Christ Our Righteousness

The Results of Division of Opinion

The division and conflict which arose among the leaders because of the opposition to the message of righteousness in Christ, produced a very unfavorable reaction. The rank and file of the people were confused, and did not know what to do. Concerning this reaction, we read: COR 50.15

“If our brethren were all laborers together with God, they would not doubt but that the message he has sent us during these last two years is from heaven. Our young men look to our older brethren, and as they see that they do not accept the message, but treat it as though it were of no consequence, it influences those who are ignorant of the Scriptures to reject the light. These men who refuse to receive truth, interpose themselves between the people and the light. But there is no excuse for anyone’s refusing the light, for it has been plainly revealed. There is no need of anyone’s being in ignorance.... Instead of pressing your weight against the chariot of truth that is being pulled up an inclined road, you should work with all the energy you can summon to push it on.”-The Review and Herald, March 18, 1890. COR 51.1

“For nearly two years, we have been urging the people to come up and accept the light and the truth concerning the righteousness of Christ, and they do not know whether to come and take hold of this precious truth or not. They are bound about with their own ideas. They do not let the Saviour in.”-The Review and Herald, March 11, 1890. COR 51.2

“Some have turned from the message of the righteousness of Christ to criticize the men.... The third angel’s message will not be comprehended, the light which will lighten the earth with its glory will be called a false light, by those who refuse to walk in its advancing glory. The work that might have been done, will be left undone by the rejectors of truth, because of their unbelief. We entreat of you who oppose the light of truth, to stand out of the way of God’s people. Let Heaven sent light shine forth upon them in clear and steady rays.”-The Review and Herald, May 27, 1890. COR 51.3

“There is sadness in heaven over the spiritual blindness of many of our brethren.... The Lord has raised up messengers and endued them with His Spirit, and has said, ‘Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.’ Let no one run the risk of interposing himself between the people and the message of Heaven. The message of God will come to the people; and if there were no voice among men to give it, the very stones would cry out. I call upon every minister to seek the Lord, to put away pride, to put away strife after supremacy, and humble the heart before God. It is the coldness of heart, the unbelief of those who ought to have faith, that keeps the churches in feebleness.”-The Review and Herald, July 26, 1892. COR 52.1

The solemn import of these Heaven-indited words should not be missed. Mark well these crystal-clear statements: COR 52.2

1. The message of 1888-90 was from heaven. COR 52.3

2. Its rejection by some of the more experienced brethren led the younger men into uncertainty and confusion. COR 52.4

3. Those who rejected the message, interposed themselves between the people and the light. COR 52.5

4. There is no excuse; the light has been plainly revealed. COR 53.1

5. The reason men are slow to take hold of this precious truth is that they are bound about with their own ideas. COR 53.2

6. The course of some has been to turn from the message to criticise the messengers. COR 53.3

7. Those who refuse to walk in this advancing light, will be unable to comprehend the third angel’s message. COR 53.4

8. Those who refuse to walk in this heavenly light, that is to lighten the earth with its glory, will call it a “false light.” COR 53.5

9. As a result of their unbelief, important work will be left undone. COR 53.6

10. Solemn entreaty to those who oppose the light to “stand out of the way” of the people. COR 53.7

11. Such spiritual blindness causes “sadness in heaven.” COR 53.8

12. The positive assurance that God “raised up messengers and endued them with His Spirit.” COR 53.9

13. If there had been no human voice lifted to give the message, the very stones would have cried out. COR 53.10

14. The call to every minister to humble the heart before God in order that spiritual strength may come to the church. COR 53.11

Surely comment on such solemn warnings and entreaties would be superfluous. COR 53.12