Unscriptural
Alliances--Lessons From the Life of Solomon
by
Ellen
G. White
Click to go to our Home Page
Lessons
from the Life of Solomon
"Be Ye Separate" Placed at
the head of a nation that had been set as a light to the surrounding nations,
Solomon might have brought great glory to the Lord of the universe by a life
of obedience. He might have encouraged God's people to shun the evils that
were practiced in the surrounding nations. He might have used his God-given
wisdom and power of influence in organizing and directing a great missionary
movement for the enlightenment of those who were ignorant of God and of His
truth. Thus multitudes might have been won to an allegiance to the King of
kings. {FE 498.1} Satan
well knew the results that would attend obedience, and during the earlier
years of Solomon's reign,--years glorious because of the wisdom, the
beneficence, and the uprightness of the king,--he sought to bring in
influences that would insidiously undermine Solomon's loyalty to principle,
and cause him to separate from God. And that the enemy was successful in this
effort, we know from the record: "Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of In
forming an alliance with a heathen nation, and sealing the compact by
marriage with an idolatrous princess, Solomon rashly disregarded the wise
provisions that God had made for maintaining the purity of His people. The
hope that this Egyptian wife might be converted,
was but a feeble excuse for the sin. In violation of a direct command to
remain separate from other nations, the king united his strength with the arm
of flesh. {FE 498.3} For a
time, God in His compassionate mercy overruled this terrible mistake.
Solomon's wife was converted; and the king, by a wise course, might have done
much to check the evil forces that his imprudence had set in operation. But 499 Solomon began to lose sight of the Source of his
power and glory. Inclination gained the ascendency over reason. As his self-confidence
increased, he sought to carry out the Lord's purpose in his own way. He
reasoned that political and commercial alliances with the surrounding nations
would bring them to a knowledge
of the true God; and so he entered into unholy alliance with nation after
nation. Often these alliances were sealed by marriage with heathen
princesses. The commands of Jehovah were set aside for the customs of the
surrounding nations. {FE 498.4} During
the years of Solomon's apostasy, the spiritual decline of
Unscriptural Alliances The Lord
desires His servants to preserve their holy and peculiar character. "Be
ye not unequally yoked together with 500 unbelievers," is His command; "for what fellowship
hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and
what communion hath light with darkness? and
what concord hath Christ with Belial? or
what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? and what agreement hath the Never was
there a time in earth's history when this warning was more appropriate than
at the present time. Many professed Christians think, like Solomon, that they
may unite with the ungodly, because their influence over those who are in the
wrong will be beneficial; but too often they themselves, entrapped and
overcome, yield their sacred faith, sacrifice principle, and separate
themselves from God. One false step leads to another, till at last they place
themselves where they cannot hope to break the chains that bind them. {FE
500.1} Great
care should be taken by Christian youth in the formation of friendships and
in the choice of companions. Take heed, lest what you now think to be pure
gold turns out to be base metal. Worldly associations tend to place
obstructions in the way of your service to God, and many souls are ruined by
unhappy unions, either business or matrimonial, with those who can never
elevate or ennoble. Never should God's people venture upon forbidden ground.
Marriage between believers and unbelievers is forbidden by God. But too often
the unconverted heart follows its own desires, and marriages unsanctioned by
God are formed. Because of this many men and women are without hope and
without God in the world. Their noble aspirations are dead; by a chain of
circumstances they are held in Satan's net. Those who are ruled by passion
501 and impulse will have a bitter harvest to reap in this
life, and their course may result in the loss of their souls. {FE 500.2}
Institutional Work Those who
are placed in charge of the Lord's institutions are in need of much of the
strength and grace and keeping power of God,
that they shall not walk contrary to the sacred principles of
the truth. Many, many are very dull of comprehension in regard to their
obligation to preserve the truth in its purity, uncontaminated by one vestige
of error. Their danger is in holding the truth in light esteem, thus leaving
upon minds the impression that it is of little consequence what we believe,
if, by carrying out plans of human devising, we can exalt ourselves before
the world as holding a superior position, as occupying the highest seat. {FE
501.1} God calls
for men whose hearts are as true as steel, and who will stand steadfast in
integrity, undaunted by circumstances. He calls for men who will remain
separate from the enemies of the truth. He calls for men who will not dare to
resort to the arm of flesh by entering into partnership with worldlings in
order to secure means for advancing His work--even for the building of
institutions. Solomon, by his alliances with unbelievers, secured an
abundance of gold and silver, but his prosperity proved his ruin. Men today
are no wiser than he, and they are as prone to yield to the influences that
caused his downfall. For thousands of years Satan has been gaining an
experience in learning how to deceive; and to those who live in this age he
comes with almost overwhelming power. Our only safety is found in obedience
to God's word, which has been given us as a sure guide and counselor. God's
people today are to keep themselves distinct and separate from the world, its
spirit, and its influences. {FE 501.2}
"Come out from among them, and be ye separate." Shall we
hear the voice of God and obey, or shall we make halfway work of the matter,
and try to serve God and Mammon?
502 There is earnest work before each one of us. Right
thoughts, pure and holy purposes, do not come to us naturally. We shall have
to strive for them. In all our institutions, our publishing houses and
colleges and sanitariums, pure and holy principles must take root. If our
institutions are what God designs they should be, those connected with them will not pattern after
worldly institutions. They will stand as peculiar, governed and controlled by
the Bible standard. They will not come into harmony with the principles of
the world in order to gain patronage. No motives will have sufficient force
to move them from the straight line of duty. Those who are under the control
of the Spirit of God will not seek their own pleasure or amusement. If Christ
presides in the hearts of the members of His church, they will answer to the
call, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate." "Be not
partakers of her sins." {FE 501.3} God would
have us learn the solemn lesson that we are working out our own destiny. The
characters we form in this life decide whether or not we are fitted to live
through the eternal ages. No man can with safety attempt to serve both God
and Mammon. God is fully able to keep us in the world, but not of the world.
His love is not uncertain and fluctuating. Ever He watches over His children
with a care that is measureless and everlasting. But He requires us to give
Him our undivided allegiance. "No man can serve two masters: for either
he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one,
and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." {FE 502.1} Solomon
was endowed with wonderful wisdom; but the world drew him away from God. We
need to guard our souls with all diligence, lest the cares and the
attractions of the world absorb the time that should be given to eternal
things. God warned Solomon of his danger, and today He warns us not to
imperil our souls by affinity with the world. "Come out from among
them," He pleads, "and be ye separate,
503 . . . and touch not the unclean thing; and I will
receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord God
Almighty."--Review and Herald, February 1, 1906. {FE 502.2} The
question may be asked, Are we to have no union whatever with the world? The
word of the Lord is to be our guide. Any
connection with infidels and unbelievers which would identify us with them is
forbidden by the word. We are to come out from them and be separate. In no
case are we to link ourselves with them in their plans or work. But we
are not to live reclusive lives. We are to do worldlings all the good we
possibly can. Christ has given us an example of this. When invited to eat
with publicans and sinners, He did not refuse; for in no other way than by
mingling with them could He reach this class. But on every occasion He gave
them talents of words and influence. He opened up themes of conversation
which brought things of eternal interest to their minds. And this Teacher
enjoins us, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." On the
temperance question take your position without wavering. Be as firm as a
rock. Be not partakers of other men's sins. Acts of dishonesty in business
deal, with believers or unbelievers, should
483 be reproved; and if they give no evidence of
reformation, come out from among them and be separate. {FE 482.2} There is
a large vineyard to be cultivated; but while Christians are to work among
unbelievers, they are not to appear like worldlings. They are not to spend
their time talking politics or acting as politicians; for by so doing, they
give the enemy opportunity to come in and cause variance and discord. Those
in the ministry who desire to stand as politicians should have their
credentials taken from them; for this work God has not given to high or low
among His people. God calls upon all who minister in doctrine to give the
trumpet a certain sound. All who have received Christ, ministers and lay
members, are to arise and shine; for great peril is right upon us. Satan is
stirring the powers of earth. Everything in the world is in confusion. God
calls upon His people to hold aloft the banner bearing the message of the
third angel. We are not to go to Christ through any human being, but through
Christ we are to understand the work He has given us to do for others. {FE
483.1} God calls
to His people, saying, "Come out from among them, and be
ye separate." He asks that the love which He has shown for them may be
reciprocated and revealed by willing obedience to His commandments. His
children are to separate themselves from politics, from any alliance with unbelievers. They are not to
link their interests with the interests of the world. "Give proof of
your allegiance to Me" He says, "by standing as My chosen heritage,
as a people zealous of good works." Do not take part in political
strife. Separate from the world, and refrain from bringing into the church or
school ideas that will lead to contention or disorder. Dissension is the
moral poison taken into the system by human beings who are selfish. God wants
His servants to have clear perceptions, true and noble dignity, that their
influence may demonstrate the power of truth. The Christian life is not to be
a haphazard, emotional life. True Christian
484 influence, exerted for the accomplishment of the work God has
appointed, is a precious agency, and it must not be united with politics, or
bound up in a confederacy with unbelievers. God is to be the center of
attraction. Every mind that is worked by the Holy Spirit will be satisfied
with Him. {FE 483.2} Does God
consider the World Believers? Are the
Fallen Churches Distinguishable from the World? "The Sins of Said the angel, 'Nothing less than the whole armor of
righteousness can enable man to overcome the powers of darkness and retain
the victory over them. Satan has taken full possession of the churches
AS A BODY. The sayings and doings of men are dwelt upon instead of the
plain, cutting truths of the Word of God. The spirit and friendship of the
world are at enmity with God. When the truth in its simplicity and strength,
as it is in Jesus, is brought to bear against the spirit of the world, it at
once awakens the spirit of persecution. Very many who profess to be
Christians have not known God. The natural heart has not been changed,
and the carnal mind remains at enmity with God. They are Satan's
faithful servants, notwithstanding they have assumed another name.' I saw that since Jesus left the holy place of the heavenly
sanctuary and entered within the second veil, the churches have been filling
up with every unclean and hateful bird. I saw great iniquity and
vileness in the churches; yet their members profess to be Christians.
Their profession, their prayers, and their exhortations are an abomination in
the sight of God. Said the angel, 'God will not smell in their
assemblies. Selfishness, fraud, and deceit are practiced by them
without the reprovings of conscience. And over all these evil traits
they throw the cloak of religion.' I was shown the pride of the nominal
churches. god is not in their thoughts; their
carnal midst dwell upon themselves; they decorate their poor mortal bodies,
and then look upon themselves with satisfaction and pleasure. Jesus and
the angels look upon them in anger. Said the angel, 'Their sins and
pride have reached unto heaven. Their portion is prepared. Justice
and judgment have slumbered long, but will soon awake. Vengeance is
Mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.' The fearful threatenings of the third
angel are to be realized, and all the wicked are to drink of the wrath of
God. An innumerable host of evil angels are spreading over the whole
land and crowding the churches. These agents of Satan
look upon the religious bodies with exultation, for the cloak of religion
covers the greatest crime and iniquity." E.G. White, Early
Writings, pp. 273-275.
Are You
Responsible for SDA Ecumenical Alliances "The gospel makes no compromise with evil. It cannot excuse
sin. Secret sins are to be confessed in secret to God but, for open sin, open
confession is required. Desire of Ages, p. 811. Corporate responsibility: "For evils that we might have
checked, we are just as responsible as if we were guilty." Desire of
Ages, p. 44. "We are just as responsible for evils that we might have
checked in others by exercise of parental or pastoral authority as if the
acts had been our own." Patriarchs Prophets, 578.2 Blood of
the Prophets From Abel on Down Luke 11:50 Luke 11:49-51 Therefore this generation will be held
responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the
beginning of the world, Luke 11:50-52 from the blood of Abel to the blood of
Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell
you, this generation Corporate responsibility will be held responsible for it
all. "The plain straight testimony must live in the church,
or the curse of God will rest upon His people as surely as it did upon
ancient God bless all who obey His commands, Ron Beaulieu |