December 27, 1899

Work in Christ's Lines

(Concluded.)

EGW

Educate Others to Labor

Our work is incomplete if we do not educate others to be laborers together with God, visiting and praying with families, showing to the world what Jesus has done for us. God's Word declares, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” These words are spoken to every follower of Christ. Not only the minister, but every soul connected with Him, is to be a worker in His vineyard. “Herein is My Father glorified,” Christ said, “that ye bear much fruit.” By His own life Christ has paid for your earnest, hearty co-operation. If you do not work as faithful missionaries, you are untrue to your trust, and you disappoint your Saviour.ST December 27, 1899, par. 1

We are in danger of making blunders in our missionary effort, in danger of failing to realize how essential is the work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart. A new order of things has come into the ministry. There is a desire to pattern after other churches, and simplicity and humility are almost unknown. Young ministers who desire to be original introduce new ideas and new plans for labor. They open revival meetings and call large numbers into the church. But when the excitement is over, where are the converted ones? Repentance for sin is not felt. The sinner is entreated to believe in Christ and accept Him, without any regard for his past life of sin and rebellion, and the heart is not broken. There is no contrition of soul. The professedly converted ones have not fallen upon the Rock Christ Jesus.ST December 27, 1899, par. 2

There Must Be Repentance

In His Word God has shown us the only way in which this work should be done. We are to do earnest, faithful work, laboring for souls as they that must give an account. “Repent, repent,” was the message rung out by John in the wilderness. To the Pharisees He said: “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father; for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the tree; every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”ST December 27, 1899, par. 3

Christ's message to the people was, “Unless ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” And the apostles were commanded to preach everywhere that men should repent. The Lord would have His servants preach today the old Gospel doctrine, sorrow for sin, repentance, and confession. We want old-fashioned sermons, old-fashioned customs, old-fashioned fathers and mothers in Israel, who have the tenderness of Christ. The sinner must be labored for perseveringly, earnestly, wisely, until he shall see that he is a transgressor of God's law, and shall exercise repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. When the sinner is conscious of his helpless condition, and feels his need of a Saviour, he may come with faith and hope to “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Christ will accept the soul who comes to Him in true repentance. A broken and a contrite heart He will not despise.ST December 27, 1899, par. 4

The battle cry is sounding along the line. Let every soldier of the cross push to the front, not in self-sufficiency, but in meekness and lowliness of heart. Your work, my work, will not cease with this life. For a little while we may rest in the grave; but when the call comes, we shall take up our work in the kingdom of God to advance the glory of Christ. This holy work must be begun upon earth. We are not to study our own pleasure or convenience. Our question must be, What can I do to lead others to Christ? How can I make known to men the love of God which passeth knowledge?ST December 27, 1899, par. 5

Mrs. E. G. White