The Signs of the Times
May 2, 1900
The Power of the Word in the Life
The Bible is to be our great lesson book. From Genesis to Revelation it is full of instruction on practical goodness. We need to search it diligently, that we may understand every word of God. Thus we eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ. ST May 2, 1900, par. 1
In the Word of God we are given explicit instruction in regard to the unity that should exist among Christ's followers. From the pillar of cloud Christ gave Moses direction as to how man should regard God and his fellowman. The children of Israel were enjoined to treat with love and compassion their brethren and the stranger sojourning with them. It is essential that we understand and practise the principles laid down by the great Teacher regarding unity. ST May 2, 1900, par. 2
Christ's prayer to His Father, contained in the seventeenth chapter of John, is to be our church creed. It shows us plainly that disunion and variance are dishonoring to God. “This is life eternal,” Christ prayed, “that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent. I have glorified Thee on the earth; I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was. I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world; Thine they were, and Thou gavest them Me; and they have kept Thy Word.... I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me.... I have given them Thy Word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil.... Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.” ST May 2, 1900, par. 3
When Christ abides in the hearts of believers, unity will be seen. Love will flow from them to others in a strong current. The privileges and opportunities given them will be appreciated. Their unity will testify in a most powerful manner that they are children of God. It will have an irresistible influence upon the world, showing that man in his humanity may be a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. ST May 2, 1900, par. 4
Let us seek earnestly to obey the conditions God has laid down, by striving for the unity that should exist among believers. Christ's true followers will act upon the principles He has laid down. “They are not of the world,” He said, “even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy Word is truth.... The glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one; I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.” This is the most wonderful statement that ever came from the lips of Christ. Why do we not show that we understand and appreciate these words? ST May 2, 1900, par. 5
We are plainly told that when we receive Christ, a change takes place in us which shows the world that God did indeed send His Son to this earth. But how many who claim to be Christians are Christians in word, deed, and thought? How many reveal to the world the glory which Christ declares He gave to His people? Who among those that have been given such great light reveal this light in clear, distinct rays by their love and unity? ST May 2, 1900, par. 6
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.... In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, .... full of grace and truth.” Christ came to our world to show us how to live true, upright lives; and all who are Christians will carry out His principles. They will represent Him by their compassionate tenderness for one another. “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” “And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.” As we receive the precious gift of grace, we are to impart it to others. Thus we show that we are in partnership with Christ. God and man work in harmony. Man receives the grace of Christ, and from him it flows forth in kind words and deeds to his fellow-men. ST May 2, 1900, par. 7
When we are one with Christ, we have power to show to the world that God loves human beings as He loves His only-begotten Son. Why do we not eat the bread and drink the water of life, that the Christ-life may be revealed in our lives, and that the world may see what wonderful privileges are ours? Shall Christ always be disappointed in His people? Will they always refuse to comply with the conditions He has laid down? Shall we not change this feature of our experience? Shall we not believe that God will work with power if we do not hinder Him by disregarding His requirements? What could not God do for us if we would but place ourselves in right relation to Him and to one another? ST May 2, 1900, par. 8
“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin,” John declares; “for his seed remaineth in him, and he can not sin, because he is born of God.... This is the message that ye have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.... We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” ST May 2, 1900, par. 9
Shall we not be doers of God's Word? Shall we not work in partnership with Christ? “By one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.... This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put My laws into their hearts and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” God desires us to have all that He has provided for us at such an immense cost. The reason why the great and grand truths which have been presented to us do not accomplish more is that we do not live these truths; therefore they are powerless to influence us. We need a deeper appreciation of truth. ST May 2, 1900, par. 10
Mrs. E. G. White