The Review and Herald
September 30, 1909
“That They All may be One”
(Concluded.)
Truth a Sanctifying Power
“For their sakes I sanctify myself,” Christ said, “that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” RH September 30, 1909, par. 1
No error can sanctify the soul; we must bear this in mind. Sanctification comes not through error, but through belief of the truth. We need to possess a faith that is based upon the sure word of promise. RH September 30, 1909, par. 2
The Word of God specifies the quality of the faith that will distinguish between the sacred and the common, and will render the life well-pleasing to him who has purchased the powers of our being by the redemption price of his blood. All men have a certain kind of faith; but it is that faith which works by love that purifies the soul. This faith cleanses the life from all self-serving, from all acquiescence to man's arbitrary exactions. It is a genuine faith that is revealed in the spirit, in the speech, and in the actions. In the life of the one who possesses such a faith as this the will of Christ will be daily carried out. RH September 30, 1909, par. 3
The soul who really believes the truth will carry out in his life the principles revealed in the life of Christ. Of Enoch it is written that his ways pleased God; and without faith it is impossible to please God. Not a thread of coarseness or selfishness was woven into the web that this servant of God was weaving in his daily life. And of him we read, “Enoch walked with God ... three hundred years; ... and he was not; for God took him.” RH September 30, 1909, par. 4
The Lord's measure of correct character is given in the words of the prophet Micah: “What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” There are men who may be represented as doing justly and loving mercy, but who have not the true principle within them, the faith that will lead them to walk humbly with the Lord. They may seem to have every specification needed but that of sanctified faith, but lacking this, they lack all. The life is not sanctified, and without this sanctification of motive and purpose, it is impossible to please God. God has given men and women affections and intellect that they may appreciate the character of God as it was revealed in the earthly life of Christ, and through faith in Christ reveal the same attributes. Christ is to be manifest in the life of every true believer. Each is to prove in his life his right to the claim he makes for citizenship in the kingdom of Christ and of God. RH September 30, 1909, par. 5
The Sacrifice of Christ
I am instructed to keep before our people the need of having high, pure motives and sanctified purposes. The church of Christ on earth is to represent Christ's character and work. The aim of Christ's life was to receive of the Father, that he might give, in precept and in unselfish service, that which would save men and women from sinning, and turn the rebellious into paths of righteousness. “For their sakes I sanctify myself,” he said, “that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” He stood before the human race as the representative of the Father. He devoted all the powers of his being to the work of redemption. For this he withdrew from the glories of heaven, and set his feet in the path of humiliation and trial. He humbled himself that he might uplift mankind. As he took up his earthly work and saw the duties and the trials that confronted him, he did not fail nor become discouraged. His great desire was to establish the cross between divinity and humanity, that man might be reconciled to God. RH September 30, 1909, par. 6
The question was put to Christ at one time, If your doctrine is true, if you are, as you claim, the Son of God, why do you come to the world like this? Why do you subject yourself to humility and privation? Had it been possible for men to be redeemed with a smaller sacrifice than was made, the Son of God would not have taken the guilt of the transgressor upon his sinless soul. But the spotless Son of God was the only offering that would atone; none but his life would suffice to save the sinner from ruin. RH September 30, 1909, par. 7
Christ was sent from heaven with the gift of eternal life for all who would receive it. The message he brought was true; but it cost the life of him who gave it. “I am come,” the Saviour said, “That they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Never was there such depth of meaning in any words as in those of the Saviour as he stood before the world, with the cross in view, and said, “I am come;” “he that sent me is true.” RH September 30, 1909, par. 8
The power and authority of God are supreme, and he is true. He gives, to all who accept Christ, power to live the truth under the most trying circumstances. Those who have broken his law are sinners; but he says to them, I gave my only begotten Son to die for sinners. He bore the penalty of the sins of the world. He is sufficient for your redemption. If you will plant your feet upon the platform of obedience; if you will repent and accept the merits of the Son of God, you may have hope of eternal life. The soul who will take God at his word, and obey his law, may live. To such the assurance is given, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” RH September 30, 1909, par. 9
The science of overcoming as Christ overcame is the science of salvation. If we will unite with Christ in the work of developing Christian character, if we will maintain unwavering faith in God and in the truths of his Word, we shall be given strength to overcome every evil thing in the life. But there are some to whom Christ says today, “Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life,”—eternal life which my Father will give to all who believe. “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” he pleads; “come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” RH September 30, 1909, par. 10
Christ is grieved today at the manifestation of unchristlike spirit and unchristlike actions among his professed followers. Many who bear his name are bringing reproach upon his cause by their unchristian words and deportment. I am instructed to say to our people, Guard your words and actions. Let every messenger of the Lord comprehend the truth as it is in Jesus, that he may become a laborer together with God. It is the power of God, and that alone, that can soften and subdue our hearts, and expel the worldliness and pride that exist among us. RH September 30, 1909, par. 11
The love of Christ for the human family led him to assume human nature, and to submit to every test that human beings must bear, that man might be brought into right relation to his Maker. Human beings had taken sides with the first great rebel, and the angels whom he had deceived. When Satan and his rebel host were defeated and cast out of heaven, they did not give up the struggle against right. Satan's work has been the same since the days of Adam to the present, and he has pursued it with great success, tempting men to distrust God's love and to doubt his wisdom. And in the great closing work of the rebellion the powers of evil will unite in a desperate struggle to work out their deceptive plans to lead souls to ruin. Ministers and physicians and men in positions of trust as lawmakers will unite in this work of rebellion. Thousands are already taking their place on the side of satanic agencies. Some of these wear a pretentious garb of righteousness, but it is the form of godliness without the power. Clear light has been permitted to shine upon all; but when Satan's sophistries are heeded, when men and women reject light and evidence, gradually they become converted to the theories that Satan offers. Too late, too late they will see that angels of God are in the warfare against all who have departed from the faith. RH September 30, 1909, par. 12
In the night season I seemed to be enumerating in my mind the evidences we have to substantiate the faith we hold. We see that seducers are waxing worse and worse. We see the world working to the point of establishing by law a false sabbath, and making it a test for all. This question will soon be before us. God's Sabbath will be trampled under foot, and a false sabbath will be exalted. In a Sunday law there is possibility for great suffering to those who observe the seventh day. The working out of Satan's plans will bring persecution to the people of God. But the faithful servants of God need not fear the outcome of the conflict. If they will follow the pattern set for them in the life of Christ, if they will be true to the requirements of God, their reward will be eternal life, a life that measures with the life of God. RH September 30, 1909, par. 13
At this time a very decided work in character building should be going forward among our people. We are to develop before the world the characteristics of the Saviour. It is impossible to please God without the exercise of genuine, sanctifying faith. We are individually responsible for our faith. True faith is not a faith that will fail under test and trial; it is the gift of God to his people. We are to experience a true conversion; we are to study earnestly and prayerfully the example of Christ. God is waiting to bestow wonderful endowments upon his church if they will seek him with the whole heart in unity of spirit. RH September 30, 1909, par. 14
Brethren and sisters, let us study carefully the prayer of Christ. Let us seek to experience the oneness in faith and works for which he prayed. The Fatherhood of God is given to us in the gift of Jesus Christ; and as God was one with his only begotten Son, so he would have his earthly children one with him. Faith in Christ will help us to overcome all weakness of the flesh. It is our privilege through faith in our Redeemer to become sanctified, holy, cleansed from all sin in this life, and in that life that measures with the life of God to be partakers in the joys of the redeemed. RH September 30, 1909, par. 15