God's Means
for Diffusing Light
God's Means
for Diffusing Light
Review and Herald, March
24, 1891
By Mrs. Ellen G. White
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end
for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts
in your ignorance: but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in
all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according
to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch
as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and
gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but
with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without
spot." {RH, March 24, 1891 par. 1}
I
feel a deep interest in those who profess to be the children of God, that they
may be the light of the world. If they respond to the requirements of God,
there will be need of much greater watchfulness, much more untiring diligence.
The responsibility of representing Christ to the world does not rest alone upon
those who are ordained as ministers of the gospel. Each member of the church
should be a living epistle, known and read of all men. A working church will be
a living church. Those who are elected as elders and deacons should ever be on
the alert that plans may be made and executed which will give every member of
the church a share in active work for the salvation of souls. This is the only
way in which the church can be preserved in a healthy, thriving
condition. {RH, March 24, 1891 par. 2}
How earnestly we should search the word of God; for it is our only safe guide,
our only safeguard. The gospel of God is able to make us wise unto salvation.
It is not incomprehensible, and placed above us, but its plain, inspired
utterances can simplify the perplexing problems of this life, and enlighten
each single-hearted believer with the bright beams of heavenly wisdom. As so
great a reward attends the earnest searching of the word of God, should we not
with more painstaking effort seek to enter into God's plans, and strive to
fulfill his designs in diffusing the light of truth? Paul writes to Timothy,
"Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit
thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." This is
God's plan for diffusing light. Those who are called to preach the gospel, are
not simply to be preachers, but they are to be teachers, to be educators. They
are to look deeper than the surface, they are to realize the responsibility
which rests upon them as instruments through which God would accomplish his
great designs in the salvation of the lost. The servants of God have a most
solemn work to do, and they should seek to comprehend the conditions upon which
they are accepted to serve a crucified Redeemer. {RH, March 24, 1891 par.
3}
We
are nearing the close of this world's history, and it is essential that every
laborer in the cause of God should closely examine his heart, and strive to
understand the importance of the work to which he is called. The servant of God
should ever seek for higher and higher attainments, both intellectual and
moral. The laborers together with God may occupy positions of influence, if God
is their dependence and support. They cannot afford to be indolent, for the
result will be manifest in the defects and deformity of their character, and
they will leave the baleful stamp of their deficient character upon those with
whom they associate. God has made it possible for his children to grow to the
full stature of men and women in Christ; none need be dwarfed. {RH, March
24, 1891 par. 4}
If
the minister is growing in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus, he will be able
to devise plans for the advancement of the work of God, and will bring every
member of the church into that place of responsibility for which he is best
fitted. Young men and women should be educated for service in the cause of God.
The Lord chooses the young because they are strong in body and vigorous in
mind; and if the youth are rightly instructed, they will be earnest workers for
the Master. God will be the counselor of the young if they put their trust in
him; he will accept them, and exalt them to be co-laborers with himself, if
they will yield themselves in submission to his will. {RH, March 24, 1891
par. 5}
A
great mistake has been committed in permitting the youth to drift hither and
thither with no purpose in life but that of self-gratification, when they
should have been interested in the service of Christ. The young place
themselves in the way of temptation, because they desire to follow inclination,
and those who have had experience do not take hold of them in the right way;
they do not, in pitying love, in Christ-like tenderness, seek to show them
their danger. The members of the church should not be content to rest until the
feet of the young are directed into the path that leads to eternal life. Let
those who have the love of Christ in their hearts, who have heavenly wisdom,
make it their special business to see that the youth are brought under a saving
influence. Let the youth be drawn to him who died for them; let them be invited
into the service of the Master. {RH, March 24, 1891 par. 6}
Very
much has been lost to the cause of God because of inattention to the young.
Ministers of the gospel should form a happy acquaintance with the youth of
their congregations. There is a great reluctance on the part of many to become
acquainted with the youth, but it is accounted of Heaven a neglect of duty, a
sin against souls for whom Christ died. The youth are objects of Satan's
special attacks; and the manifestation of kindness, courtesy, tender sympathy,
and love, will often work the salvation of those who are under the temptations
of the evil one. The love of Jesus will win you an entrance into the hearts of
the young; and when you have obtained the confidence of the youth, they will
listen to your words and take your counsel. You should bind them to your heart
by the cords of love, and then instruct them how to labor in the cause of God.
The youth may labor for their young companions in a quiet, unpretending way.
This branch of God's work must not be neglected. Our churches are not doing
what they might do for the youth. There seems to be no burden for souls for
whom Christ died. Why should this labor for the youth in our borders not be thought the highest of missionary work? Why do the
ministers leave the young without endeavoring to win them to Christ? Why do
they not urge the young to give their hearts to God? This work will require the
most delicate tact, the most thoughtful consideration, the most earnest prayer
that heavenly wisdom may be imparted; for connected with the church are those
who are not ignorant of our faith, yet whose hearts have never been touched by
the power of divine grace. Can we who claim to love God pass on day after day,
and week after week, indifferent to those who are out of Christ? If they should
die in their sins, unwarned, their blood would be required at the unfaithful
watchman's hands. Why is it that personal efforts are not put forth that they
may be drawn to Christ by the strong cords of love? There is work for each and
all to do, and will any one shrink from sacred
responsibility? Shall souls be left to perish because of your unfaithfulness?
Jesus has said, "Ye are the light of the world." "Let your light
so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify our Father
which is in heaven." Let your light shine in clear, steady rays, that you
may represent Him who has brought life and immortality to light through the
gospel. {RH, March 24, 1891 par. 7}
The church has been appointed as the medium through which divine light is to
shine into the moral darkness of this world, and the peace-giving beams of the
Sun of righteousness fall upon the hearts of men. Personal labor with
individuals and with families constitutes a part of the work to be done in
God's moral vineyard. The meekness, the patience, the forbearance, the love of
Christ must be revealed in the homes of the land. The church must arise and shine. Radiant with the spirit and power of the
truth, the people of God must go forth to a world lying in darkness, to make
manifest the light of the glory of God. God has given to men noble powers of
mind to be employed to his honor; and in the missionary work these powers of
mind are called into active exercise. Wise improvement and development of the
gifts of God will be seen in his servants. Day by day there will be growth in
the knowledge of Christ. He who once spake as never man spake, who wore the
garb of humanity, is still the Great Teacher. As you
follow in his footsteps, seeking the lost, angels will draw near, and through
the illumination of the Spirit of God, greater knowledge will be obtained as to
the best ways and means for accomplishing the work committed to your
hands. {RH, March 24, 1891 par. 8}
While Christ would lead his servants out into the highways, into the homes of
men, to seek and save the lost, Satan is employing his agents to lead souls to
ruin. His most effective agents for this work are those whose names are on the
church records, but fail of a record in "the Lamb's book of life."
There are many who are blind leaders of the blind, and
leaders and those who are led will come to destruction at last. Satan is ever
on the alert that he may lead men into idolatry, that
those who profess to love Christ may bow down to rivals of the Lord of heaven.
The success which Satan has achieved in leading the religious world into idolatry, has made him bold, and much of what the world
calls, "advanced thought" is simply progress into error and
darkness. {RH, March 24, 1891 par. 9}
In order
that we may meet the ranks of the adversary with success, there is earnest work
to be done. We must study the word of God, we must pray in secret, we must
assemble and agree as to the explicit things that we would have God do for us
and for his cause. We must counsel together, and open every plan to those with
whom we are connected, that every method may be critically examined, and the
very best chosen. We should pray that God will direct in all our plans, that no
mistake may be made. There should be a decided advance seen in our work;
growing efficiency should be manifested in every department. We now see more
doors open for usefulness than we can find laborers to enter; for many to whom
God has intrusted ability do not employ the means
within their reach for the improvement of their talents. {RH, March 24,
1891 par. 10}
Those who should have been the light of the world have shed forth but feeble
and sickly beams. What is light?--It is piety, goodness, truth, mercy, love; it
is the revealing of the truth in the character and life. The gospel is
dependent on the personal piety of its believers for its aggressive power, and
God has made provision through the death of his beloved Son, that every soul
may be thoroughly furnished unto every good work. Every soul is to be a bright
and shining light, showing forth the praises of Him who has called us out of
darkness into His marvelous light. "Ye are laborers together with
God," yes, laborers; that means doing earnest service in the vineyard of
the Lord. There are souls to be saved,--souls in our churches, in our
Sabbath-schools, and in our neighborhoods. {RH, March 24, 1891 par. 11}
We
do not so much need the grand church edifice, the worshipers adorned in costly array
to harmonize with the church; this will not move one soul toward the kingdom of
heaven. Display will not awaken the tender sympathies whereby soul meets soul.
We need faith, obedience, genuine love for God and for
humanity. This alone will exert the heaven-born influence that will move the
hearts of men. There are moral icebergs in our churches. There are plenty of
formalists who can make an imposing display, but cannot shine as lights in the
world. God looks with pitying tenderness upon a church whose worshipers,
although poor and ignorant, are sincere. They may be scorned and neglected by
the world, but they are beloved of God. The glory of the church of God is in
the piety of its members; for there is the hiding of Christ's power. The
influence of the sincere children of God may be esteemed as of little worth,
but it will be felt throughout time, and rightly revealed in the day of reward.
The light of a true Christian, shining forth in steadfast piety, in unwavering
faith, will prove to the world the power of a living Saviour. In his followers
Christ will be revealed as a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.
Although scarcely known to the world, they are acknowledged as God's peculiar
people, his chosen vessels of salvation, his channels whereby light is to come
to the world. {RH, March 24, 1891 par. 12}