Salvation

Sermon on the Mount Series – The Narrow Way

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Some people believe that it is easier to be saved than to be lost. Others believe that it is easier to be lost than to be saved. What is the truth about this? Is it hard or is it easy to find salvation? Will a majority find salvation and be saved, and a minority be lost? Or will it be the other way around and only a minority find salvation and be saved while the majority be lost?

The Golden Rule found in Matthew 7:12 says, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Immediately after speaking these words, Jesus gave the people a surprising fact, which is equally surprising to many people today. Describing the way to eternal life He said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult (or restricted) is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (verses 13, 14).

Jesus said the gate that you must go through in order to have eternal life is narrow, and it is difficult of entrance. Why is it so difficult? Remember Jesus’ instruction when he said that you need to treat others in the same manner that you want to be treated. This Golden Rule, as we know it today, excludes all pride and self-seeking. Those characteristics are acceptable and belong to those who travel on the wider road, but the end of that road is destruction. All who want to enter into life must climb up a narrow way of self sacrifice with the few others who choose that path.

The broad road appears attractive with all of its enticements of fun and games. The gate at the end is wide to accommodate the masses who choose that way. Most of the people choose the way of ease and comfort where every desire can be gratified on their life journey. It is littered with worldliness, where selfishness, pride and self-seeking are rampant with dishonesty and moral abasement. The broad road is wide enough to accommodate all to have any opinion they choose and to hold any doctrine or teaching they desire. There is enough space for all to follow whatever their inclination would dictate, and to do whatever their self-love would indicate.

Feet naturally turn toward the wide path; so there is never a need to search for it. But that path leads to death. The way that leads to eternal life is steep. The entrance is narrow and the road is restricted all along the way. Those clinging to any besetting sin will find that the gate is too narrow to go through. Self will, personal inclinations and evil habits or practices must be given up by those who wish to travel the narrow way to eternal life.

To follow the Lord means that you cannot serve yourself, follow the world’s opinions or meet the world’s standard because heaven’s path is not for the proud, the selfish, the sinful to walk. It is too narrow for the person whose life is centered in his or her own ambition. It is too steep for the lazy or the lovers of pleasure to climb. The Bible says that in the last days there will be people that love pleasure more than they love God. Those people will find the narrow way too arduous and will not be in the kingdom of heaven. Toil, patience, self-denial, reproach, and poverty were the lot of Jesus Christ when He was here in this world and a servant is no greater than his master.

Jesus endured what the Bible describes as His portion in Hebrews 12:3, “the contradiction of sinners against Himself” (literal translation). That also must be our portion if we are to follow our Leader up the narrow way and enter into the paradise of God. However, having looked at that, we would not want to make a false conclusion that the upward path is the difficult path and the downward path is the easy path, because the downward path is deceptive. All along the road that leads to death, there are pain and penalties, sorrow, grief, and disappointments.

Along the broad road are warnings at each turn not to continue on the path to destruction. There are warnings to turn around because God’s love for His wayward children is so great that He wants it to be difficult for the heedless and the headstrong to destroy themselves. At the beginning of their journey, the path that Satan bids you to follow looks attractive, but that is a deception. In the way of evil, all along the way, there is bitter remorse, cankering care. At first it seems to be wonderful to follow your own ambition and your own prideful desires, but the end is pain and sorrow. Selfish plans may present flattering prospects with the possibility to live a life of enjoyment, but later on you find that your happiness is poisoned. The poison of sin wrecks everything that otherwise would taste good.

That which started out joyful becomes despairing. Solomon, known as the wise man, talks about the person who follows the way of wickedness. He said, “… the way of the unfaithful is hard” (Proverbs 13:15). Isaiah said, “There is no peace, says my God, to the wicked” (Isaiah 57:21, literal translation).

However, concerning those who choose to climb the narrow way, it says in Proverbs 3:17, “Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” You see, so often our perception of something is not always accurate. The Bible says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 16:25, literal translation).

Don’t be deceived by the glitter of the broad road that seems more attractive at the beginning. It leads to eternal destruction. The way to life often seems restricted. There are sins that must to be given up so that the journey is not jeopardized. But, wisdom’s ways are ways of pleasantness, and her paths are peace. Every time we choose to obey Christ, every time we practice self-denial for His sake, every time we endure trial without murmuring and complaining, every victory that we gain over temptation is simply one more step in the march that will lead to final victory and eternal life.

If we take Christ as our guide, if we are willing to lay aside our sins and walk through the narrow gate, He will lead us safely. A terrible sinner still need not miss the way because the Lord has made the way plain that leads to eternal life. There is no room on that path to take along your sins. Only a person who is willing to practice righteous and holy living can walk up the narrow way where sin is not tolerated. Remember, the access is secured for all who want to go through and no soul need ever say, “God doesn’t care about me.” The Lord has made a way that you can enter the narrow gate and walk the narrow way and end up having eternal life.

The narrow way seems to be rough to those walking the broad road. It seems to be a steep ascent and there may be pitfalls on the right hand and on the left. The travelers may have to toil when they are tired. They may have to continue to hope when they feel discouraged. They may have to fight when they feel like not going on anymore and they are faint. But, as they follow Jesus as their guide, obeying His word, doing what He says to do, they will not fail of reaching their desired haven at last. Jesus Himself has walked up that same way and He has smoothed the path for the feet of His followers.

All the way up the steep ascent are well springs of joy to refresh the weary. The Bible says that if you walk in wisdom’s ways, those ways are peace, even in tribulation. The apostle Paul says, I am exceedingly joyful (2 Corinthians 7:4, last part). Why? The One whom your soul loves, the One whom you are following, walks invisible beside you, and at each upward step, you can discern more distinctly the touch of His hand. The path of the righteous is as a shining light, or a shining star that shines more, and more, “… unto the perfect day,” as you can read in Proverbs 4:18.

Jesus told the people that He did not come to tell them how to overcome the world’s great empires. The popular belief then was that when the Messiah came, He was going to come and give them the victory over the Roman Empire. Jesus disappointed their hopes when He spoke on the mountain. He opened before the people the glory of character which is the true glory of His kingdom. This offer is no promise of earthly dominion, yet it is worth a sincere, supreme desire and effort. He did not call them to battle against the Roman Empire, but do not make the mistake and conclude that there are no battles to be fought and no victories to be won.

He said that His followers would have to strive and agonize to enter into His spiritual kingdom—agonize or struggle to go through the narrow gate. What was Jesus talking about when He said, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Luke 13:24)? Many people will seek to find salvation and never find it. They will be lost while hoping and desiring to be saved, because the Christian life is a battle and a march and most people are not prepared to fight for what they want. “In this warfare there is no release; the effort must be continuous and persevering. It is by unceasing endeavor that we maintain the victory over the temptations of Satan. Christian integrity must be sought with resistless energy and maintained with a resolute fixedness of purpose.” The Ministry of Healing, 453.

The apostle Paul told a young minister by the name of Timothy to “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life” (I Timothy 6:12). Paul describes this fight of faith in Philippians 1:30 where he said, “Having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.”

What is this conflict that the apostle Paul says was in him? The battle is not just external but an internal fight against evil, against sinful thoughts and desires, against sinful actions and words. Victory must be gained over these things if we are to enter the kingdom of heaven. Salvation, as promised in the New Testament, is only to those who overcome.

Victory over sin is not what provides the merit that gives salvation. The merit to save you is provided totally by grace alone. But, salvation can be enjoyed not only by those whose sins have been forgiven and who have received the grace of Christ, not only by having a title to heaven, which the sacrifice on the cross of Calvary provides, but to receive the free gift of salvation, one must also be fit to go to heaven. That is why the Bible says that without holiness, no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).

All of the apostles say the same thing in different words. Peter says the same thing in I Peter 1 and 2 Peter 3. The victory, then, must be gained, but it is not won by human power. The field of conflict in the Christian life is the field of the human heart. The battle that we have to fight, the greatest battle that has ever been fought by any man, is the surrender of self to the will of God, the yielding of the heart to the sovereignty of love.

The old nature, born of the flesh, born of blood, the will of the flesh, cannot inherit the kingdom of God (John 1:13). Hereditary tendencies and former habits must be given up. If we determine that we are going to enter this spiritual kingdom, then right away we find that the powers and passions of the unregenerate nature, aided by the forces of the kingdom of darkness, are arrayed against us. Selfishness and pride rise up in the heart and make us stand against anything that would show them to be sinful.

It is impossible to conquer these evil desires and habits that strive for the mastery inside by ourselves. We cannot overcome the mighty enemy who holds us captive in his thrall. Only God can give us the victory. The Lord desires us to have the mastery over ourselves, to be master in control over our own wills and our own ways, but He cannot work in our heart and change us without our consent and cooperation.

Victory, then, will not be won without much earnest prayer, without the humbling of self at every step, because God will never force your will into cooperation with the divine agencies. We have to voluntarily surrender and submit to God. Is your will placed on the side of God’s will today? You cannot bring your purposes and your desires into submission to the will of God, but you can choose to serve Him. If you are willing to be made willing, God will accomplish the work in you.

“Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Is your every thought brought into captivity to obedience to Christ? If so, then you will be in a position to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. That is what the apostle Paul says in Philippians 2:12 and 13: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” The reason there are so many people that want to go through the narrow gate and do not ever make it is because they shrink, they withdraw from the conditions by which alone they could enter through the gate.

There are many people today who are traveling down the broad road of sin. They are not fully satisfied with the path they are walking on and wish they could break away from the slavery of sin by which they are held in bondage. Sometimes they try in their own strength to break some of their evil habits or sinful practices. They look toward the narrow gate, the straight, the narrow way but selfish pleasure and love of the world, pride and unsanctified ambition place a barrier between them so that they cannot go through that gate. They would have to renounce their own will, their chosen objects of affection, and pursuits. They would have to be willing to sacrifice some things that they are doing right now.

So they hesitate, and falter, and turn back. Jesus said that many will try, but they won’t be able to go through the gate. They desire the good. They even make some effort to obtain it, but they do not choose it. They have not a settled purpose to secure eternal life, even if it costs them everything. The only hope, friend, for you and for me, if we would overcome, is to surrender our will to God’s will. We must be willing to be made willing.

We must choose to cooperate with Him. Hour by hour and day by day we must choose to surrender our will to the will of God because we cannot retain our natural, sinful self, and yet enter into the kingdom of God. If we ever attain unto holiness, it will be through the renunciation of self and the reception, the receiving of the mind of Christ. Pride and self-sufficiency have to be crucified. So the question is simply this: Are you willing to pay the price necessary to go through the narrow gate, and up the narrow road so that you can have salvation? Are you willing to have your will brought into perfect conformity with the will of God? The Bible says, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed” (Amos 3:3 KJV)?

Dear friend, if you or if I am not agreed with God on some point, it is we who need to change. There is the story in the Bible of Jacob, who came to the great crisis in his life and turned aside to pray. He was filled with one overmastering purpose—he wanted to be transformed in character. He knew that he had lived a very sinful, checkered life. The Bible records many of the sins that he committed. While he was pleading with God, it seemed to him that an enemy came, placed his hand upon him, and all night he wrestled and fought with what he thought was somebody who was trying to take his life.

When his strength was nearly spent, just before the dawn of the day, the Angel that he was fighting with put forth His divine power, and at one touch, Jacob was disabled. He was wounded and helpless, but he fell upon the breast of the Angel, pleading for a blessing. He said, “I cannot let You go, unless You bless me” (Genesis 32:26, literal translation).

He received the answer to his prayer because he was persistent and determined to have that one thing he wanted. He was willing to give up everything else if he could have his prayer answered. In Isaiah 27:5 the Lord is speaking to Isaiah, “Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me.”

Friend, are you determined that you are going to be saved in the kingdom of heaven? Are you persistent? Is your whole heart in it? Have you said to the Lord, “Lord, this is what I choose, to surrender myself to You, and to follow Jesus all the way”? If you do that, your prayer will be answered just the same as was Jacob’s. The Lord said to him, “You are like a prince. You have power both with God and with men. And if you have power with God, you won’t need to worry about what’s going to happen to you with men, because the Lord will take care of you” (Genesis 32:28, literal translation).

Have you made that decision in your life and said, “Lord, whatever happens, I’m choosing to follow Jesus all the way? I’m choosing to follow Him, and do His will, and surrender my will to Him?”

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

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

A Silk Purse from a Sow’s Ear

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A Silk Purse from a Sow’s Ear
By John Pearson

According to Wiktionary (“a collaborative project to produce a free-content multilingual dictionary”), the expression “to make a silk purse from a sow’s ear” means “to produce something refined, admirable, or valuable from something which is unrefined, unpleasant, or of little or no value” (https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/make_a_silk_purse_of_a_sow%27s_ear).

Perhaps there is no better way to describe in the common vernacular the work of the Holy Spirit on the human heart.

Indeed, the Bible is replete with expressions of the miraculous transformation of something “of little or no value” into “something refined, admirable, or valuable.” While we fallible humans might view someone steeped in sin as of little or no value, we should be thankful that the Lord knows the heart. Think of the woman taken in adultery, the woman at the well, or even Saul, one of the disciples’ most ardent foes, who was transformed into Paul, one of Christ’s most faithful disciples.

It is important to note that although this transformation is done as a free gift to mankind, one must participate in the effort on a personal level to ensure fitness to receive this gift.

On first examination, this gifting seems to be a bit of a paradox. In temporal life, quite often if someone chooses to present a gift to another, there need not necessarily be any action on the recipient’s part to qualify. However, the plan of salvation is not a birthday party, and diligent effort is indeed required to be fit to receive the gift of salvation.

Without doubt, the promises of salvation are plentiful in God’s word. They are plentiful and they are secure. But they are also conditional. Although God’s love is unconditional—He loves the sinner to the same degree as He loves the saint—His promises are conditional. If we do not fulfill the conditions associated with a given promise, we cannot expect to benefit from that promise.

A favorite promise is the one found in Ezekiel 11:16–21: “Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Although I have cast them far off among the Gentiles, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet I shall be a little sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.”’ Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.”’ “And they will go there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there. Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God. But as for those whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads,’ says the Lord God.” ’ ”

This promise of a new heart is repeated in Ezekiel 36:22–32: “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. Not for your sake do I do this,” says the Lord God, “let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!” ’ ”

Notice that in both of these passages there is a reason for this action on God’s part.

In Ezekiel 11, it is only those who have separated themselves from detestable things and abominations who are recipients of one heart and a new spirit, the result being that they “walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them.”

In Ezekiel 36, the basis of the promise is to uphold the honor of God’s holy name, “which has been profaned among the nations.” Although no specific action on the part of the recipients is stated, it is clear from verses 31 and 32 that the recipients of a “heart of flesh” had been cleansed from all their filthiness and from all their idols through cooperation with God as He did this miraculous work in them.

Remember that in Ezekiel 33:11, God had said, “Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’ ”

Clearly, God could not fulfill His promises to Israel until they had met the conditions by turning from their evil ways. Failure to do so could only result in death.

The role that one must play in being fit to receive this wonderful free gift is made evident not only in Scripture, but also in the Spirit of Prophecy.

“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.” The Great Controversy, 425. [Emphasis added.]

The obvious question here is, What “diligent effort” is required on each individual’s part in the “putting away of sin”?

First, we must believe when we repeat David’s prayer for a clean heart and a right spirit that God answers that prayer. We must use that “measure of faith” each has been given to grasp the promise that if we delight ourselves in the Lord, He shall give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). It should also be understood that our desires must be in accord with His plan of salvation. He certainly is not going to give Satan the desires of his wicked heart.

Then we must understand what our “diligent effort” is to include. When God answers our prayer for a new heart and a right spirit, will we suddenly no longer be tempted by our besetting sin? Would that it were that easy! No. Unfortunately, Satan and his evil agents will continue to bring temptations before us.

Remember that Christ was tempted up until He took His last breath: “And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, ‘You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.’ Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, ‘He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him’ ” (Matthew 27:39–42).

In answer to our prayer, the Lord does not remove temptations from our pathway, but instead He gives us the power to resist those temptations. Just as Christ, by faith, resisted every effort on Satan’s part to get Him to deny His faith, we are promised that same victory “through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Remember that God’s people are characterized as “those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12).

Paul provided what is arguably one of the most encouraging promises in God’s word when he wrote to the Corinthians, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (I Corinthians 10:13).

That “way of escape” that God makes involves the exercise of faith in His promises and availing ourselves of the abundant grace He so freely and generously provides that enable us to resist the efforts of the enemy of souls to dissuade us from the path of truth and righteousness.

When the enemy comes in like a flood, we must have the presence of mind to call upon God, “who performs all things for me” (Psalm 57:2).

Isaiah expressed the same faith in God’s protection and assistance in Isaiah 26:12: “Lord, You will establish peace for us, for You have also done all our works in us.” [Emphasis added.]

Even Jeremiah, often referred to as the prophet of doom or the weeping prophet, understood and wrote a powerful expression of God’s work in our hearts: “They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me” (Jeremiah 32:38–40).

Jesus also acknowledged the work that God does to enable us to bear fruit ripe for repentance: “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2).

Although this pruning process can be unpleasant and even painful, it is a necessary process in shaping one’s character into the image of Christ. Then the transformation from sow’s ear to silk purse will be complete.

One of the most encouraging (if indeed it is possible to rank the wonderful promises in God’s word) is found in Philippians 1:6: “… being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

What a glorious day that will be when that small cloud appears in the east and the saints can say in unison, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation” (Isaiah 25:9).

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (I Thessalonians 5:23, 24).

“Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:11, 12).

“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you” (I Peter 5:10).

“I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 1:4–8).

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen” (Jude 1:24, 25).

All quotes NKJV unless otherwise noted.

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.

Conditions to Meet

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Because the early church consisted of people who were all of one heart, the Holy Spirit was poured out and thousands were converted in a day. That power is lacking today yet we are told that it will happen again and with even greater power than before. So, why has this not happened already?

There are conditions to receiving the Holy Spirit empowered thereby. Only those who meet those conditions will receive it. At that time the church will be united and move forward as one unit to finish God’s work.

In Acts 2:1 we are told: “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” Then we read in Acts 2:42: “… they continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Verse 44: “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common.” Verses 46 and 47: “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Acts 4:32: “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul … .”

These verses describe the attitude of the early Christians towards each other. Let’s look at some of the conditions that must be met to enable God’s faithful ones to be “with one accord.”

Obedience

In Acts 5:31 the apostles proclaimed the exaltation of Christ by saying, “Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” But notice the very next verse: “And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to them who obey Him” (verse 32).

Obedience to the word of God is a condition of receiving the Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself said in John 14:15, 16, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.”

John 14:17 says, “The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” It was not just that the Holy Spirit was with them. The Holy Spirit was in them. When that happens, the power of God is revealed through that person and can speak through human agents.

In Testimonies, vol. 6, 140, Ellen White wrote, “Obedience to every word of God is another condition of success.” If we are not obedient, we are not going to have the Holy Spirit in us. That does not mean the Holy Spirit will not be pleading with us. It is one thing to have the Holy Spirit pleading with you, and it is another thing to have the Holy Spirit inside and speaking through you.

The statement continues, “Victories are not gained by ceremonies or display, but by simple obedience to the highest General, the Lord God of heaven. He who trusts in this Leader will never know defeat. Defeat comes in depending on human methods, human inventions, and placing the divine secondary. Obedience was the lesson that the Captain of the Lord’s host sought to teach the vast armies of Israel—obedience in things in which they could see no success. When there is obedience to the voice of our Leader, Christ will conduct His battles in ways that will surprise the greatest powers of earth.” Ibid.

When there is obedience, Christ will conduct His battle—the battle between righteousness and evil that is going on all over the world.

We have no idea what this might be, but we can be sure that it will surprise the greatest powers of earth. However, in order for Christ to conduct the battle on behalf of His people, there has to be obedience. That was the lesson Christ sought to teach the vast armies of Israel. It was a hard lesson for them to learn.

The first king of Israel, Saul, did learn the lesson but too late to save himself. Saul’s disobedience to a direct command provoked a stern rebuke from Samuel. “Then Samuel said: ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king’ ” (I Samuel 15:22).

Deliberate disobedience is called rebellion. No one in rebellion to the truths they know will receive the Holy Spirit unless and until they come into harmony with the will of the Lord.

Being obedient to God often brings great trials to many people. Many have lost their jobs. Others have lost a spouse or become estranged from their parents or their children because of their choice to obey the Lord. Jesus recognized that obedience was difficult. In Matthew 10:32–34, He said, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father … .’ ”

When two opinions clash there is controversy. The most difficult kind of persecution to endure is that which involves trouble in your own family.

We cannot receive the Holy Spirit unless we are obedient. Jesus said in verse 37, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take up his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.”

While on this planet we have yet many trials to meet. “ ‘… We must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God’ ” (Acts 14:22). “We are to find our strength just where the early disciples found their strength: ‘These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.’ ‘And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul’ (Acts 1:14; 4:31, 32).” Testimonies, vol. 6, 140.

Believers in the Christian church are more closely related to their church family than they are to their blood family. The Lord has made provision so that everyone in His church should be part of a transformed body. It is within this body of believers that they are strengthened in their spiritual journey.

“Christ has made provision that His church shall be a transformed body, illumined with the light of heaven, possessing the glory of Immanuel. It is His purpose that every Christian shall be surrounded with a spiritual atmosphere of light and peace.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 19. If we are obedient and receive the Holy Spirit, we will have light and peace. It will be a joy to be part of this closely united spiritual family.

“For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones” (Ephesians 5:30). The church is the body of Christ. To be a member of His body means you are one with Him. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).

When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the early church, all were motivated by the same spirit. (See Ephesians 4:4.)

This condition could not have been reached while the disciples of Jesus were striving for the highest place. They had to get over the idea of making themselves the center. Whenever people strive for the highest position, conflict results. That was the situation the whole time Jesus was on earth. The disciples were in strife and contention over who was going to have the highest position and be the greatest. In Matthew 18 it is recorded that they boldly came to Jesus wondering who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

“Notice that it was after the disciples had come into perfect unity, when they were no longer striving for the highest place, that the Spirit was poured out. They were of one accord. All differences had been put away. And the testimony borne of them after the Spirit had been given is the same. Mark the word: ‘The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul’ (Acts 4:32).” Testimonies, vol. 8, 20.

To the church in the future, Ellen White wrote, “The solemn, important hours intervening between us and the judgment are not to be employed in warfare with believers; this is Satan’s work; he began it in heaven, and he has with unabated energy kept it up ever since his fall.” General Conference Daily Bulletin, 1893, 168.

Warfare with fellow believers is one of the principle ways that we can lose the presence of the Holy Spirit and become separated from God. We then wonder why we have such spiritual darkness and trouble in the church. “God does not separate from His people, but His people separate themselves from God by their own course of action. And I know of no sins greater in the sight of God than those of cherishing jealousy and hatred toward brethren, and turning the weapons of warfare against them.” Ibid.

There is no greater sin than jealousy and hatred and turning weapons of warfare against others in the church, or, in other words, infighting! People claim to be God’s children but in reality, they are helping the devil. In the same General Conference Daily Bulletin, it says, “I point my brethren to Calvary. I ask you, What is the price of man? It is the only begotten Son of the infinite God. It is the price of all the heavenly treasures.

“Evil is ever warring against good. And since we know that the conflict with the prince of darkness is constant, and must be severe, let us be united in the warfare.

“Cease to war against those of your own faith. Let no one help Satan in his work.” Ibid., 169.

Church history indicates that evidently that was a problem in 1893, in 1888, in 1901 and also in 1903. It was also a problem in the church in 1905, 1906, 1907 and in 1922. Many dates of more recent origin could be quoted for incidents I have seen myself.

Fighting each other and sending out evil reports against one another is also rampant among historic Adventists and has been for twenty-five years. Then people wonder why the power of God is missing from our midst!

Separate From Evil

To receive the Holy Spirit we must separate from evil. The Holy Spirit will not inhabit where evil exists. The apostles were of one accord, but they were not of one accord in sin. They were of one accord in righteousness. It is not enough to be in accord with our brethren if that accord is not based on righteousness.

“A passive piety will not answer for this time; let the passiveness be manifested where it is needed, in patience, kindness, and forbearance. But we must bear a decided message of warning to the world. The Prince of Peace thus proclaimed His work, ‘I came not to send peace on earth, but a sword’ (Matthew 10:34). Evil must be assailed; falsehood and error must be made to appear in their true character; sin must be denounced; …” Ibid. [Emphasis author’s.]

When the apostles received the Holy Spirit, they denounced sin. Peter said, “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree” (Acts 5:30). With holy boldness Peter dealt with the issue. His rebuke was not taken lightly and the people were so angry with him that they beat him and wanted to kill him right then.

“Evil must be assailed; falsehood and error must be made to appear in their true character; sin must be denounced … .” My dear friends, there are many Christian churches today, where the pastors are afraid to renounce sin for fear that they will lose a large share of their members if certain sins are denounced so they remain quiet on those issues. To do this is at the peril of failing to receive the Holy Spirit.

Ellen White wrote, “Evil must be assailed; falsehood and error must be made to appear in their true character; sin must be denounced; and the testimony of every believer in the truth must be as one. All your little differences which arouse the combative spirit among brethren, are devices of Satan to divert minds from the great and fearful issue before us.” Ibid., 169. [Emphasis added.]

When the Holy Spirit was poured out in the early church it was poured out on people who were obedient. They were not afraid to denounce and condemn sin. They had opened their hearts and come into a spiritual condition to receive it, and the result was that the whole multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul.

We want to see that happen again. They were not just individual units, like we see in churches all over today. They were one, filled with the same spirit moving forward in a unified and harmonious way. “The Spirit of Christ made them one. This is the fruit of abiding in Christ. But if dissension, envy, jealousy, and strife are the fruit we bear, it is not possible that we are abiding in Christ.” Ibid. [Emphasis author’s.]

James 3:16, 17 speaks of the same principle: “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”

The message coming from many different authors is that if we have envy or strife among us, we cannot receive the Holy Spirit. There are always going to be two groups. Ellen White addresses one group and then the other. To those who have never had the converting experience that comes from above but they are still in the church, she wrote, “If those who have had great light have not corresponding faith and obedience, they soon become leavened with the prevailing apostasy; another spirit controls them.” Ibid.

Notice, these people are not controlled by the Holy Spirit. “While they have been exalted to heaven in point of opportunities and privileges, they are in a worse condition than the most zealous advocates of error.” Ibid.

That is an awful statement. God is in the business of bringing a people into spiritual harmony and unity so that they will be as one. Remember, Paul said in Galatians 3:28 that there is no bond or free, there is no male or female, but all are one in Christ Jesus. Paul said in Romans 12:5: “… so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”

When the Holy Spirit was poured out, the disciples saw that the prophecies in the Old Testament about the Messiah had been literally fulfilled. They had a faith and assurance in what they read but had never understood before. They now understood that the divine teacher that they had been with was everything that He claimed to be.

When Jesus was here in the flesh, He appeared as a human being, and the great mass of mankind, even the disciples did not fully comprehend who He was.

“They realized that although He was clothed with humanity, He was of divine origin.” The Review and Herald, June 18, 1895. Then they expressed to the people with burning zeal what they now understood.

Notice how Peter expressed what he believed on the Day of Pentecost: “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear … ‘Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call’ ” (Acts 2:32–39).

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. … So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (verses 42–47).

“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:32).

On the night that He was crucified, Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12). That prediction was fulfilled shortly after Pentecost. Not only did they do the works of Christ, they did those greater works through the power of the Holy Spirit. That same experience that happened after Pentecost is going to happen again with greater power in the last days than it happened then.

“Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be, among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times.” The Great Controversy, 464.

If we are to have that experience again, we are going to have to get ready. The disciples had to get ready. Jesus founded a kingdom that was based on a principle that is far different from that on which all the kingdoms of this world are based. After His ascension the disciples began to recognize that they had to take this gospel message to the whole world. They knew they had to do something; so they began to go to each other and pray.

“After Christ’s ascension, the disciples were gathered together in one place to make humble supplication to God. And after ten days of heart searching and self-examination, the way was prepared for the Holy Spirit to enter the cleansed, consecrated soul temples.” The Review and Herald, June 10, 1902.

Like the disciples we also must be prepared for the Holy Spirit to enter us and fill us with light, and give us that same kind of power. Such preparation takes obedience and cooperation.

After the heart searching and self-examination, “Every heart was filled with the Spirit, as though God desired to show His people that it was His prerogative to bless them with the choicest of heaven’s blessings. What was the result?—Thousands were converted in a day. The sword of the Spirit flashed right and left. Newly edged with power, it pierced even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow. The idolatry that had been mingled with the worship of the people was overthrown. New territory was added to the kingdom of God. Places that had been barren and desolate sounded forth His praises. Believers, reconverted, born again, were a living power for God. A new song was put in their mouths, even praise to the Most High. Controlled by the Spirit, they saw Christ in their brethren. One interest prevailed. One subject of emulation swallowed up all others—to be like Christ, to do the works of Christ.” Ibid.

Are we preparing day by day to have that experience again? “The mighty power of the Holy Spirit works an entire transformation in the character of the human agent, making him a new creature in Christ Jesus. When a man is filled with the Spirit, the more severely he is tested and tried, the more clearly he proves that he is a representative of Christ.” Ibid.

“The peace that dwells in the soul is seen on the countenance. The words and actions express the love of the Saviour. There is no striving for the highest place. Self is renounced. The name of Jesus is written on all that is said and done.” Ibid.

Remember, we will not be filled with the Spirit until we have made the necessary preparation. The Bible says that the people took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. To be a Christian means to be Christ-like. How many people are there who are like Christ?

The real question I must ask myself if I want to be part of such a demonstration of primitive godliness that has not been seen in this world since the time of the apostles is, Is my character in harmony with my profession?

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

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

 

Sermon on the Mount Series – One Goal, One Way

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Because we live in a world full of scams, it is crucial to find a dependable way to tell the difference between truth and falsehood so that we do not end up being duped. With every wind of doctrine circulating, we certainly cannot trust people’s exalted professions or their fair speeches, as many have alternative motives that are not obvious on the surface. Honesty often seems a thing of the past and it is dangerous to depend on your senses. The Bible is the only sure foundation that remains firm among a cacophony of voices.

A popular belief today is that eventually everybody in the world will be saved, but nowhere in the Bible do we find such assurance. In fact, Jesus Christ Himself taught just the opposite. He said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many that go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13, 14). It appears here that Jesus knew that the majority of the world would be attracted to the broad popular road where self rules and every desire of the heart can be supplied. In a world of consumerism, people desire immediate satisfaction. Few choose the road of self denial and delayed satisfaction.

Jesus said in Luke 13:24, “Seek to enter through the narrow gate because many, I say to you, will attempt to, and will not be able” (literal translation). The reason they are not able is because they cannot take along with them all of their sins, their sinful desires and their own pleasures and ambitions. Because the gate is narrow, people are in danger of being deceived and enticed onto the broad way, thinking that it will lead to the same end as the narrow way. The temptation is always, Why make it so hard for yourself? It is so much easier on the broad way.

Knowing how hard the temptation is, immediately after Jesus gave that instruction, He gave a warning that there are people in this world who are out to deceive you.

There are teachers of falsehood who will arise and draw you away from the narrow path, away from the straight gate with false promises that you can have eternal life while you are going down the broad road. He said, Watch out!

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7:15–20).

Jesus said that we are not to prove whether they are a true or a false prophet by their fair speeches or their exalted professions. They are to be judged by the word of God. The word of God says, “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20). A strict warning here is given against listening to spiritualist manifestations, or spiritual apparitions, or people claiming to speak for the dead, or being spirits of the dead, or the like (verse 19).

The wise man said in Proverbs 19:27, “Cease, my son to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.” What message are you listening to? Are you listening to a message that leads you to fear and reverence God? Are you listening to a message that leads you to love God by obeying Him, by being loyal to His commandments?

If we do not feel the weight of the moral law, if we make light of any of God’s precepts, if we break one of the least of His commandments, we shall be of no esteem in the sight of heaven, and it may be known that our claims to be religious teachers are without any foundation at all. Those kinds of teachings originate with the prince of darkness, the enemy of God.

Not all who profess the name of Christ, who call themselves Christians, not all who wear His badge, are actually Christ’s. The apostle Paul had some very pointed things to say on this subject. Notice what He said in 2 Corinthians 11:13–15: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”

Paul here says that there are false apostles who pretend to be teachers of righteousness, who pretend to be the apostles of Christ, but actually they are serving another master. Not all who profess His name, not all who call themselves Christians, not all who wear His badge are actually Jesus Christ’s. Jesus said there will be many people who have taught in My name, that will be found wanting at last. Notice what He said as He neared the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ ” (Matthew 7:21–23).

These are people who call Jesus, “Lord” and call themselves “Christians.” These are not just people who come and sit in the pew at church; these are Christian workers. They say, “We have prophesied in Your name. We had the Holy Spirit. We had the gift of prophecy.” “We cast out demons in Your name.” “We worked many wonders (miracles) in Your name.”

How can that be? The Bible teaches that there is a great spiritual battle going on in this world between two supernatural forces. Christ is one, but there is another supernatural force. He has lost the battle over and over again. So, because of his defeat in the way he has operated in the past, he masquerades and appears to join the winning side, calling himself Christ.

The Biblical word, antichrist simply means somebody that stands in the place of Christ. People who are actually serving antichrist, will think that they are serving Christ. The apostle Paul is very clear on this point. He wrote to the Corinthian church, “I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you may well put up with it” (2 Corinthians 11:3, 4)!

It concerned Paul that the church would be deceived and receive a different spirit instead of the Spirit that the apostles had brought to them and that the church would accept a different gospel. The New Testament gospel is a gospel that delivers a person not only from his guilt, but it delivers a person from the power of sin in his life. Jesus said, “… whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a Son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:34, 36). Notice, the gospel that Jesus taught was the gospel that would set you free from the power of sin in your life.

The apostles preached that same gospel. Paul preached it in Romans 6 and 8. The apostle John preached the same gospel and warned about the danger of having a false conception that we are followers of God when we are really not. He said, “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (I John 2:3, 4). The apostle John, considered so loveable and so soft-spoken, had no mincing words to say about the person who claimed to be a Christian and who was living in violation of the law of God.

The apostle James is just as clear. He said, “If you keep the whole law, and you offend in one point, you are guilty of all. For the same person that said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ So if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those that will be judged by the law of liberty” (James 2:10–12, literal translation).

James teaches it. Jude teaches it. John teaches it. Paul teaches it. Peter teaches it in 2 Peter 3. The apostle John teaches it again in Revelation 14:12 and 22. The people of God in the last days are those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. O, friend, we are in great danger today of thinking that we are Christians while we are living in sin.

The person who lives in sin is not a New Testament Christian because New Testament Christianity gives a person victory over their besetting sins and gives the power to live a new life. If a person claims to be a Christian and continues living in sin and does not overcome his/her sins, he/she is in danger of losing eternal life. Jesus said that many will come to Him in that last day and say that He has made a mistake. They will claim to know that they are saved, to know that they should be in the kingdom of heaven because they claim to be His as Christians. “We prophesied in Your name and we cast out demons in Your name and we did many miracles in Your name.”

Then will come the sad answer, “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you’ ” (Matthew 7:23). It is difficult to take in the terrible shock that that would be. To think that you are serving Christ, when in reality you are serving another Jesus; to think that you have the Holy Spirit, but you have a different spirit; to think that you are following the gospel, but you are following a different gospel. And when Jesus comes, you claim to have prophesied in His name and to have cast out demons in His name, and done many miracles in His name, and He says, “I never knew you.” How shocking, indeed, that will be.

Does Christ know you? Jesus describes those He says He does not know in Matthew 7:23: “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ ” What is their problem? These are the people who believed that you can be a Christian and follow Jesus and yet continue to break His law.

In this world we are used to doing things half right or even partially right and still get along. In fact, we have schools that grade on the bell curve and you can get a pass with only 70%. However, that is not the way God’s law is. James 2:10–12 says, “Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.”

You cannot be a New Testament Christian unless you commit to following Jesus all the way. Remember that Jesus said in Luke 14:33, Whoever it is that “… does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” My friend, you are not going to take the riches of this world into the kingdom of heaven. All the material things here are going to burn up. God doesn’t need them for He is going to create a new world for His children to live in. The question is, Do you want what the Lord has prepared for the saved? Are you willing to go through the narrow gate and up the narrow way, and be obedient to the Lord Jesus and follow Him all the way and at last receive the gift of eternal life?

There are many people now, just as there were when Jesus spoke these original words, who want eternal life, but it seems that the price is too great to obey Jesus in everything because they will suffer some kind of a loss in this world. People felt that way then and people still feel that way today. So, before closing His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave to them a most striking illustration that would predict what their future would be. This story also predicts what your future will be.

He said: “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24–27).

The difference is whether you choose to obey or choose not to obey, whether your life conforms to what Jesus said or whether it does not. Seven hundred years before Jesus came to the world Isaiah the prophet said, “The word of our God shall stand for ever” (Isaiah 40:8 KJV). And many years after Jesus had preached on the mountain, the apostle Peter quoted these words from Isaiah: “… this is the word by which the gospel is preached to you” (I Peter 1:25, literal translation).

This is the word. When you receive the gospel, you receive the word of God that lasts forever. In other words, the word of God is the only steadfast thing that our world really knows. It is the sure foundation. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My word will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35, literal translation).

The great principles of the law of God, the very nature of God Himself, are enshrouded in the words of Jesus from the Mount. Whoever builds on them is building upon Christ, the Rock of Ages. In receiving His word, we receive Christ. Only those who receive His words and do them are building upon Christ. The apostle Paul said, “… other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 3:11, literal translation).

Peter said the same thing. “… there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 KJV). That is the only foundation upon which you can build securely. We build on Christ by obeying His word. Jesus said, “If you do these sayings of mine, you’ll be like a man who built his house on the rock and when the storm came, the house did not fall. But if you hear these sayings of Mine and you don’t do them, you’d be like a man who built his house on the sand and when the storm came, his house collapsed” (Matthew 7:26, 27, literal translation).

Holiness is not rapture. It is the result of surrendering all to God. It is doing the will of our heavenly Father. Religion consists in doing the words of Christ. It is not doing them to earn God’s favor, but because, all undeserving, we have received the gift of His love. Jesus places the salvation of man, not upon profession merely, but upon faith that is made manifest by works of righteousness. Doing, not merely saying, is required and expected of the followers of Christ. It is through action that character is built.

Do you desire to be a follower of Jesus? There are many people today who say, “I want to be a Christian. I want to be a follower of Jesus Christ, but I don’t know how to start. I don’t know how to begin. I don’t know very much about the Bible.”

You may seem to be in the dark and not know how to find the light. So here is how to get started. Simply follow what light you do understand. Whatever you understand from the word of God tell the Lord, “By Your grace, what You tell me to do I am choosing to do, to obey and follow You.” If you set your heart to obey Jesus Christ, to acknowledge Him as the Lord of your life and follow Him, then, even though you may know very little right now, as you receive His word by faith, you will receive power to obey. As you start to obey the light you have, even if it is just a small amount, you will be given more light. You will be building on God’s word and your character will be built after the similitude of the character of Christ. Remember, “The path of the just (righteous) is like a shining light that shines more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18, literal translation).

Jesus Christ is the sure foundation. He is the living Stone and His life is imparted to all who build upon Him, who do His words. Peter said, “… you also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house …” (I Peter 2:5, literal translation). Paul said, “… it’s fitly framed together, growing into a holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:21, literal translation).

The living stones become one with the foundation because a common life dwells in all. And that building no tempest can overthrow. Every other building that is built on any other foundation will fall. If we build our character on human ideas, opinions, forms, and ceremonies, then our building will be destroyed. It will be knocked down by the fierce tempests of temptation. But right today, before the tempest comes that’s going to end this world’s history, the Lord says, “As I live, … I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways, for why will you die” (Ezekiel 33:11, literal translation).

O, friend, the Lord wants to save you and He will save you if you are willing to turn to Him and follow Him with all your heart.

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

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

Testimony – My Journey

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My name is Jose Luis Siles Ugarte. I am the elder of the Free Seventh-day Adventist Church in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. I am married with 3 children, Jonathan, 8, Angel, 6, and Luisiana, 4 months. I would like to share my life, how I met the Lord, and how I enrolled in the training program for ministers and church leaders course of Steps to Life Ministry.

I was born in Cochabamba, Bolivia, and grew up and lived all my childhood there. I come from a poor family with poor resources. My parents are Catholic. Since childhood I have always liked the church and enjoyed getting involved with Catholic church activities. I started first as an altar boy and then taught the catechism in the childhood program. I also participated in missionary work. I have an older brother who is a Catholic priest who helped me financially with my seminary schooling. He told me that when I finished my studies, I also should be a Catholic priest. At the present time, my brother officiates at a Catholic church in La Paz.

I have always been very attached to the things of God. Even though I was unknowingly within a ‘wrong’ religion, I had the desire to serve in the work of evangelism. The first meeting I had with the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) religion was when my sister and her friend visited us. They kept the Sabbath and did not eat meat, which seemed very fanatical and very strange to me. I couldn’t understand how they believed in that. Shortly afterward, we moved to a remote area of Santa Cruz where we met with a person who was part of an independent SDA group that had come out of the SDA organization. The preacher preached that Sunday worship is the mark of the papacy. That meeting left me very intrigued. The next day I started researching on my own to understand if what the brother told me in the meeting was true, since I felt that he was insulting my church by calling the Catholic church the beast.

To my surprise I found out that what the Catholic church teaches and believes is a lie. Although I was wishing what I had heard was wrong, I soon realized that I was blind and deceived by the Catholic church. I was so hurt. That night I prayed to my Lord with my heart open, Lord, I am going to worship you on the seventh day Sabbath. The next Sabbath morning I dressed myself as a Christian and attended my first Sabbath service. Shortly thereafter, I was baptized into the independent SDA group, where I met a person who became my wife. She shared the same desire I had to serve the Lord. A year later we were married. Together we are growing as Christians, but with many tests and challenges to our faith and to our marriage relationship. We did not have any counseling support within the group because there were no people designated for counseling couples or for young people to talk to who needed counsel. Because that lack in the church always worried me, I was wondering how could we as a church do the work that we need to help people like us. That year I told my wife that we needed organization in the church. I saw many brothers who were discouraged or tired of the routine. I called for a Saturday night meeting to address the issue of church organization. I told my wife that night at home that this situation had motivated me to work with the church more closely that year. Three months later the church gave me the opportunity to work as a youth director.

I started with six young people in my department. In the course of two years, the group grew to almost 30 young people. However, the adults were decreasing in numbers; so by the end of year we were told to close the young people’s class and join with the adult class.

The next year I served as a deacon, when the church got hit hard with all kinds of winds of doctrines, such as Christ is not part of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit is only a power, 1844 ends in the cross, the nature of man is perverted, man cannot be holy, the Holy Spirit is not part of the Godhead, the resurrection of the Pope John Paul II, and many more mistaken ideas believed in ignorance.

I felt very confused and discouraged by the situation in the church, but did not have the knowledge to defend my beliefs. I knew that these were false doctrines, and felt bad not to be able to defend my beliefs with “it is written.” This situation encouraged me to seek knowledge from my church family, but that did not c0me quickly. Many in the church were difficult to deal with. I told the church that we needed help. They responded that they had felt the same vulnerability.

At that same time, my personal life and family were being attacked from every direction, creating a situation that was very difficult in the church, to the point that the group was separating. Some left the church and others considered returning to the churches they had come from. I was invited to do the same but decided to remain in the church. After the controversy had endured for two weeks a friend of my father-in-law called to say that he knew of a pastor from USA who would help. I gave my father-in-law the contact information to request help from the American pastor. I was told that we had asked for help before from a pastor from Venezuela and this was how we got in this situation in the first place, but we agreed to present the idea to the church. The church agreed to bring Pastor Domingo Nunez from the USA.

When Pastor Nunez came he had to deal with many strange doctrines in the church. He encouraged the church families to follow the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. The following times that Pastor Nunez came, the brothers in the church were strengthened and renewed their faith in the word of God given through his servant, Pastor Nunez. It was a great help to have his support and advice to organize ourselves as a church and work as such.

Then he invited the members of the church to enroll in the course for Bible workers and invited me to enroll in the training program for ministers and church leaders. I was very happy with the idea, recognizing that this was what I needed and was what I had prayed about.

I thank God that I now have the opportunity to learn more to be able to help the church grow and be organized. That makes me so happy. I have learned quite a bit as I scrutinize each lesson very well. As a result I am increasing my faith and increasing my knowledge regarding many doctrines.

I thank God that I have received this blessing to be able to follow the course. My desire is to finish it and continue supporting the work. I’m now finishing the third unit and soon begin the fourth unit. With each lesson I have corrected past erroneous beliefs and expanded my knowledge. I enjoy sharing with the church what I am learning.

I thank God that today we are an organized church through the counsel provided by Steps to Life through Pastor Nunez.

Thanks to Pastor Nunez and Global Evangelism, we have Sabbath school quarterlies in Spanish from which we have learned so much truth. Thanks also to Sister Hilde Nunez for sending materials for children.

The church has now managed to organize each department and wants to grow more in God’s grace. Also we are happy to be affiliated with and part of Inter-America and Global Evangelism of the General Assembly of Free Seventh-day Adventists. This year we are learning gradually how to defend our faith and learn the true doctrines of the Adventist church. Thanks to God we have received much blessing. We thank also Steps to Life Ministry through Pastor Nunez for the many visits that he made to support us in a disinterested way. I hope that this testimony has encouraged you to keep trusting in God and also ask that you please pray for our church. Although small, we want to grow and be a center in Bolivia for many more churches to be born.”

The Lamb Opens the Holy Place

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Forty days after Jesus was raised from the dead, He and His disciples were walking toward Bethany. When they reached the crest of the Mount of Olives, “He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven.” “He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight” (Luke 24:50, 51; Acts 1:9).

Many years later when John was on the Isle of Patmos, he was shown in vision the arrival of Jesus in heaven after His ascension.

Beginning with Revelation 4:1, John gives a detailed description of the setting in which Jesus appeared. Struggling to find words to adequately describe the glories of the scene before him, he writes,

“After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with Someone sitting on it. And the One who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne” (Revelation 4:1–3).

Who was sitting on this throne before which the “Lamb, looking as if it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6), was standing? It is God the Father, the Ancient of Days, the great ruler of the universe. He is the One who “so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). This is the One before whom the Lamb is standing.

“Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing” (Revelation 4:4, 5).

“As in vision the apostle John was granted a view of the temple of God in heaven, he beheld there ‘seven lamps of fire burning before the throne’ (Revelation 4:5). He saw an angel ‘having a golden censer; and there was given unto Him much incense, that He should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne’ (Revelation 8:3). Here the prophet was permitted to behold the first apartment of the sanctuary in heaven; and he saw there the ‘seven lamps of fire’ and ‘the golden altar,’ represented by the golden candlestick and the altar of incense in the sanctuary on earth.” The Great Controversy, 414, 415.

In the sanctuary on earth, the lampstand was located in the first apartment. So we see that Revelation 4 is a description of the scene taking place in the holy place of the sanctuary in heaven at the time Jesus ascended from this earth.

“Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

“In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. … Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.’ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and worship Him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being’ ” (Revelation 4:8–11).

In the midst of this glorious celebration, John describes the appearance of Jesus as He comes before the Father. “Then, midway between the throne and the four living creatures, I saw a Lamb standing among the Elders. He looked as if He had been offered in sacrifice …” (Revelation 5:6 WNT).

In Revelation 4 and 5, John is describing the vastness and glory of the sanctuary in heaven and the inauguration of Jesus as our high priest.

“The matchless splendor of the earthly tabernacle reflected to human vision the glories of that heavenly temple where Christ our forerunner ministers for us before the throne of God. The abiding place of the King of kings, where thousand thousands minister unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stand before Him (Daniel 7:10); that temple, filled with the glory of the eternal throne, where seraphim, its shining guardians, veil their faces in adoration, could find, in the most magnificent structure ever reared by human hands, but a faint reflection of its vastness and glory.” The Great Controversy, 414.

Ever since this celebration of the opening of the holy place in the sanctuary in heaven, Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, has been ministering His blood for the remission of our sins in this sacred place. “The point … of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being” (Hebrews 8:1, 2).

The following is another description of this same event as recorded in The Desire of Ages, 833–835:

“All heaven was waiting to welcome the Saviour to the celestial courts. As He ascended, He led the way, and the multitude of captives set free at His resurrection followed. The heavenly host, with shouts and acclamations of praise and celestial song, attended the joyous train.

“As they drew near to the city of God, the challenge is given by the escorting angels –

‘Lift up your heads, O ye gates;

And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors;

And the King of glory shall come in.’

Joyfully the waiting sentinels respond –

‘Who is this King of glory?’

“This they say, not because they know not who He is, but because they would hear the answer of exalted praise –

‘The Lord strong and mighty,

The Lord mighty in battle!

Lift up your heads, O ye gates;

Even lift them up, ye everlasting doors;

And the King of glory shall come in.’

“Again is heard the challenge, ‘Who is this King of glory?’ for the angels never weary of hearing His name exalted. The escorting angels make reply –

‘The Lord of hosts;

He is the King of glory’

(Psalm 24:7–10).

“Then the portals of the city of God are opened wide, and the angelic throng sweep through the gates amid a burst of rapturous music.

“There is the throne, and around it the rainbow of promise. There are cherubim and seraphim. The commanders of the angel hosts, the sons of God, the representatives of the unfallen worlds, are assembled. The heavenly council before which Lucifer had accused God and His Son, the representatives of those sinless realms over which Satan had thought to establish his dominion—all are there to welcome the Redeemer. They are eager to celebrate His triumph and to glorify their King.

“But He waves them back. Not yet; He cannot now receive the coronet of glory and the royal robe. He enters into the presence of His Father. He points to His wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet; He lifts His hands, bearing the print of nails. He points to the tokens of His triumph; He presents to God the wave sheaf, those raised with Him as representatives of that great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at His second coming. He approaches the Father, with whom there is joy over one sinner that repents; who rejoices over one with singing. Before the foundations of the earth were laid, the Father and the Son had united in a covenant to redeem man if he should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped Their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the surety for the human race. This pledge Christ has fulfilled. When upon the cross He cried out, ‘It is finished,’ He addressed the Father. The compact had been fully carried out. Now He declares: Father, it is finished. I have done Thy will, O My God. I have completed the work of redemption. If Thy justice is satisfied, ‘I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am’ (John 19:30; 17:24).

“The voice of God is heard proclaiming that justice is satisfied. Satan is vanquished. Christ’s toiling, struggling ones on earth are ‘accepted in the Beloved’ (Ephesians 1:6). Before the heavenly angels and the representatives of unfallen worlds, they are declared justified. Where He is, there His church shall be. ‘Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other’ (Psalm 85:10). The Father’s arms encircle His Son, and the word is given, ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him’ (Hebrews 1:6).

“With joy unutterable, rulers and principalities and powers acknowledge the supremacy of the Prince of life. The angel host prostrate themselves before Him, while the glad shout fills all the courts of heaven, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing’ (Revelation 5:12).

“Songs of triumph mingle with the music from angel harps, till heaven seems to overflow with joy and praise. Love has conquered. The lost is found. Heaven rings with voices in lofty strains proclaiming, ‘Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever’ (Revelation 5:13).

“From that scene of heavenly joy, there comes back to us on earth the echo of Christ’s own wonderful words, ‘I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God’ (John 20:17). The family of heaven and the family of earth are one. For us our Lord ascended, and for us He lives. ‘Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them’ ” (Hebrews 7:25).

Excerpts from High Priest & Coming King, by Maurice Hoppe, pages 42–47.

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

Maurice Hoppe is Director of the Steps to Life training programs and a member of the Steps to Life Board. The Training Program for Ministers and Church Leaders is a correspondence course that prepares individuals to serve as pastors or Bible workers. Preparing for the Final Conflict is a correspondence course for the laity. Both of these courses teach present truth that will be an anchor for the soul during the storm of opposition and persecution just ahead. He and his wife also have a correspondence course offered through Revelation Ministry. He can be contacted at: mauricehoppe@stepstolife.org.

Understanding God’s Word

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“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” Psalm 111:10

The psalmist here states that before wisdom comes the knowledge and fear of the Lord.

What is Wisdom?

The word wisdom in the Hebrew language is Chokmah, a word which occurs 141 times in the Bible. Chokmah is comprehensive in its meaning.

  1. technical knowledge (Exodus 28:3; 35:26)
  2. practical, worldly wisdom (I Kings 4:30; Isaiah 47:10)
  3. ideal human wisdom (Psalm 111:10; Prov. 1:2)
  4. wisdom as an attribute of God (Psalm 104:24; Proverbs 3:19; Jeremiah 10:12; 51:15)

Wisdom is distinguished from knowledge in that wisdom has to do with character and conduct, whereas knowledge is primarily intellectual enlightenment. Knowledge may be an accumulation of unrelated and unorganized facts without the ability to apply these facts to personal life. Wisdom is the faculty of being able to make a practical use of facts.

What is Understanding?

An intermediate step may be conceived of in the term understanding. Understanding implies the ability to evaluate and organize facts which is an essential framework for wisdom.

The word understanding as found in Psalm 111:10 originates from a Hebrew word which means, intelligence; success; discretion; knowledge; policy; sense; wisdom.

So while understanding has to do with the ability or power to acquire and interpret knowledge, while it has to do with the mental faculties, intelligence, and the ability to comprehend according to the Holy Scriptures, it is intimately connected to wisdom, which makes a practical use of facts, for it has to do with character and conduct.

So we read again, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments: his praise endureth for ever” (Psalm 111:10).

Therefore, divine understanding cannot be separated from obedience. Obedience to God’s revealed will demonstrates that a person has true understanding.

But what about those who do not know God or those who profess to believe in Him but disobey Him? Are they without understanding?

Jeremiah said, “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom … But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord … ” (Jeremiah 9:23, 24).

The man who knows not God or the man who professes to know Him but does not obey has understanding, but it is not true or divine understanding; it is that understanding that allows man to glory or that uplifts himself instead of his Creator.

Paul says of such men that while they possess understanding yet their understanding is darkened. “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart” (Ephesians 4:17, 18).

What Causes Complete Blindness?

Jesus taught, “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness” (Matthew 6:22, 23)!

The “light” of the body is that insight that places relative value on the things of time and eternity. When Jesus used the word “eye,” He was addressing the eye of the soul that gives a man heavenly vision, and that enables him to behold that which is invisible to the natural eyesight. Such eyesight is a guide to the soul in the same way that physical eyesight is a guide to the body. Hebrews 11:27 reads, “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” And 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Ellen White, commenting on the words of Jesus, points out, “But when the eye is blinded by the love of self, there is only darkness. ‘If thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness’ (Matthew 6:23).” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 91.

The apostle John tells us also what causes spiritual blindness, “But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes” (I John 2: 11).

The word darkness is derived from a root word which means shadiness or more specifically darkness of error.

Even among Christians are many whose understanding is darkened because of a failure to obey God.

As a reminder, “Disobedience has closed the door to a vast amount of knowledge that might have been gained from the Scriptures. Understanding means obedience to God’s commandments. The Scriptures are not to be adapted to meet the prejudice and jealousy of men. They can be understood only by those who are humbly seeking for a knowledge of the truth that they may obey it.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 112.

Who causes the understanding of human beings to become darkened?

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4).

Who is the “god of this world”?

The devil claims to be the god of this world – “Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me” (Matthew 4:8, 9; I John 5:19).

He is “the god of this world” because the world is largely under his control. He rules in the hearts of most of its inhabitants – “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:1, 2).

Satan is also called by other titles:

  • “Prince of this world.” (See John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11.)
  • “Prince of the power of the air.” (Ephesians 2:2.)

Therefore it is he who darkens people’s minds by way of all manner of sinful practices. Satan’s principal work is to blind or darken men’s minds.

Summary of how Satan darkens human beings’ minds

  • By keeping them from the study of God’s word.
  • By deranging the power of the mind through excesses.
  • By wholly occupying the mind with things of this life.
  • By appealing to pride and self-exaltation.

Keep in mind – the battle between Christ and Satan is a battle for the minds of men (see Romans 7:23, 25).

Twelve Ways the Understanding Becomes Darkened!

  1. Sin darkens the understanding – “The enlightening of the understanding must become a part of the experience. Sin has darkened the reasoning powers, and hell is triumphing.” Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 7, 22. “Blindness of the heart is a terrible barrier to the discerning of truth. … Sin is the disease of the soul, in consequence of which the understanding fails to do its appointed work on the heart and memory.” Elder Daniels and the Fresno Church, Pamphlet 28, 6, 7.
  2. Failure to heed the call to repentance – “During the preceding months of the Baptist’s ministry, many had refused to heed the call to repentance. Thus they had hardened their hearts and darkened their understanding.” The Desire of Ages, 136.
  3. By rejecting former messages – “Those who rejected the first message could not be benefited by the second; neither were they benefited by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former messages, they have so darkened their understanding that they can see no light in the third angel’s message, which shows the way into the most holy place.” Early Writings, 260, 261.
  4. By the use of alcoholic/strong drink – Satan “tempts men to the use of wine and strong drink, by which the understanding is darkened, the senses confused, and the image of God defaced.” Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, 187.
  5. Impure thoughts, actions and willful disobedience – “Impurity in thought or practice obscures spiritual vision, so that the soul can not contemplate and be charmed with the character of God. The world is full of disobedience, and the understanding of men has become so darkened by a sinful course of action that righteousness is not clearly discerned, and is not therefore appreciated above unrighteousness.” The Signs of the Times, October 3, 1895.
  6. By cherishing doubt – “There are those who walk amid perpetual doubts. They feed on doubts, enjoy doubts, talk doubts, and question everything that it is for their interest to believe. To those who thus trifle with the plain testimonies of God’s word, and who refuse to believe because it is inconvenient and unpopular to do so, the light will finally become darkness; truth will appear to the darkened understanding as error, and error will be accepted as truth. When thus shrouded in error, they will find it perfectly natural and convenient to believe what is false, and will become strong in their faith.” The Review and Herald, January 5, 1886.
  7. Because of continual transgression – “It was the love of God toward the children of men that moved Him to proclaim His law from Sinai. Because the understanding of men had become darkened by continual transgression, God, in his infinite mercy, condescended to bestow upon them the living oracles in all their original purity.” The Signs of the Times, December 2, 1880.
  8. Allowing the Devil access to our minds – “When the Pharisees expressed their discontent because of the class of people with whom He mingled, Jesus set the matter before them in the parable of the lost sheep. But their understanding was darkened; for Satan had power over their minds, and they arrayed themselves in opposition to Jesus.” Ibid., November 20, 1893.
  9. Because of the false theories of Satan – “The idols of the heathen stood between them and their God, obscuring God from their vision. Thus it is today. By the cunning deception of Satan false theories are made a power to rob God. Man’s spiritual understanding is darkened by Satan’s sophistry.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 221.
  10. By defects of character – “By some the truth has been preached for a lifetime, but the understanding, darkened by defects of character which are not overcome, prevents them from discovering truth in its matchless loveliness.” Ibid., vol. 20, 180.
  11. By exalting one’s idea above God’s will – “Those who exalt their own ideas above the plainly specified will of God are saying, as did Pharaoh, ‘Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice’ (Exodus 5:1)? Every rejection of light hardens the heart and darkens the understanding; and thus people find it more and more difficult to distinguish between right and wrong, and they become bolder in resisting the will of God.” Christ Triumphant, 109.
  12. Because of deliberately stifling one’s convictions of duty – “He who deliberately stifles his convictions of duty because it interferes with his inclinations, will finally lose the power to distinguish between truth and error. The understanding becomes darkened, the conscience callous, the heart hardened, and the soul is separated from God. Where the message of divine truth is spurned or slighted, there the church will be enshrouded in darkness; faith and love grow cold, and estrangement and dissension enter. Church-members center their interests and energies in worldly pursuits, and sinners become hardened in their impenitence.” The Great Controversy, 1888, 379.

Who Is It that Enlightens the Understanding of Human Beings?

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:17, 18).

In commenting on these verses, God’s messenger records, “The ministry of the divine Spirit in enlightening the understanding and opening to the mind the deep things of God’s holy word, was the blessing which Paul thus besought for the Ephesian church.” The Great Controversy, 9.

The apostle John wrote, “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you” (John 16:13, 14).

God’s Servant wrote, “The work of the Holy Spirit is to enlighten the darkened understanding, to melt the selfish, stony heart, to subdue the rebellious transgressor, and save him from the corrupting influences of the world.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 441.

What Should Be Our Attitude Concerning Being Enlightened?

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5, 6).

“You should cultivate a spirit of entire submission to the will of God, earnestly, humbly seeking to know His ways and to follow the leadings of His Spirit. You must not lean to your own understanding. You should have deep distrust of your own wisdom and supposed prudence.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 361, 360.

“It is unsafe for men to lean to their own understanding; therefore they should daily seek strength and wisdom from above. God should be in all their thoughts; then all the wiles and subtleties of the old serpent cannot betray them into sinful neglect of duty. They will meet the adversary with the simple weapon that Christ used, ‘It is written,’ or will repulse him with, ‘Get thee behind Me, Satan’ (Matthew 16:23).” Ibid., vol. 5, 409.

Why Is It Unsafe for Man to Lean to His Own Understanding?

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart” (Ephesians 4:17, 18).

In The General Conference Bulletin, April 1, 1899, we are also given the answer, “Through the power and work of Satan, the world has mistaken and forgotten God, and is living in sin. Man’s influence works against God. His knowledge of God and His word is perverted. His understanding is darkened.”

Today, Jesus wants to do for you and I what He did for the disciples.

“And He said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me. Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:44, 45).

Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at: 718-882-3900.

Overcoming and Christian Perfection

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I once heard a sermon on the necessity of Christian perfection. There was no argument about the subject or the conclusion that those ready for Jesus to come will experience Christian perfection. However, no good can come from this conclusion without showing how it will be possible. Because of our own imperfections, this subject is a very unpopular topic in the Christian world today and very few Christians would have anything to say about it during their worship.

Christian perfection is biblical. Paul told the church at Colossians, “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and irreproachable in His sight” (Colossians 1:21, 22). That sounds like a description of Christian perfection, does it not? In verse 28 he adds, “Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

There are two general theories regarding Christian perfection. The majority view is that by simply coming to Christ and confessing your sins, the righteousness of Jesus covers you and you are made perfect. However, in reality, that is just the first step in the Christian walk.

Peter understood there was more to it when he said, “… but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’ And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear” (I Peter 1:15–17). There are many Christian theologians and pastors who teach that the judgment is on the basis of your faith but Peter says that it is based on each one’s work, the way you live, which gives evidence of your faith.

Paul said, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ …” (Ephesians 4:11–15).

This text describes a process which happens over a period of time. In fact, it is the work of a person’s lifetime to become sanctified and fit to be in the presence of sinless beings.

In general, there are six points to achieving Christian perfection, or overcoming our natural sinful nature.

Memorizing Scripture

David said, “Your word I have hidden in my heart [memorized it], that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). Memorizing scripture allows you to internalize the essence of a text. The Waldenses were encouraged to memorize Scripture and if they were having trouble, to memorize one word each day. In one year over 300 words would be memorized. Some young Waldensians could quote the entire book of Matthew, John and several of the Epistles.

You will never be without words of comfort and will always have an answer to be able to speak a word in season if the promises are in your head. It will bring spiritual power into your life.

Prayer and Fasting

There was a time when the disciples brought a boy that was possessed with the devil and even though they had cast out devils before, they could not cast out this one. When Jesus came down from the mount of transfiguration, He said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me” (Matthew 17:17). After Jesus had cast the devil out His disciples came to him privately and asked why they couldn’t cast him out. Jesus answered in verse 21: “… this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

There are some sins that will never be overcome without prayer and fasting. Examine your own prayer life to see if you are like Enoch, who talked with the Lord daily. The more he had to do, the more he had to talk to the Lord about.

Prayer and faith are closely related. Mark 9:22 tells the story of the man who brought his mute son to Jesus saying, “… often he [the demon that possessed him] has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Many people feel hopeless like this father in their struggle to overcome their problems. Jesus told the pleading father, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (verse 23).

In Matthew 13:58 it says: “Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Again, the problem is not whether Jesus can work miracles but rather, can you believe? You may be the weakest, most sinful person around and may have been in the bondage of sin your whole life, but you can be delivered if you believe. “Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my [struggle with] unbelief’ ” (Mark 9:24)!

Ellen White’s comment on that verse is very encouraging:

“You can never perish while you do this—never.” The Desire of Ages, 429.

Fight

“You have not yet resisted unto bloodshed, striving against sin” (Hebrews 12:4). James says in James 4:7, “Resist the devil. …” When temptations come, put up a fight and claim the victory.

Luke 22–23 describes Jesus’ battle in the Garden of Gethsemane where His sweat was like great clots of blood falling on the ground. Truly He fought a hard battle as He “resisted unto bloodshed.”

While in college, one of my besetments was eating donuts. The sweet smell from the college bakery spilled clear out onto the sidewalk, luring me in as I walked past. I would buy a sack of donuts and have them all eaten before I got back to my room. Finally, I determined that the wise thing to do was to avoid walking past the bakery and stay away from the temptation.

Similarly, if your problem is alcohol, do not go and visit with people in the tavern. If pornography, videos, television programs or Internet is your problem, you may need to find a mentor to keep you accountable. Jesus said to pray, “… lead us not into temptation” (Matthew 6:13 KJV). Often you can walk into temptation by not using good judgment.

Practice Health Reform

Paul said, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things” (I Corinthians 9:24).

The word temperate means exercising self-restraint. Paul continues, “Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air, But I discipline my body …” (verses 25–27). The language he uses is stronger than anything I know how to say in English. He says, I keep my body under control. I control my eating, my drinking, my sleeping, my exercise and every area of life; I am under control.

Witnessing

Share your faith with those around you. Revelation 12:11 says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

When Jesus left this earth, He said to His disciples, “You are My witnesses. You are to bear testimony. You are to bear witness for Me.” You have not been called to be salesmen but witnesses of what you have seen and know.

Praise God

The last part of Nehemiah 8:10 says, “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

“To praise God in fullness and sincerity of heart is as much a duty as is prayer. We are to show to the world and to all the heavenly intelligences that we appreciate the wonderful love of God for fallen humanity and that we are expecting larger and yet larger blessings from His infinite fullness. Far more than we do, we need to speak of the precious chapters in our experience. After a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, our joy in the Lord and our efficiency in His service would be greatly increased by recounting His goodness and His wonderful works in behalf of His children.

“These exercises drive back the power of Satan. They expel the spirit of murmuring and complaint, and the tempter loses ground.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 299, 300.

Satan will lose ground in the family where praise services are held and the joy of the Lord is your strength.

There are many who have been endeavoring to put these principles into practice for many years. They are trying to practice health reform, memorizing Scripture and praying. Yet they are perplexed that they are still struggling to overcome sin. It is easy to slip off the path of truth and become like the Pharisees who tried to work out their own salvation by their good works.

“Also He [Jesus] spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself. ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’

“And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:9–14).

There are several points about the Pharisee who went up to pray:

  1. He was full of self-praise, saying, “Oh, I am so thankful that I am not like other people.” He looks it. He walks it. He even prays it.
  2. He draws apart from others because he is better than they are. His body language is like the person talked about in Isaiah 65:5 which says, “… Do not come near to me, for I am holier than you!” And so, it says, “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself. …”
  3. The Pharisee felt, “Well, I’m OK, whether you are or not.” He prayed a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord that he was not an extortioner [a person who takes from others by force, duress, menaces, threats, insubordination, authority, or by any undue exercise of power] like other men—unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.”
  4. Instead of comparing his own character with the character of God, he judges himself against the character of other men. As a result, his mind is turned away from God to other people. He becomes self-satisfied, figuring that he is better than others. If I compare myself to you, then the worse you are, the better I look.
  5. He then begins to recount his good deeds. He says, “I fast twice a week …” Not only does he fast twice a week, but he gives tithes – plural. He is giving twenty or more percent of his income, to the church; so he figures that he is in good shape.

The problem is that this man’s religion does not touch his actual soul. It is not a matter of his heart. It is merely something he does, going through all the motions on the outside. He is not seeking for godliness of character. He is not seeking to have a heart that is filled with love and mercy. He is satisfied with a religion that has totally only to do with his outward life. And his outward life looks really good.

The apostle Paul could relate to that experience. He said, “If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless” (Philippians 3:4–6).

The righteousness of this Pharisee was the fruit of his own works and judged by a human standard. Because he trusts in himself for righteousness, he does what everybody does who trusts in their own righteousness. He despises others.

As he judges himself by other men, so he judges other men by himself, and his righteousness is estimated by theirs. The worse they are, the better he looks. Then his self-righteousness leads him to begin accusing, “I am glad I am not even like this tax collector.”

The Bible identifies the accuser of the brethren as Satan. In Revelation 12:10 KJV we are told: “… for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”

If my religion leads me to become an accuser, a fault-finder, it is a Satanic religion. We must be careful not to develop the spirit of Satan, which will make it impossible to enter into communion with God. So, Jesus said that man in the parable went down to his house the same way he came in. Those with a similar attitude today go to church and leave again in the same condition they arrived in, with no improvement whatsoever.

The Pharisee went off by himself thinking he was better than everybody else. The tax collector went off by himself because he thought he was worse than everybody else. He did not mingle with the worshipers, because he didn’t feel worthy to unite with them in their devotions. It says he stood “afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes toward heaven, but beat his breast” (Luke 18:13, literal translation). He considered himself a terrible sinner. He was in bitter anguish and abhorred himself with the knowledge that he was sinful and polluted from the evil things that he had done.

In Jesus’ day, the worst thing a woman could do was to be a prostitute or a harlot and the worst thing a man could do was be a tax collector for the Roman government. This tax collector was at the bottom. Other people would not even associate with him and he knew not to expect pity from anybody around him. He was looked upon with contempt and he knew that he had no merit in himself to present to God.

That experience is the only way a person can be saved when they come to God.

“Our only hope is perfect trust in the blood of Him who can save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him. The death of Christ on the cross of Calvary is our only hope in this world, and it will be our theme in the world to come. Oh, we do not comprehend the value of the atonement! If we did, we would talk more about it. … It is the greatest subject that can engage the human mind. If men would contemplate the love of Christ, displayed in the cross, their faith would be strengthened to appropriate the merits of his shed blood, and they would be cleansed and saved from sin.” The Signs of the Times, December 30, 1889.

The tax collector understood one vital thing: he possessed no merit and no goodness whatsoever in himself. His only chance that anything good could happen to him was if God had mercy upon him, which was his only request. His heart’s desire was to be pardoned.

Jesus said, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified … .”

What does this have to do with overcoming for those who think they cannot overcome and have tried everything? Ellen White says, “But we must have a knowledge of ourselves, a knowledge that will result in contrition, before we can find pardon and peace. The Pharisee felt no conviction of sin. The Holy Spirit could not work with him.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 158.

Why was this so? He was self-righteous. He did not need anybody else’s righteousness, because he had his own. The trouble is, “We are all an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6, literal translation).

Jesus said, “They that are whole do not need a physician” (Matthew 9:12, literal translation). If you do not realize your need, the Lord will not be able to help you.

The patient that the physician cannot help is the one who thinks that everything is okay. He refuses to follow advice, take medicine or do anything because he does not think he is sick. The same applies to spiritual matters. “We must know our true condition, or we shall not feel our need of Christ’s help. We must understand our danger, or we shall not flee to the refuge. We must feel the pain of our wounds, or we shall not desire healing.” The Signs of the Times, April 9, 1902.

The spirit of Phariseeism is the spirit of the Laodicean church. (See Revelation 3:14–22.)

“We must behold Christ. It is ignorance of Him that makes men so uplifted in their own righteousness. When we contemplate His purity and excellence, we shall see our own weakness and poverty and defects as they really are. We shall see ourselves lost and hopeless … .” Christ’s Object Lessons, 159.

When you realize your hopeless condition, you are ready to recognize that you cannot save yourself. There is nothing you can do. You cannot memorize enough Scripture to save yourself, or pray enough, or witness enough, give enough, or practice health reform enough. You cannot perfectly overcome by doing everything you know; you are hopeless without the Lord working a divine miracle inside.

When you come to that realization, then you know of your need to renounce self. “But no man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work. Then the language of the soul will be, Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul.” Ibid.

Ask the Lord to keep your heart pure because you cannot keep it. Give the Lord permission to do everything that needs to be done in your life. When you are lifted into the pure and holy atmosphere where the current of Christ’s love can fall on your soul, it will change everything. Renunciation of self is to be made at every advance step heavenward.

The story of the publican and the tax collector contains the secret for overcoming for those who think it is impossible having tried everything else. The secret is not something you can do for yourself. It is something that only the Lord can do for you when you recognize your need and ask for His help.

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

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

The Efficacy of Christ’s Blood

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The children of Israel were anciently commanded to make an offering for the entire congregation to purify them from ceremonial defilement. This sacrifice was a red heifer and represented the more perfect offering that should redeem from the pollution of sin. This was an occasional sacrifice for the purification of all those who had necessarily or accidentally touched the dead. All who came in contact with death in any way were considered ceremonially unclean. This was to forcibly impress the minds of the Hebrews with the fact that death came in consequence of sin and therefore is a representative of sin. The one heifer, the one ark, the one brazen serpent, impressively point to the one great offering, the sacrifice of Christ.

This heifer was to be red, which was a symbol of blood. It must be without spot or blemish, and one that had never borne a yolk. Here, again, Christ was typified. The Son of God came voluntarily to accomplish the work of atonement. There was no obligatory yoke upon Him, for He was independent and above all law. The angels, as God’s intelligent messengers, were under the yoke of obligation; no personal sacrifice of theirs could atone for the guilt of fallen man. Christ alone was free from the claims of the law to undertake the redemption of the sinful race. He had power to lay down His life and to take it up again. “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God” (Philippians 2:6).

Yet this glorious Being loved the poor sinner and took upon Himself the form of servant, that He suffer and die in man’s behalf. Jesus might have remained at His Father’s right hand, wearing His kingly crown and royal robes. But He chose to exchange all the riches, honor, and glory of heaven for the poverty of humanity, and His station of high command for the horrors of Gethsemane and the humiliation and agony of Calvary. He became a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, that by His baptism of suffering and blood He might purify and redeem a guilty world. “Lo, I come,” was the joyful assent, “to do Thy will, O My God” (Psalm 40:7, 8).

The sacrificial heifer was conducted without the camp and slain in the most imposing manner. Thus Christ suffered without the gates of Jerusalem, for Calvary was outside the city walls. This was to show that Christ did not die for the Hebrews alone, but for all mankind. He proclaims to a fallen world that He has come to be their Redeemer and urges them to accept the salvation He offers them. The heifer having been slain in a most solemn manner, the priest, clothed in pure white garments, took the blood in his hands as it issued from the body of the victim and cast it toward the temple seven times. “And having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:21, 22).

The body of the heifer was burned to ashes, which signified a whole and ample sacrifice. The ashes were then gathered up by a person uncontaminated by contact with the dead and placed in a vessel containing water from a running stream. This clean and pure person then took a cedar stick with scarlet cloth and a bunch of hyssop, and sprinkled the contents of the vessel upon the tent and the people assembled. This ceremony was repeated several times in order to be thorough and was done as a purification from sin.

Thus Christ, in His own spotless righteousness, after shedding His precious blood, enters into the holy place to cleanse the sanctuary. And there the crimson currents is brought into the service of reconciling God to man. Some may look upon this slaying of the heifer as a meaningless ceremony, but it was done by the command of God and bears a deep significance that has not lost its application to the present time.

The priest used cedar and hyssop, dipping them into the cleansing water and sprinkling the unclean. This symbolized the blood of Christ spilled to cleanse us from moral impurities. The repeated sprinklings illustrate the thoroughness of the work that must be accomplished for the repenting sinner. All that he has must be consecrated. Not only should his own soul be washed clean and pure, but he should strive to have his family, his domestic arrangements, his property, and his entire belongings consecrated to God.

After the tent had been sprinkled with hyssop, over the door of those cleansed was written: I am not my own; Lord, I am Thine. Thus should it be with those who profess to be cleansed by the blood of Christ. God is no less exacting now than He was in olden times. The psalmist, in his prayer, refers to this symbolic ceremony when he says: “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” “Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit” (Psalm 51:7, 10, 12).

The blood of Christ is efficacious, but it needs to be applied continually. God not only wants His servants to use the means He has entrusted to them for His glory, but He desires them to make a consecration of themselves to His cause. If you, my brethren, have become selfish and are withholding from the Lord that which you should cheerfully give to His service, then you need the blood of sprinkling thoroughly applied, consecrating you and all your possessions to God.

[All emphasis author’s.]

Testimony Treasures, 481–483.

Keys to the Storehouse – Just a Little

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When I was in grade school, my mother worked and I was home alone after school. During those times I would search the house just to see what Mom and Dad had. Wow, did I find something awesome! I found my mother’s gallon dime jar in her closet. I had never seen so many dimes in one place. I was just awed. I decided that Mom would not miss a few dimes and so I decided to use a few of them. Every day I would take just a few dimes and I would stop at the little market while walking home from school and buy some Fritos and pop! I thought I was in “dime heaven.” What I did not realize was that Mom’s jar was slowly going down and that judgment was about to come—and it did! Oh I felt so bad, but the damage was done. Of course, Mom forgave me, but it was a lesson that I never forgot.

I tell this story because that is how it is when we do things that we know to be wrong but do them anyway because nobody sees us. But Somebody is watching and is saddened by our actions and is writing in the books of heaven all about it. There is one that is very happy about our actions because he, Satan, put the thought into our minds. We simply followed his bidding and because of that we will end up with him, out of heaven, unless we repent and turn from wrong.

It is good to remain loyal to God. Why? Because our “… capacity to know, to enjoy, and to love would continually increase.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 51.

God has warned us as He warned Adam and Eve of the danger that threatens us! Satan does not want you to be obedient and walk with God. His disobedience cost him the joy of heaven and he wants you to follow him.

“To man, the crowning work of creation, God has given power to understand His requirements, to comprehend the justice and beneficence of His law, and its sacred claims upon him; and of man unswerving obedience is required.

“Like the angels, the dwellers in Eden had been placed upon probation; their happy estate could be retained only on condition of fidelity to the Creator’s law. They could obey and live, or disobey and perish.” Ibid., 52 53.

“But should they once yield to temptation, their nature would become so depraved that in themselves they would have no power and no disposition to resist Satan.” Ibid., 53.

When our hearts are devoid of the love of God and His ways, our enemy finds access and leads us to follow his evil ways causing hurt to ourselves and others.

Close those doors that give Satan access. Continually fill your mind with Scripture and Spirit of Prophecy which will put a block on the devil’s suggestions. Remember, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Heavenly Father: I am so sorry for following the devil’s impressions. Help me to think on heavenly things at all times, according to Philippians 4:8 so that the devil will not be able to lead me into things that will keep me out of my heavenly home which you have prepared for me. Please set my affections only on heavenly things and not on the things of this earth. Remind me always that even a little will hurt—eternally! Amen.