Presenting the Message

In the world today there exists but one denomination whose members carry upon their hearts the burden for proclaiming the final phase of the gos­pel message to every kindred, tongue, and nation. This present-day gospel message, known as the third angel's message, affords the basis for the great­est possible joy that can come to hu­man hearts, for there is no happiness equal to the joy of salvation experi­enced through personal knowledge of the provisions of the everlasting gospel for a victorious daily life now, and an eternal triumphant life in the future.

The central feature of the gospel message is Christ. Some one has truly said, "For us Christians, who truly venerate the Author of our religion, . . . there can be no higher intel­lectual delight, no pleasanter privilege, than to examine the mind and soul, the nature and person, of Christ." In order to present the gospel in the most attractive manner, Christ must ever be made the outstanding characteristic in the presentation. That this is the divine method to be employed by the gospel messenger, is indicated by the words of the Saviour when He said, " I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me."

When the gospel is presented as " the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth," and those who hear and believe experience the transforming power of Christ in the life, the next step in obedience to the gospel message is intelligent " wor­ship " of " Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Intelligent worship of the Creator is based upon the experience of being " accepted in the Beloved " and made a new creature by divine power; and such worship is a source of joy otherwise unknown. This delight­ful and joyous experience, which be­gins in the life surrounded by the atmosphere of rebellion and sin, reaches its climax when " they that worship Him . . . in spirit and in truth " assemble around the throne of God, for it is written, " In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore." The gospel has always been, and ever will be, " good news," " glad tidings," a " joyful sound," and its proclamation is to be made attractive and winning.

The only way by which this can be accomplished is by preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified,— not simply as a fact of undisputed history, but as a present, personal Saviour, who, through His present representative in the world, whom He terms " the Com­forter," " the Spirit of truth," makes His abode in the heart and brings into the individual life the full provisions of the gospel.

If it should be found that the preach­ing of the third angel's message de­velops a people revealing legal char­acteristics, rather than a deeply spir­itual attitude in life and worship, may we not well inquire, Is there not some­thing wrong with the manner in which the gospel is presented?

Glendale, Calif.