March 29 1870 - Practical Remarks - sermon - Ellen G. White
[SPOKEN AT THE TENT-MEETING IN ORANGE, MICH., JUNE,
1869. REPORTED FOR THE REVIEW.]
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By Ellen G. White.
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"But seek ye first the
kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be
added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the
morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto
the day is the evil thereof." Matthew 6:33, 34. {RH, March 29,
1870 par. 1}
We feel a deep interest for the
people of God. We are anxious that they should rightly estimate the
important truths for these last days, and have correct views in
reference to the characters they must develop in order to obtain the
redemption promised the faithful and perfect. We would that all felt
a deeper interest in regard to their own salvation and that of their
fellow-men. We wish that all would regard the work of repentance,
faith, and devotion, as essential to the formation of their religious
characters. {RH, March 29, 1870 par. 2}
It is apparent that but few have
any just sense of the solemnity of the time in which we live, and the
important work to be accomplished in this time. The Judgment is just
before us, and yet personal, selfish interest in temporal things,
engages the time and attention, and eternal things are not discerned.
Eternal interests are made secondary. This is the great cause of the
lack of spirituality, of courage, of godliness, and of living faith,
among God's people. They do not seem to possess that faith and
confidence in God that should be expected of men and women who
profess to be Christians waiting for the appearing of their Lord.
They are not willing to surrender all for Christ, and thus comply
with God's requirements. They hesitate to invest much in his work and
in his cause. When we consider that that God who gave us life, and
who has surrounded us with his rich blessings, has the first claim
upon our attention, we shall withdraw our love and affection from
this world and from all earthly treasures, and center them upon God.
Our best and holiest affections should be devoted to him. When
controlled by his Spirit, there will be no danger of their being
perverted or misplaced. Their influence will lead others to purity
and a holy life. {RH, March 29, 1870 par. 3}
Eternal things should awaken our
interest, and should be regarded, in comparison with temporal things,
as of infinite importance. God requires of us to make it our first
business to attend to the health and prosperity of the soul. We
should know that we are enjoying the favor of God, that he smiles
upon us, and that we are his children indeed, and in a position where
he can commune with us, and we with him. We should not be at rest
until we are in that position of lowliness and meekness that he can
safely bless us, and we be brought into a sacred nearness with God,
where his light may shine upon us, and we reflect that light to all
around us. But we cannot do this unless we are earnestly striving
ourselves to live in the light. This God requires of all his
followers, not merely for their own good, but also for the benefit of
others around them. {RH, March 29, 1870 par. 4}
We cannot let our light shine out
to others, so as to attract their attention to heavenly things,
unless we have the light in us. We must be imbued with the Spirit of
Jesus Christ, or we cannot manifest to others that Christ is in us
the hope of glory. We must have an indwelling Saviour, or we cannot
exemplify in our lives his life of devotion, his love, his
gentleness, his pity, his compassion, his self-denial, and purity.
This is what we earnestly desire. This should be the study of our
lives, How shall I conform my character to the Bible standard of
holiness? {RH, March 29, 1870 par. 5}
If we are put to great
inconvenience in regard to our temporal arrangements in order to
attain this exalted position, which God requires us to meet, we
should not hesitate or complain. Christ sacrificed his majesty, his
splendor, his glory, and his honor, and for our sakes became poor,
that we through his poverty might be made rich. He condescended to a
life of humiliation. He was subjected to scorn. He was despised and
rejected of men. He bore insult and mockery, and a most painful death
in the most shameful manner, in order that he might exalt and save
the fallen sons and daughters of Adam from hopeless misery. In view
of this unparalleled sacrifice and mysterious love manifested for us
by our Redeemer, shall we withhold from God our entire service, which
at the best is so feeble? Shall we use selfishly, for business, or
pleasure, the time which is necessary for us to devote to religious
exercises, to the study of the Scriptures, and to self-examination
and prayer? Said the divine Teacher, "Search the Scriptures; for
in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which
testify of me." We must devote time to the study of the
Scriptures. A mere casual reading of them is not enough. We should
investigate, and pray that our understanding may be quickened to
comprehend the teachings of the precious word of God. Our Saviour
continues his words, "Ye will not come unto me that ye might
have life." The life principle is found in Christ. {RH, March
29, 1870 par. 6}
We cannot obtain a growth in grace
and a knowledge of the divine will unless we give especial attention
to these essential duties. Our spiritual strength will languish
without these precious aids. We should greatly dishonor God, if we
devoted the strength of brain, bone, and muscle, to the meager object
of obtaining the things of the present life, which cannot secure to
us the life which is to come, which will measure with the life of
God. {RH, March 29, 1870 par. 7}
I feel deeply in this matter. The
truths you have been listening to from God's servants so attentively,
are realities to me. They are not idle tales. The scenes of this
earth's history are rapidly passing, and our probation is soon to
close. Many of us who profess to be Christians are unready, and have
not the preparation required to meet that fearful day, when in Heaven
it shall be said, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still;
and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is
righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him
be holy still." It is for us to bend all our energies to obtain
the necessary preparation for that important time. We profess that we
are preparing for a better country. Our faith says that we are merely
passing through this land as pilgrims and strangers. We are not
fellow citizens here. We are not dwellers upon the earth; because as
a snare shall the day of the Lord come upon all them that dwell on
the face of the whole earth. We have not built our hopes here, in
this world. Our actions have testified to our faith, that in Heaven
is our enduring substance. Our manners and our actions should all be
living preachers to testify that the things of this life are of minor
consequence; that they must pass away, and that the things of the
kingdom of God, the treasures that are reserved for the faithful
overcomers, outweigh every earthly consideration, and every earthly
treasure. {RH, March 29, 1870 par. 8}
To live thus, demands vigor of
spirit to fight the fight of faith. Practical religion carries with
it energy and perseverance. Its operations are manifested in
meekness, love, humbleness of mind, in self-denial and disinterested
benevolence. Our Heavenly Father weighs the purposes and intentions
of the heart. If the greater amount of your strength, anxiety, and
interest, is employed to serve yourselves and your families, and for
the purpose of carrying forward your worldly enterprises, how can you
testify to an unbelieving world that the truths you believe are a
reality? How do you show to others that your faith is genuine, and
that you really believe that the end of all things is at hand? {RH,
March 29, 1870 par. 9}
It is impossible for men to have
this belief and not express it and show this faith by their works. It
is impossible for them to feel the worth of souls for whom Christ
died, and to believe in his speedy coming, if their interest is
devoted to acquiring, and their strength wholly spent in caring for,
the things of this world. {RH, March 29, 1870 par. 10}
"For we are made a spectacle
unto the world, to angels, and to men." God requires us to rise
above the world, and breathe the atmosphere of Heaven. Then can you
give to Jesus the unreserved devotion of your heart, and the entire
obedience of your life. It is not enough for you to pray with your
families, and devote a little time to religious exercises in meeting.
Is this all that God claims? He requires the whole heart--the
undivided affections. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all
thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with
all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself." {RH, March 29, 1870
par. 11}
Men and women put forth energy in
serving themselves. They are earnest, and frequently endure much
suffering, in laboring very hard to attain some earthly benefit, some
worldly object. They exhaust themselves in the pursuit of worldly
treasures so that it is impossible for them to render to God the
service he requires, and will accept. It is almost impossible for
some to keep from falling asleep when the exercise is changed from
the service of self and the world, to the service of God. Some seem
to have no power to keep their eyes open in meeting. Satan seems to
mesmerize them when important truths are presented. Their vitality
was exhausted in laboring for temporal things. They left their
strength in the harvest field or in their several avocations to
secure the things of this life. But few realize that, in thus doing,
they are sustaining an eternal loss. God does not accept their lame,
sickly, inefficient sacrifice. Therefore, you hear these men
complaining of doubts and of darkness. They have no real happiness.
They have no experience in the things of God, and can relate no deep
and earnest exercises of mind. They suppose that they are Christians.
They know not that their Redeemer liveth by actual experience. His
love and grace do not brighten into higher, holier perfection their
Christian character, giving them a glorious triumph amid the
buffeting of Satan and the sorrows and trials of this life. This
might be their experience if they would comply with the requirements
of God's word. {RH, March 29, 1870 par. 12}
Eternal things should be of the
first importance, and of as much greater consequence than earthly
things, as Heaven is higher than the earth. Yet how often is the
strength exhausted in obtaining earthly treasures. Men and women who
profess to be followers of Christ, do not take time to seek the Lord.
He has promised that if they would seek him, he would be found of
them. Oh! that Christ's professed followers would live in such a
manner before the world that they would be constrained to acknowledge
their sincerity because their works testify to their faith. When
unbelievers see that Christ's professed followers deny their faith by
their unconsecrated lives, the truths they profess and advocate, seem
to them like idle tales. {RH, March 29, 1870 par. 13}
Missionaries are wanted. We wish
you all possessed a living, missionary spirit. You need not, in order
to become missionaries, go to California or to Europe. You have work
to do in your own families and in your neighborhoods. If your works
have not been in accordance with your faith where you are best known,
so that you are in good repute with those that are without, you are
not the men upon whom God will place the burden of a work for more
distant localities and foreign missions. Do you feel the importance
and the burden, so that you will introduce the truth to your best
friends and those with whom you associate from day to day? Are you
missionaries in your neighborhoods, and in your own families? Are you
seeking to have a deep work of reformation going forward where you
are best known? Is your life such as to give you influence at home
with your families and workmen? You can hang up the charts, and show
them the truth, as it is there illustrated. You can teach them, if
you have a mind thus to do, by explaining prophetic history, and
tracing down prophecies, that the end of all things is at hand. You
can impress them with the sacredness of the law of God, and show them
its claims upon them. {RH, March 29, 1870 par. 14}
Many have been converted to the
truth by working with men who judiciously gave them precept backed up
by example. We are not to use the truth as a club to beat our
neighbors with. We should follow the injunction of the inspired
apostle, "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves."
By wisdom and meekness you may win souls to Christ and to the truth.
But some, instead of doing this work, make their own business of the
highest consequence. They are conversing upon their temporal
business, and they are urging all to energy, that they may obtain the
greatest amount of labor. This is their first great burden of
interest from morning until noon, and from noon until night. All
through the day their deportment and actions say to their workmen, My
farm is my God and of more value to me than the truth or the
salvation of your souls. The day's record passes above, and "wanting"
is written against that man's name. He professes to be a servant of
Jesus Christ, but has served only his own interest. He is an
unfaithful servant. You are surrounded with men and women who will
appear in the judgment against you. They will say, "You believed
these things, and why did you not tell me? Your houses and lands were
of more interest to you, than my soul's salvation. {RH, March 29,
1870 par. 15}
It is displeasing to God for any
who profess to love him to work so hard with their hands and brains
in their own business as to unfit themselves to render to God that
service which comes from a fervent spirit. Christians should not make
it a practice to urge their families to work until their energy is
exhausted, and there is no vitality left to devote to the service of
God, who requires soul, body, mind, and strength. If you employ the
powers of your entire being to serve your own interest, what have you
reserved to offer to God? Is it not a lame sacrifice? "I beseech
you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service." {RH, March 29, 1870 par. 16}
Time is well spent that is devoted
to the instruction of your children. You may be living, acceptable
missionaries for God, and yet be mechanics, merchants, and farmers.
You can engage in the work of your Master with all your souls, and
let your light shine to others. May the Lord arouse you, is my
prayer, to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and
all these things shall be added. How do you prove God? Have you not
made all the provisions it was possible for you to make? Have you not
looked far into the future to arrange for your supposed future wants?
Have you not taken thought for the morrow, and is not your salvation
made secondary? You do not attend to things of eternal moment; but
are looking years into the future, to provide for your families.
{RH, March 29, 1870 par. 17}
But what says our Lord? "Therefore
I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or
what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is
not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the
fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather
into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much
better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit
unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the
lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they
spin; and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was
not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass
of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven,
shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore
take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink?
or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do
the Gentiles seek;) for your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have
need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and
his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take
therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take
thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil
thereof." {RH, March 29, 1870 par. 18}
The words of
our Saviour here quoted need no comment. They are sufficiently plain
to be understood by all who sincerely desire to grow in grace and in
the knowledge of the truth, and attain to Christian perfection. It is
not necessary to possess a powerful intellect to comprehend the words
of important instruction which fell from the lips of the divine
Teacher. Those thus endowed may overlook the valuable lesson here
given, because of its simplicity and clearness, while a follower of
Christ, even if feeble in intellect, may be better prepared to grasp
these precious words of Christ, and comprehend his illustrations
drawn from the objects he is familiar with. He tries to follow the
teachings of Christ, and his heart is set on heavenly things. The
bent of his mind and heart proves his sincerity. The simple faith and
trust in God of this man is more acceptable to God than the brilliant
intellect and the most eminent talents with lack of sincerity, and
faith and trust in God. The
Master, in the reckoning day, will not ask, How much have you known?
or professed?, or talked? but, How much have you loved? and where was
your heart? Was it above, or beneath?
A heart set upon Heaven is a heart set upon God.
Learning is no proof of the grace of God in the heart. If the
affections and heart are upon earth's treasure, they are constantly
tempting the Devil to tempt them. The heart that is earnestly seeking
and contemplating heavenly things, is fortified against lustful
ambitions and worldly desires. {RH, March 29, 1870 par. 19}
The men of the world are dwellers
upon the earth. They know no other conversation but earthly. They are
blinded by the god of this world. Moles are ever burrowing in the
earth. They cannot see. So is the understanding of world-loving men
darkened. Many professed Christians are no better. Their affections
are on earthly things. They view the truth and heavenly things from
the worldling's stand-point. They mistake gain for godliness, sin for
grace, the world for God, and their own wills for the will of God.
There are more of this class than many suppose. Moses esteemed "the
reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he
had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook
Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing
him who is invisible." {RH, March 29, 1870 par. 20}
How can God be glorified in the
life of that professed follower of his, who does not set his
affections on things above, but condescends to keep company with, and
enjoy the society of, his open enemies? The aspirations of the heart
are for earthly gain. The things which are seen, and which are
temporal, engross the attention, and God is forgotten. {RH, March
29, 1870 par. 21}
Christians should be careful that
they keep the heart with all diligence. They should cultivate a love
for meditation, and cherish a spirit of devotion. Many seem to
begrudge moments spent in meditation, and the searching of the
Scriptures, and prayer, as though the time thus occupied was lost. I
wish you could all view these things in the light God would have you;
for you would then make the kingdom of Heaven of the first
importance. To keep your heart in Heaven, will give vigor to all your
graces, and put life into all your duties. To discipline the mind to
dwell upon heavenly things, will put life and earnestness into all
our endeavors. Our efforts are languid, and we run the Christian race
slowly, and manifest indolence and sloth, because we so little value
the heavenly prize. We are dwarfs in spiritual attainments. It is the
privilege and duty of the Christian to be "increasing in the
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man unto the measure of
the stature of the fullness of Christ." As exercise increases
the appetite, and gives strength and healthy vigor to the body, so
will devotional exercises bring an increase of grace and spiritual
vigor. {RH, March 29, 1870 par. 22}
The affections should center upon
God. Contemplate his greatness, his mercy and excellences. Let his
goodness and love and perfection of character captivate your heart.
Converse upon his divine charms, and the heavenly mansions he is
preparing for the faithful. He whose conversation is in Heaven, is
the most profitable Christian to all around him. His words are useful
and refreshing. They have a transforming power upon those who hear
them, and will melt and subdue the soul. {RH, March 29, 1870 par.
23}
We allow the trials and sorrows of
earth to so overcome us that we have but little strength to press
through the clouds of darkness to the eternal reward. The
contemplation of heavenly things will revive our drooping faith,
increase our courage and perseverance, and render our trials and
sufferings far more easy. It will enable us to bear them with
patience and joy. Says Paul: "For our light affliction, which is
but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but
at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are
temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." When a
Christian draws his life from above, and strengthens his soul with
the contemplation of things that are unseen, God is honored, because
he takes him at his word. He believes the promise, and it is
accounted unto him for righteousness. {RH, March 29, 1870 par. 24}
If such an amount of time is
required to make preparations for the wants of the body for this
short life, how much time do you consider will be required for
spiritual exercises, in order to perfect Christian character, that
you may be counted worthy of the better life which is eternal? Do you
think a fitness for a pure and holy Heaven comes along naturally,
without special effort on your part? Great preparation has been made
by our heavenly King, in our Father's house, for the saints of God;
and a great preparation have we to make to attain purity of character
and a moral fitness for the home of sacred bliss to which we shall be
introduced if we are found worthy. Therefore let us aspire after the
heavenly life. Withdraw your thoughts from worldly things; for they
will benumb your affections and pollute your soul. Learn daily of him
who has invited you to be meek and lowly, and you will find rest to
your soul. Christ is our consolation and our strength. We are not
required to labor, or to employ our thoughts, more than we now do;
but to change the current of these thoughts and labors, and employ as
many serious thoughts every day upon our salvation, and how we may
show ourselves approved unto God, and have our conversation upon his
excellent glory and the life to come, as we now devote to worldly
affairs and things that are of no profit. A transformation is
required of us, a renewing of the mind, that we may prove what is
that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.
{RH, March 29, 1870 par. 25}
*********************************************
Redemption--O how much is comprehended in the word! All who will consent to be redeemed are uplifted and sanctified, redeemed through Jesus Christ from all commonness and earthliness, and enabled to cooperate with God in the great work of salvation. Jesus accepted humanity and revealed in His own life and character what man may be even when, in the providence of God, he is placed in the poorest circumstances of life. He had not even a penny wherewith to pay the tax money exacted, and wrought a miracle to obtain the little sum. {TMK 47.4}
Jesus, precious Saviour, was homeless and often hungry. He had not where to lay His head. He was wearied oft. Humanity is honored because Jesus assumed humanity to reveal to the world what humanity may become. He came to bring life and immortality to light, to fill the commonplace, homeliest pursuits of life with brightness. Jesus is bending over us, searching into our characters to see if His own character is reflected in us. {TMK 47.5}
****************************************
Jesus says, "I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." All I can give either first or last is myself. If any one has been laboring for anything else except the Lord's glory, he will be disappointed in receiving a reward. The reception of the penny by the laborers represents the character that God will give to those who follow him. We are to keep in view eternal realities, and our spiritual eyesight must be clear; for those only who behold Christ will be changed into his image from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord. All who are teachable, all who are humble, all who serve from love, are as mirrors that are being polished to reflect more perfectly the divine image. Their souls are becoming purified, their ideas are becoming broader, and their characters are being transformed after the divine similitude. But those whose hearts are lifted up in pride, who are self-righteous, full of envy, jealousy, and evil surmising, are enfeebling their capacity for receiving from God that which will make them what he would have them to be. They are clouding the mirror, darkening the vision, marring the vessel, so that it contains less and less of God's blessing. {RH, July 10, 1894 par. 7}
Jesus says to those who think they should receive more than he gives them, "Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny: Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?" So long as I am just with thee, is it not my privilege to be liberal to others? Those who display such wrong feelings, make it manifest that they deserve no reward; for many are called but few are chosen. Many, many are called to work in the Lord's vineyard; but they manifest so little humility, show so little appreciation of the Lord's grace, are so wanting in submission, so poorly comprehend the fact that righteousness is alone from Christ, and that there is none in themselves, that they fail to develop characters that can be called true and faithful, and so lose heaven at last. {RH, July 10, 1894 par. 8}
****************************************
If they are Christians, it will be manifest in their Christlikeness of character, in their words, in their works, in the home, in association with others; it will be evinced by their patience and long suffering and kindliness. They will manifest the spirit of the Master, they will possess his beauty of character, his loveliness of disposition, his sympathetic heart. {SpTA03 6.1} {TM 180.2}
*********************************************
Redemption--O how much is comprehended in the word! All who will consent to be redeemed are uplifted and sanctified, redeemed through Jesus Christ from all commonness and earthliness, and enabled to cooperate with God in the great work of salvation. Jesus accepted humanity and revealed in His own life and character what man may be even when, in the providence of God, he is placed in the poorest circumstances of life. He had not even a penny wherewith to pay the tax money exacted, and wrought a miracle to obtain the little sum. {TMK 47.4}
Jesus, precious Saviour, was homeless and often hungry. He had not where to lay His head. He was wearied oft. Humanity is honored because Jesus assumed humanity to reveal to the world what humanity may become. He came to bring life and immortality to light, to fill the commonplace, homeliest pursuits of life with brightness. Jesus is bending over us, searching into our characters to see if His own character is reflected in us. {TMK 47.5}
****************************************
Jesus says, "I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." All I can give either first or last is myself. If any one has been laboring for anything else except the Lord's glory, he will be disappointed in receiving a reward. The reception of the penny by the laborers represents the character that God will give to those who follow him. We are to keep in view eternal realities, and our spiritual eyesight must be clear; for those only who behold Christ will be changed into his image from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord. All who are teachable, all who are humble, all who serve from love, are as mirrors that are being polished to reflect more perfectly the divine image. Their souls are becoming purified, their ideas are becoming broader, and their characters are being transformed after the divine similitude. But those whose hearts are lifted up in pride, who are self-righteous, full of envy, jealousy, and evil surmising, are enfeebling their capacity for receiving from God that which will make them what he would have them to be. They are clouding the mirror, darkening the vision, marring the vessel, so that it contains less and less of God's blessing. {RH, July 10, 1894 par. 7}
Jesus says to those who think they should receive more than he gives them, "Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny: Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?" So long as I am just with thee, is it not my privilege to be liberal to others? Those who display such wrong feelings, make it manifest that they deserve no reward; for many are called but few are chosen. Many, many are called to work in the Lord's vineyard; but they manifest so little humility, show so little appreciation of the Lord's grace, are so wanting in submission, so poorly comprehend the fact that righteousness is alone from Christ, and that there is none in themselves, that they fail to develop characters that can be called true and faithful, and so lose heaven at last. {RH, July 10, 1894 par. 8}
****************************************
If they are Christians, it will be manifest in their Christlikeness of character, in their words, in their works, in the home, in association with others; it will be evinced by their patience and long suffering and kindliness. They will manifest the spirit of the Master, they will possess his beauty of character, his loveliness of disposition, his sympathetic heart. {SpTA03 6.1} {TM 180.2}