WHAT ARE WE DOING? by Roswell F. Cottrell

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, January 29, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 5

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

By Roswell F. Cottrell

BY ELD. R. F. COTTRELL.

As we sow, so shall we reap. The reaping time is at hand. Is our interest lively in worldly things, and our care for spiritual and heavenly things faint? The Judgment, which will soon transpire, will reveal it. The coming of the Lord draws near. The Judge stands at the door; “and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.” 1 Cor. 3:8. What are we doing which will insure a great reward? Are we doing in the cause of human salvation “one-twentieth part” of what we might do? Are we even

striving for ourselves to enter through the strait gate? Do we have any adequate view of the value of eternal life? Do we make it first, and of greater value than any earthly good?

But our interest and labors must go beyond ourselves. He that seeks only his own salvation, without caring for the salvation of others, will fail to secure that for which he seeks. Christ died to cure us of selfishness, the root of every sin. He “gave himself” for us. Does not his matchless love and condescension demand something in return? Have we done anything for Him who has done so much for us? “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” Matt. 25:45.

“Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Rev. 22:12. The blessed Saviour is closing his work of reconciliation for our lost race. Soon his mediatorial work will be ended. Then the filthy and unholy will remain so, and receive the just reward of their doing. But we have yet a short time in which we may work, and secure the great salvation to ourselves and others. It behooves us, as individuals, to make the solemn inquiry, What am I doing?