The Signs of the Times
April 5, 1899
“Let Him That Heareth Say, Come”
There is great need of heeding the words of Christ: “I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Here are presented the free receiving and the free giving. We are to communicate the light that God has richly bestowed upon us. The blessing of the Lord, received, must be passed to others. Some will say: “I am not fit to serve God. How can I do this work of communicating truth? The opposition to the commandments of God is so strong, what can I, a poor, weak creature, do?” It is well for you to realize your weakness, but you are to lean wholly upon God for strength. Is anything too hard for the Lord to do? ST April 5, 1899, par. 1
The arm of the Lord is not shortened that it can not save. His ear is not heavy that it can not hear. God can and will work through human agents. He can sanctify the heart, and make the human agent a vessel unto honor. Take the Word; read it, consider, pray over it; let it enter into your understanding; let the light flood the soul temple, that you may testify of these things in the churches. The Word of God is infallible; accept it as it reads; look with confidence to God; trust Him to qualify you for His service. We are not authorized to trust in ourselves; Christ is our helper, our sufficiency. It is His to give us the victory. Christ has brought life and immortality to light, and we are to look unto Him, and take this great salvation which He has won for us through His own death. Only believe; walk by faith, not by sight. ST April 5, 1899, par. 2
There are many souls yearning unutterably for light, for assurance and strength beyond what they have been able to grasp. They need to be sought out and labored for patiently, perseveringly. Present Jesus because you know Him as your personal Saviour. Let His melting love, His rich grace, flow forth from human lips. You need not present doctrinal points unless questioned, but take the Word, and with tender, yearning love for souls, show them the precious righteousness of Christ, to whom you and they must come to be saved. ST April 5, 1899, par. 3
Satan is working with his masterly power to hold you back, to keep you in his army. Ever bear in mind that the powers of good and evil are striving for the mastery over every soul that is seeking Jesus. Satan works to drag the inquiring souls away from the cross; but Christ is drawing them, and all who are co-operating with Christ will exert a compelling influence in bringing others to Him. ST April 5, 1899, par. 4
As laborers for the salvation of souls, ask wisdom from God, believing that He will bestow the gift you ask. Receive the precious endowment by faith, nothing doubting. As we seek God in sincerity, believing His Word, acknowledging His goodness, His mercy, and His love toward ourselves, there flows forth from us the living water to refresh and revive the spirit of the humble and the contrite. The souls that are seeking for truth need to have words spoken to them in season, for Satan is speaking to them by his temptations. If you meet with repulse when trying to help souls, heed it not. Speak to those who will listen. Impart the knowledge of the truth you have obtained; but let it be the truth as it is in Jesus. Work while it is day, for “the night cometh, when no man can work.” Sow the seed in faith, and with an unsparing hand. Work as if you could behold the universe of heaven looking upon you. One soul saved is worth more than the whole world. All who are willing to examine and understand the truth, will find the precious, priceless, hidden treasure. ST April 5, 1899, par. 5
Never forget that we can not assimilate to the world, and be God's people. There is divinity in the Word. In presenting the Word to others, never make it a “suppose so,” a “guess,” or a “maybe.” Speak as one who has authority from God through His Word. Declare with Peter: “We have not followed cunningly-devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of His majesty.... We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” ST April 5, 1899, par. 6
Mrs. E. G. White