believe that your God has required something of you, you will withstand all of the tests put to you.” It has been said that a man is never made by a crisis. The crisis exposes the man for what he already is.

There are parallels to this in the history of the three Hebrew children in the book of Daniel. When taken into captivity, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego purposed in their hearts not to defile themselves. It was something about which they determined with resolve.

  1. A conviction must be pre-determined. When Nebuchadnezzar erected his golden image and commanded that all the people bow when the instruments played, these three men stood erect. A question might be asked at this point, where were all the other Hebrews? There were more than three Hebrews in Babylon who must have been in compliance with the King’s orders, for only these three Hebrews, who had predetermined what they would do, remained standing.
  2. A conviction is a personal belief. The court says that if you require others to stand with you to maintain your beliefs, then your beliefs are preferences and not convictions. There have been preachers willing to stand on their belief only if they have the backing of a certain college or group to stand with them. That doesn’t go over in a court, for your belief must be a personal conviction regardless of what anyone else thinks or does. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did stand together, but in reality they stood alone. Their decision was made more difficult when going against other Hebrews who buckled under the pressure of impending death.
  3. A conviction is non-negotiable. When they were brought before the king, Nebuchadnezzar did a strange thing. He broke the law by giving them a second chance. They said to the king that they did not have to be careful how they answered him. They had resolved that they were not going to bow and that was not going to change. They told the king that this was a matter of faith and non-negotiable.

The court says if you can discuss the negotiation of your faith, it is a matter of preference. Why? How do you negotiate what is God ordered? Recall what the three Hebrews said because it illustrates the last point the court chose. “King, we believe that our God can deliver us, but even if you throw us into that furnace and God does not deliver us, we are not going to bow” (Daniel 3:16–18).

  1. A conviction is not contingent on victory. The court said if you must be assured of victory before you stand, your beliefs are preferences and not convictions. That is a test the court is beginning to follow because many are more concerned about winning than about standing. Bear this in mind. In the Christian faith we do not fight for victory; we fight in victory. The battle was won at the cross of Calvary and we stand in that victory.

When Levi Whisner went to trial and lost, he still won. When he appealed and lost, he won. When he went to the Supreme Court of the state of Ohio and the judges unanimously said he was right, he was right all along. A court does not tell us whether we are right or wrong. We are right as long as we honor the word of God. Levi recognized that. He stood in this country when no other man saw the issue. He stood for all of us. He stood with no one beside him. When all the tests of preference and conviction were applied, he passed.

THE ULTIMATE TEST OF CONVICTION

The court recognizes a problem because people sometimes do not tell the truth. In the courtroom I have seen some men who have been incredibly casual with the truth. The court decided there must be a way to know whether what is being claimed is the truth, if it is preference or conviction. Real convictions will have already passed the other preference tests: peer pressure, people pressure, lawsuit pressure, jail pressure and death pressure.

  1. A conviction will be demonstrated by a person’s lifestyle. The court said you do not have the right to say you have a conviction unless it can be seen that the conviction is lived with some degree of consistency. When the court begins to apply that test, good Christian people often become quite uncomfortable.

The word of God says in James that faith is dead without corresponding works. It is like a body with no spirit and is meaningless, because the thing that gives it vibrancy and life is absent. The court will examine the evidence of your faith in action in order to prove it is a conviction.

For example, it may be claimed that children ought to be sent to a Bible based Christian school, believing it to be the only desirable place for them to receive an education that will equip them for life. However, if you do not send your child to a Christian school, then have your child be the best witness he can be in the public school. The court said that is a classic example of a preference statement.

The court is looking for consistency

If we say that something is a matter of conviction, the source of those beliefs is the word of God. We teach a child that it is a sin to disobey the word of God. The court says the opposite of conviction must be a sin and you must act on that belief or else it is not a conviction.

We really cannot take exception to being required to be consistent because that is in line with our beliefs. If the Bible requires it, it is God ordered. If it is God ordered and we choose not to do it, it is a sin. A Christian believes that disobedience to what God has ordered is the classic definition of sin.

According to the court, stating that something is a conviction, you must be prepared to say that its opposite is a sin. If you say you have a conviction about Christian education, then you must be prepared to say that to not give a child a Christian education is a sin. If you say that you have a conviction about a certain lifestyle, then you must say the opposite is a sin, or it is not a conviction. When a person says he ought to do some things, but wants to be more tolerant and a little more open minded, the court determines it a preference.

In the courtroom you must be able to define what you believe. You must tell the court whether you hold your beliefs as preferences or convictions and be able to explain to the court that the opposite of these convictions is a sin. What happens if you don’t tell them it is a sin? The following is dialogue that I have personally witnessed:

“Pastor, do you believe that every child must receive a Christian education?”

“Yes I do.”

“Well, Pastor, do you hold that as a conviction of your faith?”

“Yes I do.”

“Pastor, have you ever told your people that not giving your child a Christian education is a sin?”

“No I have not done that.”

“Why have you not done that Pastor?”

“I just have not gotten around to it.”

“How long have you been getting around to it?”

“Oh, a couple of years.”

Then the pastor was asked: “Pastor, is it not that the reason you have not said that is because you were afraid of the effects? You were afraid that the public school teachers in your congregation would leave? You were afraid that the people who do not agree with Christian education in your church, and are good givers might be offended. You were afraid of what the repercussions would be. Is that not the truth as to why you did not say that?”

One must bear in mind the pastor has taken an oath of affirmation to tell the truth in front of the whole world. Half of his congregation is sitting in that courtroom and he must now answer that question truthfully. If you say that you have a conviction make sure that you do.

Otherwise the court becomes a very painful place in which to be trapped. Unfortunately, I have seen it happen to many Christians.

  1. A conviction is consistent to itself. In this matter of lifestyle consistency, the court says that consistent practice means reasonably consistent, not perfect. One judge said to me, “Your people do not have to be perfect, but they are becoming very perfect at being imperfect. I would like you to see if we could match up the two L’s—Life and Lip.” A good part of every court case is about whether what you say with your mouth is consistently being practiced with your life. Let us examine how easily we form convictions that can be challenged in court.

It is a conviction of Christians that pornography should not be viewed, that obscenity should not be spoken, that nudity should not be viewed. It is a conviction that unrighteous themes should not be exalted. Most would agree that these are the convictions of a Christian because the Bible requires it. Is it a sin to do otherwise? Yes. These are things that most of us believe, yet I have seen the following happen:

In a courtroom people have been asked,

“Do you own a television?”

“Yes I do.”

“How much did that television cost?”

“Two to three hundred dollars.”

“Where do you keep that television?”

“In the living room or family room.”

“Why do you keep it there?”

“We keep it there so people can see it.”

“Is it not true that if you do not plug in that television and turn it on, it does not work? That television cannot do anything until you turn it on, and it is your choice whether or not you watch it?”

“Yes, this is true.”

“On this television do you ever see or hear obscenity, or do you ever hear someone curse or swear?”

“Yes!”

“Is there any nudity?”

“Yes!”

“Do you ever see unrighteous themes exalted on television?”

“All the time.”

“Do you ever see righteous themes debased?”

“Yes.”

“Yet you have no problem watching those? Do you have no problem paying hundreds of dollars to have an instrument that allows all of those things that you say you are against in the most traveled portion of your house, and you say you even have to turn it on before it can do anything to you?”

Do you see the inconsistency? That person just showed the court through his lifestyle that the convictions he mouthed were not consistently practiced. Bear in mind that you don’t have to believe anything, but if you are going to say that you believe something, and that it is a conviction, then you must live it and at such a level that when the court looks at your life, they can see consistency.

If a man stood with an alcoholic drink and told you he did not believe in drinking alcohol and then guzzled it down he would appear to be a hypocrite. But that is exactly what happens in the courtroom when people say one thing, but they do another. The court will go into all of the areas of life, including the use of your finances, and the use of your time, to see if you are living your beliefs with visible consistency.

Your life is the truest test of your convictions. Many Christians live lives that defy their stated beliefs, being against sin in some forms that they readily accept in another form. They denounce the actions of some that they allow to be acceptable in themselves.

The problem we face here is that convictions are being tested and for most of us that scrutiny will verify that many of our so-called convictions are merely preferences. Most of us claim that we would die for beliefs that we are not even consistently living for in other areas of our lives. We have convictions for morality in the school that we do not enforce in our own living rooms. This proves that most of our beliefs are only preferences that we personally find comfortable and convenient.

The greatest tragedy is not the inconsistency before the court, but the insult before Christ. Far too often we bow before the altar of self-serving living and bring a reproach upon the Saviour who bought us with the price of His own blood. It is a sad commentary on our love and commitment to Him that we have very few beliefs that could stand up to the serious examination of this world. The greatness of the New Testament church was that the believers were not only willing to die for their beliefs, but their accusers could find no fault or inconsistency in them. Oh, that the world could say the same about us. Someone has said, “Your walk talks and your talk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks.”

Perhaps it is time to place ourselves on trial to see if we really believe what we say we believe. Are we really living consistently by the things that we say are convictions? Whether or not you are ever brought to a courtroom and put on trial by men, you are on trial every day before your God. He demands holy living and consistency of life, not just in simplicity of word. Anyone can say he believes in certain things, but as a child of God we ought to live like it. God help us to make it so.

The Meaning of Trials

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One of the quotes that is often repeated among the faithful goes something like this: “Life in this world is the non-Christian’s heaven and the Christian’s hell.”

The pen of inspiration states it this way in Life Sketches, pages 239, 240: “This life at best is but the Christian’s winter; and the bleak winds of winter—disappointments, losses, pain, and anguish—are our lot here; but our hopes are reaching forward to the Christian’s summer, when we shall change climate, leave all the wintry blasts and fierce tempests behind, and be taken to those mansions Jesus has gone to prepare for those that love Him.”

Indeed, this world is not the Christian’s heaven. Rather it is the place in which to fit up for heaven through successfully meeting the trials and temptations of life that God deems us capable of bearing. Life in this world is the scene of our life-battles, our conflicts, and our sorrows. If we are to be successful in our Christian walk, we must have a firm grasp on our hope for a better world, where we will find peace and ever-increasing bliss and joy when our warfare is ended.

“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most miserable/pitiable.” I Corinthians 15:19.

What are some of the Bible texts that give us great hope?

“But as it is written, 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.” I Corinthians 2:9.

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, Who is even at the right hand of God, Who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:28–39.

“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6.

Who is it that has a right to hold this hope of victory before them? Scripture makes it “too plain to be misunderstood” that it is the righteous—and only the righteous—who will be given the crown of eternal life.

“The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.” Psalm 37:29.

“Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto Thy name: the upright shall dwell in Thy presence.” Psalm 140:13.

“For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.” Proverbs 2:21.

“Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; and I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.” Zechariah 8:7, 8.

“Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.” II Peter 3:13.

Through all of our various and on-going trials, some of which have never been fully revealed to others—even to our spouses, for surely each of us has trials that we keep between ourselves and God only—we have had an unfailing Friend, who has said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee,” Hebrews 13:5, and “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” I Peter 4:12, 13.

The International Standard Version translates I Peter 4:12 a little more clearly: “Dear friends, do not be surprised by the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”

We need to keep in mind always that while Jesus was here on earth, He became intimately familiar with human woe, and although He is now back in His homeland, His heart, which loved, pitied, and sympathized with men, still identifies with humanity. Sister White says that His heart remains a heart of “unchangeable tenderness.” Paul tells us in Hebrews 13:8 that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We do not have to worry about His forgetting the purchase of His blood, or even of something being acceptable with Him today and not acceptable tomorrow. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that, “We have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are.”

“Jesus is acquainted with all our trials. He does not leave us to struggle alone with temptations, or to battle alone with sin, and to be finally crushed with burden and sorrow. Through His angels He whispers to us, ‘Fear not; for I am with thee’ (Genesis 26:24). ‘I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore’ (Revelation 1:18).” The Review and Herald, April 17, 1894.

As He pleads His blood for our salvation, standing before the altar in the heavenly sanctuary, He tells us, “I know your sorrows; I have endured them. I am acquainted with your struggles; I have experienced them. I know your temptations; I have encountered them. I have seen your tears; I also have wept. Your earthly hopes are crushed, but let the eye of faith be uplifted, and penetrate the veil, and there anchor your hopes. The everlasting assurance shall be yours that you have a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Ibid.

Why has God always tried his people in the furnace of affliction? The common response to children when they murmur about what they perceive to be some injustice they have incurred is that “it builds character.” It wasn’t until I became a Seventh-day Adventist and began studying the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy that I truly began to understand the truth to that statement.

Our trials, the temptations that we face, the experiences and providences of life are simply God’s way of developing within us the character we must have to be fit to accept by faith Christ’s robe of righteousness, to purge from us all impurity and unrighteousness. God’s work of pruning and purifying His people for heaven is a great work, and it cannot be accomplished without great suffering on the part of the servants of God, because it costs something to bring our wills into harmony with the will of Christ. We must go through the furnace till the fires have consumed the dross—the unchristlike impurities, and we are purified so that we reflect the divine image.

A common experiment among those taking advanced chemistry in college is a challenge to determine the percent of pure precious metal in a small amount of silver. To accomplish that task, a small piece of silver is heated to great heat in a crucible—a small ceramic pot that can withstand extremely high temperatures. After a while, the metal will melt. The impurities in it will form a dull film on top. Eventually, these impurities will boil off and only the precious metal will remain. The students are told that they will know when all of the impurities have been eliminated when they can see their reflections in the molten silver. Such is the case in our characters. God knows that all of the impurities in our characters have been purged when He can see a perfect reflection of Himself in us.

Most of us are not good judges of what God is doing. When trials and difficulties occur, we are often prone to murmur and complain. Too often, we see failure where there is indeed triumph, or a great loss, where there is actually gain. Like Jacob, we are ready to exclaim when trial comes upon us, “All these things are against me” (Genesis 42:36)! when the fact is that the very things of which we complain are working for our good.

There is a common expression in Christendom: “No cross, no crown.” That is simply a shortened version of Christ’s statement to His disciples in Luke 9:23, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” We know that only by following Christ can we be awarded the crown of life.

No one can be strong in the Lord without experiencing trials. To have physical strength, we must have physical exercise. To have spiritual strength, we must have spiritual exercise. To have strong faith we must be placed in circumstances that require the exercise of our faith to withstand those circumstances.

Just before his martyrdom, the apostle Paul said to Timothy: “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and self-discipline. Therefore, never be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, His prisoner. Instead, by God’s power, join me in suffering for the sake of the gospel.” II Timothy 1:7, 8 ISV.

When Luke wrote of Paul’s preaching in the areas visited on their very first journey, he reported in Acts 14:22, “It is through much tribulation that we enter the kingdom of heaven.” Luke noted that this was the message preached in at least four cities of Asia Minor, and he preached it in his earliest efforts at spreading the gospel. Paul knew that the Christian walk is “a battle and a march,” and he was careful to warn the new converts of the trials that they were going to encounter.

“If Satan sees that he is in danger of losing one soul, he will exert himself to the utmost to keep that one. And when the individual is aroused to his danger, and, with distress and fervor, looks to Jesus for strength, Satan fears that he will lose a captive, and he calls a reinforcement of his angels to hedge in the poor soul, and form a wall of darkness around him, that heaven’s light may not reach him. But if the one in danger perseveres, and in his helplessness casts himself upon the merits of the blood of Christ, our Saviour listens to the earnest prayer of faith, and sends a reinforcement of those angels that excel in strength to deliver him.” Counsels for the Church, 319.

The Spirit of Prophecy makes this statement: “Our Saviour was tried in every possible way, and yet he triumphed in God continually.” God’s Amazing Grace, 90. This is one of those statements that on initial reading takes a good deal of faith to believe. While He may not have experienced the exact same trials as we have—for example, He was never married and never had teenagers He had to cope with—nevertheless, He encountered the same principles in His relationships with His family and His disciples.

It is our privilege under all circumstances to be strong in the strength of God and to glory in the cross of Christ. That is sometimes a very tough calling—much more easily said than done.

Every follower of Christ will have a cross to bear. This cross is different in different individuals. It may be food, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, passion, kleptomania, improper speech, family or personal relationships, or one (or more) of any number of snares that Satan will use to try to knock us from the path of truth and righteousness, but rest assured that every follower of Jesus has a cross, a burden, to bear—a “sin which doth so easily beset us” (Hebrews 12:1).

When we face it resolutely, determined to overcome, even though it may be in weakness and trembling, we will find that that which seemed so terrible to us in fact is a source of strength and blessing and courage. Remember that it is in our weakness that the strength of Christ is revealed.

If we do suffer, let us remember that our Lord and Master suffered before us. Jesus, our Redeemer, our representative and head, has already endured this testing process. He suffered more than we can be called upon to suffer. He bore our infirmities and was in all points tempted like as we are. He did not suffer for Himself, but He suffered because of my sins, that I, relying on the merits of my Overcomer, might be victorious in His name.

Christ was the exalted and glorious commander of heaven, before Whom the angelic hosts bowed in adoration, yet He condescended to give up his glory that He had with the Father, that He might save a fallen race; and shall we, in our turn, refuse to deny ourselves for His sake and the gospel’s?

Let the words of Paul be the language of our hearts: “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.

Christ requires all from me. His sacrifice was too great, too costly, too dear, for me to give less than my all, and be accepted.

The Scripture says, “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2. The way to heaven is a self-denying way. But when I am tempted to think that the way is too strait, and there is too much self-denial in the narrow path; when I want to say it’s too hard to give up everything in this world, I ask myself, “What did Christ give up for me?”

This question puts anything that I might call self-denial to the test. As I imagine Him in the Garden of Gethsemane and envision the great drops of blood that forced themselves from His pores while He bore the inexpressible agony of soul, and look upon Him in the judgment hall while He was derided, mocked, and insulted by the infuriated mob … as I behold Him clothed in that old purple robe, and hear the coarse jest and cruel mocking and see them place the crown of thorns on that noble brow, and smite Him with a reed, causing the thorns to penetrate His holy temples, so that the blood-drops trickle down His face and fall upon the ground, then hear the murderous throng eagerly crying for the blood of the Son of God while He is delivered into their hands—pale, weak, and fainting, being led away to the hill of crucifixion, then lie without resisting upon the cross as nails are driven through his hands and feet, as in my imagination I behold him hanging upon the cross through dreadful hours of agony until angels veil their faces from the scene, and the sun hides its light, refusing to shine upon the dreadful sight. Can I think of these things, and then ask, Is the way too strait?

We must realize that Jesus has something in store for us that is vastly better than that which we would choose for ourselves! Remember, eyes have not seen nor ear heard neither entered into the imagination of man the things that God has prepared for them that love Him (I Corinthians 2:9)!

How mightily and how often we should pray that we might come to understand the exceeding sinfulness of sin and the blessedness of righteousness!

The most trying experiences in the Christian life may be the most blessed. The special providences of the dark hours will strengthen and give courage to the soul in the future attacks of Satan, and equip the soul to stand most fiery trials.

The trial of our faith is more precious than gold. But in order to endure the test, we must have that faith, that abiding confidence in God, that will not be disturbed by the arguments and temptations of the deceiver. Let us learn to take the Lord at his word, while it is day. Let us study the promises, and appropriate them as we have need. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17. “Happy is the man, who, when tempted, finds his soul rich in the knowledge of the Scriptures, who finds shelter beneath the promises of God. ‘Thy word,’ said the psalmist, ‘have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee’ (Psalm 119:11).” The Faith I Live By, 8. We need that calm, steady faith, that undaunted moral courage, that none but Christ can give, in order that we may be braced for trial and strengthened for duty.

“While on earth there will be no escape from conflicts and temptations; but in every storm we have a sure refuge. Jesus has told us, ‘In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33). The forces of Satan are marshaled against us, and we have to meet a diligent foe; but if we take heed to the admonition of Christ, we shall be safe. ‘Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation’ (Matthew 26:41). There are foes to be resisted and overcome, but Jesus is by our side, ready to strengthen us for every attack. ‘This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith’ (I John 5:4).

“Faith sees Jesus standing as our Mediator at the right hand of God. Faith beholds the mansions that Jesus has gone to prepare for those who love Him. Faith sees the robe and the crown prepared for the overcomer. Faith hears the song of the redeemed, and brings eternal glories near. We must come close to Jesus in loving obedience if we would see the King in his beauty.

“There is peace in believing, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Believe! Believe! … Rest in God. He is able to keep that which you have committed to Him, and will bring you off more than conqueror through Him that has loved you (II Timothy 1:12; Romans 8:37).

“But remember that every one who shall be found with the wedding garment on will have come out of great tribulation. The mighty surges of temptation will beat upon all of us. But the long night of watching, of toil, of hardship, is nearly past. Christ is soon to come. Get ready! The angels of God are seeking to attract you from yourself and from earthly things. Let them not labor in vain. Faith, living faith, is what you need; the faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Remember Calvary and the awful, the infinite sacrifice made there for man. Jesus now invites us to come to Him, just as you are, and make Him your strength and your everlasting Friend.” The Review and Herald, April 17, 1894.

John Pearson is the office manager and a board member of Steps to Life. After retiring as chief financial officer for the Grand Canyon Association, Grand Canyon, Arizona, he moved to Wichita, Kansas, to join the Steps team. He may be contacted by email at: johnpearson@stepstolife.org.

Be Thankful – Good Medicine for the Troubled

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There are many man-made formulas for peace of mind, but none is so effective as the command of God to be thankful. Paul in writing to the church at Colossae encouraged the believers with these words:

“Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Colossians 3:15

Once a year in the United States the President sets aside a day for thanksgiving. He calls upon the people of the nation, as he did in a recent proclamation, to consider the “richness of our blessings,” “our bountiful harvests,” “our productivity of goods abundant,” and the privilege “to walk as free men unafraid.” Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, Harry S. Truman, 1948. It is good to remind ourselves of such things once a year. But it is far better to set a time each day to ponder the things for which we should be thankful.

The spirit of thankfulness is like a tonic. It causes one to lift his head, to walk more erect. It smooths the ruffled brow, and places a smile upon the countenance. “Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise.” The Ministry of Healing, 251.

Thus we are admonished by the prophet Samuel, “Consider how great things He hath done for you” (1 Samuel 12:24); and our hearts should respond as did the psalmist, “The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad” (Psalm 126:3).

Just the uttering of praise and thanks sends the blood coursing through one’s veins faster, cleansing out the impurities of the mind and the heart, and giving health to the bones.

Again we are told, “It is a positive duty to resist melancholy, discontented thoughts and feelings—as much a duty as it is to pray.” The Ministry of Healing, 251.

Certainly we have much to be troubled about, for there never was a time when so many demands were made upon us. Life becomes more and more complicated and uncertain every day. We seem to be hedged about by unpleasant events over which we have no control. We often feel disconcerted in the face of issues that must be settled without delay. How can we remain calm and collected in such a time as this?

The best way to do it is to have a background of confidence that we have an Almighty Helper at our side every moment, and that He will not permit any circumstance to overwhelm us. We need constantly to remind ourselves of this, and be thankful for it. This is what Paul meant when he wrote the words quoted before. Weymouth’s translation reads:

“Let the peace which Christ gives settle all questionings in your hearts, to which peace indeed you were called as belonging to His one Body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15, literal translation).

The consciousness that we are not alone in the daily conflict, that we belong to a body of people who are called to peace through Christ, tempers every trial and helps to settle all our questionings. This is one of the greatest blessings that the Christian way of life has to offer. We not only look forward to the day of salvation, when we shall be delivered wholly from earthly conflicts, but we are promised daily deliverances here and now. That is why Christ bade us pray, “Deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). This freedom comes not by its removal, for this is impossible in an evil world, but by God making evil powerless over us, even as rain is repelled by a waterproof garment. We can then say with Paul, “None of these things move me” (Acts 20:24).

How thankful we should be for these spiritual blessings that moderate the trials of life. And the more we are thankful for them, the more they can do for us. Of this we read:

“It is for our own benefit to keep every gift of God fresh in our memory. Thus faith is strengthened to claim and to receive more and more. There is greater encouragement for us in the least blessing we ourselves receive from God than in all the accounts we can read of the faith and experience of others. The soul that responds to the grace of God shall be like a watered garden. His health shall spring forth speedily; his light shall rise in obscurity, and the glory of the Lord shall be seen upon him.” The Desire of Ages, 348.

When we think of our material blessings we may not have as much as some for which to be thankful. We may be poor in this world’s goods; we may have afflictions of the body and be restricted in our activities. It may seem, as we compare ourselves with others, that we have little to call forth thankfulness. But all have the same access to the storehouse of heaven, and we are only limited by our faith in laying hold of the spiritual blessings God so freely offers to all. If it is money you need, God can bless the little and make it sufficient. If it is health you need, God can give you the grace to endure the trial. There is no material need of man that some spiritual grace cannot match. Just take the key of faith and open God’s treasury, and there you will find all that is necessary for a life of happiness. Help yourself to the riches of joy and gladness stored up in Christ Jesus.

There are two ways to multiply our blessings. One is to recognize them. The other is to share them. This is an axiom of life in general, and of Christian life in particular. To let money lie idle often defeats one’s purpose. But to put it into circulation, and let it produce something useful to others, is the best way to increase one’s own benefits. This law of economics is recognized in the business world. It was recognized by Christ in the parable of the talents. The man who buried his one talent in the ground, thinking he would have wherewith to meet some future need, learned to his great regret that even that which he had felt was so secure was taken from him.

Exaggerated self-interest leads sooner or later either to poverty of material things or poverty of soul. What, then, should be the response of one to every blessing that is received? “Freely ye have received,” saith the Master, “freely give” (Matthew 10:8). And the psalmist asks, “What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits” (Psalm 116:12)? There is no peace for one who simply offers thanks for what he receives. He must likewise be glad for the opportunity to serve. To give is life; to stop giving is death. To Abraham, God said, “I will bless thee, … and thou shalt be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). The one who stops being a blessing will soon lose the blessing.

There are too many people today talking about the Bill of Rights and forgetting the bill of responsibilities. We love our freedom to do as we wish. But does what we wish include the desire to be of some help to others? No nation, no people, no individual, would have any freedom at all if no consideration were given to human relationships.

Above all, spiritual life is absolutely dependent upon the act of sharing. One concerned only with his own salvation is doing the very thing that will keep him from receiving what he desires.

So let us be thankful for the faith that helps us lay hold upon the eternal riches, for the hope that keeps us patient until we fully realize all that God has promised, and for the love that prompts us to give thanks for blessings bestowed and leads us to share them with others. This is the way of peace to which we are called. Let us walk in it.

Thoughts of Peace, Frederick Lee, 1950, 24–27.

Reader’s comment: “This is a wonderful ‘nugget’ to help a person find true peace in this turbulent world that we live in. Even though it was written in 1950, it is very relevant to today. If you are struggling with finding peace, this book will be a great source of comfort and direction in finding it.”

Stumbling Blocks

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Stumbling blocks may prevent many people today from attending church. The Spirit of Prophecy tells us that God does not bring new people into the church because of the unconverted state of many of its current members. He sees that since church members do not rightly represent Him, He refrains from bringing in new people until these stumbling blocks are removed.

We will discuss three stumbling blocks. The first is fanaticism; the second is being overzealous; and the third is our character.

Fanaticism nearly destroyed the 16th century reformation. If it had been successful, the condition of our earth would be different today. Catholicism would have been the dominant world religion and the United States would probably never have prospered as it has. Fanatics could have destroyed what we have today, in the United States and around the world.

What Is Fanaticism?

Fanaticism is going beyond what is specifically revealed in the word of God, and setting up a man-made standard. It was once said that we humans are all like the moon. We have a dark side that we don’t want anyone to see.

The Jewish nation was like that, and they tried to cover their dark side with fanaticism. They went beyond what God’s word said and formulated man-made standards. Anyone who did not measure up was considered unrighteous. Fanaticism is simply a cover-up for some particular hidden sin. Each of us must evaluate ourselves and ask, “Have I lifted up some man-made standard in my life that is a covering for my defects?”

New people visiting churches instantly recognize hypocrisy. They want to see Jesus; and we want to reveal Christ to them.

Jesus came into conflict with the elders of the Jewish church when they saw His disciples eating with unwashed hands, which they considered a sin. For hygienic reasons, most parents remind their children to wash their hands before they eat, but to call it a sin is going beyond Scripture. Sin being the transgression of the law of God, we need to be careful when deciding what sin is and what sin is not.

The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” Matthew 15:2.

Jesus responded that their tradition was nothing more than a cover-up for their own sins. He said, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Verses 8, 9.

When people adapt God’s word, they are usually covering up something in their own lives. Man-made ideas and standards do not exalt Christ, but endeavor to lift up self. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4) and not from the mouth of men, neither their teachings nor traditions.

Interestingly, Paul writes in I Corinthians 4:6, “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.” Paul warns against fanaticism, against going beyond what is written.

An example of going beyond God’s Word is the person who believes in the two meal a day plan, but thinks if two meals a day is good, then one should be better, so he goes to one meal a day. That is fanaticism. It goes beyond what the Word says and is one of the biggest stumbling blocks to the church today.

A Biblical example of going beyond what God’s word says is found in the book of John. Jesus saw a poor, wretched and miserable man in extreme suffering sitting by the pool of Bethesda and wanted to relieve him. “Jesus said to him, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk.’ ” John 5:8.

Crime above all crimes! In the eyes of the Pharisees Jesus was not only laboring on the Sabbath, but He was encouraging someone else to labor as well, violating the fourth commandment.

“And immediately the man was made well, and took up his bed and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, ‘It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.’ ” Verses 9, 10. Can you imagine how oppressed the people were in that day? They had so many traditions no one could keep up with them. It would take years to learn the rules of the rabbis.

We also find in Matthew 12 the story of Jesus, Who “went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.” Verse 1. Have you ever put wheat between your hands and rubbed it around until the chaff is removed? Crime above all crimes! Threshing, working on the Sabbath! The Pharisees took texts from Exodus and reduced them down to what they believed to be the nitty gritty of each little letter. By the time they had finished, the rules were beyond what was written in the word of God. The rules became so stringent that the Jews determined that if you were to spit on the ground on the Sabbath, you were considered to be irrigating.

The Jews had hundreds of rules like this, even still today. Today you will see a lot of people walking to the Synagogue rather than driving on the Sabbath. Since the spark plug ignites the gasoline in the cylinders to drive the pistons in the engine, that is considered starting a fire. In fact, you would be starting multiple fires since you have multiple cylinders. The reason for this rule: “You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings on the Sabbath day.” Exodus 35:3.

They also consider it “work” to manipulate a light switch with your finger on the Sabbath. If electricity is needed during the night, the switch must be left on before the Sabbath begins.

If man-made standards by which others are judged cannot be substantiated by the word of God, leave them alone. That is a sure sign of fanaticism.

“The rabbis counted their righteousness a passport to heaven; but Jesus declared it to be insufficient and unworthy. External ceremonies and theoretical knowledge of truth constituted Pharisaical righteousness. The rabbis claimed to be holy through their own efforts in keeping the law; but their works had divorced righteousness from religion. While they were punctilious in ritual observances, their lives were immoral and debased.” The Desire of Ages, 309. These ceremonies were a covering for their sins.

Jesus said, “Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20. “The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ’s day was that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness.” The Desire of Ages, 309.

God does not care about your theory of the truth. He wants to know if you are living it, not whether you can explain it.

Fanaticism undermines the work of the church and cuts it to pieces. Paul said to the Romans, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:3.

A study of the gospels provides the interesting revelation that there were very few Gentiles who became a part of the Hebrew religion. Jesus said, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.” Matthew 23:15.

“For it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.’ ” Romans 14:11–13.

Paul here tells us not to judge one another or become a stumbling block causing another who is weak in the faith, such as a new believer, to fall.

“Were men free to depart from the Lord’s requirements and to set up a standard of duty for themselves, there would be a variety of standards to suit different minds and the government would be taken out of the Lord’s hands. The will of man would be made supreme, and the high and holy will of God—His purpose of love toward His creatures—would be dishonored, disrespected.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings, 51, 52. We see today the evidence of man ruling himself and the fruit it produces.

The identifying mark of the anti-christ is that he “opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” II Thessalonians 2:4.

If you or I should set up some man-made standard, Ellen White says that, “The will of man would be made supreme.” You become your own little god, which is spiritualism. The throne within me will determine what is right and wrong. This was the claim of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. “Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ ” Genesis 3:4, 5. In other words, you can become your own judge of what is right and wrong. This is a heavy subject, but we must get serious about winning souls so that those who have been deceived may have their eyes opened to truth.

Overzealous and Character

The second way we become stumbling blocks is by being overzealous. Paul said, “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” Romans 10:2.

It is really important that we get zealous over what we know is right from the word of God. Romans 14:16, 17 says, “Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Many people have that reversed, thinking the kingdom of heaven comes through their diet, and that is how they will get to heaven, which is nothing more than Jewish pharisaism.

Diet is important, for “you were bought at a price” (I Corinthians 6:20), but if a person thinks it makes him righteous and is meticulous with what he eats, yet has no control over his temper, there is something drastically wrong. The diet then becomes a covering or facade.

It has been said that while in London, Dwight L. Moody went to an art gallery and as he was walking down a hall, one picture caught his eye. From a distance he saw a monk with his hands folded and his head bowed and it appeared as if he was conversing in agony with God. As Moody continued to walk closer, his eyes were fixed on the picture. Standing before it he realized that it was merely a man with a lemon between his hands, squeezing it into a punch bowl.

He thought it a very interesting spiritual lesson for us, a picture of the human heart. Superficially examined, it is thought to be the seat of all that is good and noble, pleasing in man, whereas in reality, until regenerated by the Holy Ghost, it is the seat of all corruption.

We need to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit every day so that we can rightly represent our Saviour. We make a high profession and people are watching with expectation to see something in us or in our church that is different from other churches and the world.

“For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.” I Corinthians 4:9.

When potential members evaluate us, what are they going to see? Will they see a sincere person bowed down conversing in agony with God, or on closer examination see something disingenuous?

Being overzealous may be considered fanaticism to some. “Let no one place stumbling blocks before those who are walking in the dark paths of ignorance. Even in praising a good thing, it is well not to be too enthusiastic, lest you turn out of the way those who come to hear. Present the principles of temperance in their most attractive form.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 465.

It is so easy to be overzealous when experiencing the blessing of a healthy lifestyle and being in a hurry for others to experience the same by going vegetarian. But often those we are seeking to help feel judged and pull back. This is a common mistake that we make when giving too much information too quickly. Jesus said to His disciples that there were many things He wanted to tell them but they were not ready (John 16:12). Learn from the example of Jesus and wait on the Lord.

If we want to see souls saved in God’s kingdom we will ever keep that in mind and not be over-enthusiastic. We will hold our tongues even though we may see some things in new members that we think should be changed. We are all works in progress and still require change, so we must not point fingers. We must realize that often our words cause wounds and turn people out of the way if we are not careful. When this occurs, we are not helping the Lord. It is important to let Him lead.

If you do not want to become overzealous, go out and do some Bible studies with people. Try to help somebody else come into the kingdom of God. As you review your experiences, you will discern what you did well and when you erred. If you have made mistakes, the next time you study with somebody, you will know not to make that same mistake again.

I have made hundreds of mistakes with people. But by God’s grace I’ve learned much and I’m still learning how to deal with people because human minds are ultra-complex and each one is different. You learn to swim by first jumping into the water and the only way to become an expert in winning souls is to go out and start, and in the strength of Jesus Christ you will become a servant.

We do not want to become a stumbling block to anyone, through fanaticism, by being overzealous, or retaining a character with sin in our own lives. If we want God’s blessing to rest upon us, we need the Holy Spirit to reveal those things that need to be removed from our lives, so that the character of Jesus is revealed in us.

The condition of the church will determine whether God is blessing it, and whether He can trust us to be faithful witnesses to those He brings into it. God may bring in someone that is tough and challenging, but we must have tender hearts to nurture them in the truth.

We have God’s word and are to be not only hearers, but doers of the word. Yet we must not go beyond what is written, setting up standards, man-made ideas or tests that exalt and puff up self. We do not want to be stumbling blocks.

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

Mike Bauler was ordained into the ministry in 2005 and serves as pastor of the Historic Message Church in Portland, Oregon. Prior to locating in Portland, Pastor Bauler served as a Bible worker for Steps to Life Ministries. His goal is to help give the gospel to the greater Portland area with an emphasis in helping his Bible students discover the truths in Bible prophecy, which are so often neglected today. His wife, Amanda, a family nurse practitioner, and their daughters Hannah, Esther and Abigail assist him in his ministry.