The Christian Struggle

One day, perhaps much sooner than most people realize, we will stand face to face with our Creator. Paul talks about the personal nature of our accountability.

“Each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12

“For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in his body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10

“They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” 1 Peter 4:5

Ellen White gives us a graphic description of the judgment.

“Each has a case pending at the bar of God. Each must meet the great Judge face to face. How important, then, that every mind contemplate often the solemn scene when the judgment shall sit and the books shall be opened, when, with Daniel, every individual must stand in his lot, at the end of the days.” The Great Controversy, 488

“The Judge of all the earth will render a just decision. He will not be bribed; He cannot be deceived. He who made man, and whose are the worlds and all the treasures they contain—He it is who weighs character in the balance of eternal justice. … Every individual has a soul to save or to lose.” In Heavenly Places, 360

“We are on the great battlefield of life, and let it never be forgotten that we are individually responsible for the issue of the struggle; that though Noah, Job, and Daniel were in the land, yet should they deliver neither son nor daughter by their righteousness. … But you have justified your own course because you thought that your brethren did not do right. Sometimes you have acted like a petted, spoiled child and have talked unbelief and doubt to spite others; but will it pay?” Testimonies, Vol. 5, 337, 338

“Those who do not become saints here can never be saints in heaven. God will accept in His service nothing less than the entire being—body, soul, and spirit. At the coming of Christ, many who now pass for Christians will be found wanting. … They will see their true condition. In the light of the law of God, they will see the destitution of their souls.” The Review and Herald, February 26, 1901

Editorial – Keep Your Heart

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23, is the counsel of the wisest of all men. “For as he thinks in his heart, so he is.” Proverbs 23:7, first part

Unfortunately Solomon did not follow his own advice. His life became a shambles, and when he was converted again in his old age, he wrote the melancholy book of Ecclesiastes as a warning to others to not do as he did.

It is impossible for any man to make or keep his heart pure without divine grace because the Bible says that the heart of man is deceitful above all things and incurably wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).

A man may attempt to build a noble, virtuous character apart from the grace of Christ, but he will discover that in the fierce storms of temptation to which we are all subject in this world, he will be overthrown.

When the Lord has removed our guilt by the blood of Jesus Christ and renewed our heart, making us partakers of the heavenly gift, we are then to go on to perfection (Hebrews 6:1–5). We have a work to do to cooperate with the divine agencies seeking to bring about our salvation. If we do not do our part, then, as Jesus said in Luke 8:14, we will bring no fruit to perfection, leaving us unprepared for the Lord’s return.

Guard the avenues of the soul. Do not allow yourself to read, see, or hear anything that will suggest impure thoughts. Psalm 101:3

Pray for the abiding influence of the Holy Spirit.

Become a faithful sentinel over your eyes, ears, and all your senses so that you can control your mind and prevent vain and corrupt thoughts from staining your soul. Mark 13:37

Diligently study the word of God. Psalm 119:9, 11

Follow the principles of health reform found in the word of God—partake of nothing that will dull your powers of perception.Some might need to change jobs in order to get ready for heaven, but if your situation requires that you must live and work in Babylon—like Daniel did—call on the Lord. He will hear your petition, and provide extra grace or change your circumstances.

The Promise of the Melchizedek Priesthood

In the epistle to the Hebrew Christians, the apostle Paul states seven times that God has made Christ a High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. He also makes it clear that no one was ever made perfect by the Levitical priesthood as far as the conscience is concerned, and no sin has ever been forgiven by a priest who descended from Levi (Hebrews 10).

So it was necessary that another Priest should come who could do what the descendants of Aaron could never do. What is the function of a priest? He offers gifts and sacrifices for sin (Hebrews 5). It is through the services of a priest that sins are forgiven, but the Levitical priests could not forgive sin, as we saw in the preceding paragraph. However, no one will go to heaven who has his sins forgiven only.

Do not misunderstand. No one can go to heaven unless their sins are forgiven, but it is necessary that more be done for you than just forgiveness of your sins. In order to go heaven, your sins must be taken away—removed from you completely. The person who has had his sins forgiven is still a sinner even though he has been justified, or forgiven, and is accounted innocent.

The sin itself, the degradation from sin, must be removed. No earthly priest ever has or ever will be able to do this for you, but Jesus can and it must happen if you are to be with Him in heaven.

Paul says that Jesus came to put away sin (Hebrews 9). This is the miracle of salvation that everyone who goes to heaven must have. Only the services of a priest after the order of Melchizedek can do this for you.

No one can be saved by a human priest, that is why Jesus said, “ ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ” John 14:6

The Melchizedek priesthood is all powerful and can save any sinner (Hebrews 7:25).

Have you asked Him to save you?

Blessings

And I will bless you and you shall be a blessing and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12:2, 3).

We cannot be a blessing until we are first blessed ourselves. God first said, “I will bless you” before Abram could be a blessing to all the families of the earth. How does God bless us? Through the angels:

“Christ virtually says, On the bank of the Jordan the heavens were opened, and the Spirit descended like a dove upon Me. That scene was but a token that I am the Son of God. If you believe on Me as such, your faith shall be quickened. You shall see that the heavens are opened, and are never to be closed. I have opened them to you. The angels of God are ascending, bearing the prayers of the needy and distressed to the Father above, and descending, bringing blessing and hope, courage, help, and life, to the children of men.

“The angels of God are ever passing from earth to heaven, and from heaven to earth. The miracles of Christ for the afflicted and suffering were wrought by the power of God through the ministration of the angels. And it is through Christ, by the ministration of His heavenly messengers, that every blessing comes from God to us. In taking upon Himself humanity, our Saviour unites His interests with those of the fallen sons and daughters of Adam, while through His divinity He grasps the throne of God. And thus Christ is the medium of communication of men with God, and of God with men.” The Desire of Ages, 142

Once we are blessed, then we are to bless others.

“Our confession of His faithfulness is heaven’s chosen agency for revealing Christ to the world. We are to acknowledge His grace as made known through the holy men of old; but that which will be most effectual is the testimony of our own experience. We are witnesses for God as we reveal in ourselves the working of a power that is divine. Every individual has a life distinct from all others, and an experience differing essentially from theirs. God desires that our praise shall ascend to Him, marked by our own individuality. These precious acknowledgments to the praise of the glory of His grace, when supported by a Christ-like life, have an irresistible power that works for the salvation of souls.” Ibid., 347

Come Before Winter

During his last imprisonment before his martyrdom, the apostle Paul wrote Timothy a second letter—the last letter written from his pen. He ended this letter to Timothy saying, “Do your utmost to come before winter.” 2 Timothy 4:21, first part

Paul made this request for several reasons.

  • He knew that he was going to be martyred for the gospel, but he did not know when—that was up to the fickle-minded Nero.
  • He had important things that he wanted to discuss with Timothy who was like a son to him, and if Timothy delayed until it was not possible to travel by ship because of winter, he might not see him at all.
  • He had not been allowed any privileges at his second arrest and, therefore, had not been able to bring his outer coat with him. He would suffer cold in the winter without this garment.
  • He wanted access to inspired writings for study that were not with him, and he wanted Timothy to bring them.
  • Ellen White says that “The desire for love and sympathy was implanted in the heart by God himself. Christ in His hour of agony in Gethsemane, while bearing the guilt of sinful men, longed for the sympathy of His disciples. And Paul, though almost indifferent to hardship and suffering, yearned for sympathy and companionship. God would have His people cherish love and sympathy for one another. Humanity, elevated, ennobled, and rendered Godlike, is worthy of respect and esteem. The sons and daughters of God will be tenderhearted, pitiful, courteous, to all men, ‘especially unto them who are of the household of faith.’ ” Sketches from the Life of Paul, 309

Is there someone that you are acquainted with or related to who needs you to come before winter? If you wait, you may be unable to minister to them at all. There comes a time when you cannot minister to your parents. There comes a time when you cannot minister to your children. There comes a time when you cannot witness to your neighbor, fellow worker, or relatives. Why is this? Because we are limited by time which comes to an end. Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” John 9:4

Come before winter.

Every Man’s Destiny Decided

The God we serve is merciful and longsuffering. He loathes to punish, but righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne, and the time will come when He must pass judgment and determine every man’s destiny. For God’s children, that is in progress right now. For those who have not accepted the gospel, the judgment takes place during the millennium spoken of in Revelation 20.

The judgment should always be in our view because we are living in the most solemn period of earth’s history, when the eternal destiny of everyone who has ever professed the name of Christ is being decided. If you are uncertain about these facts or do not understand them, you are invited to go to the Steps to Life web page to enroll in our Bible course. These studies will enable you to not only understand what the Bible says about the judgment and that it is taking place right now, but also to help prepare you to be ready for that grand and awful day when the judgment is finished and every man’s eternal destiny is fixed by an unchangeable decree.

Here are a few facts about the judgment:

We will be judged by our deeds: Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14; 2 Corinthians 5:10.

We will be judged according to the words we have spoken—for the recording angel has recorded them all: Matthew 12:36, 37; Ecclesiastes 5:6, 7.

We will be judged according to the thoughts we have espoused and cherished: Isaiah 66:18; Matthew 15:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 4:5.

Our name must be retained in the book of life in order for us to be saved: Revelation 20:13–15.

For our names to be retained in the book of life, we must overcome sin: Revelation 3:5.

We must be Christlike in character: 1 John 3:1–3; Colossians 1:27, 28.

The standard of character by which we will be judged is the ten commandments: James 2:10–12.

“Let the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge.” Psalm 50:6

“Silently, unnoticed as the midnight thief, will come the decisive hour which marks the fixing of every man’s destiny, the final withdrawal of mercy’s offer to guilty men.” The Great Controversy, 491

“Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming … lest, coming suddenly, He find you sleeping.” Mark 13:35, 36

Why do you believe what you believe?

Before Jesus ascended to heaven He promised His disciples that He would send to them another Helper who would guide them into all truth and bring to their remembrance what He had taught them. This promise has lost none of its force for Christians today, but like every other promise it is given on conditions and will only be fulfilled to those who ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as they study God’s word. God has given us His word to study and He does not intend to study it for us.

“It is of the greatest importance to us that we obtain a knowledge of the Bible. … Our only safety is in becoming personally acquainted with the reasons of our faith. …

“The law of God will be made void in the world; its authority will be despised just as it was in heaven in the first great rebellion … .

“God has made full provision in the Scriptures for our equipment against deception, and we shall be without excuse, if, through neglect of God’s word, we are unable to resist the errors of the evil one. We need to watch unto prayer. We need daily to search the Scriptures diligently, that we may not be ensnared by some delusive error that seems like truth.

“Our greatest danger lies in our tendency to refuse increased light, and our only safety is to see and understand for ourselves ‘what saith the Lord.’ …

“The prophet [John] described the faithful ones, saying, ‘Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.’ This is the class that excite the wrath of the dragon because they obey God, and are loyal to His commandments. …

“There is safety alone in taking the Scriptures as our rule of life, and as the test of our doctrines. Martin Luther exclaimed, ‘The Bible, and the Bible alone, is the foundation of our faith!’ Our work is to hold up the law of God; for Christ has said that ‘it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than for one tittle of the law to fail.’ ” The Signs of the Times, April 22, 1889

The Christian’s Inheritance

If a Christian said to me that the Christian’s inheritance was eternal life in heaven, I would not argue with his statement. But, to my mind, eternal life in heaven is actually a side benefit of the Christian’s inheritance.

The natural inheritance of all human beings is explained briefly and succinctly in the counsel given to ministers: “Tell the people in clear, hopeful language how they may escape the heritage of shame which is our deserved portion.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 182

If you look up the word heritage in the dictionary, you will see that it is something inherited, a birthright. The dictionary definition of the word shame is a strong negative emotion caused by guilt or a painful sense of guilt and unworthiness.

So, our natural inheritance is guilt. This is our deserved portion, and therefore, our natural destination is everlasting death. When Adam sinned, there was only one Person in the universe who could save the human race from everlasting death. Salvation involves an exchange. Jesus, the second person of the Godhead, came to this world and took our inheritance of guilt, shame, and death upon Himself. He took our place and bore our punishment, while offering to us His place, His inheritance.

What was Jesus’ inheritance when He came to this world? He did not have a human father, so He did not inherit from Adam what we inherited from him. God was His Father. Jesus, even as a man, inherited from His Father perfect everlasting righteousness, and this inheritance He offers to you and me. If we have the faith of Abraham, we will inherit, by adoption, the inheritance of Christ, and will no longer be children of the devil (see Ephesians 2:3, 1 John 3:8). Having been born again, we become the children of the Most High and joint heirs with Jesus Christ to an everlasting kingdom. If Adam had not sinned, he would have given to us—his posterity—an inheritance of purity and perfection. “If faithful to God’s requirements, he [Adam] would have had perfect descendants, as pure and uncorrupted as he himself was when he came from the hand of God. … But by his disobedience he spoiled God’s plan for himself and for his posterity.” The Review and Herald, December 15, 1896

The only way that we can receive purity and righteousness is through the second Adam, Jesus Christ.

Editorial – Higher Ground

“When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2

“The enemy presents bribes to win us to the world, as he presented bribes to Christ in the wilderness of temptation. Unless we depend upon a power out of and above ourselves, the enemy will succeed in accomplishing our ruin. But in looking to Jesus, by studying His life and character, by earnestly desiring to be like Him, our minds will be balanced in the right direction, that we may overcome selfishness, and choose a course of righteousness. Looking unto Jesus, we shall hear a voice saying, ‘This is the way; walk ye in it.’ ‘If any man will come after me [now the conditions], let him deny himself, and take up his cross [which cuts directly across the natural inclinations], and follow Me.’

“… Jesus says, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ He invites you to step upon new and higher ground than that which you have occupied in the past. If your heart is filled with love to Christ, it will be demonstrated that He is stronger than the passions which have ruled you, whose indulgence have undermined noble impulses, and left the soul to the mercy of Satan’s temptations. …

“In serving their own lust, they make it manifest that they are not subject to the rule of Christ, but day by day are robbing God of that which is His due. … They refuse to be the children of Christ, and choose rather to be the slaves of Satan. …

“Christ invites the sinner to come to Him. With what loving entreaties He follows the sinner! When the heart of the sinner is touched, he yields his will to God’s will, and selfish inclination is no longer the controlling power; for the slavery of Satan is broken, and the soul brought into subjection to Christ. Impressed with the sense of the Saviour’s long-suffering, forbearance, compassion, and measureless love, the repenting soul is deeply conscious of his own unworthiness and guilt. He yields his will to the will of God, and longs to reveal his loyalty to Christ, watching for opportunities to speak forth His goodness and love. He sees in Jesus matchless charms, and his heart is captivated. … He becomes a partaker of the divine nature.” The Youth’s Instructor, October 27, 1892

Editorial – Effort or Luke 13:24

“Said the Prince of life, ‘Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.’ ‘Agonize,’ says the margin. There are vastly more seekers than strivers. Tame, half-hearted efforts will not insure. There must be determined, persevering, untiring effort, proportionate to the value of eternal life, the object of our pursuit. We cannot trust to another to win the crown for us; we must individually fight the battles of the Lord.” The Review and Herald, August 23, 1881

“We must put forth earnest effort to overcome the evil tendencies of the natural heart. Our efforts, our self-denial and perseverance, must be proportionate to the infinite value of the object of which we are in pursuit. Only by overcoming as Christ overcame shall we win the crown of life.” The Ministry of Healing, 455

“… In the struggle for immortality we have a part to act. Christ will help those who pray and then watch unto prayer. He calls upon us to use every power He has given us in the warfare against sin. We can never be saved in inactivity and idleness. We might as well look for a harvest from seed which we have not sown, and for knowledge where we have not studied, as to expect salvation without making an effort. It is our part to wrestle against the evil tendencies of the natural heart.” The Youth’s Instructor, March 5, 1903

While we must strive for that perfection of character that Jesus has enjoined upon all His followers (Matthew 5:48), we must also not fail to show mercy to others (Micah 6:8).

“A man may be trying to serve God, but temptations from within and from without assail him. Satan and his angels urge and coax him to transgress. And perhaps he falls a prey to their temptings. How then do his brethren treat him? Do they speak harsh, cutting words, driving him farther from the Saviour? What a sad sight for Christ and the angels to behold.

“Let us remember that we are struggling and toiling, failing in speech and action to represent Christ, falling and rising again, despairing and hoping. Let us beware of dealing unkindly with those who like ourselves are subject to temptation, and who, like ourselves also, are the objects of Christ’s unchanging love.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 7, 400