The Signs of the Times
February 24, 1898
Christ and the Pharisees—No. 3
The Jewish leaders felt complete in themselves. They felt no need of a physician. They would not humble their hearts to accept Christ. He presented before them their hypocrisy, pride, and formalism. In their hands the pure gold had become dim. God's law, pure, far-reaching, and comprehensive, was adulterated with laws of human invention. And the farther the priests separated from right principles, the heavier the law of God was by them loaded with exactions. ST February 24, 1898, par. 1
This is the danger today. As men fail to practise obedience in its simplicity, they depart from God. Plans and methods that bear the marks of man's natural attributes, are brought in to be obeyed, while the principles of truth, love to God and to man, are left out of the life. Kindness, love, and mercy, are not seen in the character. ST February 24, 1898, par. 2
Christ says: “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” His yoke is not painful and galling. He does not require His followers to pass through the ceremonies often enjoined by men. But because of their unlikeness to Christ, and their false pretensions to obedience, men bring in a yoke that is galling to the neck that wears it. They take the power into their own hands, while acting themselves like undisciplined children. Thus in the minds of men God's ways and works are mingled with the perversity and disobedience of men. ST February 24, 1898, par. 3
When Adam and Eve were placed in the garden of Eden, everything contributed to their enjoyment. They were simply instructed to dress the garden and keep it. No noxious weeds sprang up, demanding patient toil. How different from this was the work of Christ! The seeds of the Gospel were to be sown on soil in which the enemy had already sowed tares. The rubbish of error had long been accumulating. As the people separated from God, false ideas were accepted, and the leaders of the people taught for doctrine the commandments of men. ST February 24, 1898, par. 4
Christ came to this world to live the law and represent the character of God, that the delusions which Satan had brought upon the world might be dispelled. In the sermon on the mount, He who gave the law became an expositor of the law. That sermon, so full of what it means to love and obey God, is the unfolding of His character. The law is shown to be a representation of God's character, that man may see that he must render obedience to the law if he would become a member of the royal family, a child of the heavenly King. This law requires nothing short of perfect spiritual obedience. ST February 24, 1898, par. 5
Bible religion does not allow a life of inactivity and idleness. One can not believe for another, or depend upon another's evidence. The individuality of one can not be submerged in another. God's work is a personal work. No one can be saved without earnest faith, earnest work, and faithful improvement of every God-given ability. Idleness is sin. While Christ, our Mediator, is presenting in our behalf His atoning sacrifice, we are to work in His vineyard. The Old and New Testaments declare without reservation that those who would enter into life must keep the commandments. The Lord Jesus holds out none of His precious promises as a premium for disobedience. Disobedience is sin, and in the Word of God the terrible consequences of sin are faithfully portrayed. ST February 24, 1898, par. 6
A certain lawyer stood up before Christ, and tempted Him, saying, “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And He said unto him, Thou hast answered right; this do, and thou shalt live.” ST February 24, 1898, par. 7
The question asked by the lawyer is an important one for every son and daughter of Adam. It concerns all, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends. ST February 24, 1898, par. 8
Those who profess to love God with heart and mind and strength, will be severely tempted to justify self in neglecting to love their neighbor as they love themselves. In the parable of the good Samaritan Christ showed the lawyer who his neighbor was. The priests and Levites who listened to His illustration knew that the picture was true to life. ST February 24, 1898, par. 9
To us as to the lawyer, Christ says, “Go, and do thou likewise.” Many say, “I go;” but they go not. In their inmost soul they do not desire to render obedience to God's requirements. They justify disobedience. They make a reservation. They allow the rules and commandments of their own invention to supersede the holy commands of God. ST February 24, 1898, par. 10
The term “neighbor” includes all who have need of the grace and patience that Christ has promised to supply. Those to whom God would have you minister may be unconverted, uncourteous, and uncouth. They may have disagreeable qualities. By these your kindly deeds may be unappreciated, and totally unrequited. But because of this, you must not forget that they are still your neighbors, whom you are to love as you love yourself. All need to pray much, and watch unto prayer, that their faith fail not. No one can keep the commandments of God who does not cherish love in his heart; for without love there is no true obedience. Supreme love to God is required, and when this is an abiding principle in the soul, our love to those around us will be seen in our deeds and words. ST February 24, 1898, par. 11
Thousands are inventing a gospel to take the place of the Gospel of God. They are substituting the commandments of men for the commandments of God. But in the Gospel of Christ honor and dignity are given to the law of God. I have kept my Father's commandments, Christ said, in all their purity and holiness. “I have taught from house to house,” Paul said, “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Repentance toward God is the first requirement, because His law has been broken. The sinner must be converted and led to Christ as the only remedy for sin. He must have faith in Christ as his personal Saviour. Christ came not to lessen the guilt of sin, that man may have liberty to be disloyal. He came to live the law of God, leaving man no excuse for violating one precept. He did not come to retract from the dignity of the law. By taking the sin of the world upon His soul, He exalted the law, and made it honorable. His death is an unanswerable argument in favor of the immutability of the moral law, and forever settles the question that its character is changeless, and will stand forever, through time and eternity. ST February 24, 1898, par. 12
Christ came to exalt the law, which had been trampled in the dust, that we might acknowledge its beauty and loveliness, and before angels and men advocate its supreme authority. By keeping the law in humanity, He made it possible for man to keep it. He imputed to us His righteousness, that we might become partakers of the divine nature. He came to this earth that we might be loyal sons and daughters of the heavenly King. God's children never claim to be perfect, because they are often weakened by temptation, but they honestly strive for the victory. Satan tempts them to throw away their hope, because they fall under temptation; but they may be reassured by the words of Christ, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” “Him that cometh to Me, I will in nowise cast out.” He came not to save men in sin, but from sin. And all who feel their need of a Saviour, and come to Him believing in His power, will gain the victory over sin. “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God.” ST February 24, 1898, par. 13
Mrs. E. G. White