May 21, 1901

The Need of a Spiritual Awakening

EGW

The words of the apostle Paul to Timothy, “Take heed unto thyself, and to the doctrine,” may be addressed to every member of the Church of God. We are not half awake. The enemy is watching for an opportunity to take God's standard from the hands of His people, and place there his own standard; but they discern it not. The call comes, “What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God.” It is high time for us to awake out of sleep, to cast off the armor of Satan, and call upon Him who never slumbers nor sleeps. The Lord desires men and women to break their connection with the enemy, and link up with Christ. The mistakes of the past have been enough. Through them minds have been confused, precious opportunities have been neglected, and time, which is of more value than gold, has been wasted. We need now strong evidence that the Lord is with us of a truth. We need to consecrate ourselves and all we have to the service of God.RH May 21, 1901, par. 1

In every church there is need of a spiritual awakening; for many who profess to be Christ's servants are obeying the dictates of a natural heart. They do not the works of God. They have not a saving faith in Him whom the Father hath sent. Oh, if they could only understand that by their waywardness, their inconsistency, their half-hearted service, they are denying their Redeemer and putting Him to open shame!RH May 21, 1901, par. 2

There are many who do not possess that faith in Christ which would constitute them lights in the world. They are satisfied to stand on a low level. To them the Saviour says, “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 eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 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.”RH May 21, 1901, par. 3

Important events are about to take place. While the world is asking in scorn, “Where is the promise of His coming?” the signs are rapidly fulfilling. While men are crying, “Peace and safety,” sudden destruction is coming. The Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the earth, and calamity is following calamity by land and by sea. Tempests and earthquakes, fires and floods, are heard of on every hand. Only in God can security be found.RH May 21, 1901, par. 4

Those whom God has made the depositaries of sacred truth are to stand in a pure atmosphere. Few of those who profess to be the people of God are wearing Christ's yoke and lifting His burdens. Few are regarded by the heavenly intelligences as laborers together with God. Many who claim to be Christians have very shadowy ideas of what the name “Christian” comprehends.RH May 21, 1901, par. 5

The kingdom of Christ will come; but who are laboring to that end? If those who know the Lord's prayer would try to take in its meaning and realize its depth and breadth, the Church would be what God desires it to be—the light of the world. Men would have less desire for form and ceremony; for they would seek to plant in the heart those principles that sanctify the character.RH May 21, 1901, par. 6

Only when the Church is composed of pure, unselfish members, can it fulfill God's purpose. Too much hasty work is done in adding names to the church roll. Serious defects are seen in the characters of some who join the church. Those who admit them say, We will first get them into the church, and then reform them. But this is a mistake. The very first work to be done is the work of reform. Pray with them, talk with them, but do not allow them to unite with God's people in church relationship until they give decided evidence that the Spirit of God is working on their hearts.RH May 21, 1901, par. 7

Many of those whose names are registered on the church books are not Christians. They have not a genuine experience. If they were copying their Pattern, they would pray more and quarrel less. They would strive to be laborers together with God. Their sincere faith in Christ would lead to entire dependence on Him and perfect co-operation with Him.RH May 21, 1901, par. 8

Christ is followed by the earnest, the true, the faithful, the meek, and the pure, while angels clothed with the panoply of heaven stand by to guard and enlighten them, for they are heaven-bound. But there are those who are often heard talking doubt and unbelief, and dwelling upon the terrible struggles they have had with infidel feelings. They talk of the discouraging features of their experience. This affects their faith and courage. At times they seem to enjoy talking over the arguments of the infidel, thus strengthening their unbelief.RH May 21, 1901, par. 9

What is the reason of this darkness, this doubt and unbelief?—These men are not right with God, and they are not dealing honestly and truly with their own souls. They have neglected to cultivate personal piety. They have not separated themselves from selfishness and sin. They have failed to study Christ's life of self-denial and self-sacrifice. They have failed to imitate His purity and devotion. The sin which so easily besets them has been strengthened by cultivation. By their own negligence they have separated themselves from the company of the divine Leader, and He is a day's journey in advance of them. For their associates they have chosen the indolent, the backsliding, the unbelieving, the unthankful, the unholy; and evil angels are their attendants. What wonder is it that such are in darkness? What wonder is it that they are filled with doubt?RH May 21, 1901, par. 10

Such persons do not possess a religion that is pure and undefiled. Their religion is a religion of circumstances, a religion which the refining fires will wholly consume. If those around them are strong in faith and courage, if no influence is brought to bear against them, they are, to all appearance, strong in the faith. But let adversity come upon the cause, let the work drag heavily, and these souls lose faith, and hinder instead of helping. When apostasy and rebellion come, their voices are not raised in encouragement, saying, “The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His.”RH May 21, 1901, par. 11

This class should cultivate love for God and for secret prayer. The promise is sure, “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” It will not be received with doubt and hesitancy. The heart will be filled with an assurance that will put to flight all doubt and questioning.RH May 21, 1901, par. 12

The light that is shining upon us with ever-increasing brightness keeps us under obligation to use every power in God's service. We are to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, seeking to find out how we can best glorify God in the use of our endowments.RH May 21, 1901, par. 13

It is the duty of every Christian to vindicate the honor of God by winning souls to Christ. But where are the missionaries to answer the calls that come from all parts of the world? Only those who place themselves in Christ's school, only those who are willing to lift His cross, can be successful missionaries. Men who can be depended on in the church, who understand its wants, who strive to keep its members true to God; men who pray and keep themselves pure from the defilement of sin, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh; men who do not leave God out of their reckoning,—these are the men whom God can use.RH May 21, 1901, par. 14