Issue: 2019 June

Children’s Story – The Prayer and Faith of a Little Girl

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During the World War, which broke out in Europe in the year of 1914, the soldiers destroyed the property of many people. One of those who suffered loss was a wealthy lady who lived in Russia. She was one of the nobility. Because of her noble life, her friends often called her “The Princess.”

When the soldiers came, they destroyed her home and took all her money, about fifty thousand dollars. Her son was killed, and her son’s wife died of the plague. They left to her care three little girls, one fourteen years of age, one eight, and the other six.

The grandmother with her three grandchildren had to work from morning till night to earn money to buy a little bread and milk. After a while, the work stopped. It seemed to them that they must starve. One day after dinner they were without any food for the next meal.

“We have nothing for lunch tonight,” said the little girl. “What shall we do, Grandmother?”

“The Great Father will take care of us, my darling,” the grandmother answered.

Then they all knelt down and asked God to help them find something for supper.

“Dear Lord, don’t send us just a piece of bread. Send us a whole loaf. For You know, Lord, we need a whole loaf,” was the prayer of the youngest child.

During the afternoon they went about their duties as usual. Evening came, but no food, and they had no money with which to buy any. They set the empty table, and sat down to it in their chairs.

“Shall we thank the Great Father for the food before we see it?” the children asked.

“Yes,” answered the grandmother.

The children believed that God would surely send them food. They folded their little hands and gave thanks.

Just then there was a knock at the door. It was opened, and there stood a man, a friend who had known them when they had plenty. He also had been wealthy, but the war had robbed him of all his wealth. He had come on foot more than eighteen miles, through deep snow, to see them. He had walked the whole afternoon.

“I hardly know why I have come,” he said, as he walked into the room. “But I felt that I ought to visit my old friend.” Then, turning to the children, he said, “Children, you don’t know what I have brought you.”

“Yes, we do!” said the little girl, smiling.

“What have I brought?” he asked.

“You have brought us a loaf of bread—not a piece of bread, but a whole loaf,” she answered.

“Well, well!” said the visitor, “how did you know that?”

“Because we prayed to God to send us a loaf of bread,” the little girl said; “and we asked Him to send us a full, large loaf, for we needed it.”

“Well,” said the gentleman, “that is just what I have brought. Now I know why I came.”

Then out from under his great coat, he drew one of those long loaves which the bakers in Europe make. Surely God had sent him in answer to the prayer of a little child.

Cockleshells, True Education Series, Adapted from “Providences of the Great War,” 33–35.

Pen of Inspiration – Preach the Third Angel’s Message

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Avoid Trivial Topics

(A morning talk given at Grimsby, England, September 21, 1886.)

However much we know of the Scriptures it is important that we know still more. “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). One man may think he understands the Scriptures and go out to present the truth, and yet he may be lacking on some points. We may get the heart and mind fixed upon something that has no special bearing upon the true point.

A brother came to me and asked me what I thought about the salvation of infants, whether they would be saved. I said, “That does not concern you or me.” There are points on which we must be careful not to mar present truth. All those who are to engage in the work of God must bind about their minds. There are those whose imagination is large, and they will be ever reaching out for something original. They will even fasten upon some word in a sermon and think upon that until the whole truth is covered with mist.

Now, we want to know what is essential for our work here. What is essential for our work now? If any of you should be asked to give your opinion on some point and you should not know just how to answer it, do not be ashamed to say you do not know, but you do know what we must do to be saved. When one came to Christ and asked what he must do to be saved, Jesus told him he must love God with all his heart, and with all his might, and with all his mind, and with all his soul, and his neighbor as himself (Matthew 22:37, 39).  And these are the points we must keep before us—to love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves. There is a great work before us.

Now, there may be those who will inquire what will be the sign of the coming of the Son of Man, and we may know what this is. We read that there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars, and trouble in the nations. All these tell us that the end is near. The coming of the Lord is at the door. Well, we understand what being at the door means. When one stands at the door, all that remains for one to do is to enter.

Now, in regard to the coming of the Son of man, this will not take place until after the mighty earthquake shakes the earth. After the people have heard the voice of God they are in despair and trouble such as never was since there was a nation, and in this the people of God will suffer affliction. The clouds of heaven will clash, and there will be darkness. Then that voice comes from heaven, and the clouds begin to roll back like a scroll, and there is the bright, clear sign of the Son of man. The children of God know what that cloud means.

The sound of music is heard, and as the cloud nears, the graves are opened and the dead are raised, and there are thousands of thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand of angels that compose that glory and encircle the Son of man. Those who have acted the most prominent part in the rejection and crucifixion of Christ come forth to see Him as He is, and those who have rejected Christ come up and see the saints glorified, and it is at that time that the saints are changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and are caught up to meet their Lord in the air.

The very ones who placed the purple robe upon Him, and put the crown of thorns upon His brow, and those who put the nails through His hands and feet, look upon Him and bewail. And this is the very sign of the coming of the Son of man.

Now, I want to tell you, brethren, you must be careful not to fasten upon vagaries. We had a good brother whose mind was destroyed because of this. He would read page after page that would turn his mind off from the right point. The third angel’s message is the all-important point. Do not let your mind turn to vagaries, but keep your eyes fixed upon the truth. What we want is to give a certain sound. The angel is giving a definite message, “Sound the warning.” And what does this mean? Why, it is the angel giving this message to men, and they are to take up this message and proclaim it to warn others.

You want to open your minds, to gird up the loins of your mind, and hope to the end. You do not want to get many things upon the mind to take it away from the truth the angel is proclaiming. When the latter rain comes upon the people of God, you must have a preparation to press right on, because those whose vessels are clean, whose hands are free just when that latter rain comes, get the light that comes from on high, and their voices are lifted, every one, to proclaim the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Now, there are many signs that will take place before the coming of the Son of man, but when the white cloud is seen, this will be the sign of the coming of the Son of man. There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and the nations in perplexity. These all testify that Christ is coming, and He is revealed in the clouds with power and great glory.

The sign seen in the setting sun and rising sun has nothing to do with the sign of the coming of the Son of man.

Now brethren, you want to get hold of the pillars of your faith. Here is Christ in the great antitypical Day of Atonement, and you must understand that you need a special preparation for the Day of Atonement. We want our sins taken away; we want to confess them that they may go beforehand to judgment. Do not go away in discouragement, but believe that Christ is able to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. We must cease to sin, because sin is the transgression of the law. Put away sin, and then cling to the Mighty One who is able to wash away every stain of sin. Now, this is a work of humility at this time, and we must confess our sins and get nearer to God so He can write “Pardon” against our names.

And be sure, when you go out to teach others, not to get your minds upon little things, but keep your mind upon the great work of God, for Satan will surely turn you off if possible. Do not try to be original and get up something you have not heard your brethren speak of, for many have been shipwrecked in this way. Keep the mind upon the third angel’s message. When you keep this before the minds of the people, they will see wisdom in it. But when you get a great many little trifling things before them, they become confused just like the Jews.

What we want to do is to get the truth before the people.

Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, 48–51.

Practical Thoughts on Bible Subjects

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Humility is that grace which enables us to put a just estimate upon ourselves. It is just what is requisite in order that we may know our place and keep it. It enables us to obey the injunction not to think of ourselves “more highly” than we ought to think (Romans 12:3). It opens our eyes to our own defects. It gives us a sense of our own failure to imitate the heavenly pattern. Without it we could not hunger and thirst after righteousness, for we should think ourselves good enough already. We learn lessons of humility with much pain; yet nothing is sweeter and more divinely peaceful than this excellent grace. The pain which we experience in taking lessons in humility is because our nature is entirely averse to this lowly disposition. Vanity and pride fill the hearts of the sons of men. The grace of God alone can effect this wondrous change. Dying to pride is a painful process. The change, when wrought, is one of heavenly serenity and blessedness. It is our business to humble ourselves. If we leave this work to be done for us by the Lord, we shall infallibly bring upon ourselves His afflicting hand; for it is by this that He humbles the children of men. God humbles men as Gideon “taught the men of Succoth,” with “thorns of the wilderness and briers” (Judges 8:16). Better learn humility this way than not at all. But far better would it be to make it a business to humble our own hearts daily and continually before the Lord. We can abase ourselves or we can have the Lord abase us. The valley of humiliation is in itself the sweetest, and, what is of greater consequence, the safest part of the heavenly journey. John Bunyan tells us that in this valley our Lord, in the days of His earthly sojourn, had His country house. One thing is certain, that whoever walks in this valley will have the Saviour for his companion.

FALSE HUMILITY

This is one of the worst forms of pride. Persons under this deception suppose themselves very humble and lowly in heart. In fact, they really believe that they are far in advance of their brethren in all that renders men acceptable in the sight of God. Under this impression, people become proud of their humility. If there were one particle of honesty or frankness to sin, we should not so often fall into it. But sin deceives us. That is its very nature. The deceitfulness of sin is that which makes it so dangerous an adversary. Sin is the eldest born of Satan. He is the arch-deceiver. Deception is his business. Cheating is an art which he has carried to the highest perfection. Nothing but fraud and guile can proceed from such a source. Though the prince of darkness, he can transform himself into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). And such is his skill in beguiling men that he is able to give to pride the outward form of humility, and to make it, many times, pass for this excellent grace.

This kind of humility is often manifested in acts of austerity or apparent self-denial for the purpose of attention or securing the approval of others. Sometimes it is shown in the wearing of mean and slovenly apparel, that thereby one’s humility may be declared. But all these acts of apparent humility are performed to gratify the pride of a self-righteous heart, or to receive the approval of those whose good opinion is specially desired. One test generally if not invariably distinguishes false humility from that which is genuine. One can bear reproof, the other cannot. One is grateful for correction; the other is altogether too holy to allow of any such treatment of its exalted piety. Another almost universal test is found in the fact that spurious humility seeks by word and act to draw men’s attention to itself; but that which is genuine would hide from every eye but God’s. “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find” (Proverbs 20:6)? Reader, have you genuine or spurious humility?

MODERATION

This becomes the Christian at all times, when in prosperity or adversity. Overmuch joy at any earthly blessing is entirely out of place. Our mountain does not stand so strong that it shall certainly continue even one day. Our griefs are not so great that we should abandon ourselves to unrestrained sorrow. Our case might be worse. This will always be true until among the lost. Let us restrain both joy and sorrow so far as earthly blessings and calamities are concerned, within the bounds of moderation. An eastern monarch asked one of his wise men for some saying that would moderate his joy in great prosperity, and his grief in deep affliction. The sage replied: “Remember this too shall pass away.” This is an admirable saying, but it is not equal to this one from Paul: “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5). If we walk in the presence of God and of the great day of account, prosperity and adversity will alike seem small to us in the presence of eternal realities.

SOWING AND REAPING

“Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Men cannot sow thistles and reap grain. They cannot do evil deeds and receive the reward of well doing. Every act on our part is one whereby we sow something; and everything sown shall bear its own proper fruit. Could we realize that every act of wrong doing shall be followed by its own natural consequences, and that everything thus sown by us shall bear a plentiful harvest of evil, how circumspect should we be in walking in the fear of the Lord. What a fatal error on the part of parents to allow the young to “sow their wild oats.” Such a crop once sown needs no care in order to have it bear a plentiful harvest, and nothing is more certain than that they who sow the seed shall themselves reap the harvest in the very kind which they sow. Beware of wrong doing. You must meet it again, and with it all the evil which it has caused in the world.

A PROMISE

“If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us” (2 Timothy 2:12). Our Lord proposes to do great things for those who are worthy to receive them. Reigning with Christ will be no less than actually sitting down with Him upon His throne, and wearing a crown which His own hand shall place upon our heads. But none shall show in this exaltation who do not prove themselves worthy by enduring the proper test. Everyone who reigns with Jesus shall first suffer with Him. The anguish of the cross shall precede the triumph of the saved. No man who shuns the cross shall ever sit down upon our Lord’s throne of glory.

He is to confess His people before the Father and the angels. But everyone thus confessed has first been proved worthy of this great honor. Those who now deny Christ before men shall then be denied by Him.

How wise it would be in us to make the last day our ever-present companion. Then every act would be wrought in God, and all our work such as we would willingly meet in the Judgment.

REPROOF

It is often painful to give reproof, yet it is a duty which cannot be neglected. Some persons, from lack of experience, or from error in judgment, may be incapable of administering reproof by word of mouth. Let such do it by their example, or if some word must be spoken let them do it with real humility and reserve. Many of this class have done great harm by their utter lack of heavenly wisdom. Observe Nathan’s course with David. A terrible crime had been committed by David. A most severe and cutting reproof was called for. But only witness the wisdom of Nathan. It was not merely to rebuke David, it was also to save him from utter ruin, upon the brink of which he stood, that Nathan labored. Few persons could have given to such a man, in such a snare of Satan, a reproof so wisely directed that it should lead him to genuine repentance. The 51st Psalm is the language of that repentance which does not need to be repented of. Let those who are reproved by the testimonies of the Spirit of God read that Psalm again and again. Drink deep into its spirit. It is infinitely wiser than to yield to the stubborn hardness of our natural heart, and to the sorrow of the world that worketh death.

DAVID’S SPIRIT WHEN REPROVED

“Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice” (Psalm 51:8).

Language can hardly be found to express with greater force the effect of the terrible rebuke upon David. The blow had broken his bones. Now what did David do? Did he say I am utterly disheartened; it is no use to make further efforts? This would be the language of most persons. They would say with Cain, “My punishment is greater than I can bear” (Genesis 4:13). It was not the sin but the punishment that troubled Cain. Instead of seeking the face of the Lord he went out from His presence, and to drown his reflections built a city. Not like this did David. He is anxious about his sin. So anxious that he makes a public confession which he puts on record for all coming time. And so zealous to return to God that he prays to be purged with hyssop, and washed till he is whiter than snow. He knows the joys of God’s salvation, and he never could be satisfied till these were returned to him. How admirable is this spirit in David. Why not do we manifest it when crushing reproof breaks our own bones?

UNJUST GAINS

“He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous; and the gifts of unjust men are not accepted.” This is from the Apocrypha, [Ecclesiasties 34:18] but it is worthy of serious attention. We cannot divide with the Lord things wrongfully obtained and so bribe Him to allow us to retain our unjust gains by giving Him a part. What can we do with such money? Use it to make restitution, and remember to add something to it when you restore. (See Luke 19:8, 9.)

THE LAST TRUMPET

The righteous dead shall be raised to immortality at the sound of the last trump (1 Corinthians 15:52). This trumpet is sounded at the descent of the Lord from Heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16). It is called the trump of God. It is the signal by which Christ sends the angels after His saints (Matthew 24:31). Zechariah says the Lord God shall blow the trumpet (Zechariah 9:14). Isaiah calls on all the inhabitants to hear when the Lord blows the trumpet (Isaiah 18:3, 4). When the great trumpet is blown then those who are ready to perish shall come and worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem (Isaiah 27:13).

This is not the trump of the seventh angel. This is a literal trump and shall be literally heard. That is a symbolical trump like the six which precede it. They have not been literally heard. This one will not be. The fulfillment of predicted events has marked their sounding. So of the seventh trumpet. One is blown by the Son of God, the other by an angel. Therefore the trump of God is not the same as the trump of the seventh angel. The trump of the angel begins to sound before the close of human probation (Revelation 10:7). A period of time denominated days, i.e., years at the commencement of His voice is occupied in the finishing the mystery of God. But not so with the trump of God. When that sounds in an instant all the righteous are changed to immortality. But if this be not the seventh trumpet why is it called “the last trump?” The answer I think is this: The trump of God has been heard upon the earth before. When God spoke the ten commandments His trumpet was literally heard (Exodus 19:16; 20:18). It shall be heard again when the Son of God descends. That will be the last trump. The one event was the Father’s descent, the other the descent of the Son in the Father’s glory (Matthew 16:27). There is an intimate connection between the two events (Hebrews 12:26).

REPENTANCE

This always involves the ceasing to do evil. Whatever passes for repentance that allows a man to retain any of his sinful ways, or to continue any of his sinful acts, or to return to any of his old sins after a time, is a repentance that needs to be repented of. How forcible are the words of the Apocrypha, Ecclesiastics 34:25, 26: “He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what availeth his washing? So is it with a man that fasteth for his sins, and goeth again, and doeth the same; who will hear his prayer? or what doth his humility profit him?”

WHAT GOD GAVE MAN AT CREATION

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). Observe it does not say that the breath of life became a living soul, but that the man formed of the dust of the ground became a living soul. In other words, the man became a living person. What was it, then, which God gave to the man He had formed? The language of Job 33:4, clearly states the answer: “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.”

This, then, is what God gave to man, even life. Not unconditional life; the man was created to answer the pleasure of his wise Creator (Revelation 4:11). If he fulfill this gracious purpose of his Maker he shall continue to live, and when his probation is accomplished, and his fidelity proved, he shall have life with no condition. A life like this is as certain never to end as the life of Him who made him. But if he fails in his probation, his right to live is forfeited.

Mankind have been favored with a second probation. Their first was, in a state of innocence, that they might become confirmed in virtue. They failed in their probation, and their innocence was lost. They have a second probation in which to recover their lost innocence, and to become established in virtue. The angels that sinned, did this against greater light than man, and hence can have no further probation. Man sinned being tempted by their chief, and God gives to men a second trial. But they must in it meet and overcome the temptations of the evil angels. The failure in our first probation brought death upon all our race. The life that we now have, has no immortality to it. “What is your life?” says James. “It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). Yet such as ourselves may live forever. This life is long enough for the recovery of our lost innocence, and for our establishment in virtue. Life eternal, which is ours now by promise, shall at the close of our trial be our infinite reward.

The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, December 22, 1868.

 

How to Have Peace

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Years ago, there was an automobile on the market called the Packard. The advertising slogan of the car was: “Ask the man who owns one.” The Packard automobile company felt that their customers were good advertisers. And as far as merchandise is concerned a satisfied customer is the best advertisement.

Jesus is longing to make satisfied customers who in turn will recommend what He has to others. He says, “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich” (Revelation 3:18, first part), and that gold is faith and love, and if you have it, you’re rich, but from where did you get it? You got it from Jesus. This yoke He offers us is an easy yoke. Is it?

Maybe somebody’s thinking, Well, if all I had to do was wear His yoke, I think it would be easy, but you just don’t know how many other irons I’ve got in the fire. That’s the problem. So many other interests, so many other burdens, so many worries. No wonder people get worn out.

In order that we might understand how to do what He’s talking about He came to earth and lived the life He wants us to live. He came to show us how to live so as to secure life’s best results. Jesus did not divorce Himself from the common things of life; on the contrary. He spent most of His life helping to share the burdens of the home and helping to make the family living. From the time He was old enough to handle tools, all through His teens and twenties, He was working with His hands to take care of the problems of a home where poverty was the daily experience. And yet during all that time, in the more difficult experiences that came during His public ministry, His medical missionary work, He was never fussed up, He was never fuming, He was never angry, He didn’t get a nervous breakdown from the pressures.

It was in Gethsemane and on the cross that He carried the load that broke His heart, but that load He never asked us to carry. That is the load of sin. But at Nazareth and Capernaum by the shore of Galilee and in the villages of Judea He showed us how to live the peaceful life, the restful life, not by divorcing ourselves from human problems, but by being able to do more effective work because His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

The rest that He invites us to is not the rest of inactivity. It’s not the experience of getting off on an island somewhere where the birds sing and the fruit drops from the trees and all we do is reach over and pick it and eat it and sing; be so glad that there is no phone and no people knocking at the door wanting to sell us something, nobody bothering us with their problems. This isn’t the life He lived. It isn’t the life He offers us. Incidentally, friend, if you had a chance to try that you’d soon be wanting to get back to the mainland. The rest offered is found in wearing the yoke of Christ.

This article will address four diverting and distracting influences.

“Jesus says, ‘Abide in Me’ (John 15:4). These words convey the idea of rest, stability, confidence. Again He invites, ‘Come unto Me, … and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28). The words of the psalmist express the same thought: ‘Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.’ And Isaiah gives the assurance, ‘In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength’ (Psalm 37:7; Isaiah 30:15 last part). This rest is not found in inactivity …” Inactivity won’t give you the rest “… for in the Saviour’s invitation the promise of rest is united with the call to labor: ‘Take My yoke upon you: … and ye shall find rest’ (Matthew 11:29). The heart that rests most fully upon Christ will be most earnest and active in labor for Him.

“When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life. Hence it is Satan’s constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ.” Steps to Christ, 71.

What Jesus is wanting us to do when He asks us to take His yoke and link up with Him, is get our mind off ourself because the source of unrest is self. Some people exhibit that obsession with self by being great sinners, but there are ways that the saints can be as obsessed with self as the sinners are.

“It is Satan’s constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ. The pleasures of the world, life’s cares and perplexities and sorrows, the faults of others, or your own faults and imperfections—to any or all of these he will seek to divert the mind.” Ibid.

Satan wants to divert our minds. He doesn’t care a bit what diverts us; it’s what we’re being diverted from that he’s concerned about – that’s Jesus. He doesn’t want us to look to Jesus. He doesn’t want us to think about Jesus. He doesn’t want us to get the joy and the peace that comes from wearing His yoke and sharing His burdens. He constantly says, “Oh look here, did you see that? Look there, there’s something you’ve got to take care of.” Satan is very tactful, very careful. If he thinks that the thing that will divert you is racing horses and betting money on them, he will divert you with that. If it is a glass of whiskey that will get your attention, he will have somebody offer you that. But if he finds out that those kinds of things have no attraction to you, he will have some other temptation.

 

Most Successful Distractions:

  • the pleasures of the world
  • life’s cares and perplexities and sorrows
  • the faults of others
  • your own faults and imperfections

 

These are the things Satan is seeking to divert our minds to and with which he is most successful. All of these distractions are designed to divert us from Christ. One thing he does not want us to bear is His yoke. He fears that we will find the rest that Christ has offered and he says, Well, you may get to rest sometime but before you do, remember all these things you’ve got to take care of.

A distortion of the truth is that those who choose to follow Christ will lose the fun they get out of life. He has the world convinced that it is the pleasures of this life that give the most pleasure. They might be fun for a while, but once the consequences become apparent, it soon becomes obvious that those things have no lasting satisfaction.

There was a man who spent more money than you and I ever saw and who had more wisdom than you and I will ever have of ourself in just trying to have a good time and be satisfied with the pleasures of this world. Describing his own experience, Solomon said, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness” (Proverbs 14:12, 13). The king was rich and he could have and do anything he wanted; nothing was out of his reach, but he found that the pleasures of this world do not satisfy.

As I read this text I think of an experience a friend of mine told. One morning a man walked into the doctor’s office. Waiting his turn he came to talk with the physician, and he said, “Dr., I don’t know what is the matter with me but I just don’t feel well; I feel sick, feel bad.” So the doctor asked him questions, looked at his tongue, listened to his heart, had the other tests made that a physician would expect to make, and finally, he sat down again with him in the consultation room and he said, “My friend, as far as I can tell you’re okay. I think what the matter with you is, is that you need something to cheer you up. I’ve got an idea. There is a theatre having a fine show this week. There is a clown there that makes everybody laugh.” The man seeking help was the clown. He was making everybody laugh but he was seeking out the doctor to get some peace, some rest, some happiness. In many a party the person that laughs the loudest may be so weary and burdened and sad and anxious inside. The pleasures of this world do not satisfy.

Do not think that Jesus is trying to take the pleasure out of your life when He says, “Leave that stuff and come and bear the yoke with Me.” There’s more pleasure, more satisfaction, more abundant peace and joy in working with Jesus than there is in playing with the world.

Number two is getting closer to home. There are many of us that long ago said goodbye to the sins of Sodom and the fun of Babylon, but life’s cares and perplexities and sorrows have diverted our mind. You ask, how do you get away from those things? After all, we have to live. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He pointed us to the lilies of the field and He said they grow without worry. “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin” (Matthew 6:28). Now Christ was not mocking us. There is no sense in His saying that to us if we cannot live without worry. Don’t be anxious, He says. Then He says, “Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things” (verse 33) … the food you have to eat, the clothes you have to wear – all these things God will add if you just make His kingdom first, if you’ll just come and bear His yoke.

God is looking for volunteers who will enlist in His army and take what He pays without question, will accept His invitation to come and share His yoke and take the consequences. Of course, if you’re determined to have more than He pays, then you can have the worries and the ulcers and the coronaries, the nervous breakdowns, and maybe even lose your soul. For it is written, “They that will be rich fall …” They don’t rise; they fall. This is the heavy yoke; it isn’t the light yoke. “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:9). [Emphasis supplied.] Do you know a man could drown in honey? But this is not talking about drowning in honey; it’s talking about drowning in money. That’s even worse.

“They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” Now notice carefully what the text says. It doesn’t say, Those that are rich. It says those that will be rich; that is, those that want to, and that work at it, and worry over it and are determined to be rich. That takes in a lot of people that never are rich. Millions of them. This is the devil’s game. It’s something like these electric rabbits that the dogs chase in the races. They never really catch the rabbit. But what would they do if they did?

And the covetous people of this world, they are divided into two classes – a small class that have caught the electric rabbit and they’re finding out how unsatisfying it is and the rest that are chasing it and never get it. “They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare.” My friends, if there is anybody who needs our prayers it is the rich men of this world and those who are spending their time and their gray matter trying to be rich. They need our prayers that God will help us to show them the true riches. But listen. If you are simply a third-grade cheap edition of that same worry, how can you possibly help them? If you are wearing your life away to make a few shekels and it is just giving you ulcers, all sorts of worries, long faces, how in the world are you going to help the man that’s really immersed in it? Don’t you see God is longing for satisfied customers that have found something better? He says if you’ll do it, He’ll add whatever you need.

Notice what Paul says in the 8th verse: “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” Are you content? Someone may say, this thought just destroys ambition in people and makes them lazy. To bear the yoke of Christ, to share His burden is the greatest thing in all this world to awaken holy ambition.

There is a time to sleep, but even your dreams can be part of the program. “A dream cometh through the multitude of business” (Ecclesiastes 5:3), the wise man says. There are people who are so obsessed with the cares and the burdens of this life that they not only work at it all day long but they dream about it at night. Their sleep is troubled with worries and fears. It is a wonderful thing to be so linked up with Jesus that the thing you dream about at night is winning souls. That’s possible, my friends. Read the experience of young Ellen Harmon when she was only 15 years old there in Portland, Maine. She says, “Night after night in my dreams I seemed to be laboring for the salvation of souls.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 34. This was some time before she was called as God’s special messenger. Just a teenager, just a girl, but oh, she was linked up with Jesus in wearing His yoke, bearing His burden. She had something on her mind and heart; it was the salvation of souls. I am so thankful, friends, for the rest that Jesus offers us in fellowship with Him.

The third thing: the faults of others. Here is where the saints are really tempted. Testimonies, vol. 9, 184: “When you do your appointed work without contention or criticism of others, a freedom, a light, and a power will attend it that will give character and influence to the institutions and enterprises with which you are connected.

“Remember that you are never on vantage ground when you are ruffled and when you carry the burden of setting right every soul who comes near you.” What a picture of human nature. That’s no way to find rest.

“… when you carry the burden of setting right every soul who comes near you.” But someone says, But they need setting right. What is it they need to be set right by? They need to become like Jesus. Are you going to act like the devil trying to get them to be like Jesus? Would that be the way to help them? Are you going to be critical, faultfinding, sour and bitter, trying to help them to be sweet? Satan knows how to handle people that borrow his armor and his weapons. It’s when we lay down all those weapons of the enemy and take Jesus’ way, then the devil flees.

“Remember that you are never on vantage ground when you are ruffled and when you carry the burden of setting right every soul who comes near you. If you yield to the temptation to criticize others, to point out their faults, to tear down what they are doing, you may be sure that you will fail to act your own part nobly and well.” Ibid.

Let’s quit it if we’ve ever started and if we’ve never started let’s never begin.

Now this comes closer into the home. One of the sorriest, most pitiful things in life that I know is a house that was meant to be a home that no longer deserves that sacred word, where the members of the family are criticizing one another. The husband knows the faults of the wife, the wife knows the faults of the husband. The parents know the faults of the children, the children know the faults of the parents. Do you know why they know them? well they’re looking for them; they see them, and they are there. Lies are bad enough and sometimes the truth is worse. What’s happening all the time? That time spent in pointing out defects and harping on traits that are unfavorable is all the time lost from wearing the yoke of Jesus. Does it give people rest? Oh no, it gives them unrest. I’m not talking about discipline. I’m talking about a travesty of discipline. I’m not talking about authority in the proper way. I’m talking about a perversion of authority. Criticism awakens criticism in return – in the home, in the church, in the community. He hit me; I’ll hit him. He said something about me; I think I know something about him that is about as bad as what he told about me, maybe worse. And the tones rise and get louder and even the neighbors hear. Christians, people going to heaven, we need love. We can only get it from Jesus. But we will have to lay down the heavy yoke of criticism and faultfinding. “Come unto Me … and I will give you rest.”

Now the fourth one: our own faults. There are some hearts that are burdened more with this one than all the rest put together. There are conscientious souls that would not even think of running after the pleasures of this world and that would not say one critical word about other people, but they are burdened and distressed and worried and concerned about their own relationship to Christ. The devil has got them over a barrel and he is whipping them. He’s saying, “Didn’t you do that thing? Yes. And you think you’re a Christian? You’re not a Christian.”

“Many who are really conscientious, and who desire to live for God, he [Satan] too often leads to dwell upon their own faults and weaknesses, and thus by separating them from Christ he hopes to gain the victory. We should not make self the center and indulge anxiety and fear as to whether we shall be saved. All this turns the soul away from the Source of our strength. Commit the keeping of your soul to God, and trust in Him. Talk and think of Jesus. Let self be lost in Him. Put away all doubt; dismiss your fears.” Steps to Christ, 71, 72. Dismiss your fears. Put away your doubts.

What should we do then with our sins and weaknesses? Give them to Jesus. Now all I’m saying is not for people who are deliberately hanging on to their sins. “If we confess our sins” … that’s not only admitting them, but giving them to Jesus. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). When does He forgive us? When we confess. When does He take our sins? When we give them to Him. If we’ve never done it before do it right now. If we’ve done it in the past and the ghosts come back to haunt us let us this moment cast our helpless souls on Jesus and place our sins upon the Lamb. That’s where peace comes. That’s where rest comes.

This moment I can choose to turn from all the fun of this world, all the sorrow and worry of this world, the faults of others and my own faults and fix my gaze upon Jesus, the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. He has invited me to be a junior partner in the firm of which he’s the senior partner. What a privilege!

Pray to Jesus: Is there any pleasure in this world that’s keeping me from You? If He brings anything to your mind, give it up to Him. Don’t wrestle with it; give it up to Him. Then, Lord, is there any care or worry or perplexity that’s burdening me, wearing my life out that You haven’t given me to carry? Give it to Him; believe He takes it. Then, Lord, have I been bothered and diverted by criticizing and faultfinding? If He brings something to your mind, give it to Him; ask Him to forgive you; ask Him to help you not to do it again. Lastly, Lord, have I been worried and burdened down with a knowledge of my own faults? Has that been keeping me from having peace and rest? Lord, I give those things to You. I know You hear me and I know You will help me.

 

Elder W.D. Frazee studied the Medical Missionary Course at the College of Medical Evangelists in Loma Linda, California. He was called to Utah as a gospel medical evangelist. During the Great Depression, when the church could not afford to hire any assistants, Elder Frazee began inviting professionals to join him as volunteers. This began a faith ministry that would become the foundation for the establishment of the Wildwood Medical Missionary Institute in 1942. He believed that each person is unique, specially designed by the Lord, of infinite value, and has a special place and mission in this world which only he can fill. His life followed this principle and he encouraged others to do the same.

Conformity of the Mind

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Jesus clearly taught that the commandments can be broken by thought and speech, as well as by actions. A common belief is that you can think anything you want, as long as you do not act on it. However, the Christian religion teaches the exact opposite. It will be safe to allow into the kingdom of heaven only those who respect and keep God’s commandments.

In several ancient manuscripts you will find that Jesus said, “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment” (verse 22). There is no such thing as having cause to be angry with your brother. There is cause to be angry that God has been dishonored, but never with your brother. The Christian religion is the strictest religion in the world because it requires control of both thoughts and emotions. Because anger is an emotion, it must be under godly control.

It was while Jesus’ hearers were sitting on the mountainside overlooking the Sea of Galilee and the Land of Bashan that this instruction was given. Bashan was a land of thick forests, mountains and gorges. It was a rugged country where many criminals hung out and there had been reports of robberies and murders. In the audience were those who had denounced these evil-doers.

However, “At the same time they were themselves passionate and contentious; they cherished the most bitter hatred of their Roman oppressors and felt themselves at liberty to hate and despise all other peoples, and even their own countrymen who did not in all things conform to their ideas. In all this they were violating the law which declares, ‘Thou shalt not kill’ (Exodus 20:13).

“The spirit of hatred and revenge originated with Satan, and it led him to put to death the Son of God. Whoever cherishes malice or unkindness is cherishing the same spirit, and its fruit will be unto death. In the revengeful thought the evil deed lies enfolded, as the plant in the seed. ‘Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him’ (1 John 3:15.)” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 56.

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment’ ” (Matthew 5:21). This verse is not talking about insects like mosquitoes or even animals that may be pests, but human beings.

All who are not in control of their thoughts and emotions will find that there will be a time when they cannot control their speech or their actions. Jesus pointed out that sin starts in the mind with that first thought. The Christian warfare is spiritual;. it is a battle that takes place in the mind. The work of the gospel is to solve the sin problem right at its roots.

The sixth commandment is broken when a person is not in control of their feelings and develops animosity, unkindness, anger, and malice in the mind. Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart [mind] the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). Negative feelings harbored toward another will eventually be uttered, probably not to the person, but to somebody else. The Bible calls that “backbiting” and that behavior is classed with haters of God (see Romans 1:30). Haters of God break the first commandment.

Psalm 15 lists eleven characteristics necessary to abide in the kingdom of heaven. Out of the eleven, four have to do with speech. To be saved, a person:

  • speaks the truth in his heart (verse 2)
  • does not backbite with his tongue (verse 3)
  • does not take up a reproach against his neighbor (verse 3)
  • swears to his own hurt and does not change (verse 4)

 

God is all knowing. Records are being kept and nothing is missed or forgotten. On each one’s page is listed every thought that they have ever thought since they were born, every feeling, emotion, and imagination of each mind. Every word ever spoken with the tone uttered can be reproduced and brought to your memory at any time, in addition to all of your actions. That is why Jesus said, “By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).

“The chief requisite of language is that it be pure and kind and true.” Education, 235.

“God’s word condemns also the use of those meaningless phrases and expletives that border on profanity. It condemns the deceptive compliments, the evasions of truth, the exaggerations, the misrepresentations in trade, that are current in society in the business world.” Ibid., 236.

Everyone wants a deal! The buyer often devalues the object of purchase to lower the price, then brags about what a good deal he got while the seller over values the object to the buyer and then brags of what they got for a useless object. But God sees all and reads each heart of its motives.

Norman Rockwell, an American author, painter and illustrator of American culture, painted a scene of trading. The painting portrays a man as selling to a woman a chicken which is being weighed on a hanging spring scale. Looking at the painting you can see what they cannot see. The lady has her hand under the spring, pushing it up. The man on the other side has his finger on the spring, pushing it down. Both are trying to cheat the other. Each is breaking the eighth commandment.

These same misrepresentations in trade are current in society and in the business world. Jesus said, “Let your speech be, ‘Yea, yea; Nay, nay:’ and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one” (Matthew 5:37 ASV). This command extends well beyond what we say. Nothing goes unnoticed.

“To love God with all the heart is the first great law of the universe. When the love of God fills the heart, love to our fellow men will flow forth in words and deeds as the fruit of that love.” The Review and Herald, May 3, 1898.

“… these passionate words are a savor of death unto death. He who utters them is not co-operating with God, but with Satan. In heaven his wicked railing is placed in the same list as swearing.” Ibid., April 1, 1902.

When passionate words are spoken, reason is disengaged and the one speaking them is no longer in control of their intellect or reason but controlled by emotions.

Often young people decide that rules are too strict and become rebellious against them. Ellen White wrote to a student at Battle Creek who had this problem. Writing to him she said, “Study critically the character of the government of our school. The rules which were enforced were none too strict. But anger was cherished; for the time being, reason was dethroned and the heart was made a prey to ungovernable passion.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 431. Passion is an emotion and emotions are feelings and are not rational or reasonable.

Before the digital age, black and white movies were made using hired organists to play music that would help set the mood for what the people were doing on the screen. It is astonishing what can be done. The organist can change your feelings in seconds, just by changing the tenor of what is played. Emotions are not rational. They can be affected by music, drugs, and numerous other things. It would be very dangerous to take to heaven those who are controlled by their emotions.

Ellen White went on to write this young man: “Impulse had overcome reason, and you could not recall the injury done to yourself nor to an institution of God. Our only safety under all circumstances is in being always master of ourselves in the strength of Jesus our Redeemer.” Ibid.

There are people who may cross our path that are very difficult and even evil who provoke you to think if not act with strong emotion. Are you planning on having perfect control of your thoughts and emotions after that person overcomes whatever weaknesses of character they have that provoke you? What if you die before that happens?

Some people say they are going to develop perfect control of their emotions and feelings after this other person gets over their weakness and their trouble. What if that person never overcomes their weakness? What if they are lost? Do you want to be lost, too?

“ ‘Whoever shall say to his brother, Raca’ [vain fellow], shall be in danger of the council” (Matthew 5:22). We are told: “In the gift of His Son for our redemption, God has shown how high a value He places upon every human soul, and He gives to no man liberty to speak contemptuously of another. We shall see faults and weaknesses in those about us, but God claims every soul as His property—His by creation, and doubly His as purchased.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 56.

Do you realize how valuable you are in God’s sight? Your neighbor is just as valuable as you are, even if he has character weaknesses right now that he has not overcome. “God claims every soul as His property—His by creation, and doubly His as purchased by the precious blood of Christ. All were created in His image, and even the most degraded are to be treated with respect and tenderness. God will hold us accountable for even a word spoken in contempt of one soul for whom Christ laid down His life.” Ibid., 56, 57.

Live in the knowledge that one day you will give account of your words. It does not matter how bad or degraded a person may be. No one has a right to speak contemptibly of that person. All are to be treated with courtesy, tenderness, and respect. That is what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount.

Ellen White wrote to her children: “Do not think that your state is good enough, and make no effort to get nearer to God. Unless you overcome pride of dress, pride of heart, love of self, all anger and every evil passion, God will not own you as His, and will not receive you to Himself at His appearing. You can be overcomers. Go to God daily for strength, and every day overcome.” The Youth’s Instructor, December 1, 1852.

We have been commanded to have no other gods before Him. God will not acknowledge as His those who do not overcome all anger and evil passion. This is very unpopular theology today. We are living in a time when Paul said people would have a form of godliness but deny the power (2 Timothy 3:5). People today want an easy religion. They do not want a religion where you have to fight to be in control of your thoughts and emotions.

Ellen White wrote these encouraging words: “By some a constant battle is maintained for self-control. Daily they strive silently and prayerfully against harshness of speech and temper. These strivings may never be appreciated by human beings. They may get no praise from human lips for keeping back the hasty words which sought for utterance. The world will never see these conquests, and if it could, it would only despise the conquerors. But in heaven’s record they are registered as overcomers. There is One who witnesses every secret combat and every silent victory.” The Signs of the Times, August 23, 1899.

Challenge God to show you how real He is. Tell Him you want to be real; you want control of your thoughts and emotions. Then you will find that a miracle will start happening in your life. Nobody will be able to tell you that He does not exist, because you will have experienced His power revealed in your life. Until then, you will not have victory.

We need divine help. Memorizing scripture is a good way to overcome the temptation of allowing emotions to rise. Quoting scripture will shift the gears in your mind. The more scripture memorized, the more ammunition you will have when the devil comes to you with temptations. God’s grace is enough for every situation and it is His will that we will be fit for heaven when Jesus returns.

“The teacher can do much to discourage that evil habit, the curse of the community, the neighborhood, and the home—the habit of backbiting, gossip, ungenerous criticism. In this no pains should be spared. Impress upon the students the fact that this habit reveals a lack of culture and refinement and of true goodness of heart; it unfits one both for the society of the truly cultured and refined in this world and for association with the holy ones of heaven.” Education, 235.

“On the Saviour’s coronation day He will not acknowledge as His any who bear spot or wrinkle.” The Review and Herald, May 5, 1903.

“He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend” (Proverbs 22:11).

Today, there is an awful lot of pretending going on. Too many people are pretending to be Christians, but they are not in control of their thoughts, their feelings, or their words. They could be called “pretend Christians.”

If I fit into this category I need to be converted; otherwise my religion is for nothing. “Christ will have nothing to do with pretense. He will welcome to the heavenly courts only those whose Christianity is genuine. The lives of those professing Christians who do not live the life of Christ are a mockery to religion.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, 206, 207.

What must I do to be saved? Christ answered that question on the Sermon on the Mount. Only commandment-keepers will be in heaven. But that involves being in control of thoughts and feelings, and as a result of that self control, the saved will also be in control of their speech and actions.

There are some who while they pretend to be commandment-keepers, are breaking them all because they do not love God with all their heart, soul, and mind, and they do not love their neighbor as themselves.

“Christ has promised to make them harmonious on every point, not pleasant and agreeable and kind today, and tomorrow harsh and disagreeable and unkind, falsifying their profession of faith. But they refuse to place themselves where He can help them. They are breaking the commandments of God; for they have left their first love.” The Review and Herald, January 14, 1904.

What is the remedy? If somebody has done something evil against me, instead of going and talking to the other people in the church about it, go right to them about it. That is what Jesus said in Matthew 18. Peter asked Jesus if someone does sin against me, does something really bad against me, how many times should I forgive him? Up to seven times (verse 21).

The rule among the Sadducees and Pharisees was that they should forgive somebody three times. So Peter thought if he said he would forgive his brother seven times that would be very generous. However Jesus said, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (verse 22).

Matthew 18 is not talking about when somebody does something that I do not like. It is talking about when my brother sins against me. Sin is when they break the law—sin against me: tell me a lie, steal from me, or commit some other violation of God’s law with regard to me. Jesus said, “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more” (verses 15, 16).

When you go to talk to your brother who has sinned against you, Ellen White says, “Talk quietly together. Let no angry words escape your lips. Present the subject in a way that will appeal to his best judgment. And if he will hear you, you have gained him as a friend.

“Whatever the character of the offense may be, this does not change the plan God has made for the settlement of misunderstandings and personal injuries. Act out the spirit of Christ. Take the recipe God has provided, and carry it to the spiritually diseased [one]. Give him the remedy that will cure the disease of disaffection. Do your part to help him. Feel that it is a duty and privilege to do this, for the sake of the unity and peace of the church, which is very dear to the heart of Christ. He does not want any wound to remain unhealed in any member of His church. All heaven is interested in the interview between the injured member and the one who has been guilty of error. After settling the difficulty, pray together, and angels of God will come to you and bless you. There is music in heaven over this union.

“As the erring one accepts the testimony borne, and gives evidence of true repentance, the sunshine of heaven fills his heart. Hearts are drawn together. The healing oil of love removes the disease and soreness of the wrong. The Holy Spirit binds heart to heart.

“Those who have been united in Christian fellowship offer prayer to God, and pledge themselves to deal justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). If they have wronged others, they continue the work of repentance, confession, and restitution; and the disease is healed. They are fully set to do good to one another. This is the fulfilling of the law of Christ.

“Repentance, confession, and restitution are all required. But these cannot atone for the sin, for God has been wronged in the person of His saints. The Lord Jesus alone is able to atone for sin, by the application of His blood, shed for the guilt of the sinner. His blood cleanses from all sin.” The Upward Look, 106.

 

(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 in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Editorial – Purity

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Enoch sought for purity of heart for 300 years (see Patriarchs and Prophets, 87). At the end of that period the Lord translated him and took him to heaven. He still lives there today, approximately 5000 years later. It is only the pure in heart who will see God (Matthew 5:8) and be taken to heaven at the end of the world. The trouble is that you and I do not have 300 years to seek for purity of heart. What are we to do in our short lifetime?

The Apostle Paul wrote to Titus that Jesus gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all lawlessness, and purify unto Himself His own special people, zealous of good works (Titus 2:14).

“Our only hope is perfect trust in the blood of Him who can save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him. The death of Christ on the cross of Calvary is our only hope in this world, and it will be our theme in the world to come. Oh, we do not comprehend the value of the atonement! If we did, we would talk more about it. The gift of God in His beloved Son was the expression of an incomprehensible love. It was the utmost that God could do to preserve the honor of His law, and still save the transgressor.” Our High Calling, 45.

“Before the cross the sinner sees his unlikeness of character to Christ. He sees the terrible consequences of transgression; he hates the sin that he has practiced, and he lays hold upon Jesus by living faith. He has judged his position of uncleanness in the light of the presence of God and the heavenly Intelligence. He has measured it by the standard of the cross. He has weighed it in the balances of the sanctuary. The purity of Christ has revealed to him his own impurity in its odious colors. He turns from the defiling sin; he looks to Jesus and lives.

“He finds an all-absorbing, commanding, attractive character in Jesus Christ, the One who died to deliver him from the deformity of sin, and with quivering lip and tearful eye he declares, ‘He shall not have died for me in vain. Thy gentleness hath made me great’ (Psalm 18:35).” Manuscript Releases, vol. 4, 120, 121.