Are We in Earnest? by P. A. Clough

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 1, 1873

Are We in Earnest?

By P. A. Clough

Are we doing all that lies in our power to advance the cause of Christ? Are our hearts fully in the Saviour’s keeping? Do we realize the shortness of time, and the importance of working while it is day, as we ought? We talk of the soon coming of the Lord, and the necessity of preparing to meet him, but do we realize that these things are so? When I enter into self-examination, I feel that I am sadly deficient in almost everything that is requisite to perfect Christian character, yet I am unwilling to give up the struggle, knowing that the promise is only to those that endure unto the end; and I am sometimes led to cry out with earnestness of soul, “Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth.” Oh! for more consecration to the Master; for soon we shall be called to give an account of our stewardship; soon Jesus will come, attended by a retinue of angels, and if we hear him say, “Well done,” it will be because we have done well.

Then how important that we walk in the footsteps of Him who lived our example; live out the teachings of his word, that we may, at last, have eternal life, and dwell on the earth when it is made new. How careful we ought to be that our influence is cast on the side of right; for Jesus has said, “He that is not with me, is against me; and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth abroad.” Matt. 12:30. Sad, indeed, would it be, if, after professing to love the Lord, our lives should not correspond with our profession, and we thus bring a reproach upon the cause of truth.

Oh! for grace to be humble, “in all things showing ourselves a pattern of good works. In doctrine showing uncorrup[t]ness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part, may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

Then, if we are to be a peculiar people, we ought not to be conformed to this world, but be “transformed by the renewing of our mind, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” If we have become addicted to habits that are injurious, been conformed to the fashions of this world, the word of God demands reform. “He that striveth for the mastery, is temperate in all things.” Oh! that we might overcome self in such a manner as to be willing to labor to elevate ourselves to the standard of truth, although it may place us under the necessity of cutting off some right-hand sin, and crush some cherished idol to atoms. May the Lord help us to break off from every sinful indulgence, for it is our iniquities that have separated between us and our God.

May we earnestly seek to be overcomers, remembering that Jesus has said, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Rev. 3:21. P. A. CLOUGH.