Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Ms 181, 1905

Be Earnest and Steadfast

1905

Formerly Undated Ms 131. This manuscript is published in entirety in 1NL 123-124.

Never was there a time when it is more plainly the duty of the people of God to understand that actions are determined by motives. Those in positions of responsibility are very apt to judge others by themselves. Doing many things that are not in harmony with their profession, they judge others according to their own deviation from righteousness. But as they pronounce judgment upon others, they condemn themselves. 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 1

We need now to repent before God. Those who show a repentance that means reconversion will not be left to beat about in the fog of uncertainty and discouragement. He who knocks at the door of mercy and asks forgiveness will receive that for which he asks. The Lord understands the voice of petition. Ask then; in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known unto God. 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 2

“Every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” [Matthew 7:8.] Continue to present your requests to God; continue to ask for the blessings which you must receive from His never-failing goodness. Knock at the door of mercy and grace with a sincerity and earnestness which show that you will continue to knock and seek until your efforts are rewarded by the bestowal of the gifts that are needed by all who perfect a Christian character. 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 3

“Behold the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” [John 16:32, 33.] 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 4

“Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you.” “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep your’s also. But all these things will they do unto you for My name’s sake, because they know not Him that sent Me.” [John 15:16, 18-21.] 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 5

Here are two opposing elements, with two different leaders. One party is under the control of Satan. He is their captain. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the leader of the other party. He laid off His royal robe and kingly crown, and clothed Himself with the garment of humanity, that He might stand at the head of the human race, bearing the trials that we must bear, and meeting the temptations that we must meet. The power of the temptations brought against Him was as much greater as He is higher and purer than we are, and yet not for an instant during His sojourn in this earth did He swerve from His loyalty to God. He lived a life pure and undefiled, unmarred by spot or stain of sin. It was in His right to place one hand upon the throne of God in heaven, while with the other He laid hold of fallen human beings, and has raised them from their degradation. To all who receive Him, He gives power to become the sons of God. 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 6

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” [Matthew 28:19, 20.] 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 7

Be careful what you teach. Those who are learners of Christ will teach the same things that He taught. 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 8

The religious bodies all over Christendom will become more and more closely united in sentiment. They will make of God a peculiar something in order to escape from loyalty to Him who is pure, holy, and undefiled, and who denounces all sin as a production of the apostate. Christ came to counterwork the theories of the great deceiver. In His life no sin appeared. He could say to His enemies, Which of you convinceth Me of sin? He was in a world of sinful human beings, yet He “did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth.” [1 Peter 2:22.] 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 9

No requirement is laid upon man that Christ has not obeyed. We can overcome as He overcame, if we will avail ourselves of the help of the three great powers of heaven, who are waiting to answer the demand made upon them by God’s people for power to defeat satanic agencies. 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 10

“Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth.” [John 17:17.] Christ’s teachings are truth. Those who surrender their wills to the divine guidance will be protected from Satan’s snares. Draw nigh to God in your helplessness, and He will draw nigh to you. He will lift up for you a standard against the enemy. 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 11

“As thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I sent them into the world, and for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” [Verses 18, 19.] 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 12

Let not the theory be presented that God would dwell in the soul-temple of a wicked man. No greater falsehood could be presented. 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 13

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us.” [Verses 20, 21.] 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 14

These words present God and Christ as two distinct personalities. 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 15

Christ prays that a pure, holy love may bind His followers to Himself, and to the Father, that this close fellowship may be a sign that God loves as His own Son those who believe in Him. 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 16

Still the Son of God urges His petition to His Father. Read John 17:24-26. 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 17

Let no man claim that the subjects of the enemy are the temples of God. Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-20. 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 18

The Lord is speaking through His apostle to those who claim to be Christians. He is not speaking to those who have made no profession of righteousness. We are to make no concessions to the enemy. We are not to change one principle of the truth that we have received from God. We cannot hold converse with those who are in league with evil angels. Christ never purchased peace by compromise. 20LtMs, Ms 181, 1905, par. 19