The
Great Need of the Holy Spirit
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July 16, 1895
The Great Need of the Holy Spirit
By
Mrs. E. G. White "Ye shall receive power, after that
the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of
the earth." God has left nothing undone that could in any way work for
the recovering of man from the toils of the enemy. He poured upon the
disciples the Holy Spirit, in order that they might be enabled to co-operate
with divine agencies in reshaping and remodeling
human character. Of the Holy Spirit Jesus said, "He will reprove
["convince," margin] the world of sin, of righteousness, and of
judgment." The Holy Spirit is not only to sanctify but to convict. No
one can repent of his sins until he is convicted of his guilt. How necessary,
then, it is that we should have the Holy Spirit with us as we labor to reach
fallen souls. Our human abilities will be exercised in vain unless they are
united with this heavenly agency. Men have fallen low, they are sunk in
depths of sinful degradation, and it is because of a lack of knowledge, of the want of
connection with vitalizing truth, and because they are contaminated by the
corrupting influence of error. In the work of saving men, men and angels are to work in harmony,
teaching the truth of God to those who are unlearned therein, in order that
they may be set free from the bonds of sin. Truth alone can make men free.
The liberty that comes through a knowledge of truth
is to be proclaimed to every creature. Our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and
the angels of heaven are all interested in this grand and holy work. To man
has been given the exalted privilege of revealing the divine character by
unselfishly seeking to rescue man from the pit of ruin into which he has been
plunged. Every
human being who will submit to be enlightened by the Holy Spirit,
is to be used for the accomplishment of this divinely conceived purpose.
Christ is the head of his church, and it will glorify him the more to have
every portion of that church engaged in the work for the salvation of souls. Our Saviour is to be more distinctly
recognized, and acknowledged as the all sufficiency of his church. He alone
can perfect the faith of his people. There is to be no wrestling for the
supremacy among us, no exalting of self. No, brethren, let us lift up Jesus,
and we shall reap a rich harvest. "And I, if I be lifted up from the
earth, will draw all men unto me." Lift him up, then; exalt the Holy
One; proclaim him "the Desire of all nations," the "chiefest among ten thousand," the one
"altogether lovely." Let every church of every clime take hold with
an intense interest to help advance the cause. And while you labor for your
own locality, pray for the general prosperity and upbuilding
of the church throughout the vast harvest-field. There is more joy in heaven over one
sinner that repents, than over the ninety and nine who suppose they need no
repentance. When we hear of the success of the truth in any locality, let the
whole church join in songs of rejoicing, let praises ascend to God. Let the
name of the Lord be glorified by us, and we shall be inspired with greater
zeal to become workers together with God. The Lord urges us to fulfill the
injunction, "Go ye into all the world, and
preach the gospel to every creature." But we need to leave more room for
the working of the Holy Spirit, in order that laborers may be bound together
and may move forward in the strength of a united body of soldiers. Let all
remember that we are "a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to
men." Therefore each one should inquire with meekness and fear, What is
my path of duty? Entire consecration to the service of God will reveal the molding influence of the Holy Spirit at every step along
the way. When apparent impossibilities arise in your path, present the
ever-ready, complete efficiency of the Holy Spirit before your unbelieving
heart, that it may shame away your over-cautious spirit. When your faith is
weak, your efforts feeble, talk of the great Comforter, the Strength of
heaven. When you are inclined to doubt that God is working by his Holy Spirit
through human agents, remember that God has used the church and is using it to
the glory of his own name. If men will not obstruct the way, God will move
upon the minds of many more to engage in active service for him. Note:
Let us ever remember the true definition of the church: "God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it
the national establishment, neither is it the various
denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. 'Where two or
three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.'
Where Christ is even among the humble few, THIS IS CHRIST'S CHURCH, for the
presence of the High and Holy One who inhabiteth
eternity can alone constitute a church." Upward Look, p. 315. End
note. Christ's prayer to his Father in behalf
of his followers was not in the interest of a few; it embraced every believer
in the Son of God. "Neither pray I," said Christ, "for these
alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that
they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they
also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent
me." The words of this prayer are very precious. Notice what follows:
"And the glory which thou gavest me I have
given them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and thou in
me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that
thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." Of all persons on the earth the true
Christian is the one that the world has the most need of. But while they
remain in the world, they are not to be of the world. The
Saviour prayed: "I pray not that thou shouldst
take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst
keep them from the evil." The religion of the Bible is to be revealed in
this world, in order that souls may be led to discern Christ, the Light of
the world. As light is revealed, by following that light we may escape from
all darkness; for He has said, "He that followeth
me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." The
rays of the Light of life shining from the Lord Jesus
enable humanity to pick their ground,
to wage successful warfare, and triumph over the powers of darkness. This
glorious Light reveals the abundant entrance into the kingdom of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ. Walking in its beams we find ready admittance there. The great General is not only leading a
few soldiers; but the Captain of the Lord's host is leading the armies of
both heaven and earth to battle; they are marching on to a glorious victory.
Every soldier is to put on the whole armor of God,
and fight courageously, realizing that he is battling in full view of the
invisible universe. If the Lord's army will obey orders, they will find
themselves influenced by the Holy Spirit to work the works of God. The
battlefield is glorified with the light shining from the cross of Calvary. The prayer of Christ; "that they may
be one in us," should be responded to by every Christian. Each one
should show an example of holy devotion, of unreserved consecration, to his
service. They should be models of self-denying, self sacrificing laborers,
after the example of Jesus, that God may be
glorified on the earth, and that, beholding the love which binds the
believers together, the world may realize that God has sent his Son to save
them from their sins; and that, believing, many souls may be sanctified
through the truth. The promise of the gift of the Holy
Spirit is not comprehended as it should be. The privileges to be enjoyed through its acceptance are not
appreciated as they might be. God desires that his church shall lay hold by faith upon his
promises, and ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to help them in every
place. He assures us that he is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to them
that ask him, than parents are to give good gifts unto their children. Since it is possible
for every one to have the heavenly unction,
"ye need not that any man teach you," and
there is no excuse for shunning responsibilities. No duty should be
unwelcome, no obligation evaded. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask
of God, that giveth to all men liberally."
Place more confidence in "Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom,
and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." The work of God
is retarded by criminal unbelief in his power to use the common people to
carry forward his work successfully. Because men cannot see every step
forward distinctly marked out before them, they question, doubt, and
hesitate, under the plea of caution. They will not walk by faith, but move by
sight alone. O that frail man would realize that it is the General of the
armies of heaven that is leading and directing the movements of his allies on
earth. Christ himself is the renewing power, working in and through every
soldier by the agency of the Holy Spirit. Every individual is to become an
instrument in his hands to work for the salvation of souls. Not one who
desires to labor for the Master is to be refused a place, if he is a true
follower of Christ. Every one has his responsibilities
to bear in the cause of Christ. The efficiency of the Spirit of God will make
effective the labors of all who are willing to
submit to his guidance. Therefore, how careful every officer in the Lord's
army should be that he does not interpose the commandments and rulings of men
between the soldier and his Captain. "Without me," says Christ,
"ye can do nothing." If the officers abide not in Christ, they can do nothing. How
careful, how humble, should every soul be that is
enrolled in the Lord's army; how meek and free from self-sufficiency should
all his officers prove themselves to be. The end of all things is at hand. God is
moving upon every mind that is open to receive the impressions of his Holy
Spirit. He
is sending out messengers that they may give the warning in every locality. God is testing the
devotion of his churches and their willingness to render obedience to the
Spirit's guidance. Knowledge is to be increased. The messengers of
Heaven are to be seen running to and fro, seeking in every possible way to
warn the people of the coming judgments, and presenting the glad tidings of
salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. The standard of righteousness is to be exalted. The Spirit of
God is moving upon men's hearts, and those who respond to its influence will
become lights in the world. Everywhere they are seen going forth to
communicate to others the light they have received as they did after the descent
of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. And as they let their light shine, they
receive more and more of the Spirit's power. The earth is lighted with the
glory of God. But O, sad picture! those
who do not submit to the influence of the Holy Spirit soon lose the blessings
received when they acknowledged the truth as from Heaven. They fall into a
cold, spiritless formality; they lose their interest in perishing souls: they
have "left their first love." And Christ says unto them, "Remember therefore from
whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will
come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place,
except thou repent." He will take his Holy Spirit from the church, and
give it to others who will appreciate it. There is no greater evidence that those
who have received great light do not appreciate that light, than is given by
their refusal to let their light shine upon those who are in darkness, and
devoting their time and energies in celebrating forms and ceremonies. Thoughts of the inner
work, the necessary purity of heart, are not entertained. The absence of
harmony with God becomes apparent. The light grows dim, goes out; the candlestick
has been removed. There is much exercising of man-made authority by those to
whom God has not given his wisdom because they did not feel the need of the
wisdom from above. This wisdom, "first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and
without hypocrisy," is contrary to their disposition. They have not the
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, with which the believer in Jesus should
be adorned. They do not represent the meek and lowly Carpenter of Nazareth.
The set aside as of little value that which God has said "is of great
price." (Concluded
next week.) July 16, 1895
A Word to Parents
By
Mrs. E. G. White As parents who profess to love the Lord
Jesus Christ, we should see to it that the spirit of peace is in our
households. God commands us to take our children and fashion them after the
divine similitude. From their earliest life children should be taught to obey
their parents, to respect their word, and to reverence their authority. But many allow Satan
to take their children under control, and in their early life the spirit of
Satan manifests itself in the little ones in passionate screams or in sullen
manners. One child under the control of this evil disposition will disturb
the whole household, and banish peace from its borders. Parents should take
time to discipline their children. Our most precious time belongs to our own
flesh and blood. Never let your child hear you say, "I cannot do
anything with you." As long as we may have access to the throne of God,
we as parents should be ashamed to utter any such a word. Cry unto Jesus, and
he will help you to bring your little ones to him, and to keep them out of
the power of the enemy. If Satan cannot succeed in ruling the fathers and the
mothers, he will try with all his power to control the children, and make
them rebel against God, and become disturbers of the peace of a family. Parents, you have a solemn responsibility
resting upon you. It is your duty to co-operate with Christ in aiding your
children to form right characters. Jesus can do nothing without your
co-operation. It is not mercy or kindness to permit a child to have its own
way, to submit to its rule, and to neglect to correct it on the ground that
you love it too well to punish it. What kind of love is it that permits your
child to develop traits of character that will make him and every one else miserable? Away with such love! True love
will look out for the present and eternal good of the soul. How much corruption we see in the world
because parents neglect to do their duty, and sin lies at their door. Satan
stands by exulting as you permit your children to pass into his hands. Do not
indulge your children in evil ways, but from their very infancy let them see
that you love the Lord, and that you mean to train them up as he would have
you. Our blessed Saviour taught us to pray, "Our Father, which art in
heaven. Hallowed be thy name." Do we realize what is
the meaning of this prayer? Do we realize that we must hallow that
name in our families, and that if we allow our children to manifest the
attributes of Satan, that name is not hallowed in our households? If we want
the holy angels to take charge of our little ones, we must bring them up in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and teach them to hallow the name of
God. We teach them to say, "Thy kingdom come, thy
will be done on earth as it is in heaven." But do you teach them the
meaning of this prayer? Do you teach them that the kingdom of God must be
seen in your household, and that the will of God must be done by them and
you? Do
you break the force of this petition by shaking them, by striking them in
anger, by speaking harsh words, and by manifesting passion? Do not do this,
but be merciful, kind, and tender-hearted. Let the will of the Lord be done in your
family, not the will of the enemy. If mild measures will not avail, you must use the rod, you
must give your children to understand that God must be honored in your house;
but this work is sadly neglected. Do you wonder that God does not walk through the midst of us
when we allow Satan to work his way in our households, and when we neglect
the solemn obligations that God has placed upon us? Of what avail will be a
list of church resolutions, if we have not the Spirit of God in our homes?
Christ is watching to see who are training their families for the great
family above. Suppose one of your little children whom you have failed to
correct, should be taken away in one of its fits of temper, what would be the
result? I leave you to answer the question. What are we to do? Let us look carefully,
and begin to catch up our dropped stitches. Let us break down the strongholds
of the enemy. Let us mercifully correct our loved ones, and keep them from
the power of the enemy. Do not be discouraged. Eternal interests are at
stake. Do not feel downcast by the rebuke; for the Lord says, "As many
as I love, I rebuke and chasten." The church needs men of a meek and quiet spirit, who are
long-suffering and patient. Let them learn these attributes in dealing with
their families. Let parents think a great deal more of their children's
eternal interests than they do of their present comfort. Let them look upon
their children as younger members of the Lord's family, and train and
discipline them in such a way as will lead them to reflect the divine image.” |