The Review and Herald
July 11, 1893
There Is No Excuse for Spiritual Weakness
The truth should be preached in simplicity, and the ministers of God should seek to imitate, as far as possible, the manner of Christ's teaching. If the truth is spoken in simplicity and received in simplicity, Christ will be presented as a perfect Saviour, and the Spirit will witness to the truth, and move upon hearts to accept of the free gift of the righteousness of Christ. The words spoken under the influence of the Spirit of God, if accepted, are a savor of life unto life; if rejected, are a savor of death unto death. RH July 11, 1893, par. 1
We should present before the people the fact that God has provided that we shall not be tempted above what we are able to bear, but that with every temptation he will make a way of escape. If we live wholly for God, we shall not allow the mind to indulge in selfish imaginings. If there is any way by which Satan can gain access to the mind, he will sow his tares, and cause them to grow until they will yield an abundant harvest. In no case can Satan obtain dominion over the thoughts, words, and actions, unless we voluntarily open the door and invite him to enter. He will then come in, and by catching away the good seed sown in the heart, make of none effect the truth. RH July 11, 1893, par. 2
We cannot plead that we have less light than had God's ancient people; for we have the truth, and the light that was given to them, and it has come down to us as an hereditary trust, to be given to all peoples and tongues. We cannot plead that we have less light than had the Jewish nation, who, because they were not doers of the word, became an astonishment and a reproach before the world, because they knew not the time of their visitation. Can we expect that the Lord will favor us, and establish us as a praise in the earth, if we are not doers of his word? Can we expect that the Lord will always heap privileges upon us, simply because in the past we have been exalted to heaven, as was Capernaum? When the judgment shall sit, and the books shall be opened, and every man shall receive according as his works have been, who will presume to plead that they have done many acceptable things that should balance their past in the golden scales of the sanctuary? “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” RH July 11, 1893, par. 3
Though Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum felt that they were rich and increased with goods, and had need of nothing, Jesus sets before them their poverty-stricken condition. In this portrayal he has presented before all that claim to believe the law of God, that they have need to buy of him gold tried in the fire, and white raiment that they may be clothed, and that the shame of their nakedness may not appear. It will be according to the measure of light and favor bestowed, that retributive judgment will be estimated and dealt out to those who fail to appreciate the grace which has been freely offered. If those to whom light has come, had received, appreciated, and acted upon it, they would have been placed in connection with God, and would have been channels by which his blessing would flow to the world. Nations that sit in midnight darkness would have had light through God's appointed agents and instrumentalities,—the members of our church, the influence of our institutions. We should have seen these nations doing a greater work than those who have had clearer light and more numerous opportunities. The people who had failed to become agents for God, might have been far in advance of where they are in spiritual things, and much more might have been done than has been done. We know not how much more tolerable it will be in the day of judgment for those who have been prevented from hearing the truth of God, and from working for him, because of the unfaithfulness of those to whom God has given great light. They have failed to manifest the spirit of self-denial, and have not acted their part in their sphere as Christ acted his part in his sphere to save the perishing souls of men. RH July 11, 1893, par. 4
“Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” There are many who believe that they are in favor with God, rich and increased in goods, and have need of nothing, and know not that they are spiritually wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. The true witness says to such, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 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. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” RH July 11, 1893, par. 5
Let us heed the message of the true witness given in warning to us. Let us seek to realize that the heavenly assembly are looking upon us, are witnesses to all our words and works. Will it not be wise for us to contemplate heavenly realities? Will it not work us good to comprehend the fact that heaven exists as really as does the earth, that the angels of heaven are interested in all transactions of earth, and are commissioned to minister to all who shall be heirs of salvation, who are lawfully striving to win the crown of life? If we bear the test and proving of God, we shall be counted worthy to be members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. Jesus, our substitute and surety, is pleading our cases as an able substitute in the courts of God. RH July 11, 1893, par. 6
Why should not all have an intense interest in all that is transacted among the children of men, since Christ, our Intercessor, is continually engaged in presenting our cases before the mercy-seat? “We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.” Why are the chosen of God, his elect people, so silent upon the wondrous theme? Why is man's gratitude so little toward Him who has given his life to save the lost race from eternal ruin? Heaven views the plan of salvation with amazement, and cherubim and seraphim continually do cry, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” Why should not man arouse, and manifest enthusiasm concerning the wonderful condescension of God to a fallen race? O may our sluggish energies be quickened, that we may reveal the matchless depths of a Saviour's love to a perishing world. RH July 11, 1893, par. 7