The Signs of the Times
April 22, 1903
The Co-operation of Humanity with Divinity
As our Creator and Redeemer, Christ has embraced the world in His arms of infinite love. All things belong to Him by original and mediatorial efficiency. He is the first and the last, and the efficiency of everything. All the value that there is in any human being is from Christ, and all belongs to Him. All that we have was entrusted to us in order to fulfil His mediatorial plan. ST April 22, 1903, par. 1
In the divine plan, evil was foreseen and provided for. A remedy was provided sufficient for complete restoration. But in this plan man himself must act a part. Humanity is the instrument through which God works for humanity. As Christ labored for sinners; so man must labor, that humanity may be brought into connection with divinity. ST April 22, 1903, par. 2
In His vast plan God has embraced all humanity. He calls for men and women to fill their appointment as agents chosen to carry out His purposes. ST April 22, 1903, par. 3
Christ enlists in His service all who will consent to stand under His authority, all who will wear His yoke and accept the conditions which unite the human with the divine. Those who do this are moulded by the influence that, through the grace of Christ, unites heart to heart, mind to mind, in one complete whole. ST April 22, 1903, par. 4
We were brought into existence because we were needed. How sad the thought that if we stand on the wrong side, in the ranks of the enemy, we are lost to the design of our creation. We are disappointing our Redeemer; the powers He designed for His service are used to oppose His grace and matchless love. ST April 22, 1903, par. 5
God gave His only-begotten Son that man might be restored to oneness with Him. And however indifferent the human agent may think it his privilege to be, he will be judged according to the provisions of grace that cost Heaven so much. Man may ignore his responsibility; he may choose to be inspired and controlled by Satan, to withdraw from all righteous principles. Nevertheless he will be judged as one who might have used all his capabilities in the service of God, but who refused to do this. His failure to do the good he might have done, had he been a partaker of the divine nature, will be recorded against him as a sign that he despised and neglected the great mercy and loving-kindness of God, refusing to recognize the Creator's claim to his service. ST April 22, 1903, par. 6
Those who love God will not live as if they were under little or no obligation to Him. They will not live to please themselves. They will work as Christ worked. All that they have and are will be placed on the altar of service. Earnestly and untiringly they will labor to save the souls for whom Christ died. He, the Redeemer of the world, can and will save the souls of all who come to Him. And to us He has given the privilege of co-operating with Him in the carrying out of His great plan. ST April 22, 1903, par. 7
The work left for us to do is to endeavor to draw all men to Christ, to uplift a crucified and risen Saviour, to tell others of His compassion, pointing to Him as did John the Baptist, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” ST April 22, 1903, par. 8