Issue: 2016 July

Keys to the Storehouse – “Thou Wilt Keep …”

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Caroline had just been told of the death of a loved one. As Helen took a chair beside Caroline, she began to quote the Bible promise of Isaiah 26:3: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.”

With calm assurance, Helen Way began directing Caroline’s thinking. … Placing an arm around Caroline’s shoulders, Helen Way began kindly, but firmly, “You will not be helped by giving way to grief. Let me give you a Bible promise. This promise tells you that there is absolute peace found in Christ.” …

Within moments, Helen Way had persuaded Carolyn Deck to repeat this wonderful promise after her. Helen Way had explained the meaning of the promise, word by word.

“ ‘Thou,’ refers to the Lord Himself. That word is extremely important, for it tells us the center of peace.  ‘Thou,’ – God – is the foundation of this peace. Self is not the center of peace. Neither is trouble. But the center of peace is our Lord Himself.”

Distraught minds can actually find peace only in a Person. And that Person is the Lord. This fact is the foundation of another marvelous statement of insight as recorded in the book Education, page 297: “When once the gaze is fixed upon Him, the life finds its center.”

Helen Way then added, “… the next words indicate the certainty of peace in Christ. ‘Thou wilt keep’; It does Not say, He may keep us in peace. It makes a strong statement. It conveys mighty assurance.” Thou wilt keep signifies it is not a transitory, but a permanent experience.

“ ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,’ ” Helen went on. This is not a peace that is fractional. It is perfect. It is absolute under all circumstances. This is the peace God promises. It is a perfect peace. “Whose mind is stayed on Thee.”

Helen Way went through each word, or group of words, step by step. She came to the word “stayed.” Caroline would never be healed of her extreme sorrow by staying her mind on the trouble. She would never recover from the shock by thinking occasionally of Christ. She must stay her mind on Him. It was as if Helen were dealing with hysteria. She knew, and assured Caroline, “You will gain nothing by giving in to grief. It will not help you at all.”

Helen uses this promise successfully whenever anyone comes to her with a problem, or a disturbed mind. This promise is her solution to their problem.

  1. The very first word, “Thou”. What is this promise talking about? You or God? – God!
  2. “Thou wilt.” Is there any question about that statement? No, He will do it.
  3. “Thou wilt keep” Is this to be an occasional experience? No. It is something that is constant.
  4. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace.” Is this peace only when you have no troubles? No. This says “perfect peace.”
  5. Then this verse tells us to whom the promise will apply—“whose mind is stayed on Thee.” This is entirely conditioned on your mind, and where you keep it. Your mind is stayed on God, if this promise is going to be fulfilled to you.
  6. “And then the last part of this verse states why this promise is so effective—“because he trusteth in Thee.”
  • Trust in yourself? No!
  • Trust – In your ability to work out your problems? No!
  • Trust – Your sorrows? No!
  • You rather trust in God’s comprehension of what is going on.
  • Trust – His overruling providence.
  • Trust – His ability to resolve the problem.

Excerpts from The Answer was Created, by Glenn and Ethel Coon, 116-124. Copyright by Glenn and Ethel Coon 1973.

Father: Help me to trust in Thee no matter what happens for Thou wilt keep me in perfect peace because I do trust in Thee. Amen.

Current Events – Pope Compares Jihad with Christian Missionizing

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Addressing Catholic believers, the Bishop of Rome stressed the dire importance of exhibiting religious tolerance. During his hour-long speech, a smiling Pope Francis was quoted telling the Vatican’s guests that the Koran, and the spiritual teachings contained therein, are just as valid as the Holy Bible.

“ ‘Jesus Christ, Jehovah, Allah. These are all names employed to describe an entity that is distinctly the same across the world. For centuries, blood has been needlessly shed because of the desire to segregate our faiths. This, however, should be the very concept which unites us as people, as nations, and as a world bound by faith. Together, we can bring about an unprecedented age of peace, all we need to achieve such a state is respect each others beliefs, for we are all children of God regardless of the name we choose to address him by. We can accomplish miraculous things in the world by merging our faiths, and the time for such a movement is now. No longer shall we slaughter our neighbors over differences in reference to their God.’ ” http://nationalreport.net/pope-francis-followers-koran-holy-bible/#sthash.SnyeX4IX.dpuf

“The pontiff drew harsh criticisms in December after photos of the 78-year-old Catholic leader was released depicting Pope Francis kissing a Koran. The Muslim Holy Book was given to Francis during a meeting with Muslim leaders after a lengthy Muslim prayer held at the Vatican.”

http://nationalreport.net/pope-francis-followers-koran-holy-bible/

“Islam and Christianity share the ‘same idea of conquest’, and for that reason, Islam should not be viewed as a threat, said Pope Francis in a newspaper interview this week.

“ ‘It is true that the idea of conquest is inherent in the soul of Islam,’ he conceded to the French Catholic newspaper La Croix. ‘However, it is also possible to interpret the objective in Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus sends his disciples to all nations, in terms of the same idea of conquest.’

“Ostensibly, the Pope was drawing a parallel between the Islamic ‘conquest’ known as jihad, a holy war or struggle waged against infidels, and Christian missionizing.

“The comparison was part of a larger conversation about the increasingly desperate refugee crisis currently facing Europe. Pope Francis has been an outspoken voice on the issue of Arab refugees who seek asylum, encouraging governments to take in migrants and “integrate” them into western societies despite widespread concerns that the largely Muslim populations might harbor extremist or terrorist elements.

“Francis has repeatedly argued in favor of coexistence, peace, and tolerance in all areas of life but especially towards Muslims. He set his own powerful example last month when he brought a dozen refugees from the Greek island of Lesbos back to Rome with him after a diplomatic visit.

“The Pontiff said that the Western attempt to ‘export’ democracy to Arab countries is partly to blame for the collapse of central control and rise in Islamic extremism in Middle Eastern states.”

http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/67928/pope-francis-defends-jihad-says-christianity-has-similar-roots-in-idea-of-conquest-05-16/#gXj73oAjXgk5YmPu.99

Children’s Story – The Record

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A mother wrote a story about her daughter in which she represented her as making some unkind and rude remarks to her sister. Julia was a reader of the newspapers, and it did not escape her notice. The incident was a true one, but it was one she did not care to remember, much less did she like to see it in print.

“Oh! Mother, Mother,” she exclaimed, “I do not think you are kind to write such stories about me. I do not like to have you publish it when I say anything wrong.”

“How do you know it is you? It is not your name.” Julia then read the story aloud.

“It is I. I know it is I, Mother. I shall be afraid of you if you write such stories about me, I shall not dare to speak before you.”

“Remember, my child, that God requireth the past, and nothing which you say, or do, or think, is lost to Him.”

Poor Julia was quite grieved that her mother should record the unpleasant and unsisterly words which fell from her lips. She did not like to have any memorial of her ill-nature preserved. Perhaps she would never have thought of those words again in this life; but had she never read this passage of fearful import, the language of Jesus Christ: “But I say unto you that for every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36)? Julia thought that the careless words which had passed her lips would be forgotten, but she should have known that every word and act of our lives is to be recorded and brought to our remembrance.

I have known children to be very much interested, and to be influenced to make a great effort to do right, by an account-book which was kept by their mothers. When such a book is kept at school, and every act is recorded, the pupils are much more likely to make an effort to perform the duties required of them. So it is in Sabbath-schools. I recently heard a Sabbath-school superintendent remark that the school could not be well sustained unless accounts were kept of the attendance, etc., of the pupils.

Many years ago a man, brought before a tribunal, was told to relate his story freely without fear, as it should not be used against him. He commenced to do so, but had not proceeded far before he heard the scratching of a pen behind a curtain. In an instant he was on his guard, for by that sound he knew that, notwithstanding their promise, a record was being taken of what he said.

Silently and unseen by us the angel secretaries are taking a faithful record of our words and actions, and even of our thoughts. Do we realize this? And a more solemn question is, What is the record they are making?

Not long ago I read of a strange list. It was an exact catalogue of the crimes committed by a man who was at last executed in Norfolk Island, with the various punishments he had received for his different offenses. It was written out in small hand by the chaplain, and was nearly three yards long.

What a sickening catalogue to be crowded into one brief life. Yet this man was once an innocent child. A mother no doubt bent lovingly over him, a father perhaps looked upon him in pride and joy, and imagination saw him rise to manhood honored and trusted by his fellow-man. But the boy chose the path of evil and wrong-doing regardless of the record he was making, and finally committed an act, the penalty for which was death, and he perished miserably upon the scaffold.

Dear readers, most of you are young, and your record is but just commenced. Oh, be warned in time and seek to have a list of which you will not be ashamed when scanned by Jehovah, angels, and men. Speak none but kind, loving words, have your thoughts and aspirations pure and noble, crowd into your life all the good deeds you can, and thus crowd out evil ones.

We should not forget that an account-book is kept by God, in which all the events of our lives are recorded, and that even every thought will be brought before us at the day of judgment. In that day God will judge the secrets of men: He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the heart.

There is another book spoken of in the Bible—the book of life, and it is said that no one can enter heaven whose name is not written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Angels are now weighing moral worth. The record will soon close, either by death or the decree, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still, and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy let him be holy still” (Revelation 22:11). We have but one short, preparing hour in which to redeem the past and get ready for the future. Our life record will soon be examined. What shall it be! [Emphasis author’s.]

Sabbath Readings for the Home Circle, pages 25–28. Published by M.A. Vroman, 1905.

Cities of Refuge

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In the early history of the world, provision was made for the punishment of the murderer. “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed” (Genesis 9:6), was the decree of Jehovah.

The one nearest of kin to the murdered man, usually executed the murderer; but lest in the excitement of the occasion undue haste should be exercised and individuals be slain who did not deserve death, God made provision that the murderer might flee and lay hold upon His altar. None could be taken from the altar without an examination, and if it was found that the murderer had presumptuously planned to kill the man, then he was taken from the altar and slain; otherwise his life was spared (Exodus 21:13, 14).

After the children of Israel entered the promised land, six cities were set apart as cities of refuge. These were conveniently located, three on each side of the river Jordan (Joshua 20:2, 7, 8). The roads leading to these cities were always to be kept in good repair, that the one fleeing before the avenger of blood might not be hindered in his flight (Deuteronomy 19:3). The cities were on elevated ground, and could be seen at a distance.

When the murderer reached the gate of the city of refuge, he declared “his cause in the ears of the elders of that city,” before he was given a place within (Joshua 20:3–5). His case was also tried by the judges of the city near where the murder was committed, and if it was not a premeditated murder, but the deed had been done accidentally or unintentionally, then the guilty man was restored again to the city of refuge whither he had fled (Numbers 35:12, 24, 25).

The Saviour refers to this judgment in Matthew 5:21. If at any time the slayer passed outside of the limit of his city of refuge, his life could be taken by the avenger of blood, “because he should have remained in the city of his refuge” (Numbers 35:26–28). The decree was, “He shall dwell in that city, … until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return … unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled” (Joshua 20:6).

Cities of refuge in Israel were far different from the asyla of the Greeks and Romans, which often served as a protection for the most profligate characters. The cities of refuge served as a protection for only those who had slain a person without enmity. The cities of refuge were cities belonging to the Levites, thus those confined within were under the best influence. They were associated with the religious teachers of Israel, and had every opportunity to reform their lives and establish righteous characters.

The instruction in regard to the cities of refuge was but a part of the great system of Levitical laws and ceremonies which taught the simple truths of the gospel of Christ. Tyndale says that “while there is a ‘starlight of Christ’ in all the Levitical ceremonies, there is in some so truly the ‘light of the broad day,’ that he cannot but believe that God had showed Moses the secrets of Christ and the very manner of His death beforehand.” Dr. Adam Clarke says the whole gospel could be preached from the particulars given of the cities of refuge.

Every time an Israelite looked upon one of the cities of refuge, God designed he should be reminded of Christ, the “tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion” (Micah 4:8), to Whom every sin-burdened soul could flee to shelter.

Satan, the accuser, is upon the track of every one; he as “a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8), But the person who forsakes sin and seeks righteousness stands securely sheltered by the atoning blood of Christ (Exodus 12:13; 1 John 1:7, 9).

Solomon, who was beset by temptations and sin, understood this when he wrote, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe” [Proverbs 18:10]. David knew what it was to dwell in the antitypical city of refuge when he said: “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God; in Him will I trust” (Psalm 91:2).

There could be no delay in seeking a city of refuge. As soon as the murder was committed, the murderer must flee at once; no family ties could hold him; his life depended upon his speedy flight to the city. O that all might learn the lesson, and instead of delaying and trying to quiet our accusing conscience, when we know we have sinned, flee at once to Christ, confess our sins, and dwell in the refuge Christ has prepared. He has made ample provision that all may “have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:18).

Anciently the one who had fled to the city, found life within its walls, but death awaited him if he passed beyond its boundary. The beloved disciple was familiar with this truth when he wrote: “This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:11, 12). It is not sufficient simply to believe in Christ; we must abide in Him if we ever hope to obtain life. God has promised to “hold thy right hand.” The one who abides within the refuge will feel and know His sheltering care, and when assailed by the enemy, may hear the Saviour saying, “Fear not, I will help thee” (Isaiah 41:13).

In ancient Israel the one who had fled for refuge could not spend part of his time outside the city, and the remainder within its sheltering walls. There was no safety at any time outside the city. Likewise, our only safety is to dwell “in the secret place of the Most High,” and “abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). No man can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). We cannot give the world and its pleasures the best of our time and thought, and hope to be sheltered from the final consequences of sin. We will receive our “wages,” or final reward, from the master we serve. If the best of our life is spent in the service of the world, we place ourselves outside the antitypical city of refuge, and will finally receive the “wages,”—death, which will be given every one who takes the world as his master (Romans 6:23).

When the high priest died, those who had fled to the cities of refuge during his term of office could return to their homes. They were free forever from the avenger of blood, and he could no longer harm them lawfully (Number 35:25).

Every high priest was a type of Christ, our High Priest. The earthly priest ceased to be high priest when he died. Our High Priest never dies; but the time will come when He will lay aside His priestly robes, and clothe Himself in a vesture upon which will be written the name, “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16).

No longer will He plead the cause of His people before the throne of God, for each case will have been decided for eternity. To those who have confessed every sin and remained cleansed by the blood of Christ, He will say, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” They will then go to their own inheritance with no fear of the avenger of blood, for the righteous will be forever beyond the power of Satan (Jeremiah 31:16, 17).

Satan has usurped authority over this world. He haunts the steps of every son and daughter of Adam. But God always has had a refuge in the earth. Abel dwelt securely within its sacred precincts (Hebrews 11:4), and Job realized its sheltering power when Satan assailed him with his fiercest temptations (Job 1:10).

The weakest child of God, who lives continually within this refuge, can never be overthrown by the enemy of souls; for the angels of God encamp around such a one to deliver him (Psalm 34:7; John 10:29).

This refuge is illustrated by many symbols throughout the Bible, each one revealing some special feature of God’s protecting care. Jesus, as He wept over those who had refused His love said: “How often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not” (Luke 13:34)!

Happy is the soul who can say in every time of temptation, “Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our Help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:7, 8). [All emphasis author’s.]

The Cross and Its Shadow, Stephen N. Haskell, 258–265. Copyright 1914 by Stephen N. Haskell; facsimile Reproduction 1984 by The Review and Herald Publishing Association.

 

Cities of Refuge
Type Antitype
Joshua 20:2, 3; Deuteronomy 19:4, 5. The cities were to be a shelter for all who slew any one unaware or unwittingly.

 

Deuteronomy 19:2–4. The roads were to be kept open, in good condition, that none be hindered in fleeing to the city.

 Revelation 22:16, 17; John 7:37; 1 John 1:7. Christ is the only refuge in this world from sin and destruction.

 

1 Corinthians 11:1; Malachi 2:8. God designs that His people should be examples for the world to copy; but when they sin, they become stumbling-blocks in the way of others.
Joshua 20:3, 4. The one who fled for refuge confessed his sin at the gate of the city, and if he had not premeditated the murder, he was received. 1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Deuteronomy 19:11–13. If the murderer hated the one he had slain and planned the murder, then he was not received into the city, but was given over to the avenger of blood. Matthew 7:21–23; Hebrews 10:26–29; 12:16, 17. Some may through fear of punishment come with only lip service, while in their hearts they are cherishing sin; such will not be accepted.
Numbers 35:24, 25. Being received into the city did not forever settle the fate of the murderer. He must stand in judgment before the congregation, and there his destiny was decided. Acts 17:31; Revelation 3:5. Every one will be judged before the judgment bar of God for the deeds done in the body.
Numbers 35:26, 27. Within the city was life, outside the city was death. 1 John 5:11, 12. “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”
Joshua 20:6; Numbers 35:28. After “the death of the high priest that shall be in those days,” the slayer might return to “the land of his possession.” Matthew 25:34. When Christ lays aside His priestly robes and reigns as king, then all, who abide in Him, will receive their inheritance in the earth made new.

 

Our Attitude Toward the Civil Authorities

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In light of the prevailing political climate, the editors thought it might be appropriate to review the counsel that the Spirit of Prophecy provides with regard to the attitude of God’s people toward government.

It is important, though somewhat unflattering and even disappointing, to recognize that we live in a nation whose government is “of, by, and for” the people. That is definitely not to say that everyone will agree with what “the people” have promulgated through the nation’s laws. However, it is important to understand that the great controversy rages between principalities and powers. Equally important—perhaps even more so in an election year—is the fact that “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1). As well, “He removes kings and raises up kings” (Daniel 2:21).

Though we may lament the current political climate, remember that “our work is to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God.” In view of that, our conversations should be “of a far less condemnatory character than that which some have been giving.”

We encourage you to read carefully the following article from volume six of the Testimonies, pages 394–397.

“By some of our brethren many things have been spoken and written that are interpreted as expressing antagonism to government and law. It is a mistake thus to lay ourselves open to misunderstanding. It is not wise to find fault continually with what is done by the rulers of government. It is not our work to attack individuals or institutions. We should exercise great care lest we be understood as putting ourselves in opposition to the civil authorities. It is true that our warfare is aggressive, but our weapons are to be those found in a plain ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ Our work is to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God. We should not be turned aside to lines that will encourage controversy or arouse antagonism in those not of our faith.

“We should not work in a manner that will mark us out as seeming to advocate treason. We should weed out from our writings and utterances every expression that, taken by itself, could be so misrepresented as to make it appear antagonistic to law and order. Everything should be carefully considered, lest we place ourselves on record as encouraging disloyalty to our country and its laws. We are not required to defy authorities. There will come a time when, because of our advocacy of Bible truth, we shall be treated as traitors; but let not this time be hastened by unadvised movements that stir up animosity and strife.

“The time will come when unguarded expressions of a denunciatory character, that have been carelessly spoken or written by our brethren, will be used by our enemies to condemn us. These will not be used merely to condemn those who made the statements, but will be charged upon the whole body of Adventists. Our accusers will say that on such and such a day one of our responsible men said thus and so against the administration of the laws of this government. Many will be astonished to see how many things have been cherished and remembered that will give point to the arguments of our adversaries. Many will be surprised to hear their own words strained into a meaning that they did not intend them to have. Then let our workers be careful to speak guardedly at all times and under all circumstances. Let all beware lest by reckless expressions they bring on a time of trouble before the great crisis which is to try men’s souls.

“The less we make direct charges against authorities and powers, the greater work we shall be able to accomplish, both in America and in foreign countries. Foreign nations will follow the example of the United States. Though she leads out, yet the same crisis will come upon our people in all parts of the world.

“It is our work to magnify and exalt the law of God. The truth of God’s holy word is to be made manifest. We are to hold up the Scriptures as the rule of life. In all modesty, in the spirit of grace, and in the love of God we are to point men to the fact that the Lord God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord.

“In the name of the Lord we are to go forward, unfurling His banner, advocating His word. When the authorities command us not to do this work, when they forbid us to proclaim the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, then it will be necessary for us to say as did the apostles: ‘Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard’ (Acts 4:19, 20).

“The truth is to be set forth in the power of the Holy Spirit. This alone can make our words effective. Only through the Spirit’s power will victory be gained and held. The human agent must be worked by the Spirit of God. The workers must be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. They must have divine wisdom, that nothing may be uttered which would stir up men to close our way. Through the inculcation of spiritual truth we are to prepare a people who shall be able, in meekness and fear, to give a reason for their faith before the highest authorities in our world.

“We need to present the truth in its simplicity, to advocate practical godliness; and we should do this in the spirit of Christ. The manifestation of such a spirit will have the best influence upon our own souls, and it will have a convincing power upon others. Give the Lord opportunity to work through His own agents. Do not imagine that it will be possible for you to lay out plans for the future; let God be acknowledged as standing at the helm at all times and under every circumstance. He will work by means that will be suitable, and will maintain, increase, and build up His own people.

“The Lord’s agents should have a sanctified zeal, a zeal that is wholly under His control. Stormy times will come rapidly enough upon us, and we should take no course of our own that will hasten them. Tribulation will come of a character that will drive to God all who wish to be His, and His alone. Until tested and proved in the furnace of trial, we do not know ourselves, and it is not proper for us to measure the characters of others and to condemn those who have not yet had the light of the third angel’s message.

“If we wish men to be convinced that the truth we believe sanctifies the soul and transforms the character, let us not be continually charging them with vehement accusations. In this way we shall force them to the conclusion that the doctrine we profess cannot be the Christian doctrine, since it does not make us kind, courteous, and respectful. Christianity is not manifested in pugilistic accusations and condemnation.

“Many of our people are in danger of trying to exercise a controlling power upon others and of bringing oppression upon their fellow men. There is danger that those who are entrusted with responsibilities will acknowledge but one power, the power of an unsanctified will. Some have exercised this power unscrupulously and have caused great discomfiture to those whom the Lord is using. One of the greatest curses in our world (and it is seen in churches and in society everywhere) is the love of supremacy. Men become absorbed in seeking to secure power and popularity. This spirit has manifested itself in the ranks of Sabbathkeepers, to our grief and shame. But spiritual success comes only to those who have learned meekness and lowliness in the school of Christ.

“We should remember that the world will judge us by what we appear to be. Let those who are seeking to represent Christ be careful not to exhibit inconsistent features of character. Before we come fully to the front, let us see to it that the Holy Spirit is poured upon us from on high. When this is the case, we shall give a decided message, but it will be of a far less condemnatory character than that which some have been giving; and all who believe will be far more earnest for the salvation of our opponents. Let God have the matter of condemning authorities and governments wholly in His own keeping. In meekness and love let us as faithful sentinels defend the principles of truth as it is in Jesus.”

 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.

What is Freedom? Are We Free?

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There are some people in the United States of America who do not know the reason for the 4th of July celebration and from whom they gained independence. Many Americans are ignorant of their historical roots.

The Bible deals with three aspects of liberty and it would be wise to consider whether we truly have liberty and freedom in our own lives. It is possible to experience liberty even in the midst of lawlessness when our civil liberties are taken from us.

God has told His church that what was not done when there was opportunity in times of peace would have to be done under terrible conditions and even persecution.

The two founding documents of the United States are the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Notice in the following quotation that Ellen White lumps these two together because the Constitution is based upon the principles in the Declaration of Independence. If you attack one, you attack the other. She says, “In that grand old document which our forefathers set forth as their bill of rights—the Declaration of Independence—they declared: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’ And the Constitution guarantees, in the most explicit terms, the inviolability of conscience: ‘No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.’ ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.’ ” The Great Controversy, 295.

We always think of the Bill of Rights as the amendments to the constitution, but here these rights are tied in with the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

Christians will have to exercise their freedom of conscience when challenged personally over what God’s law says and what saith the state, called the image to the beast. “It (freedom of conscience) is an inborn principle which nothing can eradicate. Congressional documents (U.S.A.), serial No. 200, document No. 271.” Ibid., 295.

Liberties will be eroded, but true liberty comes from God. The psalmist said, “I will walk at liberty for I seek Thy precepts” (Psalm 119:45). Here David is referring to God’s law. Those who seek to know truth and obey God’s law walk in liberty. Precepts here means commandments. In the book of Psalms, particularly Psalm 119, God’s law, His ten commandments, are referred to in many different phrases and words such as precepts, or testimonies, or a law, word, or commandments.

While a fugitive, being hunted by Saul like a wild animal, David could still walk at liberty in his own heart. He could have freedom, knowing he was right with God, even though his personal rights were being taken from him.

The apostle James said that true freedom, or liberty, comes from walking in obedience to God’s law. He said, “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (James 1:25 KJV). The apostle James calls the law a law of freedom.

Why would God’s law be seen as or described as a law of liberty? An examination of the ten commandments reveals that they were divided and written on two tables of stone, the first four on the first table of stone and the last six on the second table. God knew that the principles governing man’s relationship to Himself and to each other would have to be distinct and separate from one another, just as state and church are to be separate from one another.

The state has been given the responsibility of enforcing the last six commandments that deal with man’s responsibility to his fellow man, but religion has its part in the first table of the law, which deals with man’s relationship with God. The government has no right to infringe upon the first four commandments, which is why they were put on a separate table.

We also notice that within the commandments there are eight commandments of omission and two of commission. In eight commandments God reveals behaviors that are to be eliminated from each life. Freedom would be experienced if adultery, lying, stealing, and coveting other people’s things were eliminated. Many people think that keeping God’s law puts you in bondage, but that is just the opposite of what the Bible says.

An illustration was given of a pastor who asked a man who was smoking for a cigarette. The man had previously accused the minister of being in bondage to the law. On receiving it he put it into his mouth and asked for the lighter. When the lighter was about an inch away from his cigarette he said, “Nah!” He took the cigarette out of his mouth and gave back both the cigarette and lighter.

Then he said to the man, “Now, you do the same. I want you to put it down and never touch it again.”

“Oh, I can’t do that,” said the man.

“No!” said the pastor. “Who is really in bondage?”

You see, if anything has control of your life that does not give freedom and peace in your heart, then you are not at liberty. God’s law is a law of liberty. He says that if you omit the disruptive things from your life and then add the two commandments of commission, the Sabbath and give honor to your father and mother, then your days may be long on the land which the Lord gives you. You will experience complete freedom in your life. No matter what outward force may come against you, you will walk at liberty.

We have been told and can already see evidence that God’s law is going to be challenged in our own country and around the world, but we need not fear, for God is sovereign over all and still in charge.

James 2:10–12, literal translation says, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He that said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ said also, ‘Do not kill.’ Now if you do not commit adultery, but if 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.” God’s law, the law of freedom, will one day judge us. Though you have complete freedom to do whatever you want to in this world, there are always consequences to doing what is contrary to God’s law.

The book The Man That Couldn’t Be Killed is a true story of a man who became a Seventh-day Adventist under Mao Se Tung, the late dictator in China. In his attempt to eradicate all religion, Mao Se Tung sent him to Siberia where the prisoners were forced to make the own prison. While it was being constructed, their accommodation was in caves. There was no need of barbed wire fences because any escape would mean certain death due to their isolation. Refusing to eat the pork that was served, he gave his portion to another prisoner. When the guards found out that he was refusing it, they held him down and shoved pork down his throat. Returning to his room, he stuck his finger in his mouth and gagged himself until the pork was regurgitated.

It would have been easy for him to eat it, as there was nothing else, but he could not do that because, though he was a prisoner, he was walking in God’s freedom. God wants to put us in perfect, total control of ourselves, where, if offered something that is appealing to our sinful human nature but contrary to God’s will, we will not accept it. We must be able to be trusted to be taken to heaven. Unless tried, how can God know who will give Him allegiance under every circumstance.

When we acknowledge our sins and defects of character and turn to Christ for the remedy, we will find that the law is not a law of bondage, but a law of freedom. God’s law is good. “Jesus answered them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin’ ” (John 8:34).

Friends, if you are enslaved to anything you eat, or drink, or to some activity you are engaged in, whether it be your cell phone, your Facebook account and you can’t get away from them, you are not free. Just try laying it aside for a week or two and see how you feel. National Public Radio did a study of everybody in their office, charging them not to look at Facebook for a week. There were some who could not last a couple of hours. In fact, two days is the most any went. Friends, do not be enslaved to anything in this world but experience complete freedom in Jesus.

Jesus said, “ ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, 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).

There is freedom in Christ. Does your temper enslave you? Do you find yourself impatient, or are you enslaved to evil thoughts? The devil wants to keep you enslaved to the habits you have formed over your life. Many people are enslaved to the bitterness of their own hearts. All they can talk about are the wrongs that somebody did to them in the past. Are you enslaved to those past experiences? Paul said, “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13, 14).

The bitterness connected to being enslaved to the past will defile your own heart. Jesus said, “The Son will make you free” (John 8:36). All desire liberty, but few understand how to get it. In John 8:31 Jesus told the Jews that believed Him that they were enslaved with unbelief. They had hatred in their hearts and harbored jealous feelings. They were envious of Jesus’ ministry. Are these same things also in our lives?

God wants to give us liberty. Speaking about the year of Jubilee, it says in Leviticus 25:10, “And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family.”

The famous landmark in the United States with this text written on the very top is the Liberty Bell, which became a rallying cry for slaves. Liberty was being proclaimed throughout all the land and the slaves said, “Hey, we are not free, and this is what you are proclaiming from the word of God?” They also wanted freedom.

“True liberty and independence are found in the service of God. His service will place upon you no restriction that will not increase your happiness.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 88. It is not going to create unhappiness in your life when you are restricted from eating or drinking something, or thinking something, or participating in some activity contrary to God’s will, but it will increase your happiness in the service of God.

“In complying with His requirements, you will find a peace, contentment, and enjoyment that you can never have in the path of wild license and sin.” Ibid. You can not have peace, contentment, and enjoyment when you give yourself up to your own carnal, sinful nature. “Then study well the nature of the liberty you desire. Is it the liberty of the sons of God, to be free in Christ Jesus? or do you call the selfish indulgence of base passions freedom? Such liberty carries with it the heaviest remorse; it is the cruelest bondage.” Ibid.

There are terrible consequences of doing whatever you want without restraint.

Another interesting dichotomy of liberty is found in Daniel 6. It was the envy and jealousy of the governors of Persia that caused them to find an occasion against Daniel to go and tell the king that this man was unfaithful. How much did they find with Daniel to substantiate their claim? Not even one thing. They had to find something Daniel did that would be contrary to the king’s law. So they made a law that no one could pray to any god except the king for 30 days. Daniel was not fazed; he did not change the way he prayed to his God.  Three times a day, as his custom was, he opened his windows toward Jerusalem, and there he prayed (see Daniel 6:10). Daniel experienced perfect freedom, even though there was a law in force to restrict it. He experienced liberty and was in perfect freedom with Christ.

Joseph in Egypt was a slave working for Potiphar. Resisting the advances of Potiphar’s wife resulted in his being thrown in jail. However, he was still free in his heart, even though he was incarcerated and his liberty had been taken away.

Another aspect of freedom is found in 2 Corinthians 3. This describes the difference between the Spirit of life and the spirit of the letter of the law. Notice in verse 17, it says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

In John 16 we are told a few things the Holy Spirit does in our lives that sets us free. He says, “Nevertheless I [Jesus] tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper, the Spirit, will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He is come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and judgment” (John 16:7, 8). There is liberating theology within this one text.

When the Holy Spirit comes and convinces of sin and that sin is confessed, there is freedom and liberty. The Holy Spirit then convicts of righteousness, to do what is right, and of judgment. There are consequences for sin and there may be some fixing up to do. The new birth experience is a process of liberty; it is freedom.

There is another function of the Holy Spirit: “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will tell you things to come” (verse 13). The Spirit will guide you into truth. Truth is liberating. The opposite of truth is deception—error and lies. Truth will set you free from old deceptions. You cannot deceive God.

God said in Genesis 2:15 and 16 that if you eat of this tree you will die. In chapter 3 verses 1–3, the devil says the opposite of what God said in chapter 2. That was a lie. Eve deceived herself into believing that what the serpent said was actually true, that she would become like God, knowing good and evil. It is amazing that the devil can tell us just the opposite of what God’s word tells us, and we believe it as truth.

People deceive themselves all the time. If God says, “Don’t commit adultery,” somehow people have a text of Scripture to back up why it is acceptable. If God says, “Don’t lie,” they have a reason why they need to lie, some using Rahab as a reason why it is acceptable to lie in certain situations, when the Spirit of Prophecy says there is no situation under the heavens where we can lie. Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

If you know the truth and obey it, you will no longer be deceived. In The Great Controversy, 277, it says, “The spirit of liberty went with the Bible. Wherever the gospel was received, the minds of the people were awakened. They began to cast off the shackles that had held them bondslaves of ignorance, vice, and superstition.” These were shackles of ignorance. There were people in the time of Martin Luther who believed that if they paid for indulgences they would receive a little piece of paper saying their sins were forgiven. Martin Luther was outraged at this and preached what the Bible says—that you have to confess your sins to Jesus and have faith in Him and be forgiven. But they said, “No, I like my piece of paper better.” They were deceived; they were bond slaves of ignorance, vice and many other things. When the Spirit of Liberty went with the Bible, it set them free from all their superstitions. No longer would they believe that their departed little loved one was floating out on the fireflies at night in the summer wind. “They began to think and act as men. Monarchs saw it, and trembled for their despotism.” Ibid.

In The Review and Herald, December 14, 1911, we are told: “It was not the apostle’s work to overturn arbitrarily or suddenly the established order of society. To attempt this would be to prevent the success of the gospel.” This was referring to the slavery in the Roman Empire. Two thirds of the population were slaves and the other one third were the owners of the slaves. Paul’s work to overturn this arbitrarily would not have worked. “But he taught principles which struck at the very foundation of slavery, and which, if carried into effect, would surely undermine the whole system. ‘Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty’ (2 Corinthians 3:17).” Ibid.

When the Holy Spirit is withdrawn from this earth, slavery and bondage will take its place. Ignorance, vice, and superstition will return with falsehood, deception and lies. We see this happening today, which tells us that the Spirit of God is being gradually withdrawn from this earth.

In Luke 4:18, Jesus, quoting from Isaiah 61, described His mission. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim deliverance (liberty) to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed … .” Christ’s main reason in coming to this world was to give us freedom, freedom from sin and deception. He came to bring truth. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1).

“Through yielding to sin, man placed his will under the control of Satan. He became a helpless captive in the tempter’s power. God sent His Son into our world to break the power of Satan, and to emancipate the will of man.” Our High Calling, 104. To emancipate is to give freedom.

Dare to be a Daniel or a Joseph. They determined to do right even though they knew the consequences were dire. They would rather maintain their relationship with God through prayer and be thrown into a den of lions or into prison. That is being free in this world. God wants us to be able to stand fast in the liberty that Christ has given us to make us free. It is up to you and me whether we choose that freedom or not.

Just think what it would have been if there were not some men who were willing to sign that Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin said, “Well, if we don’t hang together, we’ll hang separately.” And there were some men who were willing to do that and put their names on the document, whether or not it would cost them their lives. That is what is at stake in our world. These brave men pledged everything and we must do the same if we are looking for an eternal inheritance.

All quotes NKJV unless otherwise noted.

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

We Will See Him

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Everyone who has studied microbiology and hygiene should understand the value of cleanliness to prevent sickness, but physical cleanliness is not the only kind of cleanliness that is necessary. Spiritual cleanliness is even more important, and without it no one can receive the gift of eternal life. But the question is, How can an impure mind become pure?

In Matthew 5:8, Jesus enunciated the sixth step of a spiritual ladder that will lead a person into the kingdom of God. It says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” This step establishes citizenship in the kingdom of God. Purity of heart and life is a result of the spiritual experience that is represented by the first five steps in Matthew 5; the person first of all recognizes his spiritual poverty, he mourns over his sinful condition until God makes him humble or meek. He has a thirst for righteousness that he cannot generate and becomes merciful. He is then purified from pride, and malice, and deceit, and other heart-defiling sins. There is no other road to purity of heart than the beatitude road and each step needs to be taken in that order. This next step, like the others, is not the enunciation of something that is new, but actually a restatement of a truth that is as old as the plan of salvation.

Notice what David wrote about salvation in Psalm 15. In verse 1 he asks the question, Who is going to be saved? “Lord, who may abide in Your holy hill? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?” He then gives the answer in verse 2: “He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart.” Upright walking, righteous working, and truthful speaking from the heart results in a pure heart.

David, after he had fallen into sin with Bathsheba, recognized that a divine miracle had worked in his life. Psalm 51:6 says, “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.” Then verse 10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” David was afraid on this occasion that because of the grievous sins he had committed against the Holy Spirit, he was lost and he could not be saved. He says in verse 11, “Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” I want Lord that You recreate my heart. My heart is wicked, lustful, impure, but Lord I want a different heart. The Lord heard His prayer; He created in him a different heart, a different spirit, a new heart, and a new spirit. Receiving a new heart and a new spirit is so important that Jesus said that unless it happens there is no chance for any of us to be saved. Speaking to Nicodemus, one of the leaders of the Jews who had secretly come to Him one night for an audience, Jesus said in John 3:3, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” A birth represents a new creation, a new being comes into the world when a baby is born. Jesus said, if you haven’t been born again, there is no chance for you to be in the kingdom of God. When Nicodemus heard this he sarcastically replied, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s uterus and be born” (verse 4, literal translation)?

“Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God’ ” (verse 5). Unless you have been born again, not just of water, but of the Holy Spirit, you cannot enter the kingdom of God. We do not naturally have hearts that are pure. Our hearts are impure, and wicked, and unholy. The only way we can have a pure heart is through God’s recreative power making us a new creature. The apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

If you and I are ever to have a pure heart, we must be a new creation. The Lord must create within us a clean heart, a new heart, a new spirit. That is what being born again is all about. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. It is through the Holy Spirit that the heart is made pure. Many people are confused today about this work. They think that the work of Holy Spirit is doing some kind of magic or miracles, speaking in tongues, or doing some other thing that is a scientific wonder that unconverted people cannot explain. But the work of the Holy Spirit, as Jesus pointed out to Nicodemus, is to give you a new heart, to cause you to be born again, to give you a new spirit. Unless that happens, Jesus said, there is no chance of inheriting the kingdom of heaven.

Only he who becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus can have a new heart, a new spirit, new thoughts, new feelings, new motives, created by the Holy Spirit in that person’s mind. The wise man said in Proverbs 22:11, literal translation, “He that loves pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips, the king shall be his friend.” The heart is the emotional center of a person, the fountain of life. The character and conduct are determined by the condition of a person’s heart, the spiritual condition of our heart.

Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” As a person thinks in his heart, that is the way he is, that is the kind of a person he is, that is the kind of a character he is. It is for this reason that the wise man counsels us to guard our heart. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” The heart here is represented as a fortress which must be guarded. One version of the Scriptures translates it this way: “Keep your heart above all that thou guardest.” The heart is a fortress, a citadel that is to be guarded against the attacks of the enemy, because out of it are the issues of life. Out of the fountain of the heart there flows, or issues, the stream of character and conduct. Our words and our actions are simply the result of what is in our heart. Jesus said in Matthew 12:34, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” When you stop to think about it, all evil in our world has its source and fountain in an evil heart. And the human heart is by nature, evil. It is a part of our inheritance from our first parents, Adam and Eve.

Notice what David said about this after he had sinned and he was thinking about his situation and the awful series of things he had done. Psalm 51:5 says, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” He understood that from the time he was conceived, he had been born in sin. The Lord recognized the same thing when He spoke to Noah after the flood. Genesis 8:21 says, “And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in His heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.’ ” The Lord said the imagination of a man is evil from his youth.

How evil is our imagination? How evil is our heart? In Jeremiah 17:9, literal translation, it says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and is desperately wicked.” Or it could be translated, incurably wicked. “Who can know it?” Jesus made it very clear when He was here that the heart is the source of all evil. In Mark 7:21–23 He said, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile the man.”

That was the secret of the terrible wickedness that came upon the world in Noah’s time, before the flood, and brought the judgment of a world-wide deluge. Genesis 6:5 says, “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence” (verse 11).

That was the condition of the world before the flood in Noah’s day. Jesus stated very clearly in Matthew 24 that this same condition of wickedness would occur in the world again, before His return to this world. That prophecy explains to a large extent the cause of the present tidal wave of crime and iniquity and lawlessness that is sweeping over all the earth. The source is the corrupt and unregenerate hearts of mankind.

The patriarch Job asked a question in Job 14:4: “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one!” So who can bring a clean heart out of an unclean heart? Nobody. What are we going to do then? The purpose of the gospel is to enable a person to receive a new heart, a new creation, a new spirit, a brand new one. And there is One power in the universe that can do that for you, friend. No human being is able to cleanse the heart, but there is One Who can. Jesus is the great purifier and cleanser from sin. The genius of the Christian religion lies in the restorative power of the gospel, not in the performance of certain ceremonies or recitation of certain doctrines. The core of the Christian religion is that if you accept Jesus as the Lord of your life and as your Saviour from sin the Holy Spirit will create in you a new heart, a new spirit.

If you acknowledge Him as the Lord of your life, as your Saviour, the Holy Spirit will work a new creation in your heart and in your mind. All forms of false religion, paganism, tend toward corruption. Purity of heart does not find any prominent place in the teachings of Socrates or Aristotle or other heathen philosophers. The wisest and the greatest of them were impure and they knew it. They were corrupt in their teachings and in their practices. The gospel, though, will produce purity and holiness in the heart, not just on the outside, but in the heart. It brings the heart and the life into conformity with the divine law which is the standard of righteousness.

Jesus Christ, when He was here, was the very incarnation of purity. One time He said to the people, “Which of you convicts Me of sin” (John 8:46)? They didn’t have anything to say. The Bible says that if I accept Him, if I hope to meet Him, “every man that has this hope in Him purifies himself, as He is pure” (1 John 3:3, literal translation), because it is only the pure in heart that will see God.

This purifying process cleanses our motives. When right principles are enthroned in the heart, then we do right because it is right, not because of policy or expediency. The right doing of the pure in heart occurs not to escape punishment, or for hope of reward; their good conduct occurs because of the motives inside.

A question that many Christians could ask themselves is, Is my obedience for the purpose of avoiding punishment or because of an inborn love of what is good and what is right? Many people would be shocked if they stopped to think about their honest answer. Why do I obey God by observing His law? This beatitude says that the pure in heart will see God. If my heart is full of sin, then my vision is beclouded. I cannot see or understand God. The disease of sin produces spiritual blindness. The Bible talks about this in many places. Peter talks about it in 2 Peter 1:9. Jesus talks about it in the message He gave to John the Revelator in Revelation 3:17, referring to people who thought that they had need of nothing, and yet Jesus says, you are blind, you are miserable, wretched, poor, blind, and naked. You do not even know your spiritual condition.

That was the reason the majority of people in Jesus’ day failed to see God. To them Jesus was only a root out of the dry ground, as stated in Isaiah 53:2. They saw in Him no beauty that they should desire Him. This is also true with the mass of mankind even today. It explains the reason why there are so many modern thinkers or philosophers who see Jesus only as a man. O, they say, He was a good man, even a superman perhaps, but only a man. To them, the beauty of His matchless character is no evidence that He is the Son of God. To them Jesus is altogether such a one as themselves. Sin dims our vision about God. But when we get a vision of God, then sin is revealed and holiness is produced. We see in Hebrews 12:14 that without holiness, no one will see the Lord. It is a vision of God that gives a person a vision of themselves and their true condition.

When Job saw the Lord he wrote about it in Job 42, verse 5 and 6. Verse 6 says, “I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” A vision of the Lord’s glory had the very same effect upon other Bible writers, for example, Isaiah. When you read Isaiah 6 you will see that he had the same experience. Daniel had the very same experience recorded in Daniel 10. Peter had the very same experience as recorded in Luke 6. Paul had the very same experience as recorded in Acts 26. And the apostle John had the very same experience as recorded in Revelation 1.

We can never know the blackness of our sin until we see the purity of the character of Christ. And once a person really sees that, the contrast brings us to a state of shock and awakens us to realize that we need a complete change in character and the person says, “Lord, I’m all undone” (Isaiah 6.5 literal translation), as Isaiah said. The Lord said, I’m going to purge your iniquity (verse 7). In other words, you’re going to get a new heart, a new mind. Jacob was a crooked dealer, a cunning trickster, a person that you would not want to do any kind of business with. His very name meant a deceiver or a supplanter (Genesis 27:36), and he lived up to his name.

But his character was completely changed one night when he had a wrestling match with the Lord Himself. It’s recorded in Genesis 32. For a man that had been spiritually bankrupt, he was changed into a prince of God. What was the secret of the wonderful transformation that he experienced? In Genesis 32:30, he said, “I have seen God face to face …”

The apostle Paul had that experience. It was the vision of the crucified One on the road to Damascus that transformed him into a different person and changed the whole current of his life. From then on, his goal was to behold and see that person. He said, by beholding we will become changed (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Have you beheld the purity of Christ? The spiritual vision of God must eventually involve seeing Him face to face. We must see Him now by the eye of faith and then we will see Him in the kingdom of glory, because He has promised His people that they are going to see the king in His beauty (Isaiah 33:17).

The only people that will see Him in His beauty, then, are the people who have seen the beauty of His character in the present life. Everybody else, when they see Him, will be calling for the rocks and mountains to fall on them as stated in Revelation 6:16. They are destroyed by the brightness and glory of his person. The only people that will see God face to face and be preserved are those who are pure in heart. They have seen God by the eye of faith in this life and they will be blessed with a vision of His immaculate loveliness when He returns. Because they have lived as in the visible presence of God in this life, they will have fellowship with Him in the future immortal life.

Friend, are you reading your Bible and studying to understand, not just the words, but to see the character of Jesus Christ, what kind of a person He is? You must become like Him if you are going to be with Him. For those who become like Him, the apostle Paul says, the time is coming when, even though now we only know in part, we are going to know as we are known. Now we see through a glass darkly, but then, we will see Him face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12). Who will do that? It is those who are pure in heart. How can that happen? It can only happen if the Holy Spirit creates in you and in me a new heart, a new spirit, when we yield to the working of the divine agencies.

(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 Holy People

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According to Romans 8:13, it is possible to put to death the deeds of the body. It says, “If you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” By the Holy Spirit we are able to put to death the deeds of the body and these deeds are found in Galatians 5:19–21: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish [what comes naturally]” (verses 16, 17). Verse 18 says, “… if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Many Protestants believe that they are not under the law. “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God” (Romans 3:19). The whole world is under the law except those who are led by the Holy Spirit.

Paul said, “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians 6:8). It is by the Holy Spirit that you are sealed unto redemption. (See 2 Corinthians 1 and Ephesians 1.) This truth is not only in the New Testament, but also the Old Testament. In Ezekiel 36:25, 26, it says, “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.” Then verse 27 says, “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”

It is the Holy Spirit that gives God’s people the power to obey. 1 John 5:8 says, “… there are three that bear witness on earth: The Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree.” It says in Ephesians 5 that God is going to wash His church with water and make it clean and in 1 John 1:7 it says, “… the blood of Jesus Christ … cleanses us from every sin.” It is only by the Holy Spirit that the heart is made pure. The Spirit, the water, the blood, those are the three cleansing agents.

How does a person receive the Holy Spirit?

Jesus said to ask.: “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him” (Luke 11:13)! Have you asked today that you might receive the Holy Spirit?

You must obey. “And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit Whom God has given to those who obey Him” (Acts 5:32). You can never receive the Holy Spirit until you choose to obey. The Spirit will then give you the power to obey, but never against your choice. The apostle John said the very same thing in 1 John 3:24: “Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit Whom He has given us.”

You must be willing to be led by the Spirit. One text is found in Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” You must follow the Spirit’s leading.

Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour. John the Baptist said, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11). In other words, if you received Him, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Just before Jesus ascended to heaven He said, “John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:5). Only those who accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour received the Holy Spirit.

You must recognize all souls as of the same Father. Malachi 2:10 KJV says, “Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?” All people in this world are to be treated as brothers and sisters if you want to receive the Holy Spirit; we are one creation, one family under God.

Holy People are the only people that will be in the kingdom of heaven. Isaiah the prophet deals a great deal with this subject. In Isaiah chapters 2, 3, and 4 contain a prophecy about the very last days. He says, “And it shall come to pass that he who is left in Zion and he who remains in Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone who is recorded among the living in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 4:3). Jerusalem was the church headquarters in those days so Jerusalem is a symbol of the church. According to Isaiah, everybody that is alive is going to be called holy.

Isaiah 35 is a wonderfully encouraging chapter which will cheer you up anytime you have time to read it, for it is a prediction about heaven and the new earth. Notice what it says about the future life there: “A highway shall be there, and a road. And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray” (Isaiah 35:8). Only the holy people walk on this highway.

The time is coming when the members of the church who are not holy are going to be in terror. “The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness has seized the hypocrites: Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, he who despises the gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil: He will dwell on high; his place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; bread will be given him, his water will be sure” (Isaiah 33:14–16).

The deliverance that is coming to the people of God will only come to the holy people. Those who remain in sin in Zion will be terrified.

Notice what Isaiah says about God’s people in the future life: “Also your people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified” (Isaiah 60:21). All of God’s people are going to be righteous. Isaiah 62:12 KJV says, “And they shall call them The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called Sought Out, a City Not Forsaken.”

Isaiah is not the only Old Testament prophet that talks about this subject. Joel 3:17 says, “So you shall know that I am the Lord your God, dwelling in Zion My holy mountain, then Jerusalem shall be holy, and no aliens shall ever pass through her again.”

There’s a tiny book in the Old Testament among the minor prophets called Obadiah and in chapter 1, verse 17 it says, “But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.” Mount Zion was one of the mountains in Jerusalem and was the headquarters of God’s people, His church.

Some years ago I was in a meeting with several Seventh-day Adventist ministers. Some of them told me very clearly that they were the remnant and part of the remnant church. I read to them Zephaniah 3:13 which says, “The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness and speak no lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; for they shall feed their flocks and lie down, and no one shall make them afraid.” Looking into the faces of those ministers who had boldly made that claim, I asked if they still maintained that they were the remnant according to that verse. There was no response. If your character is not in harmony with this verse, you cannot claim to be part of the remnant, regardless of how long you have been a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church. Praise the Lord that probation has not closed yet, so there is still time to become part of the remnant. But remember, there is a prerequisite before you can make that claim. If there is anything short of righteousness in your character, such as speaking deceitfully, of lying, then your claim is presumptuous.

This truth is spelled out many times in the New Testament. When Paul, or Saul as he was known at that time, was on his way to Damascus he was suddenly stopped in his path. When Jesus appeared to him shining brighter than the sun, he fell to the ground. Paul was a persecutor of the Christians but Jesus said to Him, “Why are you persecuting Me” (Acts 26:14)? Anything that you do to one of God’s children is accounted, good or bad, as if you had done it to Jesus Christ Himself. Paul said, “ ‘Who are you Lord?’ and He said, ‘I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting’ ” (verse 15). Notice what Jesus tells him to do: “Rise and stand on your feet: for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me” (verses 16–18). The word sanctified simply means to be made holy. The apostle Paul never forgot that and he told the elders at Ephesus, “And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).

Look again at Ephesians 1:4. It says, “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” That was God’s will for you and for me, before the world was even created. All the apostles teach the same thing. Peter 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’ ” (1 Peter 1:15, 16). Here he quotes from the Old Testament, which says, “You be holy, as I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44, literal translation). Holiness affects every aspect of the life of the believer: what they eat, what kind of clothes they wear, how they talk, how they conduct their business. Everything in their lives will be in harmony with the law of God, including their thoughts and feelings.

Jesus told the Pharisees that on the outside they may look righteous and holy, but on the inside—in their hearts—were all kinds of corruption and iniquity. They were offended to hear that just as people do not like to hear that today. But my dear friend, there is One Whom you will have to meet with in the judgment Who knows everything about you. He does not just see what is on the outside, but He knows even your thoughts and your feelings.

Jesus said that every idle word that man shall speak, they shall give an account in the day of judgment. He knows all about it, every detail, every secret thing, what you think, how you act, and why you act that way. Holiness, then, involves everything in your life.

“Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). If I am not holy, I will not see the Lord. When you begin to understand this subject, you will begin to understand why the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy say that relatively few people out of all the people that are living on this earth will be saved. It is not because they cannot be saved, but because they do not allow the Holy Spirit to work out a holy character in their lives; this does not happen unless there is cooperation. The Holy Spirit does not work without your consent.

This is a special problem with people who appear to be more successful than their fellow human beings; that is, for people who are highly educated, people who have lots of money or have high positions. It is especially difficult for those kinds of people to be saved. Jesus understood that when He said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24).

Ellen White wrote about it this way: “When in the great day of God each one is apportioned his own reward, not many great, not many wealthy, not many of the now-extolled wise, will find mansions awaiting them. Christ says to them, … ‘you had many disparaging remarks to make in regard to the poor and suffering, the homeless widows and the fatherless children, as though they were made of different material from you. You despised My poor …’

“The needy have been left to cry unto God because of the conduct of hardhearted men, who are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 16, 50.

God requires of people that they receive the Holy Spirit so that they can arrive at perfection of character. “Those who enter heaven must be one with Christ. Unless they should bear the same perfection of character that He bore while on this earth, they would spoil heaven.” Special Testimonies, Series B, 45. God will not take anyone to heaven that will risk spoiling it again.

Many people become discouraged because they do not understand the power of the Holy Spirit and what the Holy Spirit can do in their lives. “We are to be individual toilers. Character cannot be bought or sold. It is formed by patient, continuous effort. Much patience is required in the striving for that life which is to come. We may all strive for perfection of character, but all who come into possession of it will earn it step by step, by the cultivation of the virtues which God commends.” Notebook Leaflets, 90.

No one here knows the next step that is needed to be taken in your character development, but the Holy Spirit knows and understands. If you pray and say, “Lord, I want to do Your will,” the Holy Spirit will put a finger right on the plague spot in your character and reveal it to you. Remember, it is toilsome, step by step. When you get the victory on one point, ever so gently the Holy Spirit will put the finger on your conscience and say, “How about this?” There are many people in the world and even in the church that get stalled right there. Maybe there are a hundred other steps you need to take, but you will never take them until you take the next step that has been revealed—one step at a time. Don’t stall because of something you don’t want to give up.

Many others have been in that situation for years, hesitant and resistant to take the next step. How patient is the Holy Spirit Who keeps prompting, but the longer you wait, the less that sin will bother you and then you will be in a very dangerous situation. Take the plunge and move on to the next challenge, believing that all the power of heaven is at your command just for the asking.

“God has chosen men from eternity to be holy. … God’s law tolerates no sin, but demands perfect obedience. … Divine power is provided for every soul struggling for the victory over sin and Satan.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 908. It is the devil that tempts you to be discouraged and believe that you cannot get the victory. Do not believe the lie, for with the Lord, you can have victory over your besetting sin.

God’s church is to encourage, help, and pray for each of its members. God will give you the power to conquer and put to death your sinful nature so that you can be an inheritor with those that are taken to the realms of light. “The law of God, which is perfect holiness, is the only true standard of character. Love is expressed in obedience, and perfect love casteth out all fear. Those who love God, have the seal of God in their foreheads, and work the works of God.” The Youth’s Instructor, July 26, 1894. All who love God will have His seal in their forehead and their love will be manifested in works of obedience. “Holiness is wholeness for God. It means perfect obedience to every precept of the law of God. This is the only true moral excellence. A character in harmony with the law of God is the only character which will receive His approval.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 145.

Are your thoughts and feelings in harmony with the Law of God? There is no vacuum in the mind. When your thoughts stray to such that is not in harmony with God, train your mind to think upon things of eternal interest. Pray and ask for divine guidance and help. It can be a tremendous help to memorize Scripture and pray God’s promises.

“Unless this converting power shall go through our churches, unless the revival of the Spirit of God shall come, all their profession will never make the members of the church Christians. There are sinners in Zion who need to repent of sins that have been cherished as precious treasures. Until these sins are seen, and thrust from the soul, until every faulty, unlovely trait of character is transformed by the Spirit’s influence, God cannot manifest Himself in power.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, 366. By resisting the Spirit’s influence and holding on to our unlovely traits of character we are holding back the power of God among God’s professed people today.

“There is more hope for the open sinner than for the professedly righteous who are not pure, holy, and undefiled.” Ibid.

Jesus is coming soon. Soon there will be a final outpouring of the Holy Spirit on God’s people. But some will not be prepared to receive it, because they have failed to allow the Spirit to sanctify them. Therefore they are not holy, they are not part of the holy people.

In the book Early Writings, page 71, Ellen White said, “I saw that none could share the ‘refreshing’ [the latter rain] unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action. We should, therefore, be drawing nearer and nearer to the Lord and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. Let all remember that God is holy and that none but holy beings can ever dwell in His presence.” It is past time that each of us would honestly examine ourselves to see if we are living up to the light we know in order to be ready to receive the latter rain when it is poured out.

It would be wonderful if our churches could be saved without the loss of one, but friend, if we are going to be saved without the loss of one, that means all must be willing to receive the Holy Spirit and be sanctified. “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” (Philippians 1:6).

Now is the time to make a covenant with the Lord and say, “Lord, by Your grace, I’m going to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. Show me the next step You want me to take.”

(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.

Editorial – Reign of Peace

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Much can be learned by the sincere seeker for truth by studying the apparent contradictions in the Bible. Here is one such “apparent contradiction.”

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government will be upon His shoulder: and His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

This is a prophecy of the Messiah, but when the Messiah came He said, “Do not think I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword” (Matthew 10:34).

The universal reign of peace spoken of by Isaiah does not occur until after the second coming of Christ and this is one of the many reasons Christians look forward to His soon appearing in the clouds of heaven. That is why the angels sang at His birth, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14).

Even though this universal external and internal peace will only be enjoyed after the second coming of Christ, nobody can experience this who has not first received inner peace. When Jesus left to His disciples a legacy of peace (John 14:27), this was an internal rather than an external peace because He said that they would not have peace on the outside in this world (John 16:33). This internal peace cannot be bought or sold or acquired by man’s intellect. It can be acquired only through Christ.

The first step in obtaining peace in your heart is to learn the lesson of penitence at the foot of the cross, because it is sin that has destroyed our peace. It is only as we surrender to the Lordship, the sovereignty, of Jesus, surrendering our will to His will, that we can receive forgiveness through the blood of the atonement that Jesus has made for us on the cross of Calvary. The gospel is a message of peace because only Jesus can bring to you peace on the inside.

When a person surrenders himself to Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins to take possession of the heart and the life begins to be transformed. Sinful thoughts are put away and sinful actions are renounced and the anger, strife, and envy that are so much a part of human existence are exchanged for love, humility and peace.

There is no peace for the wicked (Isaiah 57:21) but holiness of mind brings peace. Doing God’s will in dependence on divine power brings the peace of Christ into the heart. As we enter into communion with Christ we enter the region of perfect peace.