The world “always” implies never ending. It can be a strong word and cause misunderstandings when used incorrectly. When two young people are very much in love, they often say, “I will always be there for you.” This “always” may last until the first major argument; until someone else is found whom they love even more; until the divorce court is visited. One may end up severely hurt and disappointed.
Children tell their parents, “I will always help you, just ask,” until their friends call them and they feel the need to go out with them to some exciting event.
Even more serious is when people tell the Lord on their baptism day that they will serve Him always. They are baptized and have become zealous followers of the Lord, until they get discouraged because a brother inadvertently offended them; until the way gets difficult and they are too busy with the cares of this life to take time for spiritual pursuits. People’s jobs, friends, shopping, housework . . . all can take priority over the “always” that was promised the Lord. “Always” can turn into “later”, but “later” may become “too late”.
“Always” is the opposite of “never”. Some people in the world say they will never go to church. To say this is more serious than they realize, but unfortunately, oftentimes, unconverted Christianity has caused people to turn away from religion in disgust. People do not have their eyes always on Jesus.
WHEN NOT TO SAY “NEVER”
When human nature gets irritated and someone has done something that was very painful to us, I have heard it said, “I will never forgive that person.” This is a dangerous thing to say. In the Lord’s Prayer we are told to ask, “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Matthew 6:12. If we cannot forgive our brother, our heavenly Father will not forgive us. This is serious. Rather we should say that we will always forgive those that do us wrong.
What about feelings? With our mouth we may say that we forgive, but our feelings and emotions may say “never.” The saying goes, “I will forgive, but never forget.” Some people harbour, in the back of their minds, all the wrongs that others have done to them in their life. Once in a while these hurts come to the surface. Whether the other person repents or not, it is our duty to forgive. Jesus said that when someone harms you, you are to forgive them “until seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:22
Then there are those who do not join the church because they say they can never live up to the standards held by God’s church. To be a vegetarian? Keep the Sabbath? Pay tithes? Dress Reform? Oh, it is just too much. They go to another church that will provide them an easier way to find salvation. Or they simply give up, figuring it is too hard; impossible.
Some say they will never go to church—they are happy with their current lifestyle.
Are there sins that you feel you can never give up? Although we may be a member of God’s church, could we be harbouring secret sins that we feel we will never be able to give up? It could be diet related, TV shows, Internet web sites, or just selfish ease and pleasure.
The important thing is to never say “never” to Jesus, when sins are pointed out. Jesus said, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48. “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
Satan tells a person that they will never be saved. They have gone too far, but, “Come to Jesus, and receive rest and peace. You may have the blessing even now. Satan suggests that you are helpless and cannot bless yourself. It is true; you are helpless. But lift up Jesus before him: ‘I have a risen Saviour. In Him I trust, and He will never suffer me to be confounded. In His name I triumph. He is my righteousness and my crown of rejoicing.’ Let no one here feel that his case is hopeless, for it is not. You may see that you are sinful and undone, but it is just on this account that you need a Saviour. If you have sins to confess, lose no time. These moments are golden. ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ (1 John 1:9). Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled, for Jesus has promised it. Precious Saviour! His arms are open to receive us, and His great heart of love is waiting to bless us.” –Faith and Works, p. 37–38
Remember, Jesus said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5
WHEN TO SAY “NEVER”
There are definite times when we should say “never”. We should always say “never” to sin and the devil. Say “no” to every temptation that comes our way. Say “no” to compromise of our principles or violation of our conscience. Say “no” to giving Christ a bad name by not living up to our profession. Say “no” to selfish ease and pleasure. Say “no” to making Christ and the angels weep. Say “no” to the selfish use of our time. Say “no” to anyone and anything that separates us from Christ. Is this easy? No, but there is a way that it can be done—through Christ and through Christ alone.
Although, we do not want to turn our religion in to a Pharisaical religion that focuses on the “no”—there are things that we must avoid in order to be granted salvation. We need to have a positive approach. When we say we will always serve the Lord; always put His work first in our lives; always commune with Him without ceasing; always keep a hold of His hand—then all the “no’s” will take care of themselves. They will just vanish. When the love of Christ fills the soul, there is no room for, or any desire for, any evil, or anything, whether good or bad, that would separate us from Christ.
Never let go of Jesus’ hand—always keep Him ever before you. “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Even one wrong trait of character, one sinful desire cherished, will eventually neutralize all the power of the gospel. The prevalence of a sinful desire shows the delusion of the soul. Every indulgence of that desire strengthens the soul’s aversion to God. The pains of duty and the pleasures of sin are the cords with which Satan binds men in his snares. Those who would rather die than perform a wrong act are the only ones who will be found faithful.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 32 (emphasis mine)
Pray the prayer of Jesus, “Not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” Matthew 26:39. Then, “with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13. All things? Yes, all things. Everything that God requires. You can over come every sin; every besetment; every inherited and cultivated evil tendency that exists in your character. Your character can be transformed. You do not need to sin. No, Never. The choice is yours. Who will be your master? With Christ you can overcome. Without Christ you cannot.
REJOICE ALWAYS
An important principle in our Christian walk is to trust in the Lord always; to be happy no matter what happens. “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4. According to this verse, is there ever a time when we should not be rejoicing? Do we rejoice only when things are going well? What about when things do not go well? Take, for example, Job. He was a good man, loved the Lord, but he went through trials. Can we praise the Lord through these kinds of trials? We must learn to do so with the small trials we face today, because the end of all things is at hand and the trials will increase in frequency and intensity as we near the close of this earth’s history.
How can we rejoice always? As we continue reading in Philippians we can take heart by knowing, “The Lord is at hand.” Philippians 4:5. Yes, Jesus’ ever presence in our lives brings us this joy. We can rejoice when things go well, but also we can have joy through trials and difficulties because Jesus is right beside us.
The key is to always lay hold on the hand of Jesus and never let go. Sometimes the trials of today seem to be insurmountable; overwhelming. We may wonder how we will endure. We may become anxious or worried. However, Paul continues in this chapter in the next verse by saying, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6
When did the Apostle Paul write these words? “Though he was a prisoner, Paul was not discouraged. Instead, a note of triumph rings through the letters that he wrote from Rome to the churches.” –Acts of the Apostles, p. 484. Yes, while in prison.
“When in the most discouraging circumstances, which would have had a depressing influence upon half-way Christians, he is firm of heart, full of courage and hope and cheer. . . . The same hope and cheerfulness is seen when he is upon the deck of the ship, the tempest beating about him, the ship going to pieces. He gives orders to the commander of the ship and preserves the lives of all on board. Although a prisoner, he is really the master of the ship, the freest and happiest man on board.” –Conflict and Courage, p. 352
“Whatever your disposition may be, God is able so to mold it that it will be sweet and Christ-like. By the exercise of living faith you can separate from everything that is not in accordance with the mind of God, and thus bring heaven into your life here below. Doing this, you will have sunshine at every step. When the enemy seeks to enshroud the soul with darkness, sing faith and talk faith, and you will find that you have sung and talked yourself into the light.” –Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students, p. 233
This is how we can have true joy. And if we continue to make our requests known unto God, the promise is that, “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
The verse in the Bible before, “Pray without ceasing” is “rejoice evermore.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15–16. In order to be able to “Rejoice evermore,” we must “pray without ceasing.” The two go hand in hand.
Thinking of the future, will we be able to rejoice in the time of Jacob’s trouble? Can we rejoice when we are weeping? We are told to rejoice and we will never be asked to do that which is impossible. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” John 16:20
We can take heart from the words of Jesus, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. Why should we glory in tribulation? “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope.” Romans 5:3–4
So, rejoice. God is in control of your life if you are yielded to Him. Nothing will touch you that He has not given permission for, and for which He has not made provision for. When we rejoice, our joy will spread like wildfire. Do not try to hide that light under a bushel or either you will be burned by the light, or the light will go out due to lack of oxygen. Let that light flow out to the world.
SEPARATE FROM CHRIST
The key is to always keep a hold of Christ. How do we separate from Christ? Many do not purposely want to separate from Christ, but do so unthinkingly. “Consider your ways.” Haggai 1:5
“When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life. Hence it is Satan’s constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ. The pleasures of the world, life’s cares and perplexities and sorrows, the faults of others, or your own faults and imperfections—to any or all of these he will seek to divert the mind. Do not be misled by his devices. Many who are really conscientious, and who desire to live for God, he too often leads to dwell upon their own faults and weaknesses, and thus by separating them from Christ he hopes to gain the victory. We should not make self the centre and indulge anxiety and fear as to whether we shall be saved. All this turns the soul away from the Source of our strength. Commit the keeping of your soul to God, and trust in Him. Talk and think of Jesus. Let self be lost in Him. Put away all doubt; dismiss your fears. Say with the apostle Paul, ‘I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.’ Galatians 2:20. Rest in God. He is able to keep that which you have committed to Him. If you will leave yourself in His hands, He will bring you off more than conqueror through Him that has loved you.” –Steps to Christ, p. 71
“We open to ourselves the floodgates of woe or joy. If we permit our thoughts to be engrossed with the troubles and trifles of earth, our hearts will be filled with unbelief, gloom, and foreboding. If we set our affections on things above, the voice of Jesus will speak to our hearts, murmuring will cease, and vexing thoughts will be lost in praise to our Redeemer. Those who dwell upon God’s great mercies and are not unmindful of His lesser gifts, will put on the girdle of gladness and make melody in their hearts to the Lord. Then they will enjoy their work. They will stand firm at their post of duty. They will have a placid temper, a trustful spirit.” –Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students, p. 234
JESUS’ PROMISE
Jesus’ last promise to His followers was, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20. What a wonderful promise. Do you believe it? Again, Jesus said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5
Jesus Christ is, “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8. He does not change. When He promised to be with His followers always, He meant it. He was there in the lion’s den with Daniel. He was there with the three worthies in the fiery furnace. He was there with Paul in prison, while shipwrecked and when he was stoned. He was there with Joseph when he was a slave, and when he was in prison. He was there with all the martyrs who were killed during the Dark Ages. They went rejoicing to their graves, knowing that the Lord was at hand with them. They never doubted His presence. We too must always have confidence with His presence today so that we will not doubt when the trials of tomorrow assail us.
What a wonderful God we serve. Let us take Him with us wherever we go. Always. Amen.
Wendy Eaton