character development

Reproduction

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Reproduction has been part of God’s plan from the beginning (Genesis 1:28; 9:1).

Jesus said to His disciples, “ ‘By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit. … I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.’ ” John 15:8, 16

Jesus speaks here of the spiritual reproduction of the divine character in other human beings. When I am connected with Christ, then His life will flow through me to those around me, and His character will then be reproduced in others. It is the privilege of every Christian to be a coworker with Jesus in this work. (See John 15.)

“Tell the people of Him who is ‘the Chiefest among ten thousand,’ and the One ‘altogether lovely.’ The Song of Solomon 5:10, 16. Words alone cannot tell it. Let it be reflected in the character and manifested in the life. Christ is sitting for His portrait in every disciple. Everyone God has predestinated to be ‘conformed to the image of His Son.’ Romans 8:29. In everyone, Christ’s long-suffering love, His holiness, meekness, mercy, and truth are to be manifested to the world. …

“The Saviour longs to manifest His grace and stamp His character on the whole world. It is His purchased possession, and He desires to make men free, and pure, and holy. Though Satan works to hinder this purpose, yet through the blood shed for the world there are triumphs to be achieved that will bring glory to God and the Lamb. Christ will not be satisfied till the victory is complete, and ‘He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied.’ Isaiah 53:11. All the nations of the earth shall hear the gospel of His grace. Not all will receive His grace; but ‘a seed shall serve Him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.’ Psalm 22:30.” The Desire of Ages, 826–828

“Christ is seeking to reproduce Himself in the hearts of men; and He does this through those who believe in Him. The object of the Christian life is fruit bearing—the reproduction of Christ’s character in the believer, that it may be reproduced in others.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 67

Lessons from the Life of David – Developing Character

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January 27 – February 2

Key Text

“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Proverbs 16:32).

Study Help: Conflict and Courage, 168–170; The Ministry of Healing, 485–487.

Introduction

“No form of vice has a more baleful effect upon the character than has human passion not under the control of the Holy Spirit. No other victory we can gain will be so precious as the victory gained over self.’’ The Ministry of Healing, 485.

Sunday

RESPECTING THE LORD’S ANOINTED

  • What kind of reception did David meet at Keilah, Ziph, and Maon? 1Samuel 23:1, 2, 5, 9–15, 19, 20, 24, 25.
  •  What happened between David and Saul in the cave of Engedi? 1 Samuel 23:29; 24:1–6.

 Note: “David had only six hundred men in his company, while Saul advanced against him with an army of three thousand. In a secluded cave the son of Jesse and his men waited for the guidance of God as to what should be done. As Saul was pressing his way up the mountains, he turned aside, and entered, alone, the very cavern in which David and his band were hidden. When David’s men saw this they urged their leader to kill Saul. The fact that the king was now in their power was interpreted by them as certain evidence that God Himself had delivered the enemy into their hand, that they might destroy him. David was tempted to take this view of the matter; but the voice of conscience spoke to him, saying, ‘Touch not the anointed of the Lord.’

“David’s men were still unwilling to leave Saul in peace, and they reminded their commander of the words of God, ‘Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily’ (1 Samuel 24:4). But his conscience smote him afterward, because he had even marred the garment of the king.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 661.

Monday

RETURNING GOOD FOR EVIL

  • What can we learn from David’s act of merciful restraint toward Saul? Proverbs 16:32; Romans 12:19–21.

Note: “The conduct of David toward Saul has a lesson. By command of God, Saul had been anointed as king over Israel. Because of his disobedience the Lord declared that the kingdom should be taken from him; and yet how tender and courteous and forbearing was the conduct of David toward him!” The Ministry of Healing, 484.

“The course of David made it manifest that he had a Ruler whom he obeyed. He could not permit his natural passions to gain the victory over him; for he knew that he that ruleth his own spirit, is greater than he who taketh a city. If he had been led and controlled by human feelings, he would have reasoned that the Lord had brought his enemy under his power in order that he might slay him, and take the government of Israel upon himself. Saul’s mind was in such a condition that his authority was not respected, and the people were becoming irreligious and demoralized. Yet the fact that Saul had been divinely chosen king of Israel kept him in safety, for David conscientiously served God, and he would not in any wise harm the anointed of the Lord.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 2, 1021.

  • How did David appeal to the heart of Saul? 1 Samuel 24:7–15.

Tuesday

LESSONS FOR OUR DAY

  • What should we learn from the caution with which David accepted Saul’s apparently warm response to his mercy? 1 Samuel 24:16–22; Matthew 10:16.

Note: “When Saul heard the words of David he was humbled, and could not but admit their truthfulness. His feelings were deeply moved as he realized how completely he had been in the power of the man whose life he sought. …

“Knowing what he did of Saul’s past course, David could put no confidence in the assurances of the king, nor hope that his penitent condition would long continue. So when Saul returned to his home David remained in the strongholds of the mountains.

“The enmity that is cherished toward the servants of God by those who have yielded to the power of Satan changes at times to a feeling of reconciliation and favor, but the change does not always prove to be lasting.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 662.

  • What occurred at a time when Israel seemed to be most in need of guidance and security? 1 Samuel 25:1, first part.

 Note: “It was when the nation was racked with internal strife, when the calm, God-fearing counsel of Samuel seemed to be most needed, that God gave His aged servant rest. Bitter were the reflections of the people as they looked upon his quiet resting place, and remembered their folly in rejecting him as their ruler; for he had had so close a connection with Heaven that he seemed to bind all Israel to the throne of Jehovah. It was Samuel who had taught them to love and obey God; but now that he was dead, the people felt that they were left to the mercies of a king who was joined to Satan, and who would divorce the people from God and heaven.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 664.

Wednesday

IN THE WILDERNESS OF PARAN

  • Where did David flee following the death of Samuel, and what was on his heart there? 1 Samuel 25:1, last part; Psalms 120:1, 2; 121:1, 2, 7, 8.

 Note: “David took the opportunity to seek a place of greater security; so he fled to the wilderness of Paran. It was here that he composed the one hundred and twentieth and twenty-first psalms.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 664.

  • How was David’s normally kind, gentlemanly spirit put to the test in Paran? 1 Samuel 25:5–12.

Note: “David and his men had been like a wall of protection to the shepherds and flocks of Nabal; and now this rich man was asked to furnish from his abundance some relief to the necessities of those who had done him such valuable service. David and his men might have helped themselves from the flocks and herds, but they did not. They behaved themselves in an honest way. Their kindness, however, was lost upon Nabal.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 665.

Thursday

A SOFTENING INFLUENCE

  • What was David’s reaction to Nabal’s ingratitude? How did Abigail respond? 1 Samuel 25:13–18; 23–28.

Note: “He [David] commanded his men to equip themselves for an encounter; for he had determined to punish the man who had denied him what was his right, and had added insult to injury. This impulsive movement was more in harmony with the character of Saul than with that of David, but the son of Jesse had yet to learn of patience in the school of affliction.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 665.

“The piety of Abigail, like the fragrance of a flower, breathed out all unconsciously in face and word and action. The Spirit of the Son of God was abiding in her soul. Her speech, seasoned with grace, and full of kindness and peace, shed a heavenly influence. Better impulses came to David, and he trembled as he thought what might have been the consequences of his rash purpose. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God’ (Matthew 5:9). Would that there were many more like this woman of Israel, who would soothe the irritated feelings, prevent rash impulses, and quell great evils by words of calm and well-directed wisdom.

“A consecrated Christian life is ever shedding light and comfort and peace. It is characterized by purity, tact, simplicity, and usefulness. It is controlled by that unselfish love that sanctifies the influence. It is full of Christ, and leaves a track of light wherever its possessor may go.” lbid., 667.

  • What was the effect of Abigail’s response? 1 Samuel 25:32–35, 38–42; Psalm 141:5.

Note: “Abigail was a wise reprover and counselor. David’s passion died away under the power of her influence and reasoning. He was convinced that he had taken an unwise course and had lost control of his own spirit. …

“There are many who, when they are reproved, think it praiseworthy if they receive the rebuke without becoming impatient; but how few take reproof with gratitude of heart and bless those who seek to save them from pursuing an evil course.’’ Patriarchs and Prophets, 667.

“David had taken an oath that Nabal and his household should perish; but now he saw that it was not only wrong to make such a vow, but it would be wrong to keep it.” The Signs of the Times, October 26, 1888.

“David afterward married Abigail. He was already the husband of one wife, but the custom of the nations of his time had perverted his judgment and influenced his actions. Even great and good men have erred in following the practices of the world. The bitter result of marrying many wives was sorely felt throughout all the life of David.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 668.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1     How were David’s men tempters to him in the cave of Engedi?

2    Knowing that apostate Adventists are soon to become the bitterest enemies of God’s people (Testimonies, vol. 5, 463), what should we learn from the noble attitude of David toward Saul?

3    What crisis in Adventism occurred at Sister White’s death?

4    Contrast the attitude of Nabal with that of his wife.

5    Like David, how are we tested in areas in which we may think we are already strong?

Peter’s Counsel to Parents, Part IV

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These words [11 Peter 1:1–13] should mean a great deal to us; and we should study this chapter diligently, that we may learn to practice the virtues it presents before us. If we do these things, the apostle says, we “shall never fall.” It is of great consequence to us in our spiritual experience that we have the assurance that we are treading securely and walking understandingly in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I wish this afternoon to address particularly the parents and children. These should understand that they have solemn obligations resting upon them—the most solemn that ever rested upon mortals. Let parents take up their work and labor intelligently for the salvation of their families.

Children be Prepared for Eternity

Fathers and mothers, we are verging upon the eternal world, and that which we should now most earnestly seek to understand is what we should do to inherit eternal life. If you will follow on to know the Lord, you will know that His going forth is prepared as the morning. We must prepare for the great crisis that is just before us. Will you not sense your responsibilities in regard to the education and training of your children in spiritual matters?

Here are the children. Your daughters are inclined, if they see a dress different from that which they have, to desire a dress similar to that. Or perhaps they want something else that they see others have, which you do not feel would be in accordance with your faith to grant them. Will you allow them to tease this thing out of you, letting them mold you instead of molding them according to the principles of the gospel? Our children are very precious in the sight of God. Let us teach them the word of God and train them in His ways. It is your privilege to teach your children to live so that they will have the commendation of heaven.

Are we preparing for heaven? We say we are; and we ought to be making ready for the future immortal life. We should be so conducting ourselves that we shall make right impressions upon those who are brought in contact with us. Let us not encourage our children to follow the fashions of the world; and if we will be faithful in giving them a right training, they will not do this. But if you let your children rule you, they will surely get away from the pure principles of the word of God and will walk in the ways of the world. Let them see how much the Lord sacrificed in their behalf when He came to this world. There was everything to oppose His advance, yet He gave us a perfect example in every detail of life—just the example that we follow and teach our children to follow.

Proper Dress for Children

Dress your children in simple and neat clothes, but do not let them have anything that they may suppose they want. They may ask for a dress that is cut low in the neck because it is the fashion to wear them so. Who has supposed such a fashion? It is not a right fashion, and we should not allow ourselves to consider it right. We should dress our children in such a way that they will learn to fashion their lives in simple orderly lines. We are to be preparing for the grand review that is soon to take place, and our children must have a part in this work of preparation. We want the light, the pure light of heaven, to shine into our hearts.

Heaven’s Interest in Children

All heaven is interested in our children, and parents grieve the Spirit of God when they fail to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Parents, be kind to your children, but be firm. Let them see that you mean all that you tell them. The fashions of the world often take a ridiculous form, and you must take a firm position against them. Our manner of dress, as well as our deportment, is to be a ministry, an education.

Parents, you are responsible for the work of bringing up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. These children need instruction line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. You may feel annoyed sometimes because your children go contrary to what you have told them. But have you ever thought that many times you go contrary to what the Lord has commanded you to do that you might prepare yourselves for His work and know His will as revealed in His word? If you will follow on to know the Lord you can make a splendid representation of Christ before the world.

Gentleness in Discipline

Never manifest passion when your children do wrong. When the mother gives her child a jerk or a blow, do you think it enables him to see the beauty of the Christian character? No indeed; it only tends to raise evil feelings in the heart, and the child is not corrected at all. We need to consider, as we endeavor to do our duty intelligently, that our children are to be brought into right relation to God, that they may have an entrance through the gates into the City of God and have right to all the advantages that heaven can give.

Forming Children’s Characters

We have but little time now. Let us prepare earnestly for the solemn scenes of the future. The Lord would have us work under the direction of His word. It does not show any true love to let your children do as they please, and to think that in doing so they are doing just right. Husband and wife should be united in the work of seeking to form in their children correct habits of speech and conduct. If they will draw constantly in Christ’s lines, the will of Christ will be rule in their lives, and they will see of the salvation of God in their homes. Let them invite the Spirit of God to act His part in training the children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. With this power to help in every time of need, they will obtain the victory.

Has not God given you every evidence of His love? Did He not allow Jesus to come to this world as our pattern? Men could not endure the perfection of Christ’s character, and they took and crucified Him. There is a crucifixion that must go on in our lives, a constant dying to self and sin. We must walk circumspectly, that our lives may preach the gospel of Christ to those with whom we associate. If we will speak and walk circumspectly, the light of Christ will be revealed in our lives.

I desired at the beginning of my talk to speak these words to you. I leave them with you to think about. Let us be faithful to the duties of the home life. Let your children understand that obedience must reign there. Teach them to distinguish between that which is sensible and that which is foolish in the matter of dress, and furnish them with clothes that are neat and simple. As a people who are preparing for the soon return of Christ we should give to the world an example of modest dress in contrast with the prevailing fashion of the day. Talk these things over, and plan wisely what you will do, then carry out your plans in your families. Determine to be guided by higher principles than the notions and desires of your children.

Seek Confession of Heart

Parents need to come up on a higher platform. They have a sacred work to do in bringing their children into harmony with Christ. Parents, do not neglect this work. You need to move constantly in the counsel and fear of the Lord God of Israel. Talk with your children in regard to the lessons of the word; pray with them. Seek for confession of heart from them. Show them which is the wrong and which is the right way, and their need of yielding their wills to the will of God if they would be overcomers. I see many parents taking a course with their children that will shut them out of the kingdom of God. O that these might now repent, and seek to redeem the time, that God might help them to act their part.

I did not expect to speak more than a few words to you this afternoon. I want you to have the light and blessing that the Lord desires to give you. Reach out for these blessings, seek for a fitness for eternal life, that others may see that you are coming into harmony with heaven. When the soul takes its position on the side of right, all heaven is filled with rejoicing and praise and thanksgiving. Shall we not take hold with Christ to do our best? Pray with your children. Impress their minds with the thought that Christ was given to our world that we might love His beauty of character and seek to follow Him in every particular. If you will follow on to know the Lord, the blessing of God will rest upon you. We need to glorify God more than we do, to praise Him with uplifted soul. If we would study more faithfully the virtues of His character, we would desire to be more like Him. If in the minor points we would carry out the directions of the Lord, He will give us strength to follow Him in the large matters. We need to see the necessity of bringing the principles of the truth into every purpose and action of the life.

There is a large work to be carried on in this locality. Consider how God has wrought to bring these buildings into our possession. We have made every possible effort to establish the work in this place; and there are but few who know of the real difficulties we have had to meet. Now we are in possession and, for this I thank the Lord with heart and soul and voice.

Contrary to the World

There are many here who will need to take their position directly contrary to the world’s customs and fashions. They may not want to do this, but this must make no difference. We are to have a large experience here in a little while, and everything should be brought into line with right principles. Here are men and women of capability. We want you to realize your capabilities, and act your part in carrying out the purposes of God for this place. Here are men who are preparing to enter on high positions of truth; but they are not ready for these positions. They need to be reconverted, and to let the blessing of God come into the life to transform the character. If those who come here to obtain an education will seek to help in every possible way, God will multiply blessings to them, and giving them His knowledge and His grace will make them overcomers through the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.

(Manuscript 45, 1911. Sermon at Loma Linda, California, November 6, 1911.)

To be continued . . .

“Simplicity . . . no single word could describe Ellen G. White as accurately as this one. Born into a family where the deeper values of life took priority over social standing, surrounded by the grueling poverty of the early 1800s and severely handicapped, she found herself elevated from mediocrity to a position of guiding leadership in a great church, her actions aided and directed by a seemingly endless number of inspired revelations.” Rene Noorbergen, Ellen G. White Prophet of Destiny, TEACH Services, Inc., Brushton, New York, 2001, vii.

This is a Hard Saying

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Today many people, even among Seventh-day Adventists, attend church to be entertained. This is why we have celebration churches and sermons that are watered-down messages. This should not surprise us, however, for we have been warned that it would take place. “”Teach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. 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; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” II Timothy 4:2–4.

In Jesus’ ministry, there came a time when a crisis point was reached. You can read about this experience in the chapter in The Desire of Ages entitled, “The Crisis in Galilee.” It was at this time that Jesus clearly spelled out the spiritual nature of His kingdom. To many, His words were difficult to accept. We find their response recorded in John 6:60. “Many therefore of His disciples, when they had heard this, said, ‘This is an hard saying; who can hear it?’”

Have you at some time heard a message, which was just, more than you could handle? At that point, the road appeared too rugged. The reality is that it only appears impossible to the carnally minded. The person who is converted finds that he has no problem with it.

To Each One the Test Comes

In the life of every person, there comes a time when he must make a decision and take a stand. Though this decision will require an effort, when we remember that we are talking about decisions that will affect our eternal happiness, we realize that we are talking about a priceless treasure, something that we cannot adequately measure.

Every decision that we make in this life has its affect upon our characters. This, in turn, determines our eternal destiny. It matters not what area of our life we are speaking of; for the Bible tells us, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” I Corinthians 10:31.

Solomon, a very rich man, recognized the futility of worldly gain, apart from eternal considerations. He said, “I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruits: I made me pools of water to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees: I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them. I withheld not my heat from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity.” Ecclesiastes 2:4–11. In addition, the Bible also tells us that he had about one thousand wives.

I compared this passage with that found in the NIV and found that the NIV more nearly expresses it as translated in Martin Luther’s German translation. It says, “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained.” Is it not amazing that a man could have everything his heart desired and at the end say, “It was so useless”?

Jesus said, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the wold world, and lose his own soul?” Matthew 16:26. There is a reason why He said that. The time is coming when we will have to pass on; and when that time comes, we will not be able to take with us any o the things we have accumulated in this life. How short-sighted to do as many are doing today, selling their birthright for a mess of pottage. For some, it is for a job. Others trade eternal life for an unbelieving spouse, or a friendship; and for some it is their appetite. Whatever the object to be obtained, people are selling their eternal life for that which will prove to be of no worth in view of eternity.

Jesus said, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33. Is that a hard saying? It is for some people, because they find that there are certain things that they still want to hang to. But for the truly converted person, it will not be a problem.

Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:23, 24. Is it impossible? No, it is not impossible; but it is difficult. However, “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Luke 16:13. Though a person may try to have both heaven and the world, eventually a decision must be made. Jesus will accept nothing less than 100 percent. Ellen White makes a statement that almost saved does not mean almost saved but wholly lost. (See Christ’s Object Lessons, 118.) A serious though, is it not?

The message that Jesus gave to the people of His day was too difficult for many of those who had been following Him to accept. “From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.” John 6:66. There were twelve of His closest friends, however, who stayed with Him no matter what happened. Turning to them, Jesus asked, “Will ye also go away?” Verse 67. Did the twelve disciples have a choice to leave Him? Yes. They could have left, but they chose not to.

We may be faced with a similar choice someday. In fact, even now as we look around us, we see the numbers lessening. We should not be disappointed, however, because the number will always be small; but we are in the majority as long as we are on the side of the Lord. We may not be able to realize it right now, but we will at the end.

In response to Jesus’ question, Peter answered, “To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” John 6:18. That was a good answer. If we leave Jesus, what do we have left? It is the same question that we can ask ourselves today. On one side there is apostasy, worldliness, and heresies. We have no choice but to go where the truth is being preached, because that is where Jesus is. It is so simple. That is what Peter said. “Lord, to whom shall we go?” There is no eternal life when you have error. There is only eternal life where there is truth.

Only Eternal Life Where There is Truth

Now if we have that attitude and conviction, we do not have to fear, even if everybody leaves us. Men may disappoint us, but Jesus will not. As long as we stick to the Word, we are securely united to Him; and when we are one with Christ, of course, we will be one with each other. It is this unity that we need to experience, especially as Historic Adventists.

“The oneness and unity of God’s truth-believing remnant people carries powerful conviction to the world that they have the truth, and are the peculiar, chosen people of God. This oneness and unity disconcerts the enemy, and he is determined that it shall not exist. The present truth, believed in the heart and exemplified in the life, makes God’s people one, and gives them a powerful influence.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 327. But while we are to seek unity, it is never to be formed on the platform of error. We cannot unify with any who are preaching error. This does not work because just as Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters,” neither “can two walk together except they be agreed.” Amos 3:3.

“There is no compromise in the Word of God for those who conform to the world. The Son of God was manifested that He might draw all men unto Him. But He came not to lull the world to sleep—not to send peace, but a sword. The followers of Christ must walk in the light of His glorious example; and, at whatever sacrifice of ease or selfish indulgence, at whatever cost of labor or sufferings, we must maintain the constant battle with self, exalt the gospel standard, and push forward the triumphs of the cross.” Signs of the Times, September 12, 1878.

In Matthew 10:35, 36, Jesus gave us another hard saying. “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” When we truly accept Christ and follow His words, there will always be division and separation. This is because there is a collision of spirits that just cannot get alone. That is why it says in II Corinthians 6:14–18, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion that light with darkness?” When we determine to fully follow Jesus, we may expect misunderstanding, hatred, disunity, division, and sometimes even war. “The faithful presentation of the message of truth will always cause division. And upon the messenger of truth the blame of the trouble will be cast.” Review and Herald, October 22, 1901.

In II Thessalonians 3:6, 14, Paul tells us, “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. . . . And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.” When you continue to go to a place where you know that error is steadily being preached and do nothing about it, what are you actually doing? You are encouraging the error.

The apostle John tells us, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for him that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” II John 9–11.

We need to avoid those people whose influence would lead us astray and corrupt our morals. “When those who are uniting with the world, yet claiming great purity, plead for union with those who have ever been the opposers of the cause of truth, we should fear and shun them as decidedly as did Nehemiah.” Prophets and Kings, 660. Even in worship, you cannot unite with those whom God tells you not to unite with. There are only two camps—truth and error. We admonished, “Sever the links which have bound you to those who love not God and the truth.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 48.

Peter was always outspoken. At one time he said to Jesus, “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed Three; what shall we have therefore?” Matthew 19:27. Jesus did not rebuke him, but answered, “Verily, I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” Matthew 19:28, 29.

The bottom line is that in leaving all, we are not leaving or separating from anything that is good for us. And, if we are converted, we will want to do it anyway, because there are better things in store for us.

All May Have the Power to Overcome

I would like to share one more statement with you. “While Jesus was talking to the people, His mother and brethren, stood without, desiring to speak with Him; and one told Jesus. And He said unto him that told Him, ‘Who is My mother? and who are My brethren?’ And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and said, ‘Behold My mother and My brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.’” Review and Herald, August 7, 1888. She then goes on to say, “If we are doing the will of God, we are counted as the brethren and sisters of our Master. We are to remember this in our daily life. We are to press toward the mark for the prize of our high calling, exerting every God-given power, that we may be overcomers. We must be constantly drawing nigh to God. We must talk of Jesus, expressing His love in a devoted life of entire consecration to His service.

Right now there are many messages that, to the unregenerate heart, seem hard to listen to. It is far better, however, to hear a hard message right now while there is opportunity to turn around. This is not the time to celebrate, but rather the time to hear the hard messages. If we are unwilling to hear hard messages today, the day is coming when we will hear an even harder message from Jesus. “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:23. How much better to be able then to hear His commendation, “Well done, thou 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 25:21. This is the message that I want to hear from Jesus. But the only way that I can hear this message is if I am willing to hear the straight, hard message today, because that is the message of love.

May God help us to have open hearts and minds that are not easily offended, because it says of those who love Jesus and obey His law, that nothing will offend them. May God help us that this is true in our lives.

Our Character, Weighed in the Balance, part 2

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When we consider our age, we taken into account the period of time that began when we were born and that reaches up to the present moment. When God looks at our life, He looks at it from a completely different perspective. When God looks at a person’s life, He is looking between now and the last day that he will spend in this world, and He knows what experiences must take place in his life between now and the last day to prepare him to be ready to enter His kingdom.

The last day of our life is spoken of throughout the Scriptures as a day of judgment. In our last study, we looked at the last night of Belshazzar and the heavenly message that was written on the wall of his banquet hall, “You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” Samuel 5:27. A serious thought, one that we need to carefully consider, is that every one of us is going to be weighed in those same balances.

The gospel involves not just forgiveness of sin, though that is certainly a part of it; it also involves restoration. Our character , thoughts, feelings, and even our motives are to be changed by the power of the gospel, fully restoring in us the moral image of God. There are people who would like to say that by simply being justified you have a title to heaven and are qualified to enter in. Let me put it in a very simple way so that it will be easy to understand.

Suppose that you are a blind man. You want to go places, and you have the money to afford a brand new car. Because you have the money, you may be able to obtain a title to the car; but would you be able to drive it? No, you would not, because you would not be qualified to drive, even though you owned it.

You see, you can say, “Lord, I am choosing to put my trust in Jesus,” and qualify to have a title to heaven; but in the day of judgment, if you are put in the balances and found wanting, the Lord will say to you, “Yes, the price has been paid; but you are not fit. You are not qualified.” Jesus provides the title, but you must have both a title and a fitness for heaven in order to go. “Righteousness within is testified to by righteousness without. He who is righteous within is not hard-hearted and unsympathetic, but day by day he grows into the image of Christ, going on from strength to strength. He who is being sanctified by the truth will be self-controlled, and will follow in the footsteps of Christ until grace is lost in glory. The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed; the righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven; the second is our fitness for heaven.” Review and Herald, June 4, 1895.

“The robe of your character must be washed till it is spotless in the fount open for all uncleanness. Your moral worth will be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary and if you are found wanting, you will be at an eternal loss.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 155.

Some are tempted to say, “Then I will never make it.” No, you will never make it on your own. Unless the Holy Spirit comes into your heart and it is purified and you are transformed, you never will meet the standard. We are not talking about an earn-it-yourself religion. The good news is that, if you surrender to the Lord and ask Him for His Holy Spirit, He has already told you in His Word that you will receive it.

Surprisingly, there are many people who do not want to receive the Holy Spirit. They are unwilling to do so because when the Holy Spirit comes, as Jesus said, He reproves of sin. (See John 16:8.) So, when a person comes to the Lord, the first thing that the Holy Spirit does when he enters into the heart is to rebuke them. As people do not like to receive a rebuke, they begin to resist. They want to be a Christian and they want to be saved, but they do not want to totally surrender to the Lord, or open their heart to Him, because they are afraid that God will require of them something they do not want to do.

One of the things that we have to recognize and remember is that God, although He is all-powerful, does not use His power to force Himself upon anyone. If you put up a wall in response to His rebuke, though He may continue to knock at the door of your heart, He will never force His way in. Ellen White expressed it like this. “He says, ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.’ How willing is Christ to take possession of the soul temple if we will let Him! He is represented as waiting and knocking t the door of the heart. As soon as we consent to give sin up, to acknowledge our guilt, the barrier is removed between the soul and the Saviour.” Signs of the Times, September 12, 1911.

Oh, friends, I do not know your heart; but if the Holy Spirit is speaking to you saying, “I want to come in; but you know that there is sin that you do not want to give up, so I can not come in,” let me remind you that the One who loved you enough to die on the cross to save you will never, ever make a requirement of you that is actually not in your best interest. You can trust Him.

God knows exactly how many days you have until it is your last day in this world and what work must be accomplished in your life if you are to be ready for heaven. If, however, you do not open the door; if you are hanging on to something and you do not want to let go, you are slowing the process. Soon your moral worth will be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary; and if you are found wanting, you will be at an eternal loss.

Let us consider for a moment what heaven is like. To begin with, we know that it is a wonderful place and that we all want to go there. The problem that arises is that, if we went like we are, it would no longer be such a wonderful place anymore. Heaven has already experienced what it is like to have sinful beings there; and according to the Bible, it resulted in a war. That war is still going on, and God has quarantined the war so that it is restricted to this world. The issue of sin was resolved for the rest of the universe when Jesus died on the cross, through it has taken another 2,000 years to resolve it here on the earth. God is not going to take anyone from here up to heaven who would again introduce the sin element. God has given His word on this; you can read it in the Old Testament. “Affliction will not rise up a second time.” Nahum 1:9. God determined, through His infinite wisdom and knowledge, that in order for this problem to be totally solved so that sin would never take place again, it was going to take some time for the whole thing to work out; so God has allowed this problem to develop and to go on for almost 6,000 years. In order for the sin problem to be totally resolved, the element of sin must be removed from the heart and life of everyone who goes to heaven.

One of the effects that sin has had on our lives is “coarseness.” When you go to heaven and you have a conversation, do you suppose that the people you talk with will be refined?

“We are to bear the image of God, and every soul saved through the sacrifice of the Son of God must in this life be made complete in Christ. There is much to do in order to fit us for the courts of the Lord. The roughness of spirit, the coarseness of speech, the cheapness of character, must be put away, or we can never wear the garment woven in the heavenly loom, —the righteousness of Christ.” Review and Herald, July 4, 1899.

The way that God works to refine our character is to subject us to the troubles that we experience here on earth. “It is in mercy that the Lord reveals to men their hidden defects. He would have them critically examine the complicated emotions and motives of their own hearts, and detect that which is wrong and modify their dispositions, and refine their manners. God would have His servants become acquainted with their own hearts. In order to bring them to a true knowledge of their condition, He permits the fires of affliction to assail them, so that they may be purified. The trials of life are God’s workmen to remove the impurities, infirmities, and roughness from our character , and fit them for the society of pure, heavenly angels in glory.” Review and Herald, April 10, 1894.

Suppose that you were taken to heaven and someone that you know received a crown nicer than yours. What are you going to do? If you have not laid aside your envy, your jealousy, you will only carry the same disposition to heaven with you; but there will be nothing of this character in the world to come. “Nothing will exist there but love and joy and harmony. Some will have brighter crowns than others, but there will be no jealous thoughts in any heart among the redeemed. Each one will be perfectly satisfied, for all will be rewarded according to their work; for ‘they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever.’” Signs of the Times, February 10, 1888. If we are to go to heaven, all envy and jealousy will have to come out of our lives. It is the way of this world that people look at the way that someone else is dressed and compare that with their own. Jealousy is a problem in this world, have you noticed? If, however, we are to find our place in heaven, the love of Christ must replace it. We must develop His meekness and lowliness of heart.

The Bible says a great deal about speech. When you are put into the scales, one of the big factors that will determine your moral worth is your speech. Speech is so important that when God gave the Law of the Ten Commandments to the children of Israel, two of them dealt directly with speech—the third and the ninth. Jesus said, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:35–37. In reviewing your life, a large part of what you should be reviewing is your speech. Has your speech today been in harmony with the Word of God? Is it true? Does it not take God’s name in vain? Is it kind?

Closely associated with speech is evil surmising. It only takes one person to get evil surmising started in a church, and if the other people succumb to it, it can destroy a whole church. There are many examples of this in the Bible. For instance, among Jesus’ disciples, there was constant quarreling and fighting prior to the crucifixion. And, though they were all at fault because they succumbed to it, Ellen White makes it very clear that there was one person who was continually stirring things up. It was Judas. Jesus knew this, though the rest of the disciples did not realize what was going on. They believed Judas to be a very spiritual person, one of the leading disciples.

Evil surmising can take place in a family, or in a church, and wreak havoc and destruction before the majority of the people realize what is taking place. It is a very, very destructive tool of the devil. We cannot go around judging each other’s hearts and motives. We do not have that right. The devil knows that if you become involved in evil surmising, he can work through you to bring everything into disarray. If we are going to heaven, friends, we personally have to get over evil surmising and we have to help the others do so, too. “Those who are filled with envy, jealousy, and evil surmising, and who indulge in evil speaking, make it manifest that they are unfit for the kingdom of heaven, because they are not peacemakers. Through trial and test, it is proved that they are weighed in the balances and found wanting.” Signs of the Times, October 3, 1895.

Just as it was with Belshazzar, when the handwriting was on the wall, there is coming a time when it will be too late for each of us to change. We will have been weighed in the balance. What is going to be the outcome for you? We are all going to have to face the handwriting on the wall; and it is going to say, “You are weighed in the balance. . . .” How will the sentence end for you?

Do you want a transformation of character to take place in your heart, your life, and your home? If that is what you want, kneel down right now and ask the Lord to work this miracle in your heart and life.

Weighed in the Balance and Found Wanting

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Someday, every one of us is going to be on this world for the last day of our life. Every day that we live should be a day that we live in reference to that fact, because whether we live until Jesus returns, or die first, there will come a day when our destiny is fixed for eternity and there will be nothing that we can do to change it.

There is a story of a man facing judgment. It was Belshazzar’s last day on this earth, and we are told that he was giving a party. “They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, and iron, wood and stone.” Daniel 5:4. Have you ever read the text in the Bible that says, “The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth”? Ecclesiastes 7:4. “In the same hour the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king’s countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other.” Daniel 5:5, 6. Commenting on this verse, Ellen White tells us that, “When God makes men fear, they cannot hide the intensity of their terror.” The Youth’s Instructor, May 19, 1898.

So, Belshazzar called in all of the wise men, those that understand science and philosophy, that they might tell him the meaning of the writing; but they could not do so. “The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, ‘Whoever reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck; and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.’” Daniel 5:7. Philosophy and science have their proper place, but learning and education will not save you on your last day on earth unless you know the God of heaven.

The queen mother then came to Belshazzar and said, “There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.” Verses 11, 12.

So Daniel came in and gave the interpretation of the handwriting that was on the wall. He began by reviewing with him the providence of God in the life of Nebuchadnezzar.

“But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses. But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this, And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven.” Verses 20–23. By his actions, Belshazzar had despised the God of heaven.

“The fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written. And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of each word. MENE; God has numbered your kingdom and finished it.” Verses 24–16.

The time is going to come when we will be in this world for our last day, and our character is going to be put into that balance. Though there are stories in the Bible about people who were going in a certain direction who came to a point late in their life when they decided to reverse their direction, those cares are few in number.

“Many are quieting a troubled conscience with the thought that they can change a course of evil when they choose; that they can trifle with the invitations of mercy, and yet be again and again impressed. They think that after doing despite to the Spirit of grace, after casting their influence on the side of Satan, in a moment of terrible extremity they can change their course. But this is not so easily done. The experience, the education of a lifetime, has so thoroughly molded the character that few then desire to receive the image of Jesus.” Steps to Christ, 33.

The judgment is the heart of the message that God has given to Seventh-day Adventists. Our whole message has to do with judgment, because we are living in the end times when the judgment is taking place.

When, in the judgment, we are weighed in God’s balances; every detail of our character will be examined. “God weighs every man in the balances of the sanctuary. In one scale is placed His perfect, unchangeable law, demanding perfect obedience. If in the other there are years of forgetfulness, of rebellion, of self-pleasing, with no repentance, no confession, no effort to do right, God says, “‘Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.’” Youth’s Instructor, July 31, 1902.

None of us can weigh out unless someone takes away our guilt and in its place supplies us with the righteous fulfillment of the Law. That is what the gospel is all about.

We are living in a time when people have become unconcerned about this judgment. They believe that they can live in any way that they please and that it is sufficient to just say, “Lord, I am confessing my sins,” and their sins will be forgiven. But as we just read, if there has been no repentance and no effort to do right, God will say, “No, you are not going to weigh out.”

“A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob’s trouble. Then all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were delivered by the voice of God. The 144,000 triumphed. Their faces were lighted up with the glory of God. Then I was shown a company who were howling in agony.” Early Writings, 36.

What were they howling and in agony about? “On their garments [that is, their garments of character] was written in large characters, ‘Thou art weighed in the balance, and found wanting.’ I asked who this company were. The angel said, ‘These are they who have once kept the Sabbath and have given it up.’” Ibid., 37.

Now when the national Sunday Law is passed, there is going to be a multitude who are going to give up the Sabbath in order to obtain food and clothing. When that temptation comes to you, I hope that you will remember this reference in this story.

“I heard them cry with a loud voice, ‘We have believed in Thy coming, and taught it with energy.’ And while they were speaking, their eyes would fall upon their garments and see the writing, and then they would wail aloud. I saw that they had drunk of the deep waters, and fouled the residue with their feet—trodden the Sabbath underfoot—and that was why they were weighed in the balance and found wanting.” Ibid.

Sin is the transgression of the Law. When your time comes to be weighed, the Law is going to be on the other side of the balances. The Law demands perfect obedience, and therefore, if you are going to weigh out, you must be diligent and say, “Lord, help me by Your grace to get all sin out of my life now.” That is one of the great problems for a lot of people in our generation. You think this over, relative to some people that you know, and you will realize that many of them plan to get sin out of their lives at some future time; but not now. It has been estimated that there are three million Seventh-day Adventists in the United States. There are not, however, three million Seventh-day Adventists in church every Sabbath. Where are these people? They know our message, and they profess their belief in it; but they are not living it.

Let me share some statements with you. “Since Jesus has made such an infinite sacrifice for us, how cruel it is that we should remain indifferent. Individually, we have cost the life of the Son of God, and He desires us to walk out by living faith, believing in Him with all the heart. He would have you bring the truth of God into the inner sanctuary [that is, your mind], to soften and subdue the soul; for when Christ is dwelling in your heart by faith, you will love those for whom He died. Suppose that the trump of God should sound tonight, who is ready to respond with gladness? How many of you would cry, “Oh, stay the chariot wheels; I am not ready”? Of how many would it be written, as it was written of Belshazzar, “Thou art weighed in the balances and art found wanting”? To be wanting in that day is to be wanting forever; for when Christ shall come in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, we must be all ready to be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and to be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. Your only safety is in coming to Christ, and ceasing from sin this very moment.” Signs of the Times, August 29, 1892. Do you see what it means to come up to the last day and be wanting? Our only safety is in coming to Christ and ceasing from sin this moment.

If you decide that you are going to quit some sin in your life tomorrow, you have, at the same time, decided that you are still going to do it today. Now, if you decide that you are going to sin today, can Jesus be your Lord and Saviour today? No, He cannot. You have placed yourself outside of the vale of mercy; and if you should die today, you are lost.

“It is possible to be a partial, formal believer, and yet be found wanting and lose eternal life. It is possible to practice some of the Bible injunctions and be regarded as a Christian, and yet perish because you lack qualifications essential to Christian character. If you neglect or treat with indifference the warnings that God has given, if you cherish or excuse sin, you are sealing your soul’s destiny. You will be weighed in the balance and found wanting. Grace, peace, and pardon will be forever withdrawn; Jesus will have passed by, never again to come within reach of your prayers and entreaties.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 405.

Friends, this is serious business. Are you praying every day and saying, “Lord, please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Give me any rebuke I need, just do not take Your Holy Spirit from me”?

I find that there are many people who have a lot of questions about counsel and believe that in whatever we do, we should follow counsel. The Bible does say that in a multitude of counsel there is safety. We do need to move in harmony with counsel, but we also need to remember that from whomever we are receiving counsel, it does not matter who it is, unless that person is giving evidence that the Holy Spirit is working in their life, we cannot depend on their counsel.

“I might say much more, but have not the strength today. You are already confused by men whose counsel is erratic. If you will come out from these men and be separate, you will be in a much better position to advance the work. There is no safety in following the counsel of men who are not vivified by the Holy Spirit, but must be reformed, else they will be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and found wanting.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 14, 50.

Someday, though, we do not know when, we are going to be placed in the balances. The weight of our character, when put in the balance, will be determined by the motives that caused us to act. If we do not have the love of Jesus in our heart, we may be doing the right things, but we will not weigh out.

“God is weighing our characters, our conduct, and our motives in the balances of the sanctuary. It will be a fearful thing to be pronounced wanting in love and obedience by our Redeemer, who died upon the cross to draw our hearts unto Him. God has bestowed upon us great and precious gifts. He has given us light and a knowledge of His will, so that we need not err or walk in darkness. To be weighed in the balance and found wanting in the day of final settlement and rewards will be a fearful thing, a terrible mistake which can never be corrected.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 370.

“When this church is weighed in the balance of the sanctuary, it is found wanting, having left its first love. The True Witness declares, ‘I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and has found them liars: and hast borne, and hast patience, and for My name’s sake has laboured, and hast not fainted.’ [Revelation 2:2, 3.] Notwithstanding all this, the church is found wanting. What is the fatal deficiency?—‘Thou hast left thy first love.’ Is not this our case? Our doctrines may be correct; we may hate false doctrine, and may not receive those who are not true to principle; we may labor with untiring energy; but even this is not sufficient. What is our motive? Why are we called upon to repent?—‘Thou hast left thy first love.’” Selected Messages, Book 1, 370.

You see, if you do not have the love of Jesus in your heart, you can be doing the right thing, but fail to weigh out. The people in the Ephesian church were not heretics. In fact, those who professed to be apostles, but whom they found were not, they cast out. Their doctrines were right and they hated error, but that is not enough. There will come a time when you will be weighed, and doctrines alone are not enough. If you do not have the love of Jesus inside, you will be wanting; you will be lacking.

“You may manifest great zeal in missionary effort, and yet because it is corrupted with selfishness, and it is nought in the sight of God; for it is a tainted, corrupted offering. Unless the door of the heart is open to Jesus, unless He occupies the soul temple, unless the heart is imbued with His divine attributes, human actions when weighed in the heavenly balances, will be pronounced ‘Wanting.’” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 961.

Oh friends, each one of us is coming to our last day in this world, and each one of us is going to be weighed in the balances. Are you getting ready? Do you have the love of Jesus inside? His meekness, His lowliness? Are you obedient to Him; do your thoughts, words, and the tone of your voice reveal that fact? If you want to make a covenant with the Lord and say, “Lord, I am choosing to lay aside everything that would not be in harmony with Your will; I pray that You will fill my heart and mind with Your Holy Spirit and change them,” I invite you to kneel, right where you are, and ask the Lord to give you this experience right now.

Editorial – Little Company

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In all ages there have been an Israel, [church] according to the flesh and in addition, a much smaller group who are the true Israel—the children of the promise. “For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called’ that this, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.” Romans 9: 6-8. This truth Jesus clearly addressed when speaking to the church leaders of His day, He said, “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you, ‘I speak what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.’ They answered and said unto Him, ‘Abraham is our father.’ Jesus said unto them, ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of you father.’” John 8:37–41.

“The Jewish people cherished the idea that they were the favorites of heaven, and that they were always to be exalted as the church of God. They were the children of Abraham, they declared, and so firm did the foundation of their prosperity seem to them that they defied earth and heaven to dispossess them of their rights.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 294

This smaller group is, and always has been, the true church of God. “From the beginning, faithful souls have constituted the church on earth.” The Acts of the Apostles, 11. “Those who keep God’s commandments, those who live not by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, compose the church of the living God.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 949.

Will you be a part of this little company that comprises the true church? See Testimonies Vol. 9, 231. If you choose to do so, you must have the following characteristics:

  1. You must be willing to endure opposition from the professed Seventh-day Adventist church: “If we hope to wear the crown, we must expect to bear the cross. Our greatest trials will come from those who profess godliness. It was so with the world’s Redeemer; it will be so with his followers. . . . The opposition which Christ received came from his own nation, who would have been greatly blessed had they accepted him. In like manner the remnant church receive opposition from those who profess to be their brethren.” Review and Herald, August 28, 1883
  2. You must contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the Saints: “Satan claims the world, but there is a little company who withstand his devices, and contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. Satan sets himself to destroy this commandment-keeping company. But God is their tower of defense. He will raise up for them a standard against the enemy. He will be to them ‘as an hiding place from the wind,’ and ‘as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.’ He will say to them, ‘Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” ‘And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.’ ” Review and Herald, September 17, 1901
  3. While filled with remorse for those professors who are in apostasy, you must remain in the light. “The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the time when the danger and depression of the church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 209, 210
    You must be bound together by the truth of the three angels’ messages: “He bade me look in an opposite direction, and I saw a little company traveling a narrow pathway. All seemed to be firmly united, and bound together by the truth, in bundles, or companies. Said the angel, ‘The third angel is binding them (sealing them) in bundles for the heavenly garner.’ ” Supplement to Christian Experience and Views Ellen G. White, 6

The End