The Signs of the Times
March 26, 1902
Words to Christians
Christians, remember that you are “a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.” Men are watching you, to see the effect of your religion. Sinners are to be saved, not alone by the preaching of the Word, but by lives that reveal the power of Christ's grace. We are to represent Christ as Christ represented the Father. Do you realize that you are to work the works of Christ, that you are to live His life? God desires your heart to be cleansed from everything unchristlike, that you may be able to speak words in season to the weary. Live very near the mercy-seat. Then you will be enabled to reflect the light of Christ's example. It is His desire that you shall be “blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” ST March 26, 1902, par. 1
No human being can work for God in His own power. Christ says, “Without Me ye can do nothing.” Those who surrender body, mind, and spirit into the hands of God, to be controlled by Him, will see of His salvation. ST March 26, 1902, 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.” Precious is the experience of finding rest. He who does not, day by day, learn lessons from Christ, can not appreciate the suggestions of the Holy Spirit. But he who learns daily of Jesus, making use of every means of grace, grows in the knowledge of God. Under the influence of the Spirit, his heart is filled with the peace and comfort of hope. His faith and trust are strengthened. His development in Christlikeness is apparent to all with whom he comes in contact. ST March 26, 1902, par. 3
The earnest, sincere performance of the work God gives, is the assurance of acceptance with Him. His word is “Go, ... teach all nations;” and to the command is added the promise, “Lo, I am with you alway.” The Lord requires of us nothing that He does not give us power to perform. The disciples obeyed the command to bear witness for Christ, and of their experience we read: “They went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” Of you as well as of the disciples these words may be spoken. ST March 26, 1902, par. 4
Do not think that you have received all the spiritual help you need. And do not think that you can obtain spiritual blessings without complying with the conditions that God has laid down. James and John thought that for the asking they could have the highest place in the kingdom of heaven. O how far short they fell of understanding! They did not realize that before they could share Christ's glory, they must wear His yoke and bear His burdens. Those who strive for the crown of eternal life have a race to run, a battle to fight. The cross comes before the crown. ST March 26, 1902, par. 5
“As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name, which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” Self-righteousness finds no credit in God's sight. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.... And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.” God satisfies the yearning desire of His children for peace and holiness. He opens the eyes of their understanding to see the truths of His Word. Thus they are strengthened and established. And while they rest in His love, they are “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” ST March 26, 1902, par. 6
“And we beheld His glory.” It is this beholding that the apostle Paul speaks of in the words, “We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory,”—from character to character,—“even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” He who commanded the light to shine out of darkness sheds light into the mind of every one who beholds Him, every one who loves Him supremely and shows unswerving faith and trust in Him. The heart is filled with the light that shines in the face of Jesus Christ, and with this light comes spiritual discernment,—the knowledge of the glory of God. ST March 26, 1902, par. 7
Our safety is in beholding Christ. When self is the object of worship, when, filled with self-exaltation, men bow to their own image, losing sight of Christ, they are in fearful danger. Christ is the light of the world. Turn your face from Him, and you walk in darkness. Keep your eyes fixed on His perfection, and you walk in the light of heaven. Through the power of the manifestation of divine glory, you constantly increase in spiritual understanding. ST March 26, 1902, par. 8
“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” “The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” ST March 26, 1902, par. 9
Mrs. E. G. White