Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
For many, it is the “big” books or “long” letters in the Bible they enjoy reading. But I have found that the very short books are packed with information. Most Christians may start with the book of John and then jump to 1 Corinthians, etc. They even bypass the Old Testament.
However, I have been finding the Old Testament “Minor Prophets” to be very interesting. Much of their information can actually be pegged to the coming of Christ and the “end of time”.
The books of first, second and third John are exceedingly powerful. However, one must listen carefully and know what he is looking for. So many read and then bypass concepts that are very important for eternal life.
Let us listen carefully to second Peter, a small book, as he gives us the eight steps to Christian perfection.
2 Peter 1:1 to 2 Peter 1:21
From: Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus, the Messiah.
At one time, Peter was involved in a controversy as to who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom he thought Jesus was about to set up. At another, he boastfully claimed that although all should forsake Jesus, he wouldn’t.
Now, all that pride, boastfulness and arrogance is gone. He is simply a “servant and apostle of Jesus”. Nothing else mattered. His life was bound up with the Messiah. Have you looked carefully at your life to see if you are a servant of Jesus. Or, are they just words to you?
To: Those who have received faith that is as valuable as ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus the Messiah.
Notice this sentence. He is sharing the blessed faith that he has. He is not claiming it for himself or boasting about “how great my faith is”, no, it is a shared faith. It is a valuable faith. Why is that? Because it is a faith that doesn’t belong to any of us; it is faith that is given to us by the righteousness of Jesus. It belongs to Jesus and He has shared it with us. Everything we have comes from Jesus. He created everything that is, and everything that is belongs to Him.
May grace and peace be yours in abundance through full knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord!
How do we gain “grace and peace”, by searching out the “full knowledge of God and of Jesus”? The more we learn of Jesus, the greater the abundance of our grace and peace. Never stop learning. However, this isn’t just any “knowledge”. This isn’t your scholarly learning, this is a very special knowledge and learning. This is the knowledge and learning that develops character and leads to Heaven.
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the full knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence.
“His divine power”! It doesn’t belong to us. Only three Individuals have that “divine power” inherently. However, it is because Jesus has that divine power that He is willing to give us “everything”. Everything belongs to Him. But! Not everything that He has given us will get us to Heaven. We need what He gives us for this life, yes, but it is His “godliness” that will get us to Heaven.
Godliness comes through the “full knowledge of the One who called us”. It is in contemplating the character and life of Jesus that we become “godly”. “By beholding, we become changed.” We must be very careful what we behold. If we behold the things of this world, we become worldly. Yet, if we keep our eyes on Jesus, while walking through this world, we will acquire His godliness.
Now notice, even what we acquire isn’t ours. We are only able to acquire His godliness because it is He who “called us by his own glory and excellence.” There is nothing in our lives we can boast about. Nothing is by our power. Everything we have is because God has given us the ability to have it.
However, most use those abilities for selfish reasons. We must understand that what He has give us can be used for our eternal death or our eternal life.
Through these he has given us his precious and wonderful promises, . . .
What are “these”? His “own glory and excellence”! It is His glory to give us such wonderful promises. What promises? Promises that are scattered throughout the whole Bible. The Ten Commandments are promises. By keeping them, we are promised life, liberty and happiness. “Obey My laws and do what I command. I am the LORD your God. Follow the practices and the laws that I give you; you will save your life by doing so. I am the LORD.” Leviticus 18:4, 5. Imagine a world where there is no killing, no death, no stealing, no coveting. Wow!
I would like you to experience a revelation given to me. Since Jesus is the “LORD” of the Old Testament in human form, when you read the Old Testament, plug in “Jesus” wherever you read “LORD”. Now, let us reread that text.
“Obey My laws and do what I command. I am Jesus your God. Follow the practices and the laws that I give you; you will save your life by doing so. I am the Jesus.” Leviticus 18:4, 5. As you do this, you will find both Old and New Testaments coming alive.
That “glory and excellence” was displayed on Mt. Sinai. It was again displayed in the person of Jesus when He walked this earth in human form. He loved us so much, He gave them to us. Why?
. so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, . . .
Do what!? Yes, we may “participate in the divine nature”. What nature is that? The nature to live the perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping life. That is the glory and excellence of God.
. . . seeing that you have escaped the corruption that is in the world caused by evil desires.
Is it for everyone? No! Who is it for? “Those who have escaped the corruption that is in the world.” How do we do that? By leaving off the world that causes evil desires. Those things that cause evil desires: music, videos, movies, gossip, relationships and any other thing that will cause evil desires to rise up in you.
For this very reason, you must make every effort to supplement your faith . . .
The first step is faith. If you don’t believe something can be done, you won’t do it. If you don’t believe you can jump to the moon, you are not going to put forth the effort to learn how to “jump” to the moon. You must believe that Jesus is God, and that He has the power to change you. With that, step two.
. . . with moral character,
Once you believe you can live the perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping life, you will put forth the effort to change your evil life. You will contemplate, behold the character of Jesus which is the Ten Commandments. Since the Ten Commandments are “moral”, you will begin to put them into your life.
your moral character with knowledge,
As we change our evil lives to be more like Jesus, we find the joy of living morally. Therefore, we want to learn even more of His moral life so we can be more and more like Jesus. It isn’t just any knowledge, only knowledge of Jesus and His life. You can talk about the 2300 days, or what happens when we die and all the other “church” knowledge for membership, but it won’t get you to heaven. You must fill yourself with the knowledge of Jesus and His life.
your knowledge with self-control,
Yet, as we learn, that learning will require self-control. We must put into practice what we are learning. As we learn to stop sinning, we put that into practice. We stop fornicating thoughts, and telling “white” lies, or stealing people’s time, energy, honor and self-respect and keeping out minds off of drugs, etc. We will stop coveting what the commercials tell us we must have for happiness. We must covet Jesus and His character.
your self-control with endurance,
You may be able to control yourself from taking a cookie right now, but can you do it in an hour from now? That is the endurance we must have in our Christian life. Christianity isn’t just putting on a show when people are watching, it is a constant battle behind the scenes. It is enduring unto the end. What end? The end of that evil habit, and then we go on to the next evil habit and the cycle continues. In the Lord’s prayer, we read that we are not to be led into temptation. That means clearing out your cell phone of numbers and names that can lead your thoughts into sin.
your endurance with godliness,
As we endure, we are walking as Jesus walked: in godliness. The radiance of the character of Jesus will begin to shine through. The first five steps have to do with our internal work. The last three have to do with our external work.
your godliness with brotherly kindness,
As it shines through, people will see it manifested by the tender compassion you have for the “brothers” in the faith. We will no longer point fingers, wag our tongue, or gossip.
and your brotherly kindness with love.
This is the love that compelled Jesus to die for us. When you are ready to lay down your life for another, you have the divine character of Jesus. Many claim to be ready to die for their “brother” while they are killing him with their tongue.
For if you possess these qualities, and if they continue to increase among you, . . .
Too many Christians are stagnating in one or more of these steps. They are not increasing in them. They may attain a victory over this or that sinful habit, but then they stop and glory in it. But if they do not continue in all the steps, they will eventually return to the evil habits they thought they had overcome. “Whenever an unclean spirit (bad habits) goes out of a person, it wanders through waterless places looking for a place to rest but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will go back to my home that I left.’ When it arrives, it finds it empty, swept clean, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and settle there. And so the final condition of that person becomes worse than the first. That’s just what will happen to this evil generation!” Matthew 12:43-45.
. . .they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in attaining a full knowledge of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah.
To attain to a full knowledge of Jesus isn’t just book learning, it requires work in obedience to all the eight steps in order to come into the sympathy and knowledge and wisdom of Jesus.
For the person who lacks these qualities is blind and shortsighted, and has forgotten the cleansing that he has received from his past sins.
You see, when we ask Jesus to forgive us, He is faithful and just and will forgive us. But, if we refuse to then change our lives to match that cleansing, that cleansing will not get us into heaven. Our past sins will be revived in our lives and will destroy us. The only way to continue in the cleansing power of Jesus is to walk in His cleansing by living as He commands us to live: perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping.
So then, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election certain, for if you keep on doing this you will never fail.
Churches don’t like that text. After all, we don’t need to make our calling and election certain. The death of Christ made it certain. All we have to do is “believe” and we are guaranteed eternal life. That doesn’t sound like they are very “eager” for salvation. Peter wanted them to be even “more eager” than when they began.
For in this way you will be generously granted entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Messiah.
This isn’t an earthly kingdom that will pass away. Peter knew his history. Kingdom after kingdom had passed away. But Jesus went to set up an eternal kingdom. He gave us the keys, the eight steps, in which, as we accomplish them, we will be “generously granted entry” into it. Yes, Jesus is very generous.
Therefore, I intend to keep on reminding you about these things, even though you already know them and are firmly established in the truth that you now have.
“Keep on reminding you”. Most church members get bored if the minister keeps on reminding them of things they think they already know. The members want something new, exciting and entertaining. But to keep on being reminded that they have to change their lives and stop sinning, not really!
Yet I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I am living in this bodily tent, because I know that the removal of my bodily tent will come soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, has shown me.
Is your church refreshing your memory to keep up the hard work to overcome sin? We need to be reminded and encouraged. We need to encourage each other, not just wait for the pastor to remind us in a sermon at church. If you know of someone who is fighting a sin, encourage and help that person. As we help others, we ourselves will be helped.
And I will make every effort to see that you will always remember these things after I am gone.
As I write these newsletters, put up videos and post information on Facebook and “X”, it is for the very purpose that after I am gone you will be able to remember these things.
When we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, we did not follow any clever myths. Rather, we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Through the eye of faith we also may be “eyewitnesses of His majesty”. Through reading and contemplating the life of Jesus our eye of faith will see with greater power the coming of our Lord.
For he received honor and glory from God the Father when these words from the Majestic Glory were spoken about him: “This is my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with him.”
Again, we must always keep in mind that the apostles were still attempting to convince the world that Jesus was God. Remember, the word “Son” was used only in the New Testament because Jesus had gone through the birth process with Mary. Yet, He still retained the God title.
We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
Have you been to the mountain top? Have you heard His voice? Listen carefully.
Therefore we regard the message of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp that is shining in a gloomy place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Did Peter claim He didn’t need the Old Testament now that He had heard the voice of God? NO! He regarded the messages of the Old Testament prophets even dearer. Peter instructs us to pay attention to them. They also are the voice of God. That is how we reach the mountain top. Listen! The churches today are not listening. They have abandoned the Old Testament as irrelevant for this day and age. The New Testament is all we need, they claim.
First of all, you must understand this: No prophecy in Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,
No they are not. As often as human wisdom tries to discredit the Old Testament, God’s voice shines brighter and brighter.
because no prophecy ever originated through a human decision. Instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
I understand that very well. When the Spirit of God came and dictated and directed the book, “Change Your Life Biblically” through me, I was literally carried along with and by the Holy Spirit. Truly an experience I pray I never forget.
So how important is the Old Testament? “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good action.” 2 Timothy 3:16, 17. Remember, “Scripture” to everyone in the New Testament was the Old Testament. For 300 years, that is all they had to study. It wasn’t until 300 years after Christ that the “church” put the New Testament together and inserted it into the Scriptures.
INMATE LETTERS
To Whom It May Concern,
I received a letter in the mail. I thank you and respectfully request any guidance of support you could possibly spare. I’m facing an uphill fight on this case in federal court. I am at rock bottom and only thing that I have left is my faith in Jesus.
Mark, MO
Dear Ron,
What a powerful book! I just finished reading Volume I of Change Your Life Biblically and it continues to blow my mind thru each section. I want to say, I’ve been a “Christian” since a little boy, but after reading this, I’m nowhere near it. For so long I’ve thought you just had to believe Jesus Christ died for your sins and you can be saved; that was it. It always confuses me when the Bible syas “obey all my commands, decrees and regulations”. I took it to mean the whole Old Testament and it was no way I could keep 613 laws from the Old Testament, so, I would always ignore that part. But it is much easier if it is put into the context of only the 10 Commandments. Now I’m like “Oh, Okay, now it makes since”. I believe I can keep the 10 Commandments if I’m trusting in Jesus to give me the power and ability to do so. I knew it was a certain way you have to live as a Christian, but you rarely see people live that way who claim to be Christians. And the preachers at church don’t stress it enough, only believe Christ died for your sins and when you begin to know how He loved you to do that, then, it will transform you to righteousness and you can never be without sin. So, it was no point trying. I thank you for this book. So much in it has given me a new perspective on the way I read and understand the Bible. Even after reading the first volume, my life is changed! You give such a thorough and intensive teaching of the Bible that it is easy to understand. The section of Prophecy is what really opened my eyes and made me start to think and believe that it is all real because I had doubt, also.
Stanley, TX
Dear Brother Ron,
I pray that all is well with you and your family. I would like your thoughts and insights on John 20:23. I was told by a “pastor” it means we were given by Jesus the authority to forgive people their sins, or bind them to their sins. However, I don’t believe that is the truth. Because only Jesus who can forgive sins and it contradicts Matthew 6:14, 15, as well as a lot of other Scriptures that say if we don’t forgive others, we won’t be forgiven. I’m trying to get the truth, and I can tell there is a lot of truth in your teachings. It is all Biblically based and Scripture backed. Thank you for everything and all the work you do for us prisoners. You really are a blessing.
Robert, SD
Dear Brother Ronald,
I received your letter Monday. Now, I might sound a little ironic, but right before I received your letter I was on the phone talking to my daughter. So, I would like to share the chat we had. I’m a father of two children. My daughter is 16 years old and we have an awesome relationship. Even though I’m incarcerated, we talk on the phone a lot. Sometimes I feel like she is the parent by lecturing and teaching me to better myself. I know she does it because she loves me. But the beautiful thing that I want to share with you. Before the call ended, she told me to read the Bible, to study the Bible to attend the chapel and devote myself to God. At first, it caught me by surprise, that she was telling me this. But I felt good and warmth in my heart, that my daughter is guiding me to believe and to have faith. Once the call ended, I received your letter. So please tell me, that’s God doing His work and reaching out to me through other people. I’m 33 years old and I have always felt His presence in me or by others. I just fail to realize that He wasn’t there when I truly needed Him. Just like others, I’ve been in prison system since I was 15 years old. I have seen and experienced the unjust and unfairness that I dealt with. It’s hard to believe that a judge not only judges you because of the crime you committed, but to be judged by the way you look, where you come from and the way you talked. Maybe I’m not the best on my vocabulary, but I do speak from my heart. I kind of lost faith and hope. I beg, cry and pray. I still lost the battle and stopped believing. I went through a lot of pain and shed a lot of tears that only God knows how I was truly feeling. At times, I think that maybe I got it all wrong and this was supposed to happen to me. I just can’t understand why? So much pain. Brother ron, help me understand why I’m going through this. I’m really interested in the book, “CYLB” and would like to start the 8 step program. Thank you for your time and for reaching ut to a lost soul.
Fabian, WI
Hello,
I want to begin by saying “Thank you” for the letter I received. The testimonies were phenomenal. After reading your letter, a great joy was placed in my heart. I would like to thank you for even thinking of me. I am requesting a copy of your book, “Change Your Life Biblically”. I am very excited to read it. Looking forward to the inspiration it brings.
Joshua, NY
Hello Ron,
I appreciate the mail. I would like to take the 8-Step program. I want to learn all I can about the Lord.
De’Andre, KS
Dear Brother Ronald,
I received your letter you sent me on my tablet and I’ve found this pretty interesting. I would like to have a copy of the book, “Change Your Life Biblically”.
Paul, TX
Brother Ronald,
Thank you very much for taking the time to send me the letter offering your Bible studies. Since my arrest, I have been actively trying to study the Bible. I am enrolled in a couple of Bible studies, but I honestly don’t feel like I am growing as a Christian, as I should be. After reading through your letter something caught my attention. Someone said how they were taught wrong for so many years. My heart tells me this/your letter didn’t just reach me by chance. It is an opportunity from the Lord that will help me to grow. Please send me the book, “Change Your Life Biblically”.
Jarrod, NY
Hello,
I appreciate your letter and offer to get to know your ministry. I gratefully accept your offer for the “Change Your Life Biblically” program. I have felt a little stagnated in my growth and I don’t know why. So, your book may just be what I need at this time to continue my spiritual growth and journey.
Donnell, WV
Dear Ron,
I would like to thank you for your prison ministry and all that you do for us that are incarcerated. I’ve recently received the Change Your Life Biblically book and finished reading volume I. Just in this volume it is really deep, in depth and I am learning so much. I really like and enjoy how it breaks the Bible down so someone as myself can comprehend it better.
Daniel, AL
Dear Ronald,
I received your letter and I’m writing to tell you that I would like to receive the 8-Step program. Thank you for allowing me the chance to take the program to help myself come closer to God.
Brandon, TX
Ron,
Thank you for the book you sent. Daniel and I are putting our letters in together because stamps are hard to get from the canteen at times. Plus, we are in the same dorm. Your testimony really touched me and my heart and I look forward to holding your ministry in my prayer time daily.
David, AL (Thank you, I appreciate prayer anytime.)
Dear Brother Ron,
I just received the letter about the 8-step program. Please send it to me.
Maceo, WA
To Whom It May Concern,
Greetings. I am writing to obtain the Bible study, “Change Your Life Biblically”. Thank you,
Mike, OR
Ron,
You are the answer to my prayers. I have to tell you this. I just got G5 in March or the end of February, which is closed custody. So, When I got to my new unit I started scrolling down my messages on my tablet and I saw where you sent me a letter back in February of last year that I never looked at until now. There’s no coincidence. God told me to do that and write you. When I got G5, I told God to help me with my faith and obedience to Him and that I am done living a sinful life continuing to destroy myself. I want to give my all to Him. So, I been reading my Bible every day and praying all the time to get closer to Him. Since I’ve been reading “Change Your Life Biblically”, my faith has been increasing exponentially. It’s amazing how good God is. I love Him so much. You’re a blessing and an angel from God. I grew up in church, but started rebelling when I got to high school by hanging with the wrong crowd and started doing drugs, being addicted to watching prn. Ultimately, the combination of those things ruined my life, but God is awakening me to live out my calling that is from Him. I don’t want to be like I used to be. I don’t want to sin no more. I always thought that I couldn’t stop sinning, but you’ve given me hope to believe that Jesus can give me the power to be able to do so. I choose life eternal with Jesus Christ. This world is a dark place and it’s more prevalent here in prison. I just finished volume II of “Change Your Life Biblically” and it continues to blow my mind with accurate prophecies that give me more assurance of my calling and convictions to put my hope in Jesus to follow His way. I’ve never really trusted churches anyway because of scandalous preachers getting rich off the poor and conspiracy theories, especially those mega-churches. But I never knew what to do. I try to talk to my cellie about being righteous, but he says things like “That type of life is going to hit you hard when you get out” or “God is Okay with me sinning as long as I ask Him for forgiveness afterwards”. I don’t know where he gets his theology from, but it seems to me that he is more concerned with the things of this world than knowing and following God. They think they can use God to get what they want out of life. I want no part of it. I want the truth and that is what I’m getting out of your book. This is what I needed. Thank you!
Stanley, TX
Testimony for God’s Children
My Dear Family in Christ,
This next letter may have been written almost 150 years ago, but it is spot on. We are not ready for the coming of Jesus. Our hearts are so full of self and the world, we have no room for Jesus. All we have room for are the symbols, rites and rituals of church, but nothing of the character of Jesus. Let us put the character of Jesus into our hearts.
Preparation for Christ’s Coming
In the late vision given me at Battle Creek during our general camp meeting, I was shown our danger, as a people, of becoming assimilated to the world rather than to the image of Christ. We are now upon the very borders of the eternal world, but it is the purpose of the adversary of souls to lead us to put far off the close of time. Satan will in every conceivable manner assail those who profess to be the commandment-keeping people of God and to be waiting for the second appearing of our Saviour in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. He will lead as many as possible to put off the evil day and become in spirit like the world, imitating its customs. I felt alarmed as I saw that the spirit of the world was controlling the hearts and minds of many who make a high profession of the truth. Selfishness and self-indulgence are cherished by them, but true godliness and sterling integrity are not cultivated.
The angel of God pointed to those who profess the truth, and in a solemn voice repeated these words: “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
In consideration of the shortness of time we as a people should watch and pray, and in no case allow ourselves to be diverted from the solemn work of preparation for the great event before us. Because the time is apparently extended, many have become careless and indifferent in regard to their words and actions. They do not realize their danger and do not see and understand the mercy of our God in lengthening their probation, that they may have time to form characters for the future, immortal life. Every moment is of the highest value. Time is granted them, not to be employed in studying their own ease and becoming dwellers on the earth, but to be used in the work of overcoming every defect in their own characters and in helping others, by example and personal effort, to see the beauty of holiness. God has a people upon the earth who in faith and holy hope are tracing down the roll of fast-fulfilling prophecy and are seeking to purify their souls by obeying the truth, that they may not be found without the wedding garment when Christ shall appear.
Many who have called themselves Adventists have been time setters. Time after time has been set for Christ to come, but repeated failures have been the result. The definite time of our Lord’s coming is declared to be beyond the ken of mortals. Even the angels who minister unto those who shall be heirs of salvation know not the day nor the hour. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” Because the times repeatedly set have passed, the world is in a more decided state of unbelief than before in regard to the near advent of Christ. They look upon the failures of the time setters with disgust; and because men have been so deceived, they turn from the truth substantiated by the word of God that the end of all things is at hand.
Those who so presumptuously preach definite time, in so doing gratify the adversary of souls; for they are advancing infidelity rather than Christianity. They produce Scripture and by false interpretation show a chain of argument which apparently proves their position. But their failures show that they are false prophets, that they do not rightly interpret the language of inspiration. The word of God is truth and verity, but men have perverted its meaning. These errors have brought the truth of God for these last days into disrepute. Adventists are derided by ministers of all denominations, yet God’s servants must not hold their peace. The signs foretold in prophecy are fast fulfilling around us. This should arouse every true follower of Christ to zealous action.
Those who think they must preach definite time in order to make an impression upon the people do not work from the right standpoint. The feelings of the people may be stirred and their fears aroused, but they do not move from principle. An excitement is created; but when the time passes, as it has done repeatedly, those who moved out upon time fall back into coldness, darkness, and sin, and it is almost impossible to arouse their consciences without some great excitement.
In Noah’s day the inhabitants of the old world laughed to scorn what they termed the superstitious fears and forebodings of the preacher of righteousness. He was denounced as a visionary character, a fanatic, an alarmist. “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” Men will reject the solemn message of warning in our day, as they did in Noah’s time. They will refer to those false teachers who have predicted the event and set the definite time, and will say that they have no more faith in our warning than in theirs. This is the attitude of the world today. Unbelief is widespread, and the preaching of Christ’s coming is mocked at and derided. This makes it all the more essential that those who believe present truth should show their faith by their works. They should be sanctified through the truth which they profess to believe; for they are a savor of life unto life or of death unto death.
Noah preached to the people of his time that God would give them one hundred and twenty years in which to repent of their sins and find refuge in the ark, but they refused the gracious invitation. Abundant time was given them to turn from their sins, overcome their bad habits, and develop righteous characters. But inclination to sin, though weak at first with many, strengthened through repeated indulgence and hurried them on to irretrievable ruin. The merciful warning of God was rejected with sneers, with mockery and derision; and they were left in darkness to follow the course that their sinful hearts had chosen. But their unbelief did not hinder the predicted event. It came, and great was the wrath of God which was seen in the general ruin.
These words of Christ should sink into the hearts of all who believe present truth: “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” Our danger is presented before us by Christ Himself. He knew the perils we should meet in these last days, and would have us prepare for them. “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” They were eating and drinking, planting and building, marrying and giving in marriage, and knew not until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the Flood came and swept them all away. The day of God will find men absorbed in like manner in the business and pleasures of the world, in feasting and gluttony, and in indulging perverted appetite in the defiling use of liquor and the narcotic tobacco. This is already the condition of our world, and these indulgences are found even among God’s professed people, some of whom are following the customs and partaking of the sins of the world. Lawyers, mechanics, farmers, traders, and even ministers from the pulpit are crying, “Peace and safety,” when destruction is fast coming upon them.
Belief in the near coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven will not cause the true Christian to become neglectful and careless of the ordinary business of life. The waiting ones who look for the soon appearing of Christ will not be idle, but diligent in business. Their work will not be done carelessly and dishonestly, but with fidelity, promptness, and thoroughness. Those who flatter themselves that careless inattention to the things of this life is an evidence of their spirituality and of their separation from the world are under a great deception. Their veracity, faithfulness, and integrity are tested and proved in temporal things. If they are faithful in that which is least they will be faithful in much.
I have been shown that here is where many will fail to bear the test. They develop their true character in the management of temporal concerns. They manifest unfaithfulness, scheming, dishonesty, in dealing with their fellow men. They do not consider that their hold upon the future, immortal life depends upon how they conduct themselves in the concerns of this life, and that the strictest integrity is indispensable to the formation of a righteous character. Dishonesty is practiced all through our ranks, and this is the cause of lukewarmness on the part of many who profess to believe the truth. They are not connected with Christ and are deceiving their own souls. I am pained to make the statement that there is an alarming lack of honesty even among Sabbathkeepers.
I was referred to Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. Here we have the injunction of the Great Teacher: “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” This command of Christ is of the highest importance and should be strictly obeyed. It is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. How many carry out in their lives the principle Christ has here enjoined, and deal with others just as they would wish to be dealt with under similar circumstances? Reader, please answer.
An honest man, according to Christ’s measurement, is one who will manifest unbending integrity. Deceitful weights and false balances, with which many seek to advance their interests in the world, are abomination in the sight of God. Yet many who profess to keep the commandments of God are dealing with false weights and false balances. When a man is indeed connected with God, and is keeping His law in truth, his life will reveal the fact; for all his actions will be in harmony with the teachings of Christ. He will not sell his honor for gain. His principles are built upon the sure foundation, and his conduct in worldly matters is a transcript of his principles. Firm integrity shines forth as gold amid the dross and rubbish of the world. Deceit, falsehood, and unfaithfulness may be glossed over and hidden from the eyes of man, but not from the eyes of God. The angels of God, who watch the development of character and weigh moral worth, record in the books of heaven these minor transactions which reveal character. If a workman in the daily vocations of life is unfaithful and slights his work, the world will not judge incorrectly if they estimate his standard in religion according to his standard in business.
“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.” It is not the magnitude of the matter that makes it fair or unfair. As a man deals with his fellow men, so will he deal with God. He that is unfaithful in the mammon of unrighteousness, will never be entrusted with the true riches. The children of God should not fail to remember that in all their business transactions they are being proved, weighed in the balances of the sanctuary.
Christ has said: “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” The deeds of a man’s life are the fruit he bears. If he is unfaithful and dishonest in temporal matters he is bringing forth briers and thorns; he will be unfaithful in the religious life and will rob God in tithes and offerings.
The Bible condemns in the strongest terms all falsehood, false dealing, and dishonesty. Right and wrong are plainly stated. But I was shown that God’s people have placed themselves on the enemy’s ground; they have yielded to his temptations and followed his devices until their sensibilities have become fearfully blunted. A slight deviation from truth, a little variation from the requirements of God, is thought to be, after all, not so very sinful, when pecuniary gain or loss is involved. But sin is sin, whether committed by the possessor of millions or by the beggar in the streets. Those who secure property by false representations are bringing condemnation on their souls. All that is obtained by deceit and fraud will be only a curse to the receiver.
Adam and Eve suffered the terrible consequences of disobeying the express command of God. They might have reasoned: This is a very small sin, and will never be taken into account. But God treated the matter as a fearful evil, and the woe of their transgression will be felt through all time. In the times in which we live, sins of far greater magnitude are often committed by those who profess to be God’s children. In the transaction of business, falsehoods are uttered and acted by God’s professed people that bring His frown upon them and a reproach upon His cause. The least departure from truthfulness and rectitude is a transgression of the law of God. Continual indulgence in sin accustoms the person to a habit of wrongdoing, but does not lessen the aggravated character of the sin. God has established immutable principles, which He cannot change without a revision of His whole nature. If the word of God were faithfully studied by all who profess to believe the truth, they would not be dwarfs in spiritual things. Those who disregard the requirements of God in this life would not respect His authority were they in heaven.
Every species of immorality is plainly delineated in the word of God and its result spread before us. The indulgence of the lower passions is presented before us in its most revolting character. No one, however dark may be his understanding, need to err. But I have been shown that this sin is cherished by many who profess to be walking in all the commandments of God. God will judge every man by His word.
Said Christ: “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.” The Bible is an unerring guide. It demands perfect purity in word, in thought, and in action. Only virtuous and spotless characters will be permitted to enter the presence of a pure and holy God. The word of God, if studied and obeyed, would lead the children of men, as the Israelites were led by a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day. The Bible is God’s will expressed to man. It is the only perfect standard of character, and marks out the duty of man in every circumstance of life. There are many responsibilities resting upon us in this life, a neglect of which will not only cause suffering to ourselves, but others will sustain loss in consequence.
Men and women professing to revere the Bible and follow its teachings fail in many respects to perform its requirements. In the training of children they follow their own perverse natures rather than the revealed will of God. This neglect of duty involves the loss of thousands of souls. The Bible lays down rules for the correct discipline of children. Were these requirements of God heeded by parents, we should today see a different class of youth coming upon the stage of action. But parents who profess to be Bible readers and Bible followers are going directly contrary to its teachings. We hear the cry of sorrow and anguish from fathers and mothers who bewail the conduct of their children, little realizing that they are bringing this sorrow and anguish upon themselves, and ruining their children, by their mistaken affection. They do not realize their God-given responsibilities to train their children to right habits from their babyhood.
Parents, you are in a great degree responsible for the souls of your children. Many neglect their duty during the first years of their children’s lives, thinking that when they get older they will then be very careful to repress wrong and educate them in the right. But the very time for them to do this work is when the children are babes in their arms. It is not right for parents to pet and humor their children; neither is it right for them to abuse them. A firm, decided straightforward course of action will be productive of the best results. 4T 306-313.