The Review and Herald
July 16, 1889
Compassion for the Erring
[Morning talk at Chicago, April 7, 1889.]
“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” In this chapter (Luke 15) Jesus speaks several parables to illustrate the joy that is felt over the recovery of that which was lost. He tells how the woman who had lost one of her ten pieces of silver, sought diligently until she found it, and then called in her neighbors to rejoice with her because she had found that which had been lost. He spoke the parable of the prodigal son, to show us how God regards those who have strayed away, and have returned again to him. He said, “A certain man had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of the country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself,”—when reason assumed the throne, and he began to consider what he had been doing,—“he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” RH July 16, 1889, par. 1
We read that the elder son took exception to the way in which the prodigal was received. The elder son had had every spiritual and temporal advantage. He represented that class that do not go to great excesses of vice, and because of this they are filled with self-righteousness. This son is represented as being grieved that he had not received some marked attention because of his good works, and he was envious that his wayward brother should be so welcomed by his father. RH July 16, 1889, par. 2
The prodigal's soul had been stirred to the very depths by remorse and repentance, and why should not those who have been partakers of light, give the repenting sinner the right help at the right time? At one time, Jesus asked Simon who would love his benefactor most, the one to whom a small debt was forgiven, or the one to whom a large debt was forgiven. Simon answered that the one who had been forgiven most, would love most. Those who have been in despair over their course of action, manifest corresponding gratitude and love in return, when they receive the pardoning love of God. I have received letters at different times from persons who were in despair over their sins. One and another would say, “I fear I am past all help. Let me hear from you as soon as possible. Is there any hope for me?” To these poor souls I have written, “Hope in God. The Father has bread enough and to spare. Arise, and go to your Father. He will meet you a great way off. He will give you his love and compassion.” RH July 16, 1889, par. 3
These poor prodigals need encouragement. Words of sympathy and love are worth more to them than gold and silver. Why are there so many who stand off from their brethren? Peter came to Jesus, and asked, “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” And he said again, “If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” You should let your hearts break, and let the iron melt out of your souls. Let us be pitiful and courteous. Let us have the spirit of Christ. He left his royal throne, clothed his divinity with humanity, and came to this earth, all marred and seared by the curse, to meet man's adversary, and deliver us from the bondage of sin and death. RH July 16, 1889, par. 4
Satan claimed us as his subjects, and all heaven looked down upon the earth to see how men would welcome their Deliverer. But they did not know the Prince of life. He went into the wilderness, and met and baffled the evil one, and redeemed Adam's disgraceful failure. He was tested on the points of appetite, ambition, and love of the world, but he did not waver. He met the foe with, “It is written.” Satan offered Christ the world if he would bow down and acknowledge him his superior; but he said, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” RH July 16, 1889, par. 5
After the temptation, it seemed as if the Son of God would die on the field of conflict; but the angels ministered unto him, and he was revived. He became our surety and substitute, and he can be “touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” for he “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” How is it that men can make their hearts like adamant, and not be moved by the love of Christ? Through the merit of Christ's blood, every one can be a conqueror. Jesus has brought moral power to combine with human effort, whereby we may obtain the victory. Christ is our helper, and he invites us to take hold of his strength, and we shall make peace with him. In our conscious weakness we are to lay hold of his merit, and we may become triumphant through the grace of the Man of Nazareth. RH July 16, 1889, par. 6
Christ hath conquered death, and led captivity captive. Men had looked upon death as a terrible thing; they had looked to the future with foreboding; but the resurrection of Christ from the dead, changed the aspect of death. Christ has passed through the tomb; and when he arose from the dead, he led a multitude of captives from the grave, and they appeared unto many. His resurrection demonstrated his power over death. The dead in Christ shall rise again to a glorious immortality. He will come again, and receive his followers unto himself, that where he is, they may be also. RH July 16, 1889, par. 7
Christ came to represent the Father to the world. He was the originator of truth; but when he came, he found that the gems of truth had been obscured by tradition and heresy. He came to sweep away false doctrine, and to place the gems of truth in the new setting of the gospel. We are to search the Scriptures, and dig in the mines of truth. It is in the word of God that the mystery of the gospel is revealed; and God has there made known to us his matchless love. Why do we not yield everything to him? Why do we not bring in a report of gratitude and love? Why do we not go to those who are in despair, not to act the part of oppressor, but to lift up their souls, to point them to the cross of Calvary until they catch glimpses of Jesus, and lay hold on the Christian's hope? Exceeding great and precious promises have been left to us, whereby we may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruptions that are in the world through lust. I am anxious that you should behold Jesus. It has made my heart ache to hear your mournful testimonies. Jesus is not in Joseph's new tomb. We have a living Saviour, one who ever liveth to make intercession for us. He can give you power to correctly represent him to the world. RH July 16, 1889, par. 8
Jesus represents himself as a merchantman, walking to and fro before our doors, and crying, “Buy of me gold, and white raiment, and eye-salve.” Will we take his merchandise? We have a whole Saviour, who is able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God by him. I want to be like him; I want to be with him through the ceaseless ages of eternity. Immortality and an eternal weight of glory will be given to those who have their lives hid with Christ in God. RH July 16, 1889, par. 9
When Jesus told Peter what he desired him to do, Peter turned to John and asked, “Lord, and what shall this man do?” Jesus answered, “What is that to thee? follow thou me.” We are to look to Christ, and follow him regardless of what others do. We shall find perfection in him, and we shall be charmed with the matchless beauty of his character. You will see mistakes in the lives of others, and defects in their characters. Humanity is encompassed with infirmity. You must look well to your own feet, and make straight paths, lest others stumble over your inconsistencies, and the lame be turned out of the way. Christ is our example, and he who follows him will be rewarded at the appearing of Jesus. They will be rewarded because they have endured trial and sorrow for his sake. RH July 16, 1889, par. 10
We have had abundant light at these meetings, and we must walk in it. We must seek to redeem the neglect of the past. We must come up from the lowlands of earth. We must not preach any more Christless sermons, or any longer live Christless lives. We have been backsliders from God, but we must make a surrender of everything this very morning. Throw open the door of your heart, and invite Jesus to come in. If we will only come into the right position before God, we shall receive his blessing. The Father will love us as he loves his Son. How can this be? It can be because we are one with Christ,—because we have appropriated his righteousness, and we are accepted in the Beloved. We can be glad in the Lord even when we are in trial and sorrow; for we know that the trial of our faith is more precious than gold. RH July 16, 1889, par. 11
I believe the Lord is waiting to let his blessing rest upon us. We need to follow Jesus. It means more than mere surface work to be a Christian. We must deny self, take up our cross, and follow in the footsteps of the Redeemer. We should have love for one another, and our influence may be far-reaching for good. We must be one with Christ, as he is one with the Father. RH July 16, 1889, par. 12