The Review and Herald
April 12, 1906
Depending on Christ
Let not those connected with the Master's service look to men of large ability to do their work for them. God stands behind the one who does his best. Let the workers rely on divine power, and God will impress the hearts of those for whom they labor. Great good may be accomplished by the sincere, humble worker, who realizes that success does not depend on appearances, but on the One who has given him his commission. RH April 12, 1906, par. 1
The reason that the number of workers is so much smaller than it should be is that men are looking at their supposed weakness, and putting their trust in those whose appearance and capabilities will, they suppose, bring success. Thus spiritual consumption is brought into the church, and souls are dying because the spiritual life-blood is poisoned. Men have depended on men till they are strengthless. RH April 12, 1906, par. 2
God desires a different mold placed on his work. Let men go forth to labor, trusting in the Lord, and he will go with them, convicting and converting souls. One worker may be a ready speaker, another a ready writer; another may have the gift of sincere, earnest, fervent prayer, another the gift of singing. Another may have special power to explain the word of God with clearness. And each gift is to become a power for God because he co-operates with the worker. To one God gives the word of wisdom, to another knowledge, to another faith. But all are to work under the same head. The diversity of gifts leads to a diversity of operations, “but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” RH April 12, 1906, par. 3
Let no man despise the supposed lesser gifts. Let all go to work. Let no one fold his hands in unbelief because he thinks that he can do no mighty work. Cease looking at self. Look to your Leader. In meekness, sincerity, and love do what you can. Do your best in faith, and out of weakness you shall be made strong. God will certainly bless whole-hearted workers. RH April 12, 1906, par. 4
The world is enshrouded in the darkness of error. Satan and his angels are urging on their warfare against the truth. We must have help. But the help we need will not come from human beings. We must look to him who has said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 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.” “These signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” RH April 12, 1906, par. 5
Claim this promise, instead of going to men for help. There stands among you the Mighty Counselor of the ages, inviting you to place your confidence in him. Shall we turn from him to uncertain human beings, who are as wholly dependent on God as we ourselves are? Have we not fallen far below our privileges? Have we not been guilty of expecting so little that we have not asked for what God is longing to give? RH April 12, 1906, par. 6
In a variety of figures matters have been presented to me regarding the church-members who are dwarfed in spirituality because they do not look to Jesus, their ever-present help in time of trouble. I see men bearing a heavy burden of responsibility, but they are not gaining the strength of hope and courage by exercising faith in God. The promise is, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” But when in trouble they think that they must go to earthly friends, telling them their troubles, and begging for help. Under trying circumstances, unbelief comes in, and the way seems dark. And all the time Jesus, the great Burden-bearer, stands beside them, saying, Come unto me, and I will give you the rest for which you are longing. Why do we turn from him? RH April 12, 1906, par. 7
My brethren and sisters, show more confidence in Jesus. Turn not from the waters of Lebanon to seek refreshing at broken cisterns, which can hold no water. Have faith in God. Praise him with heart and voice. God demands heart and life service. Reach higher and still higher, and catch divine rays from him who is light and peace and joy and gladness. Do not wait for some one more ready of speech, but do what you can in the meekness of the great Master, who gave his life for you, that his joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. RH April 12, 1906, par. 8
There are many souls in the darkness of error. There is abundant work for all who know the truth. Approach the people in a persuasive, kindly manner, full of sympathy and love. Christ is ever passing by, with grace and power that will enable you to present the gospel of salvation. Reach out after the souls ready to perish. Call the attention of the people to the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. RH April 12, 1906, par. 9
No human words can express the preciousness of the ministration of the word and the Holy Spirit. No human tongue can portray to the finite mind the value of receiving by living faith the blessing that is given as Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. Many have a deep sense of need,—a need that earthly riches or pleasure can not supply; but they know not how to obtain that for which they are longing. RH April 12, 1906, par. 10
The gospel of Christ is from beginning to end a gospel of saving grace. It is a distinctive and controlling idea. It will be a help to the needy, light for eyes that are blind, and a guide to the souls seeking for the sure foundation. Full and everlasting salvation is within the reach of every soul. Christ is waiting and longing to speak pardon, and to impart the freely offered grace. He is watching and waiting, saying, as he said to the blind man at the gate of Jericho, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? I will take away your sins, and wash you in my blood. RH April 12, 1906, par. 11
In the highways and byways of life there are souls to be saved. The blind are groping in darkness. Give them the light, and God will bless your efforts. RH April 12, 1906, par. 12
Christ is our Leader. He presents before his soldiers the plan of the battle. He points out the imminent peril of the conflict, and enjoins every one to count the cost. As he shows us the preparation that we must make for the battle, he assures us that we shall have divine assistance. In our human weakness, we shall be enabled to do the deeds of omnipotence. RH April 12, 1906, par. 13
Christ takes his soldiers to an eminence, and shows them the vast confederacy arrayed against them. He reminds them that they are not warring against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. He reminds them that they are fighting for eternal life. The heavenly universe are marshaled for the conflict, with Christ, the Commander of the forces of heaven, at their head. Infirmities compass humanity, but in the strength that Christ gives, we may be more than conquerors. “Be of good cheer,” he declares; “I have overcome the world.” RH April 12, 1906, par. 14
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” RH April 12, 1906, par. 15