Reformation Faith For The Final Crisis.
CHAPTER 7
Lessons from the Life of a True Reformer
Part 4
Many are the lessons which can be learnt from the life of John the Baptist. By beholding his life, his dealings with men and his straightforward and plain teaching, we catch a glimpse of the kind of “stuff” that a reformer is made out of.
“John had been called to lead out as a reformer.” D.A. 181. Reformers are not weaklings, they are not people who shift and’ slide into any position to compromise and please the people but declare the word of God that He is pressing upon their minds. There are men, as we have already learnt, who cannot be bought or sold, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name.
“He looked upon the King in His beauty and self was forgotten… He was ready to go forth as Heaven’s messenger, unawed by the human, because he had looked upon the divine. He could stand erect and fearless in the presence of earthly monarchs, because he had bowed low before the King of kings.” D.A. 103.
“God does not send messengers to flatter the sinner. He delivers no message of peace to lull the unsanctified into fatal security. He lays heavy burdens upon the conscience of the wrongdoer, and pierces the soul with arrows of conviction... with the Spirit and power of Elijah he denounced the national corruption, and rebuked •the prevailing sins.” D.A. 104.
What we propose to do in this session is to highlight some of the teachings of John and ~is responses to questions posed to him.
His mission was to
“reprove the sins and excesses of his time.” D.A. 218) and his thrust was to bid the people to “give evidence of their repentance by faithfulness to God in the place where He had called them.” (D.A 150). This is still very much present truth today as in the days of John. Let us now turn to St. Luke 3:2-18.
John preached that once-called-always-called was false doctrine. That because the Jews were called to be the people of God, does not mean that they will remain thus unconditionally but that their standing before God depends upon their walking in all the light and counsels of God to them.
“The Jews had misinterpreted God’s promise of eternal favour to Israel... (Jeremiah 31:35-37 quoted)... regarded their natural descent from Abraham as giving them a claim to this promise. BUT they overlooked the conditions which God had specified God cannot do for us that which He longs to do. HIS GIFTS are used to increase our self-satisfaction, and to harden our hearts in unbelief and sin... God was not dependent upon them for the fulfilling of His purpose.” D.A. 106.
“Our standing before God depends not upon the amount of light we have received, but upon the use we make of what we have.
The Jews quoted the Old Testament promises made to Israel by God when they were favoured by God, overlooking the conditions made and their present position and standing before God. What a tragic mistake that was. Any church, individual, movement or organization who believes in the doctrine of once-called-always-called will reap the same tragic results like those who believe in once-saved-always-saved heresy. This lesson is applicable to us today and now.
“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our father...” Luke 3:8.
The answer given prompted another question from the people, “What shall we do then?” John began to emphasize some practical aspects of the fruits which are to be brought forth and which reveal those who are really and genuinely the children of Abraham.
“He answered and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him, impart, to him that hath none; and he that hath meat let him do likewise.” Luke 3:11.
Here John is highlighting the christian fruit and spirit of giving, sharing, consideration, generosity and liberality.
Inspiration tells us that the “spiritual prosperity of a church is revealed by its liberality. A.A. 70, 71, 339-345; SD p.264; D.A. 369-371.
In other words, the way how we use the gifts and means God has given to us expressly for the purpose of helping and blessing others less fortunate determines and reveals if we are walking in the light God is sending to us. Permit me to sue the gift or talent of MONEY as an example to clarity and stress the point made by John the Baptist.
The christian does not talk and think in terms of self and his own ease, convenience, freedom, security, acceptance, desire and need for love. The Spirit of Jesus gives the christian a centre and focus on the needs of others which when he is seeking to meet, his own needs will be met. The purpose and the use of money is not for security, freedom love or power, but it is seen as SERVICE. When we see money from a christian perspective, as a means of service, there may be an overlap into the other areas. For instance, a person may want to save as much as possible, so that he will be in a position to help as many as possible — saving that you may give Or a person may give freely to those who are in need, because he has; experienced the love of Christ for a lost world — instead of merely giving to those Who are his special friends. When money becomes primarily a tool for service and outreach and ministry to others, the human craze and insanity on the subject of money gives way to Christian generosity, liberality and sanity.
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” I Tim. 6:17
Money can buy a house but not a home,
It can buy a bed but not sleep,
It can buy food but not an appetite,
Medicine but not health,
Luxury but not pleasure.
Money itself is of no more Value than sand except as it is used to relieve the necessities of life; to be a blessing to others and to advance the cause of Christ. See also Matthew 6:19 -21.
“Lay not up for yourself treasure on earth.” Don’t depend upon your earthly treasure that you do have, no matter in what form it may be. If your dependence is upon God, and all your treasures are brought to Him in loving service, He will have your heart. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
“…every effort that tends to the formation of a Christlike character is laying up treasure in heaven. Where the treasure is, there the heart will be. In every effort to benefit others, we benefit ourselves. He who gives money or time for spreading the gospel enlists his won interests and prayers for the work, and for the souls to be reached through it; his affections go out to others, and he is stimulated to greater devotion to God, that he may be enabled to do them the greatest good.” Thoughts From Mount of Blessings p. 90.
‘As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all me, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10.
“With some the possessions of houses and lands:; and plenty of money, that which will make them great according to the measure of the world, is the height of their ambition. They desire to reach the place where they can look down with a sense of superiority upon those who are poor. All such are building on the sand, and their house will fall suddenly. Superiority of position is not true greatness. That which does not increase the value of the soul is of no real value in itself That which alone is worth obtaining is greatness of soul in the sight of Heaven.” Our Father Cares p.155 (IHP P 173).
“Our money has not been given us that we might honor and glorify ourselves. As faithful stewards we are to use it for the honor and glory of God.. In the use of every penny, it will be seen whether we love God supremely and our neighbour as ourselves.
“Money has great value, because it can do great good. In the hands of God’s children it is food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, and clothing for the naked. It is a defense for the oppressed, and a means of help to the sick. But money is of no more value than sand, only as it is put to use in providing for the necessities of life, in blessing others, and advancing the cause of Christ. COL p.351.
“He who realizes that his money is a talent from God will use it economically, and will feel it a duty to save that he may give.” C.O.L. 352.
Of course there are those who save to keepfor themselves and their families. Then there are those who have sufficient enough, a mere pittance of which can relieve all the necessities, perplexities and burdens of an unfortunate and struggling brother or sister. Then also there may be those who may want to capitalize on the kindness of the church and if they do not get what they want, say that the church has no love. This lesson taught by John the Baptist (Luke 3:11) was manifested and revealed by the early christian church when they were filled by the Holy Spirit.
“And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” Acts 2: 44 ,45.
“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.... Neither was there any among them that lacked... and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. “Acts 4:32, 34, 35.
“Many will allow a brother or neighbour to struggle unaided under adverse circumstances. Because they profess to be christians he may be led to think that in their cold selfishness they are representing Christ.” C.O .L. 383.
“What is needed is the love of Christ in the heart. When self is merged in Christ, love springs forth spontaneously. The completeness of christian character is attained when the impulse, to help and bless others springs constantly from within... We shall not wait to have the needy and unfortunate brought to us. We shall not need to be entreated to feel for the woes of others. It will be as natural for us to minister to the needy and suffering as it was for Christ to go about doing good.” COL p.385.
“God never meant that the widespread misery in the world should exist. He never meant that one man should have an abundance of the luxuries of life, while the children of others should cry for bread. C.O.L. 370.
“In the great judgement day, those who have not worked for Christ, those who have drifted along, carrying no responsibility, thinking of themselves, pleasing themselves, will be placed by the Judge of all the earth with those who did evil. They receive the same condemnation.” C.O.L. 365; Matt. 25:31-46.
“Affliction and adversity may cause much inconvenience and may bring-great depression, but it is prosperity that is dangerous to spiritual life… Those who feel most their dependance upon God are usually those who have the least amount of earthly treasure on which to depend.” Upward Look p 259.
So the principle enunciated by the Baptist is one of the characteristics of a true reformer Of all the people of the world, reformers should be the most courteous considerate, understanding, generous.; kind sharing giving and loving, bringing forth fruit meet for repentance and He that hath two coats (greater means), let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat food), let him do likewise Luke 3:11.
“Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?” Luke 3:12.
Another class of people asked John the Baptist the same question, to which he responded,
“Exact no more than that which is appointed you.” Luke 3:13.
Here John is laying down the Christian principle of dealing in business and- money matters. In all the details of life, christians are to follow the principles of strict integrity. These are not principles that govern the world; for there Satan is master, and his principles of deception and oppression bear sway. But christians serve under a different Master, and their actions must be wrought in God. “They must put aside alldesire for selfish gain.” OFC p. 307.
“To some, deviation from perfect fairness in business dealings may look like a small thing, but our Saviour does not thus regard it. His words on this point are plain and explicit: ‘He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” A man who will overreach in a small matter will overreach in a large matter if the temptation comes to him.” Our Father Cares p. 307.
“Christians are to buy and sell with the realization that the eye of God is upon them. Never are they to use false balances or deceitful weights...” OFC p. 307.
This excludes extortion, over charging or deception in any form. If there is an item that is difficult to get, the christian businessman does not charge an exorbitant price because it is very much demanded and his company is a rare source of it. Cheating and stealing from workplaces are very much rampant in the business world where Satan’s basic philosophy is “Get all you can, can all you get, sit on the can, and then see what more you can get” regardless of the cost to others.
“In every action of lift the true christian is just what he desires those around him to think he is. He is guided by truth and uprightness. He does not scheme; therefore he has nothing to gloss over. He may be criticized, he may be tested; but through all, his unbending integrity shines out like pure gold. He is a friend and benefactor to all connected with him; and his fellowmen place confidence in him; for he is trustworthy.”
“Does he employ labourers to gather in his harvest? He does no keep back their hard-earned money: Has he means for which he has no immediate use? He relieves the necessities of his less fortunate brother. He does not seek to enlarge his possessions by taking advantage of the untoward circumstances of his neighbour. He accepts only a fair price for that which he sells. If there are defects in the articles sold, he frankly tells the buyer, even though by so doing he may seem to work against his won pecuniary interests.”
“A man may not have a pleasant exterior; but if he has a reputation for straightforward, honest dealing, he is respected... A man who steadfastly adheres to the truth wins the confidence of all. Not only do christians trust him; worldlings are constrained to acknowledge the worth of his character.” OFC p.307.
“Except the one perfect Pattern, there is not described in the Sacred pages a single character more worthy of emulation than that of the prophet Daniel.. a man of unbending integrity and fervent devotion to God... He was... firm where many would be yielding; he was true where they would be false; he was strong where they would be weak.” OFC p. 106.
“Daniel, the Prime Minister of the greatest of earthly kingdoms, was at the same time a prophet of God receiving the light of heavenly inspiration. A man of like passions as ourselves, the pen of inspiration describes him as without fault. His business transactions, when subjected to the closest scrutiny of his enemies, were found to be without one flaw. He was an example of what every businessman may become when his heart is converted and consecrated, and when his motives are right in the sight of God.” OFC p.189.
The final generation of living saints will endure the final crisis because they will have gotten the victory over selfishness in all its forms. They will have learnt the lessons of John the Baptist as well as other reformers so well that they will love not their own lives unto death. May we strive to be among that faithful group who will stand without fault before the throne of God.” Rev. 14:5.
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