The Abiding Trust

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Love and Confidence We must have the habit stronger and stronger to be always thinking of him who is our life, our crown of rejoicing. He has bought us with the price of his own blood. The Lord has a right to claim that all his disciples shall trust him. Let not a doubt be entertained that those who err can be Christ’s; Jesus will be our all-sufficient helper, therefore we shall not remain erring, but be enabled to attain to that holiness to which we are called, through close communion with Christ. If we fall short, it will be through unbelief, and that is sin. With God there is no shortcoming in fulfilling his word.

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The Purpose of Christ. If our souls are saved at last, we must look to him who has given his rich and abundant promises to be our strength and our salvation. All his approaches to our hearts, all his blessed agencies within, are for our renovation. Thus he would uplift us, and restore in us the moral image of God. The Holy Spirit is promised to illuminate, purify, elevate, and transform all who believe, into the likeness of Christ. He finds in us the spirit of the world, selfishness, pride, and rebellion against God. The Lord Jesus would detach us from the world, and recall us to be his children, and as his children, to obedience, to be doers of his word and will. This is his purpose.

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The Will. Truth is omnipotent, but it does not work in the human agent in opposition to the human will. Here is the turning point of freedom and responsibility.

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God’s Proving. All profit, all pay, our time, our talents, our opportunities, all are to be accounted for him who gives them. He will have the richest reward who loves God supremely and his neighbor as himself. The Lord would not have the first thread of selfishness woven into the fabric of his work. He proves us, to see if our works are free from all selfishness and pride.

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The Crisis. We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Prophecies are fulfilling. The last great conflict will be short, but terrible. Old controversies will be revived; new controversies will arise. We have a great work to do. Our ministerial work must not cease. The last warning must be given to the world. There is a special power in the presentation of the truth at the present time. How long will it last?- Only a little while. If ever there was a crisis it is now. The inquiry of every one should be, What am I? To whom do I owe allegiance? Is my heart renewed? Is my soul reformed? Are my sins forgiven? Will they be blotted out when the time of refreshing shall come?

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The Leaven. When one soul is converted, he is the one particle of leaven introduced into the mass; and there should not be a withdrawal of the leaven, so that the mass shall be left without a correcting influence. The value of the consistent example of one truly converted soul, no human being can estimate. There is a moral power given by God, by which the lowest subject, if properly instructed, will become an instrument of righteousness.

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Both the understanding and the heart need to maintain the most intimate and conscious connection with the pure, sacred springs from which they derive their light and inspiration.

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Too Many Studies. Educate in such a thorough manner that students will have time to consult God, time to live in hourly, conscious communion with the principles of truth, righteousness, and mercy. It is not the right thing to do to crowd in all the studies possible in our schools, and glut the mind. In all our studies, eternity should be kept in our minds. At this time, straightforward investigation of the heart is essential. The student must place himself where he can draw from the deep resources of all moral and intellectual power. He must inquire into every cause which asks his sympathy and co-operation to have the approval of the reason which God has given him and the conscience which the Holy Spirit is controlling. He is not to perform an action which does not harmonize with the deep and holy principles of the word of God, which minister light to his own soul and vigor to his own will. Only thus can he do the living God the highest service.

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Spiritual Life. The Lord has need of men of an intense spiritual life. How are we prepared to work for time and for eternity? The Lord has declared the source of the strength of his people. «Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.»

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Timothy. Paul wrote to Timothy, his son in the gospel, «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. Thou, therefore, endure hardiness as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.»

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These words were written to a youth. Paul tells Timothy that he is not to be a weakling, but strong in the grace of God; that it is his privilege to have power and grace. Timothy is to show that he has given attention to the things which have been communicated to him by his Father in the gospel. He is to treasure up these truths, and commit them to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. This was his charge. His special work was to gather up the fragments of all he heard, and commit them to others, that nothing be lost.

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Helping the Inexperienced. This Scripture is fraught with important meaning. It plainly shows us that our love will be tested and proved. In the providence of God, we shall be associated with those who are inexperienced. The humblest child of God, who needs the most help, may at times try the patience of those who are connected with him. Be careful, my brother; be careful, my sister. «Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.»

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Patience and Prayer. There must be a great deal of patience cultivated, a great deal of prayer. Christ met and worked with all classes of human beings, seeking to save that which was lost. Will you who shall connect with men of different organisms and different temperaments, put on Christ, and respect one another as you desire to be respected?

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The Wedding Garment. They must not put on their citizen’s dress, but the wedding garment. They have been married to Christ, and the robe of his righteousness is to clothe them. The church is the bride of Christ, and her members are to yoke up with their Leader. God warns us not to defile our garments.

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Prayer That Is Answered. When a man breathes an intensely earnest prayer to God (Jesus Christ is the only name given under heaven whereby we can be saved), there is in that intensity and earnestness a pledge from God that he is about to answer that prayer exceeding abundantly, above all that we can ask or think. We must not only pray in the name of Jesus, but by the inspiration and kindling of the Holy Spirit. This explains what is meant when it is said, «the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which can not be uttered.» The petitions must be offered in earnest faith. Then they will reach the mercy-seat. Unwearyingly persist in prayer. God does not say, Pray once, and I will answer you. His word is pray, be instant in prayer, believing ye have the things ye ask, and ye shall receive them; I will answer you.

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The Bible. The word of God is to be presented as it is in Jesus. It is not enough to present the Bible as other books are presented. That it may be understood savingly, the Holy Spirit must work upon the heart of the receiver. The same Spirit that inspired the Word must inspire the readers of the Word. Then we shall hear the voice of heaven in all its harmony, and impressions will be made and an intelligent knowledge attained. «Thy word, O God, is truth,» will be the language of the soul.

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The Gospel The gospel — what a treasure-house of knowledge! It is not as a pool that evaporates; not as a broken cistern that loses its treasure, leaving mud and decaying vegetation behind; not as a fountain that once sent forth a living, refreshing, cooling stream, but has ceased to send forth its cooling waters. Your life may be a living spring, that leaps from rock to rock, clear and sparkling with life, refreshing the weary, the thirsty, the heavy-laden.

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These promises are not made to a few, but to all who will come to the heavenly banquet that God has prepared in sending his Son to our world to die in our behalf, that through faith in him we should become one with God. The praise and glory of his grace, power, and wisdom is the effectual salvation of a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

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Predestination. Wonderful possibilities are provided for every one who has faith in Christ. No walls are built to keep any living soul from salvation. The predestination, or election, of which God speaks, includes all who will accept Christ as a personal Saviour, who will return to their loyalty, to perfect obedience to all God’s commandments. This is the effectual salvation of a peculiar people, chosen by God from among men. All who are willing to be saved by Christ are the elect of God. It is the obedient who are predestinated from the foundation of the world. «To as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to as many as believed on him.»

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Seal of God What is the seal of the living God, which is placed in the foreheads of his people? It is a mark which angels, not human eyes, can read; for the destroying angel must see this mark of redemption. The intelligent mind has seen the sign of the cross of Calvary in the Lord’s adopted sons and daughters. The sin of the transgression of the law of God is taken away. They have on the wedding garment, and are obedient and faithful to all God’s commands.

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The Church The Lord’s church is to him the dearest object on earth. Creation itself was originated in the purpose of God that he might glorify himself in the redemption of his people.

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The Plan of Redemption By Christ the work upon which the fulfillment of God’s purpose rests, was accomplished. This was the agreement in the councils of the God-head. The Father purposed in counsel with his Son that the human family should be tested and proved, to see whether they would be allured by the temptations of Satan, or whether they would make Christ their righteousness, keeping God’s commandments, and live. God gave to his Son all who would be true and loyal. Christ covenanted to redeem them from the power of Satan, at the price of his own life.

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The Holy Spirit’s Work When Christ ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit took his place, and was a perfect representation of him. It is the work of the Spirit to administer the richest grace, and make it effectual in the hearts of God’s people, that the elect may be gathered into one family. We need more quiet, abiding trust in God, and then the very best and highest activities will be put forth. Not one false movement will be made.