Christ Our
Righteousness
One interest
will prevail, one subject will swallow up every other,--Christ our
righteousness. {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 19} Click to go to our Home Page
December 23, 1890 "Be Zealous and Repent." by Ellen G.
White
The Lord has seen our backslidings, and he has a controversy with his
people. Their pride, their selfishness, their opening of the mind to doubt
and unbelief, are manifest in his sight, and grieve his heart of love. Many gather darkness about their souls as
a garment, and virtually say,"We want not a
knowledge of thy way, O God; we choose our own way." These are the things that separate the
soul from God. There is in the soul of man an obstacle which he holds
there with stubborn persistency, and which interposes between his soul and
God. It is unbelief. God gives
sufficient evidence, but man, with his unsanctified will, refuses to receive
evidence unless it comes in his own way, to favor his own ideas. With a
spirit of bravado he cries, "Proof, proof, is what we want," and
turns away from the evidence that God gives. He talks doubt, unbelief,
sowing the seeds of evil which will spring up and yield their harvest. He is separating his soul farther and
farther from God. {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 1} Is
it proof that such men need? Is it evidence that is wanting?--No; the parable
of the rich man and Lazarus is given to help all such souls who are turning
away from positive evidence, and crying, "Proof"! The rich man
asked that one might be sent from the dead to warn his brethren, lest they
come to the place of torment. "Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses
and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but
if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." {RH,
December 23, 1890 par. 2}
Why is it that men do not believe upon sufficient evidence?--Because they do not want to be convinced.
They have no disposition to give up
their own will for God's will. They are unwilling to acknowledge that
they have cherished sinful unbelief in resisting the light that God has given
them. They have been hunting for doubts, for pegs upon which to hang their unbelief.
They have been ready to accept
testimony which is weak and insufficient, testimony which God has not given
them in his word, but which pleases them because it agrees with their ideas,
and is in harmony with their disposition and will. These souls are in great
peril. If they will bow their proud will, and put it on God's side of the
question; if they will with humble, contrite hearts seek for the light,
believing that there is light for them, then they will see light, because the
eye is single to discern the light which comes from God. They will
acknowledge the evidence of divine authority. Spiritual truths will shine
forth from the divine page. But the
heart must be open for the reception of light, for Satan is ever ready to
obscure the precious truth which would make them wise unto salvation. If any
do not receive it, it will forever remain a mystery of mysteries to them.
{RH, December 23, 1890 par. 3}
We should earnestly seek to know and appreciate the truth,
that we may present it to others as it is in Jesus. We need to have a
correct estimate of the value of our own souls; then we would not be as
reckless in regard to our course of action as at present. We would seek most
earnestly to know God's way; we would work in an opposite direction from
selfishness, and our constant prayer would be that we might have the mind of
Christ, that we might be molded and fashioned after his likeness. It is in looking to Jesus and beholding
his loveliness, having our eyes steadfastly fixed upon him, that we become
changed into his image. He will give grace[1]
to all that keep his way, and do his will, and walk in truth. But those
who love their own way, who worship their idols of opinion, and do not love
God and obey his word, will continue to walk in darkness. O, how terrible is
unbelief! As well let light be poured upon the blind, as to present truth to
these souls; the one cannot see, and the other will not see. {RH, December
23, 1890 par. 4} I
beseech you whose names are registered on the church-book as worthy members,
to be indeed worthy, through the virtue of Christ. Mercy and truth and the love of God are promised to the humble and
contrite soul. The displeasure and judgments of God are against those who
persist in walking in their own ways, loving self, loving the praise of men.
They will certainly be swept into the satanic delusions of these last days,
because they received not the love of the truth. Because the Lord has,
in former days, blessed and honored them, they flatter themselves that they
are chosen and true, and do not need warning and instruction and reproof.
The True Witness says, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be
zealous therefore, and repent." The professed people of God have the
charge against them, "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because
thou hast left thy first love. 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." {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 5}
The love to Jesus that once burned upon the altar of the heart, has become dimmed and nearly extinguished.
Spiritual strength has become enfeebled. The displeasure of the Lord is
against his people. In their present condition it is impossible for them to
represent the character of Christ. And when the True Witness has sent them
counsel, reproof, and warnings because he loves them, they have refused to
receive the message; they have refused to come to the light, lest their deeds
should be reproved. Jesus said, "I lay down my life for the sheep. . . .
Therefore doth my Father love me." "By
taking your sins upon myself, I am opening a channel through which his grace
can flow to all who will accept it. In giving myself for the sin of the
world, I have prepared a way for the unrepressed tide of his love to flow to
men." {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 6} All heaven is filled with amazement, that
when this love, so broad, so deep, so rich and full, is presented to men who
have known the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, they are so indifferent, so
cold and unmoved. What does it mean that such amazing grace does not
soften our hard hearts? O! it is because of the
power of unbelief; because "thou hast left thy first love." This is
why the word of God has so little influence. It is as a fire, but it cannot
penetrate nor warm the ice-bound heart that cherishes unbelief. {RH, December
23, 1890 par. 7}
The infinite treasures of truth have been accumulating from age to
age. No representation could adequately impress us with the extent, the
richness, of these vast resources. They are awaiting the demand of those who
appreciate them. These gems of truth are to be gathered up by God's remnant
people, to be given by them to the world; but self-confidence and obduracy of
soul refuse the blessed treasure. "God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life." Such love cannot be
measured, neither can it be expressed. John calls upon the world to
"behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we
should be called the sons of God." It is a love that passeth
knowledge. In the fullness of the sacrifice, nothing was withheld: Jesus gave
himself. God designs that his people
shall love one another as Christ loved us. They are to educate and train the
soul for this love. They are to reflect this love in their own character, to
reflect it to the world. Each should look upon this as his work. In his
prayer to the Father, Jesus said: "As thou hast sent me into the world,
even so have I also sent them into the world." Christ's fullness is to
be presented to the world by those who have become partakers of his grace.
They are to do that for Christ which Christ did for the Father,--represent
his character. {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 8}
There is a lack of moral and spiritual power throughout our
Conferences. Many churches do not have light in themselves. The members do
not give evidence that they are branches of the True Vine, by bearing much fruit
to the glory of God, but appear to be withering away. Their Redeemer has withdrawn his light, the inspiration of his Holy
Spirit, from their assemblies; for they have ceased to represent the
self-denial, the sympathy and compassionate love of the world's Redeemer;
they have not love for the souls for whom Christ has died. They have ceased to be true and faithful.
It is a sad picture,--the feeble piety, the want of consecration and devotion
to God. There has been a separation of the soul from God; many have cut off
the communication between him and the soul by refusing his messengers and his
message. {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 9} In
our largest churches the greatest evils exist, because these have had the
greatest light. They have not a true knowledge of God, and of Jesus
Christ whom he has sent. The leaven of unbelief is working, and unless these
evils which bring the displeasure of God are corrected in its members, the
whole church stands accountable for them. The deep movings
of the Spirit of God are not with them; the glorious presence of the King of
saints, and his power to cleanse from all moral defilement, are not manifest
among them. Many come to the assembly as worshipers, like the door upon its
hinges. They understand not the true application of the Scriptures, nor
the power of God. They have eyes, but they see not; ears have they, but they
hear not; they continue in their evil ways, yet regard themselves as the
privileged, obedient people who are doers of the word. A carnal security
and ease in Zion prevail. Peace, peace, is sounded in her borders, when God
has not spoken peace. They have forfeited the terms of peace; there is reason for an alarm to be
sounded in all "my holy mountain." The
sinners in Zion should be afraid, in a time when they do not expect it, sudden destruction will surely come upon all who are
at ease. {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 10}
The Holy Spirit strives to make apparent the claims of God, but men
pay heed only for a moment, and turn their minds to other things: Satan
catches away the seeds of truth; the gracious influence of the Spirit of God
is effectually resisted. Thus many are
grieving away the Holy Spirit for the last time, and they know it not.
{RH, December 23, 1890 par. 11}
The words spoken by Christ of Jerusalem are, "Your house is left unto
you desolate." What anguish of soul did Jesus feel when all his appeals,
his warnings and reproofs, were resisted! At the time he brought them home to
the soul, impressions were made; but self-love, self-sufficiency, love of the
world, came in and choked the good seed sown. Pride of heart prevented his
hearers from humbling themselves before God, and confessing their sin in
resisting his Holy Spirit, and reluctantly it left them. On the crest of
Olivet, as he beheld the city, he wept over it, saying, "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the
things which belong unto thy peace!" Here he paused; he was loth to
utter the irrevocable sentence. O that Jerusalem would repent! When the fast westering sun should pass out of sight, her day of mercy
would be ended. Jesus closed his sentence, "But now they are hid from
thine eyes." On another occasion he lamented the impenitence of the
chosen city: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest
the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto
thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth
gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is
left unto you desolate." The Lord forbid that
this scene should now be repeated in the experience of God's professed
people! "My Spirit," he says, "shall not always strive with
man." The time will come when it must be said of the impenitent,
"Ephraim is joined to his idols; let him alone." {RH, December 23,
1890 par. 12} Will
the church see where she has fallen? A coldness,
hardness of heart, a want of sympathy for the brethren, exists in the church.
An absence of love for the erring is manifested. There is a withdrawing from
the very ones who need pity and help. A severity, an overbearing spirit, such
as existed among the Pharisees, exists in our churches, and especially in
those intrusted with sacred responsibilities. They
are lifted up in self-esteem and self-assurance. The widow and the fatherless have not their sympathy or their love.
This is entirely unlike the spirit of
Christ. The Lord looks with displeasure upon the coarse,
harsh spirit that has been manifested by some,--a spirit so devoid of
sympathy, of tender appreciation of those whom he loves. Brethren, you who close the heart against
Christ's suffering ones, remember, that as you deal
with them, God will deal with you. When you call, he will not say,
"Here I am;" when you cry, he will not answer. Satan is watching,
preparing his delusions to ensnare those who are filled with self-importance
while they are spiritually destitute. {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 13}
The road to paradise is not one of self-exaltation, but of repentance,
confession, humiliation, of faith and obedience. The message to the Laodicean
Church is appropriate to the church at this time: "And unto the angel of
the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the Faithful
and True Witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works,
that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert
cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I
am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not
that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I
counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich;
and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy
nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou
mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and
repent." There are many who are priding themselves upon their spiritual
riches, their knowledge of the truth, and are living in guilty
self-deception. When the members of the church humble themselves before God
by zealous, not half-hearted, lifeless action, the Lord will receive them.
But he declares, "I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy
candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." How long shall this warning be resisted? How long shall it be
slighted? {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 14}
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my
voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and
he with me." The position of Christ is the attitude of forbearance and
importunity. "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that
thou mayest be rich." O, the soul-poverty is alarming! And those who are
most in need of the gold of love, feel rich and
increased with goods, when they lack every grace. Having lost faith and love,
they have lost everything. {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 15} The Lord has sent a message to arouse his
people to repent, and do their first works; but how has his message been
received? While some have heeded it, others have cast contempt and reproach
on the message and the messenger. Spirituality deadened, humility and
childlike simplicity gone, a mechanical, formal
profession of faith has taken the place of love and devotion. Is this
mournful condition of things to continue? is the
lamp of God's love to go out in darkness? The Saviour calls; listen to his
voice: "Be zealous and repent." Repent, confess your sins, and you
will be forgiven. "Turn ye, turn ye; for why
will ye die?" Why will you try to rekindle a mere fitful fire, and walk
in the sparks of your own kindling? {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 16}
The True Witness declares, "I know thy works." "Repent,
and do the first works." This is the true test, the evidence that the
Spirit of God is working in the heart to imbue you with his love. "I
will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his
place, except thou repent." The church is like the unproductive tree
which, receiving the dew and rain and sunshine, should have produced an
abundance of fruit, but on which the divine search discovers nothing but
leaves. Solemn thought for our churches! solemn,
indeed, for every individual! Marvelous is the
patience and forbearance of God; but "except thou repent," it will
be exhausted; the churches, our institutions, will go from weakness to
weakness, from cold formality to deadness, while they are saying, "I am
rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." The True
Witness says, "And knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable,
and poor, and blind, and naked." Will they ever see clearly their
condition? {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 17}
There is to be in the churches a wonderful manifestation of the power
of God, but it will not move upon those who have not humbled themselves
before the Lord, and opened the door of the heart by confession and
repentance. In the manifestation of that power which lightens the earth with
the glory of God, they will see only
something which in their blindness they think dangerous, something which will
arouse their fears, and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the
Lord does not work according to their ideas and expectations, they will
oppose the work. "Why," they say, "should not we know the
Spirit of God, when we have been in the work so many years?"--Because
they did not respond to the warnings, the entreaties of the messages of God,
but persistently said, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have
need of nothing." Talent, long experience, will not make men
channels of light, unless they place themselves under the bright beams of the
Sun of Righteousness, and are called, and chosen, and prepared by the
endowment of the Holy Spirit. When men who handle sacred things will humble
themselves under the mighty hand of God, the Lord will lift them up. He will
make them men of discernment--men rich in the grace of his Spirit. Their
strong, selfish traits of character, their stubbornness, will be seen in the
light shining from the Light of the world. "I will come unto thee
quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou
repent." If you seek the Lord with all your heart, he will be found of
you. {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 18}
The end is near! We have not a moment to lose! Light is to shine forth
from God's people in clear, distinct rays, bringing Jesus before the churches
and before the world. Our work is not to be restricted to those who already
know the truth; our field is the world. The instrumentalities to be used are
those souls who gladly receive the light of truth which God communicates to
them. These are God's agencies for communicating the knowledge of truth to
the world. If through the grace of Christ his people will become new bottles,
he will fill them with the new wine. God will give additional light, and
old truths will be recovered, and replaced in the frame-work of truth; and
wherever the laborers go, they will triumph. As
Christ's ambassadors, they are to search the Scriptures, to seek for the
truths that have been hidden beneath the rubbish of error. And every ray
of light received is to be communicated to others. One interest will prevail, one subject will swallow up every
other,--Christ our righteousness. {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 19}
"This is life eternal, that they might know thee,
the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." "Thus
saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the
mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but
let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which
exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth: for in
these things I delight, saith the Lord." This is what needs to be
brought into the experience of every worker, high or low, in all our institutions,
in all our churches. God wants every soul to return to the first love. He
wants all to have the gold of faith
and love, so that they can draw from the treasure to impart to others
who need it. {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 20}
Then [upon all the conditions
cited and if they are met before the church committed unpardonable sin]
the believers will be of one heart and of one mind, and the Lord will make
his word powerful in the earth. New cities and villages and territories will
be entered; the church will arise and shine, because her light has come, for
the glory of the Lord is risen upon her. New converts
will be added to the churches, and those who now claim to be converted will
feel in their own hearts the transforming power of the grace of Christ. Then
Satan will be aroused, and will excite the bitterest persecution against
God's people. But those not of our faith, who have not rejected light, will
recognize the spirit of Christ in his true followers, and will take their
stand with the people of God. {RH, December 23, 1890 par. 21} Note by Ron: The same promise was given to
Israel that the church would arise and shine, to wit: Isa 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is
come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. The promise of Isaiah 60:1 was indeed made
to all Israel conditionally, but was this promise fulfilled to the entire
apostate church of Israel? Nay, friend, nay. It was fulfilled to a few who
followed Jesus out of the apostate church and here is the proof: "Christ was a
protestant...The Reformers date back to Christ and the apostles. They came
out and separated themselves from a religion of forms and ceremonies. Luther
and his followers did not invent the reformed religion. They simply accepted
it as presented by Christ and the apostles." E.G. White, Review and
Herald, vol. 2, 48, col. 2. Paul left "And
as they persisted in their rejection of the gospel the apostle (Paul) went
into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space
for three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom
of God. But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of
that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the
disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus." Acts, 19:8,
9. End note by Ron.
Christ says, speaking of the Comforter, "He shall not speak of
himself;" "he shall testify of me;" "he shall glorify
me." How little has Christ been preached! The laborers
have presented theories, plenty of them, but little of Christ and his love.
As the Saviour came to glorify the Father by the demonstration of his love,
so the Spirit came to glorify Christ by revealing to the world the riches of
his love and grace. If the Holy Spirit dwells in us, our work will testify to
the fact, we shall lift up Jesus. Not one can afford to be silent now; the
burden of the work is to present Christ to the world. All who venture to have their own way, who do not join the angels who
are sent from heaven with a message to fill the whole earth with its glory,
will be passed by. The work will go forward to victory without them, and they
will have no part in its triumph. Mrs. E. G. White. {RH, December 23,
1890 par. 22} |
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“They must have His grace, the Spirit of Christ, to help their infirmities, or they cannot form a Christian character. Jesus loves to have us come to Him, just as we are—sinful, helpless, dependent.” Faith and Works, p. 38.