Issue: 2003 June

What Is A Gentleman

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Never imagine that the swaggering braggart can move the world; he is as feeble as he is loud. Jesus Christ was the strongest man who ever lived—and the gentlest. He would not have hurt the feelings of a child, and yet he could conquer hell. “He opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed . . . .” [Matthew 5:2, 3.] That was the keynote of his life.

He was always blessing somebody—healing the sick, comforting the sad, cheering the weary, raising the dead; his life was one long series of kindly, brotherly actions. And yet, how he could burn with moral indignation! The same Christ who was tender and gentle and forgiving to the sinners who were tired of the dreary heartache of their useless lives, and longed to be better and do better, could denounce the hypocrites of his day as “a generation of vipers.” [Matthew 3:7; 12:34; 23:33.] We must rid ourselves of the popular delusion that tenderness denotes weakness. It does not. Bullies are weak. Gentlemen are strong. The braggart is impotent; the empty noise of his braying is quickly exhausted, and then he is used up and has nothing to go on with. The man who endures and overcomes is the man who follows Christ in his sweet reasonableness of temper and thought and action. . . .

Ladylikeness of exterior and a sort of “got-up-regardless-of-expense” appearance are not the outward and visible signs of gentlemanliness. Some of the roughest and most erratic men possess the truest hearts and the tenderest spirits. I shall always feel intensely grateful that the blind and blundering Peter was one of the disciples, for it shows that Jesus Christ can sympathize with men who are recklessly enthusiastic. Some of the most useful, genial, and delightful men I have ever met have been impetuous Peters,—true and honest disciples, but afflicted with the unhappy knack of occasionally doing the right thing in the wrong way. They seem to possess every other virtue except caution and prudence. And yet what a gentleman this erratic kind of fellow sometimes is! How sunny his smile! how loving his heart! how honest his voice! how firm the grip of his hand! See how he dries the falling tear; observe how readily he bears the bitterest inconvenience in order to do service for a man who is “down;” notice how he stints himself that he may help any prodigal who happens to be “hard-up;” see how the tiny children love this great-hearted, merry, boyish fellow, climbing all over him, caressing his rough face, and pulling his grizzly beard. Yes, this man knows something of the gentlemanly Carpenter of Nazareth, or he would not be so refreshingly frank, so transparently sincere, so sublimely unselfish. After all, I should rather have the rugged warmth of a firework than the prim and pompous frigidity of an iceberg.

You will always notice that a gentleman possesses a dexterous and most delightful tact. [For instance] at a certain breakfast a guest upset a cup, and its contents soiled the cloth. A neighbor quietly placed a vase of flowers over the stain, and thus hid the blot with beauty. . . .

If we imitate the gentlemanliness of Jesus, . . . we shall look for the good in men, we shall try to ignore their weaknesses, and our judgments will be very kind. We must remember that no man is utterly and irretrievably bad. We all have a good side to our characters—a Dr. Jekyll, who is generous and charitable and upright. And, alas! what life is not embittered and hampered by a ghostly Mr. Hyde, black with iniquity, terrible with hatred, scorched with hell! The evil spirit is part of us; it destroys our rest; it assails us at our weakest points; and when we would do good, there is the desperate and deadly temptation to be reckoned with, and sometimes we are swept along before the withering blast of our unrestrained passions. Life is a mixed quantity. We are bad for a time, then we rise up and declare that we will be Christ’s men. We pray with eager desire and intense earnestness, and immediately afterwards give both hands to the devil. One day we are cursed with hideous and soul-haunting thoughts, and the very next day blessed with all the calm of heaven’s peace. Our life is a maze, a tangled mystery, a grim tragedy. The great lesson to be learned from this duality of purpose is that no character is altogether bad. The worst part of a man’s nature may have caught our attention, and we instantly condemn him as a most hopeless and degraded sinner. What blind injustice! He may all the time be fighting a winning battle with a thousand temptations of which we know nothing. So we must cultivate a gentlemanly kindness in our criticisms, knowing that we shall often experience the pain of defeat ere we know the glory of ultimate victory.

Among other unmistakable indications of true gentlemanliness are chivalry and unselfishness. He is no gentleman, but the meanest and most contemptible of creatures, who is unclean in thought and unchaste in life. One of the most remarkable characteristics of gentlemanliness lies in the fact that it is not so very far removed from womanliness. It has a sacred modesty, a tender regard and respect for weakness and loneliness and inferiority, a deep and genuine reverence for the innocence and purity of womanhood. But, you say, how about manliness? I reply by asking another question, Do you know what manliness means? It signifies virtue. . . . Vice is no mark of cleverness or manliness. It is a shameful, devilish thing that scars the soul, wounds the heart, rends the whole life asunder, and turns the future into darkness.

There is one other mark of the highest Christian gentlemanliness: it absolutely prohibits sickening personalities in conversation. . . . The gentlemanly thing to do is to dwell as much as possible on the best side of human nature. Healthy men will not wish to dine at a dissecting table. Instead of retailing petty gossip about people, and criticizing small mistakes, and exaggerating trifling defects, rise higher, speak of nobler things, manlier thoughts, loftier objects, and try to keep the atmosphere pure and fragrant with charity and brotherly love. Perhaps it has not occurred to you that to ridicule or slander an absent man is the most vulgar and cowardly thing you can do. The apostle has told us that “the tongue is a fire,” [James 3:6] and we know it is so. Nothing stabs so deep as slanderous, resentment, subtle and base insinuations, and scorn to indulge in unwholesome gossip; for, . . . the true gentleman “has no ears for slander, never takes an unfair advantage, and interprets everything for the best.”

But let us come to close quarters, and inquire into some of the indispensable characteristics of a gentleman. In the first place, he is brimming over with brotherliness. Not only is this the first indication of gentlemanliness, it is the very essence and heart of true Christianity. The apostle John evidently thought so, for he said, in his frank, straightforward way, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar;” [1 John 4:20] and again, “Let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God;” [1 John 4:7] and then, in a burst of indignation, he declares that the man who hates his brother is a murderer. I firmly believe that the crowning necessity of the church today is not an austere and unbending Puritanism, but a large-hearted, cheerful spirit of Christian brotherliness. While we have been wasting our strength in drawing up resolutions, arranging our formulas, and throttling enthusiasm with red tape, the devil has been winning hosts of adherents by means of cheerful resorts, bright music, and good fellowship. The shallow critic cannot save the world—even the skillful theologian cannot do it. What we want is [brotherly love].

There are men who have fallen in the tragedy of life, and, bleeding and forlorn, they need the hearty hand grasp, the friendly help of brotherly men. We must cast away our supercilious self-conceit and our chilling cynicism. We must get hold of those who have been overcome of evil, and cheer them with words of hope, and encourage them to begin a better life. We must treat with infinite tenderness bewildered, misguided, unhappy souls who have blundered and fallen, and are gradually sinking into despair. Such men will be repulsed by a tract, they will resent an arrogant inquisition into their intellectual eccentricities. But we may love them to Christ. We may gently succor them from their evil selves, and show them the noble character, the mysterious self-sacrifice, and the resistless power of him who was the Friend and Saviour of thieves and harlots. All brotherliness must begin at the cross. Inspired by the supreme revelation of the Father’s love, we shall lose our unworthy pride, our reckless ambition, and our false notions of respectability, and learn the first lesson of gentlemanliness, which is to love our brother even as Christ has loved us.

Reprinted from Shams, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D.C., 1916, 43–54.

He That Hath an Ear . . . , Part II

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In Part I, we looked at the necessity for our speech to consist of “pure words, clean words, words full of sympathy, tenderness, and love.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 155. We also learned that “Haphazard words, hasty, common words, talking for the sake of talking, when silence would be better, is a sin.” The Voice in Speech and Song, 30, 31. Saying we want to be just like Jesus does not mean, however, that we will not have force and passion in our speech. Part II continues with a look at times when Jesus displayed strong passion as He rebuked wrong in the church.

“Overpowered with terror, the priests and rulers had fled from the temple court . . . .

“And why did the priests flee from the temple? Why did they not stand their ground? He who commanded them to go was a carpenter’s son, a poor Galilean, without earthly rank or power. Why did they not resist Him? Why did they leave the gain so ill acquired, and flee at the command of One whose outward appearance was so humble?

“Christ spoke with the authority of a king, and in His appearance, and in the tones of His voice, there was that which they had no power to resist. At the word of command they realized, as they had never realized before, their true position as hypocrites and robbers. When divinity flashed through humanity, not only did they see indignation on Christ’s countenance; they realized the import of His words.” The Desire of Ages, 162.

Weak is not a word that could be used to describe Jesus, His words, or His actions. Strong, powerful, and decisive would be more accurate. Balance that with sympathy, compassion, and tenderness. Justice, mercy, and grace—characteristics of which we so often fall short.

Public Rebuke

“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Matthew 5:37.

Coincidentally, all three of the denunciations by Christ were done publicly. The woes upon the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23 were spoken to the multitude and to His disciples. (Read it for yourself in verse one.) Both times He cleared the temple—probably His most dramatic display of passion and anger—there were other people present.

In The Desire of Ages we are told exactly why He did this publicly: “In the parables which Christ had spoken, it was His purpose both to warn the rulers and to instruct the people who were willing to be taught. But there was need to speak yet more plainly. Through their reverence for tradition and their blind faith in a corrupt priesthood, the people were enslaved. These chains Christ must break. The character of the priests, rulers, and Pharisees must be more fully exposed.” Ibid., 611, 612.

The Voice of Stern Rebuke

When studying His rebukes, we see that Jesus never sought to protect or defend “self” (humanity). His life on this earth was to do the will of His Father, not to promote an earthen vessel, earthly temple, or kingdom. His “self” was hidden in His Father. (See Luke 2:49; Matthew 12:50.) “Self” did not rise to retaliate when He was treated cruelly, mocked and scourged, or when His beard was being pulled out and He was spit upon.

It is my belief that this is where we, as humans, have a hard time. It is our tendency to look out for number one.

“Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ (Manuscript 148, 1897).” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, 1075.

Because we are thus motivated, when we see or hear someone (and it does have to come from a person) sounding the voice of stern rebuke, we assign our motives to that person. I further believe that if we had been sitting with the multitude on the hillside in Matthew 23:1 when Jesus began to rebuke the leaders, or if we had been in the temple either time He turned it upside down, we would not have said “Amen!” Rather, our response would most probably have been a little more indignant—“Who does He think He is?” And He was God! He did it perfectly. And they nailed Him on a cross.

Mere Mortals

Here on the brink of eternity, God in His all-knowing, all-understanding wisdom, has seen fit, rather than send a heavenly messenger to do the work of rebuke, to use human beings. Throughout the Bible, we find evidence of human beings having been used to do this work. In fact, the first few chapters of The Great Controversy have some fascinating stories about human beings that God used to bring His people out of darkness through a period of time we now, in retrospect, refer to as The Dark Ages. Those human beings we now refer to as Reformers. Our heroes! Mighty men like Wycliffe, Huss and Jerome, and Luther, to name just a few. These men were just men. Imperfect human beings. They knew themselves that they were mere mortals. And in their neighborhoods and communities, their countrymen knew their imperfections as well, and that caused their message to be received by the people with prejudice.

“The messengers God has seen fit to send have not been infallible. They have been weak, erring human beings; but the Lord wrought through them as they gave themselves up to his service. The word spoken was adapted to the necessities of God’s people; the evidence of truth was clearly and distinctly presented. The reason the word did not have the desired effect on the hearers was not that there was a lack of evidence; for link after link was produced until the chain was complete; but the minds of the hearers were filled with prejudice. They were not willing to accept evidence, and tried to make the Bible sustain their ideas, instead of changing their ideas to meet the Bible.” Review and Herald, June 3, 1902.

But when God moved upon their hearts, they could not hold their peace. Can you imagine what would have happened if any of the Reformers through the ages had refused God’s orders? Sure there were those who worked at cross purposes with God, but are we not thankful these men did not succumb to such pressure?

“It is the greatest presumption for man to assume the right of dictation and control over his fellow men. God is the owner of man. To his Maker, man stands or falls. To God he is responsible, not to his fellow men. Every man has an individuality of his own, which is not to be submerged in any other human being. The life of each one must be hid with Christ in God. Men are under God’s control, not under the control of weak, erring human beings. They are to be left free to be guided by the Holy Spirit, not by the fitful, perverse spirit of unsanctified men.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, 225.

That Certain Sound

“I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.” Ezekiel 33:7.

Why is it that we so seldom hear the voice of stern rebuke today? God says that it will be heard in these last days, for when it ceases, it is all over. Those who are called to do so must be sure of their calling, and they must walk worthy of their calling. They certainly need our prayers.

“Today there is need of the voice of stern rebuke; for grievous sins have separated the people from God. Infidelity is fast becoming fashionable. . . . The smooth sermons so often preached make no lasting impression; the trumpet does not give a certain sound. Men are not cut to the heart by the plain, sharp truths of God’s word.” Prophets and Kings, 140.

“All have not the same form of work to do. Let the workers lift the voice of rebuke against presumptuous rulership over God’s heritage. We are safe only when we individually commit ourselves fully to works of righteousness.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 7, 404.

“In every age there is given to men their day of light and privilege, a probationary time in which they may become reconciled to God. But there is a limit to this grace. Mercy may plead for years and be slighted and rejected; but there comes a time when mercy makes her last plea. The heart becomes so hardened that it ceases to respond to the Spirit of God. Then the sweet, winning voice entreats the sinner no longer, and reproofs and warnings cease.” The Desire of Ages, 587.

Intoxicating Words

“The words are more than an indication of character; they have power to react on the character. Men are influenced by their own words. Often under a momentary impulse, prompted by Satan, they give utterance to jealousy or evil surmising, expressing that which they do not really believe; but the expression reacts on the thoughts. They are deceived by their words and come to believe that true which was spoken at Satan’s instigation. Having once expressed an opinion or decision, they are often too proud to retract it, and try to prove themselves in the right, until they come to believe that they are.” Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, 575.

“Say nothing that you would not be willing to say in the presence of Jesus and the angels. . . . However provoked you may feel, restrain the hasty word. . . .

“Many, many times I have wished that there might be circulated a pledge containing a solemn promise to speak only those words that are pleasing to God. There is as great need for such a pledge as there is for one against the use of intoxicating liquor. Let us begin to discipline the tongue, remembering always that we can do this only by disciplining the mind, for ‘out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh’ [Matthew 12:34].

“Through the help that Christ can give, we shall be able to learn to bridle the tongue. Sorely as He was tried on the point of hasty and angry speech, He never once sinned with His lips. With patient calmness He met the sneers, the taunts, and the ridicule of His fellow workers at the carpenter’s bench. Instead of retorting angrily, He would begin to sing one of David’s beautiful psalms; and His companions, before realizing what they were doing, would unite with Him in the hymn. What a transformation would be wrought in this world if men and women today would follow Christ’s example in the use of words!” Our High Calling, 291.

Having Ears to Hear

“Hear my words, O ye wise [men]; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. . . . Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what [is] good.” Job 34:2, 4.

On the other hand, all of us are called to listen. Yes, even those who are called to speak, are also called to listen. But who wants to be reproved? Who wants to get their toes stepped on?

Did you know that God has told us: “Reproof is more to be prized than flattery.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 338.

In our “if it feels good, do it” generation, we more closely fit the description found in 11 Timothy 4:3: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.”

“There is nothing which will please the people better than to be praised and flattered when they are in darkness and wrong, and deserve reproof.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 345.

“To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear [is] uncircumcised, and they cannot harken: behold, the word of the Lord is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.” Jeremiah 6:10.

“But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.” Jeremiah 17:23.

We have indeed become a generation of stiff-necked people who do not want to listen. And there are good and bad reasons for that. The bad reason is that we have become content with our condition. Remember that we are, all of us, Laodicean. But those who continue in the lukewarm condition will not make it. God has made provision for us to overcome, to become “red-hot” instead of being “lukewarm”: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19. He rebukes and chastens as part of the cure.

Growing Weary

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9.

The other reason, the good reason, is that today, with every wind of doctrine flying around us, to whom can we safely listen? We certainly do not want to fall into the category of those who will hear only smooth things, but if we are not careful, that is all we will hear. The problem, once again, is our condition. Now I know there are some honest Bible students today, but for the most part, we are lazy. As Revelation 3:17 says, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing . . . .” Leave me alone and let me sleep. I’m tired. I don’t want to have to “test” everything (see Isaiah 8:20).

Friends, we have been in the wilderness too long. We have been going around and around too long. It is time we put ourselves to the test. Ask yourself these questions:

Do I really want to be an overcomer?

Do I want my words, my thoughts, and my actions to reflect that I really am a Christian?

Do I want to go all the way with the Lord?

These may seem to be rhetorical questions, but I assure you, if we do not clean up our words, thoughts, and actions, one day very soon it will be too late. If we do not start paying attention to the places we go, the things we hear, the words we say, the things we see, without knowing it, we will end up on the wrong side of the great controversy. God has made ample provision for us to be overcomers. Let us not grow weary from the battle.

Blessed Assurance

“But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57, 58.

“Those who choose to become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King, must reveal their choice by bringing their words and actions into harmony with the principles they advocate.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, 105.

“Christianity means more than making good resolutions, more than having a fitful, spasmodic experience. Our thoughts must be brought into captivity to Christ. There must be a steady, persevering cultivation of Christ-like thoughts. There must be earnest prayer. Weaken the hands of the enemy by wrestling with God in prayer. Pray in the name of Christ for what you need, and then in His strength answer your prayer by bringing your actions into harmony with it. Remember that unless you follow Christ in self-denial, your prayers will not reach the throne of God. Christ points you to the path of self-denial, saying, ‘If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’ [Matthew 16:24.] He has made abundant provision for the sufficiency of those who will to do His requirements. As soon as He sees a child of His in contrite, persevering prayer, He comes to him with the words, ‘Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me, and he shall make peace with Me.’ [Isaiah 27:5.]” Pacific Union Recorder, June 5, 1902.

Kill the Spider

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, . . . He that hath an ear, let him hear . . . .” Revelation 3:21, 22.

I hope this will challenge you to study this topic for yourself and to cooperate with our Saviour to make whatever changes are appropriate in your life. Let each one of us do what we must do to clear away the cobwebs—kill the spider!

“Let us double our diligence to make our calling and election sure. Victory, victory, will be ours if we endure a little longer.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 8, 223.

“We are to realize that the divine Presence is constantly by our side. Christ has said, ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ [Matthew 28:20.] He hears every unkind word, every harsh, cutting expression. Could we see Him standing by our side, would we speak such words?” The Signs of the Times, February 18, 1903.

[All emphasis supplied.]

Cathy Summers Timmons, a member of LandMarks’ editorial staff, writes from her home in Wichita, Kansas. She may be contacted by e-mail at cathytimmons@stepstolife.org.

Seven Habits of an Effective Immune System, Part II

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What are the seven habits of an effective immune system?

Investigation

When an enemy comes into the body, the immune system identifies and tags it for destruction. An inspection occurs, so the first step of the effective immune system is investigation. As soon as the foreign organism comes into the body, the immune system investigates it to determine whether it is part of the body. If it is not part of the body, it needs to be disfellowshipped out of the body. If the foreign organism does not have a certain protein marking on it, it is an enemy. Most people who get a kidney transplant have to take immune suppressant drugs, because their body recognizes the new kidney as a foreign object. When we sneeze, when we have a histamine flush, there is something that we have inhaled or ingested that is not part of the body. The immune system investigates it, identifies it, and sends for help to get rid of it.

We are living in the time of the Investigative Judgment. We will either receive the seal of the living God or the mark of the beast. God is expecting to put His mark on us, but for that to happen, we should be ready—not getting ready. When we leave home in the morning, what guarantee do we have that we will make it to work? If the people on September 11, 2001, knew that two planes were going to run into the Twin Towers [World Trade Center, New York, NY] do you think they would have gone there? That means that we should be ready, even at this moment.

When an enemy comes into the camp, the body, a white blood cell called a microphage will definitely identify it and send out a chemical solution to destroy it. It recognizes that the intruder does not belong in the house. The Bible says, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” Isaiah 59:19. We know that if we do not feed our brains with the truth of God, there is nothing the Holy Spirit has to work with when we are faced with temptation. So what goes into our bodies and into our minds determines how we respond to a situation.

Communication

When the immune system first investigates and discovers there is a problem, it begins to send out communication. It sounds the alarm that there is an enemy in the camp and calls for reinforcement.

We, as a people, are not only under investigation, but heaven is communicating with us. We have angels ascending and descending, carrying our prayers to the throne of God where Christ intercedes. There is constant communication between heaven and earth through God’s grace and Holy Spirit.

So the immune system communicates. The body systems recognize and communicate with one another. Another microphage with little tentacles (pseudo-pods or false feet) recognizes the enemy and sends the pseudo-pods to trap the organisms for destruction. They say, There is an enemy in the camp; prepare for war! They blow the trumpet.

We must have men and women who will give the trumpet a certain sound. We must keep truth ever before us, and as the enemy comes in the gate, we should not be afraid to call error by its right name, to lovingly lift up Calvary. If you are my friend, you are going to pull me aside and tell me when I am wrong. That is true love. Even though the old flesh might rise up, that flesh will be mortified if we allow God to crucify us.

Duplication

God designed the immune system to multiply. When there is infection in the body, the T-cells duplicate themselves to attack enemy cells.

Jesus called twelve men to duplicate His work. There is strength in unity, in duplication. Ministries become strong as they mentor other people in the ministry to duplicate their efforts. One ministry by itself has a difficult time; often it cannot make it. There has to be duplication. If the multiple ministries are on the same wavelength, under the same investigation, communicating the same thing, and duplicating, then there is going to be an impact for good.

Cooperation

Once there is communication and duplication, the systems can work together. How can two walk together unless they agree? (Amos 3:3.) The Bible says there is one body but many members—the eye cannot say it is not part of the body because it is not the nose. (1 Corin-thians 12:14–26.) Every member is important, so there has to be cooperation. God will have a church that will be united. “That they also may be one in us.” John 17:21. When we draw close to Jesus, we are going to draw close to one another.

The immune system operates on the same principle; the parts of the system cooperate to maintain the health of the body. “For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; [Yet] through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.” Job 14:7–9.

Cancer cells contain tentacles or roots. Through M.E.E.T. Ministry we work with dozens of people who have cancer, especially women. I am not anti-surgery; sometimes it is necessary, but when people have surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy and think that is going to solve their problem, they are wrong. The cancer will return, if that person has not made any lifestyle changes. There have been situations where women have had their cancerous breast removed and then, without being discouraged by their medical practitioner, had their good breast removed. That is ludicrous! They believe that is where the cancer will return, but the only reason it is going to come back is because they are not taking care of the immune system. We are not telling people to change their lifestyle, so we find that, even now, they are trying to deal with cancer by producing a drug that will cut off the blood supply to the cancer. “The life of the flesh [is] in the blood.” Leviticus 17:11. You do not need to cut off the blood supply; you need to make clean, healthy blood. “In order to have good health, we must have good blood; for the blood is the current of life.” The Ministry of Healing, 271. Every cell in the body depends upon the integrity of the blood, so if we have a healthy blood stream, it gives no environment for cancer cells to breed.

Annihilation

“The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend . . . .” Matthew 13:41. When the time comes, God will separate everything that offends Him from His true sheep. We are in that sifting and shaking time right now.

After we investigate to identify the enemy, create communication to let the body know there is an enemy in the camp, experience duplication and cooperation, we then must have annihilation, complete destruction. Sin will be destroyed just as the healthy immune system destroys the invading cells. Sin must be removed out of the body; we are not going to take sin to heaven. God is a consuming fire. If anyone tells you that we cannot overcome sin, they are a liar and the truth is not in them. By God’s grace we can overcome sin. Calvary testifies to that. If we do not believe that, we might as well go out into the streets and eat, drink, and be merry. I do not have the same desires that I used to have, and I am still growing in grace. This is the only truth that I know that can take the mind and transform it. Sin will be annihilated.

Transportation

Leviticus 16:21, 22 talks about the scapegoat, how sin was transferred to it, and how it was led out into the wilderness by a fit man. He will be led out—that means sin will be taken out. “And shall send [him] away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.”

Once the invading organism is destroyed, it must be transported out of the body. It will either go out through the glands, through the ducts, or through the rectum—God will get rid of it. That is how the immune system works.

Cessation

Scripture tells us, “And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast [it] into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.” Revelation 8:5. When Jesus finally casts the censer down and probation closes, His mediatorial work ceases, which leads us to the seventh habit.

This means that whatever is occurring stops! There are diseases known as autoimmune conditions, such as lupus, leukemia, and those types of things. We have what we call suppressor T-cells. When the war is over within the body and the enemy has been destroyed, the suppressor T-cells send out a signal saying, The war is over! Stop the fighting—cessation. But if something goes wrong within the system and there is no connection there, the immune system keeps fighting and turns against the good tissue of the body. We call that “friendly fire.” Have you ever heard of that?

Friendly fire occurred in the Gulf War and in other wars where the United States military has mistaken their friends for the enemy. During the Gulf War some of the navy vessels shot their own airplanes out of the sky! They said, We have to find out what is wrong that we are shooting down our own planes. They discovered it was because of mental fatigue. The guys were tired.

I want to tell you, friends, we have friendly fire among us. We think we are the enemies, and we turn our spiritual weapons on one another. Even though we might not agree on all points, we are not the enemy; you are not my enemy. The Bible says it is the spirit in the man. (See Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:11.) The only way you can deal with a spirit is that you must be in the Spirit. Our warfare is not against flesh and blood; it is not against people; it is against error. “But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.” Revelation 10:7.

When the war is over within the body, it is finished. Cancer cannot survive a powerful immune system. There have been people where the war is over, and there is no more cancer, no more AIDS, no more diabetes, and no more arthritis. It is finished! That is because of a powerful immune system. The powerful soldiers of our immune system destroy foreign invaders every day of our lives. They do their work so thoroughly that most of the time we are unaware that there is a war going on within us.

Ellen White says that if we could just pull back the curtains, we would see the forces of good and evil in intense combat. (See Patriarchs and Prophets, 598.) There was war in heaven. Michael and His angels fought, and also the dragon. (See Revelation 12:7–11.) We know of that war. The dragon did not prevail; the devil was cast out of heaven, and it says, “Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb . . . .” Verses 10, 11. The blood of Jesus does two things for us: it cleanses us, and it nourishes us.

The blood that runs through our veins cleanses and nourishes our bodies—the life of the flesh is in the blood. In order to overcome disease, we must have the blood—not only spiritual but physical. We must have good blood, and the way we can have good blood is to have the strong man. Mark 3:27 says that no man can enter into the strong man’s house (that is the immune system), and spoil his goods except he first bind the strong man, and then he can spoil his house. So in order for foreign invaders to thrive in the body, the powerful immune system must be weakened.

Weakened Immune System

There are certain things that weaken the immune system.

Lack of trust causes stress and distress, which weakens the immune system. “A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine . . . .” Proverbs 17:22. Proverbs 3:5, 6, 8 says, “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. . . . It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” What takes place in the bone marrow? Blood building—red and white blood cells. So when we have a genuine trust in God, our immune system is strengthened. Isaiah 58, which is the prescription to the church, tells us that when we carry out this instruction it is health to our countenance. When we quit focusing on our own problems, our own selfish ways, and begin to minister to others, it has a biological, chemical effect upon us.

Negativity. “A good report maketh the bones fat.” Proverbs 15:30. What is a good report? That means when you are encouraged. Most people only give roses when someone is in the grave. We should lift people up, encourage them, and thank them for the little things. We men often take our wives for granted—we think the wife is supposed to cook and clean and take care of the children, but they need some encouragement, and vice versa. If a good report makes the bones fat, what does a bad report do? “Pleasant words [are as] an honeycomb” and are even health to the soul. Proverbs 16:24. If you are around someone who is always negative—the weather is too hot; the weather is too cold—rejoice in the Lord. When the world gives you lemons, make lemonade. God turns curses to blessings.

Bad diet. Sugar suppresses the immune system. A phagocytic study was performed. Just one can of soda—Dr. Pepper, Coca-Cola, you name it—equals 12 teaspoons of sugar and decreases your immune system by 20 percent. A slice of chocolate cake, no matter how you slice it, cuts the immune system down 50 percent. I used to be a sugarholic. To show you how bad I was, I ate sugar sandwiches. I used to melt butter, put it on Wonder bread, then spread the sugar on it. That is how much I liked sugar. I used sugar on my rice, on my beans, in my greens. I was hooked on sugar, and it suppressed my immune system, wiped out my B vitamins, zinc, and chromium. Sugar reduces oxygen; it stresses you out.

Lack of exercise; poor lifestyle habits. The lymphatic system is only stimulated through exercise. It is not stimulated through food or watching TV. It is stimulated outdoors in the garden and exercising, because some of the fat that you eat is dumped into the lymph glands, and when you sit all the time, without any activity, you are going to end up with lymphoma.

Lack of rest. Habitually we need to be in bed before 10 p. m. When I am not on the road, I am in bed at 9:30 p.m. If I did not do that, I would be wiped out every day.

Lack of water. If we do not drink enough water, we will pay for it. We have close to 60,000 miles of blood vessels in our body. That is enough to go around the earth at the equator two and one-half times. Our red blood cells travel through 60,000 miles of blood vessels at a speed of about 43 miles an hour. When we do not drink enough water, the first place the body takes water from is the blood; it next takes water from the bones. You have heard of dry bones! The next place it takes the water from is the liver, then the skin (that is why we have premature aging), then from the brain (cerebral dehydration), then from the cells. Cell dehydration is one reason we have pain.

Lack of sunshine. Water, rest, sunlight—are you following where I am going? I am giving the eight doctors important to our immune systems.

Antibiotics. We have “antibio-ticed” ourselves to death. If you do not take antibiotics you may still ingest them from your food, because they are in the cow and in the chicken. Science already calls these antibiotic-resistant organisms smart bugs, because antibiotics do not now have the same impact that they used to have.

These are the things that bind the strong man.

Strengthen the Immune System

How can we strengthen our immune system? Simply! We realize that heredity loads the gun; we cannot change it. I am six feet six inches tall, slender build, thick lips, wide nostrils, tight hair, brown skin, and I cannot do anything about that, so I must be happy with the house in which I live. I do not want to bleach my skin; I do not want to point my nose, and I do not want to blue my eyes. God made some of you with blond hair and blue eyes; praise God! We cannot do anything about heredity. But what we can control is lifestyle. If heredity loads the gun, lifestyle pulls the trigger. That over which you have no control, leave it to God.

When God told Noah to build the ark, did the ark save Noah? No way! But if he had not built it, would he have been saved? No. No man can build anything that can withstand the onslaught of God’s arsenal. Napoleon had that experience. When he battled, God just blew through His nostrils and snow came—it stopped Napoleon. We have all of these weapons, and we think we are going to win a war. God just blinked, and there was a flood. The point is this: Noah obeyed God, and even the ark could not have withstood unless God upheld it. Noah had to cooperate with God. When we use the natural things that God has given us, God does something supernatural. Do not despise the beginning of small things. If God said drink water; if God said get exercise; if God said get rest, trust Him, and watch Him supernaturally interpose in your life.

God’s Plan

It is through God’s plan that the integrity of the immune system is preserved. This has been my experience. “Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.” Psalm 107:17. The Bible says a fool is one who says in his heart, “[There is] no God.” Psalm 14:1. But in Proverbs 1:7 we are told that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of God, but fools despise instruction and wisdom. I used to be like that, you could not tell me anything.

Iniquity and transgression mean the same thing, but there is a slight difference. Iniquity is known sin—one knows better, willful rebellion. Transgression is ignorance. So there are two classes of people, those who are willful and those who are ignorant. The willful need to be influenced to use their knowledge to live a life in harmony with God. Those who are ignorant need to be educated.

“Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.” Psalm 107:18. That means they are on their last legs, giving up hope, not wanting to live. I remember a gentleman, who had cancer, looking up into my face and saying, “I just want to die.” I told him that was not in his power. God holds life and death in His hands. God did not let him die.

“Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, [and] he saveth them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:19. That is my testimony. For 17 years I suffered with crippling arthritis. I did not know God, but I just cried and said, “Lord, I need help. I need peace.” “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered [them] from their destructions.” Verse 20. There is a difference between faith healing and fake healing. With fake healing, you can blow on somebody, move your hand over them, and they fall down. Faith healing comes by hearing the Word. God heals according to His Word.

“Oh that [men] would praise the Lord [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men!” Verse 21. When you experience the power of God, you will praise Him.

Choice not Chance

Health is a choice—not a chance. Salvation is a choice—not a chance. We choose to be healthy; we choose to be saved. It is a treasure, and all God is asking of us is to make a decided change. Seven habits of the effective immune system—you and I hold the key. We should work with it; we should supply it. May God help us to realize that as it is in the spiritual, so it is in the body.

Thomas Jackson is a health evangelist and director of Missionary Education and Evangelistic Training (M.E.E.T.) Ministry in Huntingdon, Tennessee. He may be contacted by e-mail at godsplan@meetministry.org or by telephone at 731-986-3518.

The Faith of Abraham

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Abraham was directed of God to go up to Mount Moriah, and there offer up his son as a burnt offering. There the Lord tested Abraham by a most fearful trial. In taking Hagar for his wife he showed distrust in the promises of God. If he had patiently waited for the promise to be fulfilled in God’s own time and manner, and had not sought to make a providence himself, he would not have been subjected to this the closest test that was ever required of man.

Show Your Faith

This command of God was calculated to stir his soul to its depths. He was one hundred and twenty years old when this terrible and startling command came to him, in a vision of the night. He was to travel three days’ journey, and would have ample time for reflection. Fifty years previous, at the divine command, he had left father and mother, relatives and friends, and had become a pilgrim and a stranger in a land not his own. He had obeyed the command of God to send away his son Ishmael to wander in the wilderness. His soul was bowed down with grief at this separation, and his faith was sorely tried, yet he submitted because God required it.

But now a trial was before him which caused all his other afflictions to appear insignificant. The words of the command were sufficient to harrow up his soul and give him the deepest pain. “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” [Genesis 22:2.] Over and over again did the burdened soul say, Oh! my son, my son, would to God my life would be accepted in the place of thine; then should my light not go out in darkness. Abraham arose before day, and as he looked up to the starry heavens, he called to mind the promise which God made to him fifty years before. “Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them. And he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.” [Genesis 15:5.] And now the same voice had commanded him to slay this only son, through whom this promise was to be fulfilled.

Abraham was tempted to believe that after all this might be a delusion. Stricken with grief, he bowed before God, and prayed as never before for a confirmation of this strange command, for greater light if he must perform this terrible duty. He remembered the angels sent to tell him of God’s purpose to destroy Sodom, and those who bore to him the promise that he should have this same son Isaac. He walked forth where he had several times met the heavenly messengers, hoping to meet them again and receive some special direction from them; but he gained no light, darkness seemed to close about him, day was approaching, and he must be on his journey before light.

He first passed to the couch upon which Isaac slept in peaceful innocency; he was the joy of his heart, the comfort of his old age. Abraham’s lips quivered, he turned quickly away, and looked upon the couch where Sarah was quietly sleeping. He knew that Isaac was her pride, that her heart was intwined with his. Should he awake Sarah, that she might look upon her son for the last time? Should he tell her the requirement of God? He knew that he himself had strength of faith, and confidence in God; he did not know the strength of Sarah’s faith; but he did know the strength of her love for Isaac.

He passed from one sleeper to the other, undecided in regard to the wisest course to pursue. He finally awakened Isaac softly, informing him that he was commanded of God to offer sacrifice upon a distant mountain, and that he must accompany him. He called his servants, and made every necessary preparation for his long journey. If he could unburden his mind to Sarah, and they together bear the suffering and responsibility, it might bring him some relief; but he decided that this would not do; for her heart was bound up in her son, and she might hinder him. He went forth on his journey, with Satan by his side to suggest unbelief and impossibility.

As the Stars

While walking by the side of Isaac, he could not engage in conversation as usual, for a deep sorrow was concealed in his own breast. The night approaches, the longest day Abraham ever experienced has come to a close. He saw his loved son Isaac and the servants locked in slumber, but he could not sleep. He spent the night in prayer. He would pray, still hoping that some heavenly messenger would appear to tell him that it is enough, that he may return to Sarah, with Isaac unharmed. The stars seem to shine forth more beautiful than ever before, reminding him of the promise, As the number of the stars, so shall thy seed be.

No new light dawned upon the tortured soul of Abraham. A heavy pressure was upon him, but he staggered not at the promise. He reasoned not that his posterity, which would be as the stars, must now come through Ishmael, for God had plainly stated that through Isaac should the promise be fulfilled. Then again was that voice ringing in his ears, “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest.” That terrible command which would leave him childless can scarcely be realized. He rises early to continue his toilsome journey. Satan whispers his doubts, but Abraham resists his suggestions.

No Delusion

All day he had hopes of meeting an angel coming to bless and comfort him, or perhaps to revoke the command of God, but no messenger of mercy appeared. Satan suggested that he must be deceived, for God had said, “Thou shalt not kill,” and that it was not like God to require what he had forbidden. The second long day comes to a close, another sleepless night is spent in humiliation and prayer, and the journey of the third day is commenced. Abraham lifts his eyes to the mountains, and upon one he beholds the promised sign. He looks earnestly, and lo, a bright cloud hovered over the top of Mount Moriah. Now he knows it is all a terrible certainty, and no delusion.

He was yet a great distance from the mountain, but he removed the burden from the shoulders of his servants and bade them remain behind; while he placed the wood upon the shoulders of his son, and himself took the knife and fire. Abraham braced himself for his sad work which he must perform. He did not murmur against God, for Isaac had been given to him unexpectedly. He had received him with gratitude and great joy, and though he was the son of his old age, the son of his love, he yet believed that the same power that gave him Isaac, could raise him again even from the ashes of the burnt sacrifice. He strengthens his soul by the evidences he has had of the goodness and faithfulness of God. Had not God, who had graciously given Isaac to him perfect right to recall the gift, and demand him back?

Isaac had been a comfort, a sunbeam, a blessing to Abraham in his old age, and although this gift of God seemed so precious, so dear to him, yet he was now commanded to give it back to God. The words of God’s command showed that he fully realized the pain which Abraham must feel in obeying his requirement, “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest.” Abraham wanted no witnesses. It was enough that God could look on and not only see the full consecration of his darling Isaac, but read the heart and fully understand how severely he felt the test. He wished no one but God to witness this parting scene between father and son.

Isaac’s Response

Abraham knew not how Isaac would receive the command of God. As they drew near the mountain, “Isaac spake unto Abraham, his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” [Genesis 22:7.] These endearing words, “My Father,” pierced his affectionate heart, and again he thought, Oh! that I, in my old age, might die instead of Isaac. Still reluctant to open before his son the true purpose of his errand, Abraham answered, “My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.” [Genesis 22:8.]

Isaac assisted his Father in building the altar. Together they placed on the wood, and the last work preparatory to the sacrifice is done. With quivering lips and trembling voice, Abraham revealed to his son the message that God had sent him. In obedience to God’s command, he had taken the journey. Everything was ready. Isaac was the victim, the lamb to be slain. Had Isaac chosen to resist his father’s command, he could have done so, for he was grown to manhood; but he had been so thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of God that he had perfect faith in his promises and requirements.

Abraham assured his son that his affection for him was not diminished, and that he would rather give his own life than to deprive him of life. But God had chosen Isaac, and his requirement must be fulfilled to the letter. He told Isaac that God had miraculously given him to his parents, and now he had required him again. He assured his son that God’s promise, that “In Isaac shall thy seed be called,” would be fulfilled; that doubtless God would raise him to life again from the dead. He told Isaac that he had hoped that the Messiah would spring from him. In this he was disappointed, and then, that his darling son must die by his own hand, increased his grief a hundred-fold.

Isaac at first heard the purpose of God with amazement amounting to terror. He considered the matter fully. He was the child of a miracle. If God had accepted him as a worthy sacrifice, he would cheerfully submit. Life was dear, life was precious, but his Creator had specified him, Isaac, to be offered up as a sacrifice. He comforted his father, by assuring him that God conferred honor upon him, in accepting him as a sacrifice; that in this requirement he saw not the wrath and displeasure of God, but special tokens that God loved him, in that he required him to be consecrated to himself in sacrifice.

Father of the Faithful

He encouraged the almost nerveless hands of his father to bind the cords which confined him to the altar. The last words of endearing love were spoken by father and son, the last affectionate, filial, and parental tears were shed, the last embrace was given, and the father had pressed his beloved son to his aged breast for the last time. His hand is uplifted, grasping firmly the instrument of death, which was to take the life of Isaac, when suddenly his arm is stayed. “And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, and said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” [Genesis 22:11–18.]

God estimated Abraham’s obedience and unswerving faith, and gave him the name of “Father of the faithful.” The example of Abraham is recorded in sacred history for the benefit of his believing children. This great act of faith teaches the lesson of implicit confidence in God, perfect obedience to his requirements, and a complete surrender to the divine will. In the example of Abraham we are taught that nothing we possess is [too] precious to give to God.

All that we have is the Lord’s. Our money, our time, talents and ourselves, all belong to him. He has lent them to us, to test and prove us, and to develop what is in our hearts. If we selfishly claim as our own the favors God has graciously intrusted to us, we shall meet with great loss, for we rob God, and in robbing him, we rob ourselves of heavenly blessings, and the benediction Christ will give the faithful and obedient: “Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” [Matthew 25:23.]

How many now who profess to be Christians would yield up to God their beloved Isaac? Our dearest treasure belongs to God. A solemn duty rests upon Christian parents to so educate and mould the minds of their children that they will ever have a high respect and exalted reverence for God and everything sacred and holy. Such will feel that God’s claims must first be regarded, that nothing is too precious to sacrifice for him. Such will, like Abraham, exemplify their faith by their works.

How many now who profess to believe God, and pass for Christians, will not obey his voice when he calls upon them to deny self, and yield to him their darling treasures. They will hesitate, and cling to earthly things. Their affections are upon the world and the things of the world, and some of these very ones will have the most to say about how much they have sacrificed to obey the truth. Isaac felt that it was a privilege to yield his life as a sacrifice to God. If God could accept him, he felt that he was honored.

Sacrifice of God

Human judgment may look upon the command given to Abraham as severe, too great for human strength to bear. Abraham’s strength was from God. He looked not at the things which are seen with mortal vision, but at the things which are eternal. God required no more of Abraham than he had, in divine compassion and infinite love, given to man. He gave his only begotten Son to die, that guilty man might live. Abraham’s offering of Isaac was especially designed of God to prefigure the sacrifice of his Son.

Every step that Abraham advanced toward Mount Moriah, the Lord went with him. All the agony and grief that Abraham endured during the three days of his dark and fearful trial, were imposed upon him to give us a lesson in perfect faith and obedience, and that we might better comprehend how real was the great self-denial and infinite sacrifice of the Father in giving his only Son to die a shameful death for the guilty race. No trial, no suffering or test, could be brought to bear upon Abraham, which would cause such mental anguish, such torture of soul, as that of obeying God in offering up his son.

Our Heavenly Father surrendered his beloved Son to the agonies of the crucifixion. Legions of angels witnessed the humiliation and soul-anguish of the Son of God, but were not permitted to interpose as in the case of Isaac. No voice was heard to stay the sacrifice. God’s dear Son, the world’s Redeemer, was insulted, mocked at, derided, and tortured, until he bowed his head in death. What greater proof can the Infinite One give us of his divine love and pity. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” [Romans 8:32.]

Surrender Necessary

The meager conception that many have of the worth of the soul, and the sacrifice of God’s dear Son for sinful man, is shown by their works. Should God speak to them as he did to Abraham, Sacrifice your possessions, your temporal benefits that I have lent you to advance my cause, they would look in astonishment, thinking God did not mean just what he said. Their riches are as dear to them as their children, their worldly treasure is their Isaac. To honor God with their substance, they think, is a requirement altogether too great, and they cannot believe that God means it. What have this class sacrificed for God?

Men will show all the faith they have. If God should speak to them and command them to go and offer one of their beloved children, they would think God a hard master. Yet he has done more than this for them. No such command will come to test and prove them. God knew to whom he spake, when he gave the command to true and faithful Abraham. Abraham knew that it was God who had commanded, and that his promises were infallible. Had God commanded him to offer his gold, his silver, his flocks, or even his own life, he would have done so cheerfully. He would have felt that he was but yielding back to God that which belonged to him.

But there are many who know not what self-denial, or sacrifice, or devotion to God, is. They never can have extended and elevated views of the infinite sacrifice made by the Son of God to save a ruined world, until they surrender all to God. If God should speak to them in a command, as he did to Abraham, they would not be enough acquainted with his voice to understand that he did really require something of them, to show their love, and the genuineness of their faith.

Abrahamic Faith

The claims of God upon our love, affection, and possessions, our talents, and ourselves, are correspondingly great as was the infinite sacrifice made in giving his Son to die for sinful man. Those who really appreciate the work of the atonement, those who have a high sense of the sacrifice Christ has made to exalt them to his throne, will count it a special honor to be partakers with Christ in his self-denial, sacrifice, and suffering, that they may be co-workers with him in saving souls.

There are many who profess the truth, who do not love God half so well as they love the world. God is testing and proving them. Their love of the world and of riches darkens their minds, perverts their judgment, and hardens their hearts. God has, to some of them at least, revealed his will, and called for a surrender of their Isaac to him. But they refuse to obey, and let golden opportunities pass. Precious time is bearing into eternity a record of duties unfulfilled and of positive neglect.

Nothing we have is of true value until it is surrendered to God. The talent of means devoted to the cause and work of God, is of tenfold more value, than if selfishly retained for the gratification of our own pleasure. The faith of the devoted martyrs was like that of Abraham, it was genuine. They valued the precious truth, and in their turn, although despised of men, hunted from place to place, persecuted, afflicted, and tormented, were valued of God. There was no place for them upon the earth, but of them, says the apostle, the world was not worthy. [See Hebrews 11:37, 38.] Those who clung to precious truth in face of prison, torture, and death, had faith that few now living possess.

Many have chosen a life of ease. They have exalted their earthly interests above the spiritual and eternal. They neglect to learn the hard lesson of self-denial, and of surrendering all to God. They do not count anything interesting, save that which is learned without much effort, and without involving any sacrifice of temporal enjoyment; and it is forgotten as soon as learned, because it cost them nothing.

The deepest poverty, with God’s blessing, is better than houses and lands, and any amount of earthly treasure, without it. God’s blessing places value on everything we possess; but if we have the whole world without his blessing we are indeed as poor as the beggar, for we can take nothing with us into the next world.

Those who profess to be looking for the soon coming of our Saviour, should have Abrahamic faith, a faith that is valued because it has cost them something, a faith that works by love, and purifies the soul. The example of Abraham is left on record for us upon whom the ends of the world have come. We must believe that God is in earnest with us, and that he is not to be trifled with. He means what he says, and he requires of us implicit faith and willing obedience. Then will he let his light shine around about us, and we shall be all light in the Lord.

The Signs of the Times, April 1, 1875.

Ellen G. White (1827–1915) wrote more than 5,000 periodical articles and 40 books during her lifetime. Today, including compilations from her 50,000 pages of manuscript, more than 100 titles are available in English. She is the most translated woman writer in the entire history of literature, and the most translated American author of either gender. Seventh-day Adventists believe that Mrs. White was appointed by God as a special messenger to draw the world’s attention to the Holy Scriptures and help prepare people for Christ’s second advent.

The Ups and Downs of the Christian Experience, Part II

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A person may go a certain distance in their walk with Christ, in their Christian growth, but then they reach a point where they say, No, I can’t go any further.  I can’t go along with that point of doctrine; that is too much.  They do not even know what has happened, but those watching can see that a different spirit has taken hold of them.  In the Scriptures it happened in one day—a different spirit took control.  (See John 6:60, 66.)

What happened when this different spirit took control?  “As those disaffected disciples turned away from Christ, a different spirit took control of them.  They could see nothing attractive in Him whom they had once found so interesting.”  The Desire of Ages, 392.

Notice what they did next:  “They sought out His enemies, for they were in harmony with their spirit and work. They misinterpreted His words, falsified His statements, and impugned His motives.”  Ibid.

Let’s just get this straight.  Who were Christ’s enemies?  Were they the Romans?  No!  Christ’s enemies were the professed, faithful, and true church!  They were the people who professed to be God’s people in the world.  They, not the Romans, were the enemies of Christ.  Christ was never in trouble with the Romans; the Romans only crucified Christ at the insistence of the Jews.  So when the disaffected disciples sought out His enemies, whom did they seek?  They went down to the big church; they went down to mainline Adventism in those days.  They went there because they were more in harmony with them.  This happened about 30 A.D., one year before the crucifixion.  One year before that time, around Passover of 29 A.D., the mainline church had taken an official position rejecting Christ (see The Desire of Ages, 200) at the time He healed a man at the pool of Bethesda (See John 5).  At that time, messengers had been sent all over the country to say that Jesus was an imposter.  So when these people left Christ, they went to the very ones who opposed what Christ was doing, because they were more in harmony with them.

False Reports

There is a spiritual war taking place in the world and in Adventism today, and you cannot just sit and watch.  You are going to be on one side or the other!  God is arranging things so that what is really in our hearts is going to be revealed.  When these followers went back to the mainline church, the church that had been opposing Christ for over a year, they misinterpreted His words.  It should be comforting to us to know that Jesus, Who was perfect, went through such misunderstandings.  Our words are not perfect; we are frail, mortal, defective human beings.  But Jesus was perfect, and even His motives and words were impugned and misinterpreted; His statements were falsified.

Why did they do that?  Ellen White explains:  “They sustained their course by gathering up every item that could be turned against Him; and such indignation was stirred up by these false reports that His life was in danger.”  The Desire of Ages, 392, 393.  The disciples who had left Christ had to justify what they were doing.  Have you ever noticed that when human beings are doing something, especially when they know it is wrong, they have to have a good reason for doing it?  Whether there is one or not, they have to think one up; otherwise they could not live with themselves.  The former followers had to sustain that what they were doing was the right thing to do, so they had to conjure up all of these false statements.

Were there some items that could be turned against Christ?  Yes, there were.  Did Christ have some followers who were making mistakes in those days?  You know that He did, because their mistakes are recorded in the Scriptures.  Were there people who had a pretty checkered past following Jesus?  Oh, yes.  People who were looked down upon as the most evil people in society had decided to follow Jesus, because He gave hope to the chief of sinners.  No matter how bad their past was, they could come to Him.  He promised that He would forgive their sins, take away their guilt, and give them the power to live a new life.  There were cheating tax collectors and prostitutes who were interested in a better life, and even though their past had been very checkered, they found the idea of having their guilt taken away and living a better life very, very attractive.

Jesus allowed all of these people to follow Him, so there were a lot of things that could be used against Jesus—all of these defective, low-life people who were following Him.  All of that information was gathered up, and some Bible studies were written for this occasion.  The purpose of the Bible studies was to prove, from the Old Testament, that Jesus of Nazareth was not the Messiah.

Counter Bible Study

Have you ever had someone give you a Bible study in an effort to prove that the seventh day is not the Sabbath?  Have you ever had someone give you a Bible study to prove that when somebody dies they don’t really die?  That is the type of Bible study that was developed.  I have actually trembled to think that if I had lived in that day and time, I may have been buffaloed by their misinterpreted Scriptures.  They were very convincing and effective.  They were so effective that Jesus questioned the twelve remaining disciples to see if they, too, would leave Him.  It appears that most of the 70 disciples that Jesus had sent out turned against Him.  Ellen White says that Christ winnowed His followers again and again until at one time there were only eleven men and a few faithful women for the beginning of the Christian church.  (See Testimonies, vol. 5, 130.)

Christ actually took His followers through more low experiences than He took them into high experiences.  They did have high experiences: there was Peter’s confession of faith; the time when they saw Him feed the 5,000; the times when they saw Him raise the dead—they saw it!  Wouldn’t that make shivers run up and down your skin to see that happen?  They saw that it only took a look, a touch, or a word and the most grievous physical disease would instantly disappear.  They had some high times.  They saw that if He said to someone, I am not going to condemn you, go and sin no more, that person’s life was turned around; they saw them set free from the spiritual disease which had held them in bondage all of their life.  It was exciting, but Jesus also took them through some low experiences, so deep, that when they started following Him they could not even have imagined what they would have to go through.

Highs and Lows

“The news spread swiftly that by His own confession Jesus of Nazareth was not the Messiah.”  The Desire of Ages, 393.  The disaffected disciples twisted His words.  He never said that He was not the Messiah, but since He did not do what they thought the Messiah had to do, they decided He could not be the Messiah.  Have you ever had anyone twist your words?

Mrs. White continues, “And thus in Galilee the current of popular feeling was turned against Him, as, the year before, it had been in Judea.”  Ibid.  The year before had been the experience at the pool of Bethesda when the popular feeling of Judea turned against Him.  Now the popular feeling in Galilee turned against Him.  When the mainline church had turned against Jesus, the disciples were not too worried, because there was a grass-roots revival and reformation movement among the common people that was centered in Galilee, and they thought it would overturn everything that the church leaders in Jerusalem could do.  So, as long as this popular feeling in Jesus’ favor continued in Galilee, there were thousands of people who came to see Jesus.

They were on a high then.  When you see 5,000 men plus women and children who have come to see the Lord all fed, you have to follow Him.  You have a church!  And the disciples were not worried right at that moment what the priests and leaders said.  So what?  Look at all the people!  They had a big group with which to work.  But those 5,000 people all disappeared.  The popular feeling turned against Jesus, and there were very few who followed Him.  Can you imagine it?—the Saviour of the world, the One who came to redeem the world, had lost most of His followers.  Would you have hung on?  That was a low experience, down in the very depths.

To Whom Shall We Go?

Jesus turned and said to the twelve, “Do you also wish to depart?”  John 6:67.  That is an interesting question.  You would think that by the time you only had twelve followers left you would do something to start a campaign to get more.  But instead, Jesus asked, “Are you going to go, too?”  But Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go?”  John 6:68.  You ask us if we want to leave You, but if we leave You, where are we going to go?

I remember a few years ago when my brother was fired as a pastor from the Kansas-Nebraska Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.  When he was fired, they cut off his salary.  They thought that would be the end of him.  That has been the end of a lot of preachers.  We will never know until the Day of Judgment how many preachers the Seventh-day Adventist Church has ruined by just cutting them off.  They may now be pumping gas, fixing cars, or doing whatever they can to support their families.  People used to say that things like that were an isolated instance, but that is not true.  It has happened all over the world.  When I travel, I meet people from many different countries that have had this happen to them.  When my brother kept preaching, after he had been cut off, people were amazed.  They would ask, Where are you going to go?  Who are you going to join?  A lot of people think that you have to be with some organization or you cannot keep going.  They have not read about John the Baptist.

When people would ask these questions, Marshall would reply just as did Peter, To whom are we supposed to go?  What we have been doing we have been doing because we have been convicted by the Word of God that we have to do this.  Are we going to turn back on our convictions now, because it is unpopular, because we have been financially cut off, because everybody is trying to destroy us?  Should we have decided that our convictions were wrong because of the pressure, or were we going to stand for that which we had been standing?  There was no place to go.  We still had to stand for what we believed.

The remaining disciples could have gone back to mainline Adventism in those days.  Jesus told them they could, if they wanted to do so.  There were only twelve—and they were not on the mountain anymore; they were way down deep in the pit of despair.  “To whom shall we go?”

Ellen White says, “ ‘To whom shall we go?’  The teachers of Israel were slaves to formalism.  The Pharisees and Sadducees were in constant contention.  To leave Jesus was to fall among sticklers for rites and ceremonies, and ambitious men who sought their own glory.”  The Desire of Ages, 393.  To leave Jesus is to fall into human control.   The Spirit of Prophecy says that when a preacher goes to any of our large convocations, tell the people for their own soul’s sake, and for Christ’s sake, to not make flesh their arm.  The church of Christ is not to come under human control.   (See Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 375.)

Why did Jesus allow all of these awful things to happen?  Why does He allow His people to go through these low periods?  Why did He allow it with the children of Israel, with Daniel and the three worthies, or with the disciples?  Ellen White says: “When Jesus presented the testing truth that caused so many of His disciples to turn back, He knew what would be the result of His words; but He had a purpose of mercy to fulfill.”  The Desire of Ages, 394.

Mercy of God

Did you know that what Adventism is going through right now is because of the mercy of God?  People question, What is happening?  There are people who were with the home church movement, that were with the revival and reformation movement, who have left and gone other places.   Many people think that we should all be discouraged because of this.  We should not be discouraged at all!  We should be praising the Lord for His mercy!  Do you know how much more difficult it would be for God’s people if what has happened in the last five years would happen after the national Sunday law is passed?  It would be so much more difficult that a number of us would probably lose our souls.  You see, the Lord could not take those 5,000 men plus the women and children, 15,000 or 20,000 people, with Him and let them follow Him all the way to the cross, because when He came to His trial, they would have rejected Him.

Let us think this through.  What if the disciples, who saw these 15,000 or 20,000 followers, said, We do not have to worry about the priests and elders in Jerusalem; we have all of these people.  We have a strong movement here in Judaism.  But then when the whole group comes all the way up to the cross . . . they leave.  What do you think would have happened to the disciples then?  It was hard the year before, but if they had stayed on that high,—with all of those people, with all of that human support, and they had all left at the trial and crucifixion of Jesus,—the disappointment would have been so overwhelming that they could not have stood it.  It was overwhelming enough as it was.

Are you aware that we are approaching another time that is going to test and try men’s souls?  God is getting His people ready for that time.  Are you thankful that God does not just allow you to stay on a mountain high and then all of a sudden allow the biggest test of all time to hit you?  Are you thankful that He takes you through some low places first so that you can get some experience in faith?   If Jesus had not brought this test beforehand, some of His disciples may not have made it; some of the twelve might have been lost.  The Lord knew it all beforehand, and He said, I am going to do you a favor.  I am going to bring the test a year beforehand, while I am still with you, so that you will not fail.

What is happening today in Adventism is by the mercy of God, and we should be praising the Lord every day.  God is allowing people to reveal what is really inside.  If He let it go on and they all revealed their true characters after the national Sunday law is passed, it would be too much.  We could not take it.

Mrs. White wrote, “He foresaw that in the hour of temptation every one of His beloved disciples would be severely tested. . . .  Had no previous test been given, many who were actuated by merely selfish motives would have been connected with them. . . .  These self-seeking ones would, by renouncing their allegiance to Jesus, have brought upon the disciples a bitter, heart-burdening sorrow, in addition to their grief and disappointment in the ruin of their fondest hopes.  In that hour of darkness, the example of those who turned from Him might have carried others with them.  But Jesus brought about this crisis while by His personal presence He could still strengthen the faith of His true followers.”  The Desire of Ages, 394.

Does your faith hang on, not just at the high time, but when God’s people go down through a dark valley?  That is the kind of faith we are going to have to have, because we are coming to a period of time when it could easily look to each one of us that we are the only believers left.  It could look that way.

Cleansing

These same experiences happened in the beginning of the Second Advent Movement.  From the beginning of 1844 to the beginning of 1846, the number of believers went from between 50,000 and 100,000 down to 200 or 300.  They went from a high to a low, but there were some people that hung on.  There was a cleansing of the temple at the beginning of Christ’s ministry and there was a cleansing of the temple at the close.  Ellen White says, “He will purify His church even as He purified the temple at the beginning and close of His ministry on earth.”  Testimonies, vol. 9, 228.

Did God cleanse the Advent movement at its beginning?  Yes, He did.  Is He going to cleanse it at the close?  Yes, He is.   He cleanses it by bringing people down from a high and bringing them into the depths of a testing, trying experience.  When that happens to you, are you going to hang on?

I met a man who told me that a few years ago he was going to a home church where there were 60–70 members. Then they all left except four or five.  Praise the Lord for the four or five that are left, and get on with the work!  I am not saying that we should not pray for the people who left; some of them might come back, and that would be good.  Probation has not yet closed, and people can still decide that they are going to follow the Lord all the way.  But friends, God is preparing a people who are going to receive the Latter Rain.  It is not just any or every Adventist who is going to receive the Latter Rain.  Oh no, it will be just a little handful compared with all who profess the faith.  If we are going to be part of that group, we are going to have to hang on—not just when it is easy, when everyone is shouting and the multitudes are fed, when it is popular, when there are 15,000 or 20,000 saying, Let’s do it; Let’s have the Latter Rain and the Loud Cry, finish the work, and go to heaven!

The Lord reads the hearts of those doing all that shouting, and He says, It is time to do a little purging here, and He takes that group of people into a valley, and when that happens, suddenly you discover, as did Gideon, that the great majority are not really with you.  Are you going to hang on then?

We have been promised that there is going to be an army that will remain solid as a rock right through to the close.  Do you want to be part of that army?  I pray that you do.

[Bible texts quoted are literal translation.]

Pastor Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life Ministry and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas.

Editorial – Who Then Can Be Saved

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This is a question that the disciples asked Jesus in utter astonishment after He told them that the people, whom they had been taught were the especially favored of God, could scarcely be saved. It was in this context that Jesus told them that with God all things were possible. (See Matthew 19:16–30.)

The Lord does not see or judge the way man sees and judges, because man looks at the outward appearance; the Lord looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7.) Because of this, the people that men think are hopeless and cannot be saved are often the ones that Christ is saving, and the ones that men think are the most holy are often ones that God has rejected and are lost. When we get to heaven, we will see this in all its awesome reality, but for the present, we must learn our lesson not to judge one another. It is true that, if a brother or a sister is living in open sin, this person is to be admonished. If they will not repent, they are to be separated from the membership of the church, but even here we are to move very cautiously lest we cast out of the church those that the Lord is in the process of saving. The following inspired references show the truth of these statements.

“Many have been cast out of the church whose names were registered upon the book of life.” The Signs of the Times, December 4, 1893.

“Christ has plainly taught that those who persist in open sin must be separated from the church, but He has not committed to us the work of judging character and motive. . . . Many who think themselves Christians will at last be found wanting. Many will be in heaven who their neighbors supposed would never enter there. Man judges from appearance, but God judges the heart.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 71, 72.

“O, how different are the standards by which God and man measure character! God sees many temptations resisted, of which the world, and even near friends, never know,—temptations in the home, in the heart; he sees the soul’s humility in view of its own weakness, the sincere repentance over even a thought that is evil; he sees the whole heart’s devotion to the upbuilding of the cause of God; he has noted those hours of hard battle with self—battle that won the victory. All this, God and angels know.

“Many will be lost who think themselves Christians, and many will be in heaven who their neighbors supposed would never get there. God judgeth not as man judgeth. Man judgeth from appearance, but God judgeth the heart. The Lord knows the strength of the temptations that he permits. He sees the inward conflicts, the severe struggles of him who gives up the visible on the strength of God’s promise that presents before him the invisible.” Gospel Workers (1892), 217, 218.

“Often we regard as hopeless subjects the very ones whom Christ is drawing to Himself. . . . Many will be in heaven who their neighbors supposed would never enter there. Man judges from appearance, but God judges the heart.

“Some among the redeemed will have laid hold of Christ in the last hours of life, and in heaven instruction will be given to these, who, when they died, did not understand perfectly the plan of salvation.” Maranatha, 320.