We sing in our gospel hymn, “Work for the night is coming, When man works no more.” Today we still have day light, but it is darkening, and soon everything will be too late. The work of salvation that we planned to do but did not finish, for this neglect we will be eternally lost. Paul said, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12. This is our most important life work that we must complete before time is finished. Jesus said to the woman, “Go, and sin no more.” John 8:11
Jesus also said, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father, which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48. This is a high standard, and we must reach it; otherwise, we will not be saved. Now we understand why we need to work earnestly in order to reach this standard.
Jesus said, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Luke 13:24
We must learn perfect love. We must love God above all, and our neighbour as ourselves. To show how this love works, Jesus spoke about helping others.
“And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: Naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me. Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink? When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee? Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” Matthew 25:33–40
The ones that did not help their neighbours were sent to everlasting punishment. Many professed Christians fail in this point. For selfish reasons they keep their money to themselves, and their time for their own purposes. It requires work to love their neighbour and they do not want to do it. Also, to reach perfection we need knowledge. We read in Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee.”
Jesus said to a certain lawyer who had asked Him, “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the law? how readest thou?” Luke 10:25–26
It was for lack of knowledge that the Jewish people rejected Jesus. It is for lack of knowledge that religious people are keeping Sunday as a day of worship to God.
It requires work and time to gain knowledge. God has given us the Bible to read; yet, many Christians have not read it completely through. They should read it at least ten times, in order to gain the necessary knowledge.
Besides the Bible, God has given us the Spirit of Prophecy books. They are mediums for our salvation. The angel, Gabriel, came about two thousand times from heaven to give Sister White visions and knowledge about what to write. If we do not read them, then God wasted the effort to give us the testimonies, and we may perish for lack of knowledge.
Another requirement for salvation and eternal life is missionary work, and this requires time and work.
Jesus said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19–20
“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come.” Luke 10:1
The great world, over 7 billion inhabitants, have only one hope, to hear the saving message; and that is from the church of God. It is a great responsibility. If we neglect our duty, can we expect to hear the words of Jesus, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord”? Matthew 25:21
It is by saving others that we can save ourselves. “There are many who would work if urged into service, and who would save their souls by thus working.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 390
“It is labour that keeps the strong man strong. And spiritual labour, toil, and burden bearing, is what will give strength to the church of Christ.” –Life Sketches, p. 188
“The very simplest modes of work should be devised and set in operation among the churches. If the members will unitedly accept such plans, and perseveringly carry them out, they will reap a rich reward; for their experience will grow brighter, their ability will increase, and through their efforts souls will be saved.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 433
There are many other ways we can work for the Lord’s cause. All the officers of the church have taken upon themselves a great responsibility to make sure that the church will function according to God’s plan. The church leader makes sure that all departments are in order and all the members are faithful. The secretary of the church keeps record of all business meetings, and makes announcements to the members of all future events. The treasurer receives all the donations during the year, and, in the end, writes receipts to every donor. Also, he pays all the expenses of the church from the church funds.
The offices of the deacons and deaconesses are also important. They are compared to a mother, who fulfills numerous responsibilities. Then we have the children’s teachers, who develop the young minds by the word of God, that when they get old they will not depart from their early education.
All these offices require work by the officers. They must study and learn in order to teach others. All this work that they do for others develop their own characters, preparing them for heaven. We must realize that our time is running out. We sing in our gospel hymn, “Work till the last beam fadeth, Fadeth to shine no more; work for while the night is darkening, when man’s work is o’er.” AMEN.
Timo Martin