Let Us Go On
More than eighty-five years have passed since this last distinctive gospel movement began. Starting without money, prestige, or numbers, it has slowly but steadily grown to its present world-wide proportions. For this we praise God. But dare we be content? Can we face the future satisfied with the ratio of progress that has marked the past? The population of the world is increlsing enormously. Men and women are being born faster than we are reaching them.
Without the slightest disparagement of the noble work of the past, it is apparent, and generally accepted, that divine power must possess us and multiply our effectiveness in order to consummate our task. Divine leading and provision beyond anything experienced in the past is imperative for the finishing of the work. We simply cannot go on as heretofore with a small margin of actual gain. Numberless decades would be demanded for such a program. The hour has manifestly come for facing squarely the issue which is predicted and required by our God,—the finishing of the work. While we must never forget that it is God who "will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness," yet we must co-operate with Him, both actively and receptively.
When shall all secondaries be made secondary, and attention be focused only on primaries? When shall we set our faces as a flint against diversion to anything but our assigned task, and after surveying the full resources of this movement in man power and material accouterments, place all on a "war basis" (as it were) to continue unabated until our work is done? Let us as molders of the movement ponder, pray, and act as the Holy Spirit shall lead. There are uncapitalized resources in ministry and laity, in evangelical forces and institutional workers. And there is unlimited power for finishing the task, awaiting the demand and reception of a responsive people. Herein lies our hope.
L. E. F.
We Must Be Ready
The hour has come for an abandon' ment to God and His service such as has never before been witnessed. This earth seems so permanent and abiding to the multitudes. Its attractions appear so alluring. As a result a spell has fallen upon the most of mankind, even including many Seventh-day Adventists. A larger proportion than it is pleasing to admit do not live as if we were standing on the borders of the eternal world. They do not act as if they really believe what they. profess.
The watchmen are responsible for the condition of the people. Yet many of us are too lethargic, too content. A film seems to have covered our eyes and blurred our vision. We seem almost apathetic toward the most stirring events in prophetic history occurring before our eyes. We need to be awakened. The grip of the world must be broken from our lives. Shall this be accomplished by our volun tarily addressing ourselves to the challenge and call of the hour, and unreserved surrender to God? or must it come through confusion and persecution, through obstacle and disaster?
The final scenes are stealing steadily upon us. Yet some seem almost oblivious of their fundamental significance. The note of fidelity and authority is missing from their preaching. But, brethren, we have not followed cunningly devised fables. The day of God impends. The leaders must lead. We must be ready, with our flocks.
L. E. F.
The Spirit of Christ
If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Such is Christ's unalterable dictum. This far-reaching divine principle is universal in its sweep. Positively no exceptions are admitted. It applies to the Christian as well as the worldling, and to the preacher as well as the layman. Here is a basic lesson for us as workers—vast, and deep, and penetrating.
The Spirit of Christ! That is the transcendent and crucial test---not simply correct doctrines, true interpretations of prophecy, ardent expenditures in service, meticulous payments of tithes and offerings, laudable attainments of goals, abstemious habits of healthful living, copious quoting of the Spirit of prophecy, or loud professions of loyalty. These desirable things should be the logical and legitimate accompaniments of the Spirit of Christ, but they are not acceptable nor acknowledged as substitutes for that Spirit. They can all be simulated without having the actual Spirit of Christ —and sometimes are. And so they become valueless. Hence if we gauge everything by them, they constitute but false and delusive standards of unity and acceptance with Christ. They are but the "outside of the cup." They are not the authorized credentials.
Unfortunately, to some it seemingly makes little difference whether a man be contentious, critical, selfish, and egotistical. If he only stands acceptably on certain secondary doctrines or prophecies, he is assumed to be orthodox and worthy, And it seems not to be noticed whether he be radical, extreme, arbitrary, or harsh in his home so that his own family can scarce live with him; if he but refrains from eating or wearing, saying or doing certain things, he is orthodox. Or, with some it is not seriously considered whether one be a tricky diplomat, an alienator and knifer of his brethren, a cold and hard proclaimer of the old-covenant relationship. So long as he glibly declares orthodoxy on certain test questions which are arbitrarily erected,—and often contrary to the express counsel of the Spirit of prophecy,—he is unquestionably reckoned orthodox.
But that is all a ghastly farce, if one is without the Spirit of Christ. It may pass with some men, but not with God. There will be many disappointed folks at the appearing of our Lord, and some will have their names on the roster of the remnant church. Remember the foolish virgins. They were waiting virgins, belonging to the true church and sincerely looking for their Lord. They had lamp and wick and light for a time—the truth of the word, and profession and semblance. But they were left outside the banquet hall with the words, "I know you not." They were without the all-essential "supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." Phil. 1:19.
Remember also Christ's solemn die-turn in Matthew 7:21-23, where seekers for admission to His kingdom recite their many wonderful "works," and their imposing "prophecies," and indeed their many virtual "miracles" performed in His name. But He sadly declares He has never known them. And He bids them depart from Him. There had been loud profession, without possession. There had been ample form, without the Spirit. There had been unquestionable orthodoxy, but no living, conscious connection with Christ. Tragic disappointment and disaster! Surely the lesson is most solemn and most searching. There can be bones and organs and flesh, without the vitalizing life. God save us from such a fatal deception!
Christianity is a relationship to Christ, a living union with Christ that is marked and identified by the Spirit of Christ. True and genuine orthodoxy is possession by His Spirit now, that there may be eternal fellowship in the soon-coming kingdom. And flowing from this union inevitably comes sound doctrine, true interpretation of prophecy, earnest, consistent practices, sane, spiritual beliefs, and genuine achievements for our Lord. These are the inevitable outworkings of such a relationship. This is God's order. Let us not make mountains out of molehills. Rather, let us put first things first.
L. E. F.
