A storm is coming upon us, the time of trouble. “Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the needful preparation; therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God. . . . I saw that none could share the ‘refreshing’ unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action.” –Early Writings, p. 71
God has set up a standard which we must reach or we will be lost.
“It is no small thing to be a Christian and to be owned and approved of God. The Lord has shown me some who profess the present truth, whose lives do not correspond with their profession. They have the standard of piety altogether too low, and they come far short of Bible holiness.” –Ibid., p. 47
Some engage in vain and unbecoming conversation, others give to the rising of self. If we seek our own interest, how we can best please ourselves instead of seeking to please God, and advance His precious, suffering cause, we dishonour God and the holy cause we profess to love.
If we fall short of the standard, we will be found wanting. God has given us time to prepare ourselves to reach the standard. But if we waste the time of preparation, suddenly it will be too late.
When Belshazzar saw the writing on the wall, it was too late for him to avert the destruction. When the foolish virgins woke up, it was too late to buy oil and be saved. When Achan finally made a confession, it was too late for him.
In worldly schools the passing mark can be 60, 70 or even 80%. But in the school of Christ it is 100%. If we come short in one point, we fail completely. James 2:10 says, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” One point is all that is needed to lose heaven. Adam was perfect in all points, except in one point. Christ was tested in all points, like as we are tested.
Not one point is overlooked. Before God accepts us and seals us, we must pass the test in every point and reflect the character of Christ. Those who delay the preparation, character-building, now find themselves suddenly outside.
Let us study a few points where we must reach the standard of God:
Point #1:
Patience.
“For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” 1 Peter 2:20. When you do well and suffer for it, and you take it patiently without retaliating, without anger, or without self-defence, this is acceptable with God, and nothing less is acceptable.
“Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercies.” James 5:10–11. Take the prophets for an example of patience. They suffered affliction, and yet loved and tried to save their persecutors.
Many people are very touchy, easily upset over minor things, and quick to speak an angry word. They have a difficult lesson to learn or they will be lost. “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses.” 2 Corinthians 6:4
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14
“God has shown me that He gave His people a bitter cup to drink, to purify and cleanse them. It is a bitter draught, and they can make it still more bitter by murmuring, complaining and repining. . . . I saw that this bitter cup can be sweetened by patience, endurance, and prayer.” –Early Writings, p. 47
Moses failed in this point by hitting the rock in impatience and anger. For this sin he could not lead the people across the river.
If we come up to the standard in all points except in patience, we fail. To teach us patience God has given us thorns in the flesh, as with Paul. It can be loss of property and health, as with Job. And also, brothers and sisters who irritate us, members of our family who get on our nerves.
Accidents, losses, and troubles, are all God’s workmen to teach us patience. In a quiet, peaceful life we would never learn these divine graces. This is the reason why Peter calls these troubles precious.
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:7
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2–4. Count it joy when your faith is severely tried. That you may be perfect, not lacking anything in this point. Then you have passed the test.
When you never raise your voice anymore in an angry tone, when you never wish evil to anyone, when you never complain of your lot, you have learned the secret of true happiness.
Point #2:
The lesson in forgiveness.
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14–15. Our forgiveness depends on how we forgive others. This is the standard of God. “And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” Matthew 6:12
We can forgive in different ways. And how we decide to forgive, is how God forgives us. Many have said, I have forgiven him for what he did to me; but, I cannot forget it, and they keep telling everybody what wrong thing he did. Is this the correct forgiveness?
Or, you may forgive, but afterwards avoid this person, have nothing to do with him, and separate yourself from his company. Is this how you want God to forgive you? To separate you from His company?
“Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21–22. As often as you continue to forgive your brother, is as often as God will forgive you your sins.
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32. Be tenderhearted and forgiving one to another. How? Even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.
A person who has learned this lesson of forgiveness is never offended. As soon as someone does wrong to him, he already has forgiven and forgotten them.
We are not to wait until those who have injured us confess and ask forgiveness. Even if they never repent or never ask forgiveness, we have already forgiven it all and forgotten it (–Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 113).
Point #3:
We are tested on selfishness.
When we love ourselves it is self-love. “Selfishness is abomination in the sight of God and holy angels.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 551. It is idolatry, self-worship.
“Selfishness, . . always blinds and deceives [us].” –Ibid., vol. 2, p. 129
Christ was tested on this point and He overcame by sacrificing His life for others. This same victory we must gain.
“Selfishness, . . is a curse to yourself and to all around you.” –Ibid., vol. 2, p. 543
“God cannot pour out His Spirit when selfishness and self-indulgence are so manifest.” –Counsels on Stewardship, p. 52
The sin of Ananias and Saphira was selfishness. It was not forgiven.
A selfish person is moody, often downcast, depressed, gloomy, and unhappy. Instead of happiness, he finds only misery.
“Selfishness is death.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 41. A selfish person is not a living Christian but is dead spiritually.
A selfish person tries to justify himself. Seldom does he admit his wrong. He is always defending his actions and words. “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me.” Job 9:20
Millions of Christians who started out bravely fighting against sin and they overcame bad habits, but failed in this point. They fell victims to selfishness. If we do not overcome as Christ overcame in this point, all is lost. Then we are failures.
Point #4:
Love of the world.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” 1 John 2:15–16
What is in the world? Gratification of the eyes, television and Internet shows, movies, books, magazines. Lust of the flesh—forbidden and unhealthy foods, sensualism, immorality. Worldly amusements, food, drink, lightness, frivolity, ambitions are all habit forming. We become addicted to them and they are not easy to break.
Many bring these along into a Christian life from the world. When Jacob left Laban to go into his homeland, Rachel took along small idols. So also we can leave the world behind, but take along a few little idols. This shows that we are not dead to the world.
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2. What you love is what you will want. God has given us means and talents for blessing others. If we have much or little, we must not set our affections on them. It matters little to us. It is eternal things that are valuable. Our heart should be set on them.
We touched on only four points, but there are many more which we are tested on daily to see if we are ready for heaven or not. If we see that we have failed in some point, we may cry out like Paul. “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:24
We may say to ourselves, “I cannot help it. I get angry so easily; things bother me. I cannot endure someone taking advantage of me. I may lose money because of him. I get upset easily when I am offended. Jealousy haunts me and I cannot get rid of it. I want to forgive and forget, but I cannot. Even at night I think of the hurt I suffered. If I lose money or prosperity, it bothers me. I cannot just forget it. I cannot just read the Bible and pray and speak of spiritual things. I need worldly entertainment.” So, years go on. . . our character remains unchanged. We cannot help it. We are who we are.
Peter found the remedy as to how a man can be changed. Selfishness can be removed. The love of the world can die. There is a way to forgive and forget. Even patience can be learned. And how? By fiery trials—affliction, sorrow, pain. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:7. They change us into Christlikeness. By these trials, we become patient as Job, forgiving as Christ did ready to sacrifice our lives for others. Then the world will lose its attractions.
“When we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, we shall have no relish for sin; for Christ will be working with us. We may make mistakes, but we will hate the sin that caused the sufferings of the Son of God.” –The Review and Herald, March 18, 1890
Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. If we do not bear the fruit, we will be cut off from the vine. If we bear fruit, He will cleanse us, and we can bear more fruit, and the love of Jesus will fill our hearts. We will be free—free indeed. Free from self and free from the world. We will be fit for heaven, ready for the sealing and for the latter rain, ready for the company of angels and God Himself, without spot or wrinkle, perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. Amen.
Timo Martin