Our Real Objective by W. T. Knox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 29, 1914

Our Real Objective

By W. T. Knox

"As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world." John 17:18. At the close of his earthly ministry, as Christ was about to leave the world, he thus indicated his purpose to leave as his representatives those who by his teaching had been gathered around him. These were, by the help of his Spirit, to continue and complete the work he had begun.

The great purpose that brought the Saviour from his heavenly home to earth was "to seek and to save that which was lost;" to restore to the Father that of which his kingdom had been despoiled by sin. That work will not be completed until in the great gathering day the Saviour presents before the throne of God, gathered from this world of sin, "a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, . . . clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands." Rev. 7:9.

As an earnest of its final accomplishment, he at his ascension led with him a great multitude of captives, snatched from the prison house of Satan. While no longer here in his visible person, yet he still continues through his people to plead with sinners to turn from error to truth, from darkness to light. "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Cor. 5:20.

In the fifteenth chapter of John, Christ likens himself to a fruitful vine, and his children to the branches. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. . . . Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." John 15:1-4. While, doubtless, the fruitfulness of the abiding branches is to be applied to the fruits of the Spirit, yet it is also evident that they must partake of the life-bearing and saving quality of the fruitful vine.

It is said that among the great throng of the redeemed there will be found no starless crowns. Reconciling sinners to God is the exalted work to which God has called every redeemed soul, and the reward of such will be commensurate with the work performed. "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever." Dan. 12:3. No one need feel that he is unequal to this work. Of ourselves we are, but every godly life devoted to faithful, active service for Christ will be used by him to exert an influence upon other lives.

This denomination has by systematic effort along well-developed plans, accomplished satisfactory results in many features of its work. This is noticeable, especially in the distribution of our literature, our educational and young people's work, and the financing of our evangelical work in home and foreign lands. These lines of work all have as their objective the saving of souls. Are we, however, in our relationship to these enterprises, engaged in that personal effort for the saving of men that the Lord calls for? If we are in the world as Christ was in the world, "to seek and to save that which was lost," we surely must make our efforts less general and more definite. In other words, every Seventh-day Adventist, having a living connection with Christ, should always be

possessed with a definite burden for the soul of some one.

While the growth of the denomination has been going steadily forward, yet the increase in membership in North America has not been what it should have been. The statistical report for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 1913, which appears on page 12 of this paper, shows baptisms for the quarter numbering 1,807, giving a membership in America of 66,434, a gain that certainly is not in keeping with the outlay and effort of the denomination. For a number of years the heavy percentage of gain in membership of the denomination has been found in countries other than the United States. Would not God be pleased to honor the endeavor of his people in America, if now, without regard to the work and accomplishments of minister, Bible worker, or colporteur, we should begin to importune him to use us for the salvation of men, and our supplications have as a definite aim the securing for him during this year of at least one convert for every present member? To accomplish such an undertaking as this, would, under God's prospering hand, be no impossible task.

If we would but "repent, and do the first works," if the same zeal, and labor, and patience were ours today that characterized the early service of this people, a wonderful transformation would take place. We have a literature rich in the truths of God, and all can have some part in distributing it. Many could, by planning, find time to devote to Bible study with their neighbors and friends. Such efforts, blessed by the Lord, will surely bring forth fruit.

In view of the fact that the King's business requireth haste, we should all now, individually, give ourselves with the same earnestness that has attended our efforts in raising funds, and in other campaigns, to the one great, overshadowing work of securing converts for God, in order that the number may speedily be made up that are finally to stand before his throne, having the name of the Father written on their foreheads. W. T. KNOX.