Sabbath-School Worker
April 1, 1893
Safety in Following Christ
(Concluded.)
Many are thirsting for the living streams from the Fountain of Life. Christ looked with yearning tenderness upon a people who were being misled by false shepherds. They were as the sheep of his pasture, and they were to be left among wolves. He said, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves.” He came to our world that the world through him might have eternal life. He was omnipotent, but his sympathy was toward mankind. His love was given to us before we loved him. He is our elder brother. We have not a high priest who cannot sympathize with us, but one who was in all points tempted like as we are, and yet without sin. He poured out his feelings in precious currents of sympathy and of love for his sheep, whom he says he knows by name. We are the property of Jesus Christ. SSW April 1, 1893, par. 1
The Father has committed his people to Christ's care, to be washed in his precious blood, to be guarded by his pastoral care, to be sanctified through the truth, and to be perfected and fitted for the family above. SSW April 1, 1893, par. 2
Our only safety is to follow Christ, to study his word, and to meet the enemy with the word, saying, “It is written.” When questions were asked him, Christ answered: “Have ye not read?” “What saith the Scriptures?” “How readest thou?” “Search the Scriptures.” The great Teacher might have answered questions upon science, from the depths of infinite wisdom. He might have let in a flood of light, but he chose to direct all minds to the Scriptures, to the living, inspired word of God, that man might make the word the foundation of faith and doctrine. We are to believe truth, not that which is pronounced truth upon the authority of popes or councils, not because a minister pronounces his decision as to what is truth, but on the only sure and safe ground, “Thus saith the Lord.” This is the highest authority. We cannot accept the word of finite man. Our souls are precious, and we can run no risk here where eternal interests are involved. We must know the decision of Him whose word is truth. SSW April 1, 1893, par. 3
“God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The word was made flesh. Christ mysteriously allied himself to human nature. Our gracious Lord would not make this infinite sacrifice to show us how we may be saved, and then leave us to the finite judgment of man to tell us how to reach heaven. “Follow me,” says the world's Redeemer; “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” And the way to follow Jesus is to study his life, his character, catch his Spirit, and be changed into his likeness. SSW April 1, 1893, par. 4
The priests and rulers had long been expositors of the Scriptures, but Christ pronounces them blind leaders of the blind. He who always spake truth declared to these false shepherds, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures or the power of God.” SSW April 1, 1893, par. 5
In the word of God everything is made plain in proportion as it is of vital importance. The plan of salvation must not be brought down to the level of common things and mingled with man-made commandments and manmade inventions, but must be exalted before the eyes of all, that souls for whom Christ died may find eternal life through him. SSW April 1, 1893, par. 6