Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We are living in very interesting times. Over the first half of 2024 (I’m writing this 04-24), I had been concentrating my early morning reading to the Minor Prophets. I see the message given through them to Israel as being very relevant to our day. The churches have not only fallen, but are now in outright rebellion against God. Society has not only fallen, but has turned righteousness into wickedness and wickedness into righteousness. Purity and reverence no longer exist. As with Israel, it is all outward show, but the inward life of Christ is no longer lived.
In Hosea, the sixth chapter, God is calling Israel and Judah to repent. The message is also for our day. “Come, let us return to the LORD; even though He has torn us, He will heal us. Even though He has wounded us, He will bind our wounds.” Hosea 6:1 Yes, God is the one who inflicts our punishment, but He also is willing to take our punishment.
In prophecy He showed His love by letting us know that “After two days He will restore us to life, on the third day He will raise us up, and we will live in He presence.” Hosea 6:2. He died on the cross on Friday. The second day, while buried in the tomb, that death restored us to life. And when He rose the third day, He raised us up with Himself to live in His presence for eternity. Our hope of eternal life would not be possible without His death. What love! Yet, as with Israel and Judah, our hope can only be fulfilled if we will repent of our sins and return to Him who loves us.
1 Peter 3:1 – 22
In a similar way, you wives must submit yourselves to your husbands so that, even if some of them refuse to obey the word, they may be won over without a word through your conduct as wives when they see your pure and reverent lives.
That is tough. For most wives in our societies today, “submit” is not an option. Instead, divorce is the choice for most. That is only one “marker” that reveals how far from Christianity we are. To “submit yourselves” to Jesus would solve all of our problems today. By submitting to Jesus we learn to submit to our husbands, our parents, our employers, our governments, etc. But since our churches teach us to rebel against Jesus, by our rebellion against the Ten Commandments, they have instilled in us rebellion against everything that goes against our selfish lives.
The concept here goes way beyond just “wives”, and includes our conduct in the home, society and in every aspect of our lives, those around us are to “see your pure and reverent lives”.
Your beauty should not be an external one, consisting of braided hair or the wearing of gold ornaments and dresses.
No it should not! Pride and ego are to be eradicated from the life. We are not to put on a show of Christianity for church members, but are to let the beauty of the life of Jesus shine out of our hearts in all we do.
Instead, it should be the inner disposition of the heart, consisting in the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which God values greatly.
“Gentle and quiet spirit”. Not much of that going on in the world today. It is all about making a noise and pushing yourself to the front and being noticed. It seems that is the only way to get clicks. How dangerous can that be? No, God values a gentle and quiet spirit. Are you developing what God values “greatly”?
After all, this is how holy women who set their hope on God used to make themselves beautiful in the past. They submitted themselves to their husbands, just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughters by doing good and by not letting anything terrify you.
I spent the year, 1976, in Germany doing my part as a Military Policeman for the US Army. For the first six months I had the honor of living with a German family. How different from families in the United States.
All family members submitted themselves to the father. It didn’t matter how old the members were or if they were married, all submitted to the father. He was head of the family. Nothing was done unless authorized by the father.
In the morning, just before the father would leave the house for work, the mother would get on her knees and give his shoes a final touch-up as he was leaving the house. No one sat down at the dining table until father had taken his seat. The wife reverenced him. She loved him. Her actions showed her love. Love in that family was not about sex, but honor.
The father showed his love to his family by working to provide for them. He wasn’t out “with the boys”, but working or at home with the family and listening to their lives. Around the family table they shared their daily activities with father. He was understanding and gracious in his life.
In a similar way, you husbands must live with your wives in an understanding manner, as with a most delicate partner. Honor them as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing may interfere with your prayers.
And people wonder why their prayers are not answered. Maybe there are too many things interfering with their prayers.
Finally, all of you must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love as brothers, and be compassionate and humble.
“You must live in harmony”. Wow, not much of that going on in our nations, governments, schools, work or homes. Without the peace of Jesus in our lives, there can be no harmony. Only Jesus can bring peace and harmony. Righteousness only comes from God. Those who are not in harmony with Jesus, cannot be in harmony with others.
And how about that “sympathy”? Do you sympathize with those who are in prison? How about the homeless? How about those who think and live differently than you?
“Compassionate and humble”? Not much of that going on in our churches. That is probably one reason Jesus stayed away from the churches of His day; unless necessary to reach those going to church. For the most part, He taught by the lake, in the hills, by the pools and the roadsides. Let us follow His example.
“On this first tour the disciples were to go only where Jesus had been before them, and had made friends. Their preparation for the journey was to be of the simplest kind. Nothing must be allowed to divert their minds from their great work, or in any way excite opposition and close the door for further labor. They were not to adopt the dress of the religious teachers, nor use any guise in apparel to distinguish them from the humble peasants. They were not to enter into the synagogues and call the people together for public service; their efforts were to be put forth in house-to-house labor. They were not to waste time in needless salutations, or in going from house to house for entertainment. But in every place they were to accept the hospitality of those who were worthy, those who would welcome them heartily as if entertaining Christ Himself. They were to enter the dwelling with the beautiful salutation, ‘Peace be to this house.’ Luke 10:5. That home would be blessed by their prayers, their songs of praise, and the opening of the Scriptures in the family circle.” DA 351.
Do not pay others back evil for evil or insult for insult. Instead, keep blessing them, because you were called to inherit a blessing.
Now you see why churches tend to emphasize “loving Jesus”. It is much easier to talk about “loving Jesus” than actually showing that love by loving others. There is too much “payback” going on in the world and in our churches. Church people just don’t get it. To receive the inheritance promised, we must “keep blessing” those we would rather insult and pay back evil.
“For the person who wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
Evil tongues and deceitful lips abound in today’s world and the churches. Churches will tell you anything to keep you giving your money to them. You name it, probably there is a church out there teaching it. Look around until you find the church that will lie to you and speak deceit in order to please you.
He must turn away from evil and do good. He must seek peace and pursue it.
The churches and denominations today have completely fallen. I’m not sure I have found one that teaches us to “turn away from evil”. No, it is all about God’s love to us. How God’s grace saves us. How all we have to do is go through a few rituals, rites, ceremonies, pay our money and say the right words, and presto, we are “saved”. Yet, from Genesis to Revelation we are told and commanded to “turn away from evil”. Paul is even more emphatic for those who claim to be Christian. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.” 2 Timothy 2:19. Do you “call on the name of the Lord” in church, in prayer or when you are in trouble? Maybe now you know why the Lord may not be answering your prayers.
For the Lord watches the righteous, and he pays attention to their prayers. But the Lord opposes those who do wrong.”
That is a concept most Christians don’t like, the part where “He pays attention”. As long as “GOD” is ethereal and intangible, we love Him. Yet, when He gets down and personal with us, well, I don’t think we appreciate that aspect of Him as much. Why? Because, “the Lord opposes those who do wrong”. We just love our sins way too much for God to be inspecting us.
Who will harm you if you are devoted to doing what is good?
Not God!
But even if you should suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. “Never be afraid of their threats, and never get upset.
I suppose that is why most churches and denominations don’t get to far into the New Testament. There’s just too much about “doing what is right” when we would rather do what we want. Therefore, we only read the few texts we like. We just love getting upset with those who don’t do what we want.
Instead, exalt the Messiah” as Lord in your lives. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you to explain the hope you have.
Exalt the Messiah! Would that be the same as “worship” Jesus? I’m learning how distasteful that is to a lot of religions, denominations and churches in our world today. Not many want Jesus to be their “GOD”. That would mean a change in their behavior. Too radical! After all, if you don’t make Jesus the Lord of your life, you can live anyway you want, and then you don’t have to “explain the hope you have” since you don’t really have it. That solves that problem.
But do this gently and respectfully, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak evil of your good conduct in the Messiah will be ashamed of slandering you.
I have a way to go in that respect. I admit, I’m human and find the frustration building when people speak stupidly on the posts this ministry puts up. I’m working very hard to be gentle and respectful.
After all, if it is the will of God, it is better to suffer for doing right than for doing wrong.
Yes it is!
For the Messiah also suffered for sins once for all, an innocent person for the guilty, so that he could bring you to God.
We never know who we may be bringing to God, or turning away from God, by our behavior. Let us be very careful in our behavior and our speaking. Eternity is at stake.
He was put to death in a mortal body but was brought to life by the Spirit, in which he went and made a proclamation to those imprisoned spirits who disobeyed long ago in the days of Noah, when God waited patiently while the ark was being built. In it a few, that is, eight persons, were saved by water.
Did Jesus rise up while being dead and go someplace where spirits of the dead are imprisoned and preach to them? No! The dead are dead and know not anything. (Ecclesiastes 9:5).
Simply put, Peter is stating a fact, Jesus, who is the LORD and “GOD” of the Old Testament, preached, through Noah, to the people who were rebellious and refusing to get into the Ark. Jesus was patient with them for 150 years while the Ark was being built. But they refused to listen. Point being? Listen! Out of a possibility of over two billion people on the face of the earth at the time of Noah, only 8 were saved. We are instructed that only 144,000 will be alive on the face of the earth after the close of probation who will be saved. The antediluvian’s probation closed with the closing of the Ark door. Earth’s probation will close with the international Sunday Law during Passover and Jesus will come seven months later at the Feast of Trumpets.
Baptism, which is symbolized by that water, now saves you also, not by removing dirt from the body, but by asking God for a clear conscience based on the resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah, who has gone to heaven and is at the right hand of God, where angels, authorities, and powers have been made subject to him.
Does baptism save us eternally? No! No physical thing can save us. That would be saved by works—your works. Baptism for us is no different than circumcision was for the Jews. And Paul is very clear that what the Jews thought would save them did not. “For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.” 1 Corinthians 7:19. It was simply an outward expression of an inward impression. Jesus is very plain on how we are saved. “If you would enter life, keep the Commandments.” Matthew 19:17. Nothing else can save you eternally. If you want to be saved eternally, you must have the impression of the Ten Commandments on your heart, soul and mind.
Many fight over the words to be used at baptism. It doesn’t matter. The words won’t save you. It is the concept of those words that will save you. To be pronounced “baptized” either in the name of Jesus, or in the names of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is to be baptized into the character of Jesus: perfect, sinless and Commandment keeping. Otherwise, the words you use will only be taking the name of the Lord in vain and will be blasphemy. Therefore, you would have no eternal life anyway. Just being baptized into a church won’t save you.
Message from Jakisa in Uganda:
“Thank you, I have been trying to get where I can study the scripture and know what the truth is, and get the chance to salvation or everlasting life, over years! Indeed God is great, finally he led me into JCPM and getting more understanding on the scripture and learned what the truth is, hoping that at the end we will in the kingdom of God.
May God bless you too.”
To start off these letters, I would like to share with you that James has been paroled from prison. He has spent 43 years in prison. We started communicating with each other back in 2016. He has been very thankful for the truth which has brought him great peace. He continues to stay in contact with me now that he is “free”. I count James as a close brother. Let us keep James in our prayers. Thank you.
INMATE LETTERS
Shalom,
I am writing to you because I was led to believe that you proffer an awesome book called, “Change Your Life Biblically”. Is this true? If you are able and willing, I would like to receive this book and be placed on your mailing list to receive any other newsletters and resources you may offer.
Jerwoody, TX
Ron,
I got to say, that I am so grateful for the time and effort you put into this work. It has shined light on so much for me and inspired me to keep searching for this narrow path. I realize I have been lost my whole life, consumed in darkness. Only with Jesus can I be found and be brought into the light. I will work on the 3 main points Jesus taught: Be Perfect, Stop sinning and Obey the Ten Commandments. I train dogs to become service animals. I study literature and our book.
Anthony, OR
Dear Brother Ron,
I would love to receive the Bible study from you: “Change Your Life Biblically”. I am excited to be a part of this study.
Bradley, KY
Hello,
I am writing you guys for the Bible study, “Change Your Life Biblically” workbook. I am interested in participating on this project. I’m ready to participate and learn more about God and become a better person. I’m tired of my old lifestyle. I’m ready to study and to help others as well.
Albaro, CA
JCPM,
I received this card in the mail and wanted to thank you in advance for the book. I would like to know about your ministry and what I could do as a volunteer. Thank you for your ministry.
Branden, TX
To Whom It May Concern,
I’m writing in hopes of receiving any resources lists you have available.
Elias, CA
Hello,
I received a postcard promoting your organization. I am interested and would like to know more.
Steven, KY
JCPM,
I recently spoke with a friend who received a “Change Your Life Biblically” Bible study workbook. I have enclosed my information. Can you please send me a workbook? I am in dire need of changing my life. Can you please send me one? Thank you.
Kelly, MT
JCPM,
I just rededicated my life to our Lord Jesus Christ. For so many years I have been running from God. I strongly feel the Lord is tugging at my heart to open up and receive instructions on what He has been trying to get me to do for His kingdom. My friend here has a copy of the workbook your ministry sent him. Everything in it immediately caught my attention. It would mean a great deal to me if your ministry would allow me to partake in your Bible study. I’m looking forward on learning more about Jesus being our Teacher of salvation. Unfortunately my family and friends have totally abandoned me. I have no contact from the free world. Thank you very much.
Moses, TX
Hi,
I am interested in your Bible study. I am very interested in my spiritual journey. I am trying to change my life so I never have to come back to prison. I feel like God has bigger plans than this more me.
Dustin, FL
JCPM,
Thank you for contacting me. I would like to take the “Change Your Life Biblically”.
Jerry, TX
Hello,
I’ve been homeless lots of years. 63 years old. It don’t agree with me any more. Gonna try and do things a different way so I don’t die under a bridge, alley or abandon RXR track. There has got to be a better life than jail or prison.
Bobby, TX
Hello Brother Ronald,
I hope that when you receive this letter you are very well and always very blessed.
I am writing to let you know that I have already read the first step of the book I received. By the way, I received it in Spanish and in English. When I read the book in English, I realized that I have to write every time I finish one of the eight steps.
I am very honest, it is difficult for me to understand it, I have read it 3 times to be able to understand a little. You know here in the prison that I am, I am working at (Unicor) almost all day but I am studying at night. As I say, it is costing me a lot, but first, God, I am going to overcome all the obstacles to be able to move forward. Thank you for supporting me and trying to help the inmates. See you later.
Geovany Valladares, PA (Written in Spanish and translated by Juan Beltran.)
Testimony for God’s Children
My Dear Family,
The following article is very important. I know from experience the truth of this article. Even though I was raised in a Sabbath Keeping church, when I started my business, I felt I had to work on Sabbath. God separated me from my family and put me in prison until I learned my lesson. Much like Jonah spending time in the fish. Trust in God is a hard lesson to learn. Over the years in this ministry, trust in God has grown. Every day I must trust Him to touch hearts to keep this ministry funded. From a man who worked to support his family, to trusting God to support the ministry, this has been a difficult journey.
I pray that none of you will have to go through what I went through because of my carelessness. Going to church will do nothing for your salvation if you are not living in obedience to the Ten Commandments. Claiming to be a Christian will do nothing for your salvation if you are not living in obedience to the Ten Commandments.
Sacredness of God’s Commandments
Much-respected Brother (Church Member),
In January, 1875, I was shown that there are hindrances in the way of the spiritual prosperity of the church. The Spirit of God is grieved because many are not right in heart and life; their professed faith does not harmonize with their works. The sacred rest day of Jehovah is not observed as it should be. Every week God is robbed by some infringement upon the borders of His holy time; and the hours that should be devoted to prayer and meditation are given to worldly employments.
God has given us His commandments, not only to be believed in, but to be obeyed. The great Jehovah, when He had laid the foundations of the earth, had dressed the whole world in the garb of beauty, and had filled it with things useful to man,—when He had created all the wonders of the land and the sea,—instituted the Sabbath day and made it holy. God blessed and sanctified the seventh day, because He rested upon it from all His wondrous work of creation. The Sabbath was made for man, and God would have him put by his labor on that day, as He Himself rested after His six days’ work of creation.
Those who reverence the commandments of Jehovah will, after light has been given them in reference to the fourth precept of the Decalogue, obey it without questioning the feasibility or convenience of such obedience. God made man in His own image and then gave him an example of observing the seventh day, which He sanctified and made holy. He designed that upon that day man should worship Him and engage in no secular pursuits. No one who disregards the fourth commandment, after becoming enlightened concerning the claims of the Sabbath, can be held guiltless in the sight of God.
Brother (Church Member), you acknowledge the requirements of God to keep the Sabbath, but your works do not harmonize with your declared faith. You give your influence to the side of the unbeliever, insofar as you transgress the law of God. When your temporal circumstances seem to require attention, you violate the fourth commandment without compunction. You make the keeping of God’s law a matter of convenience, obeying or disobeying as your business or inclination indicates. This is not honoring the Sabbath as a sacred institution. You grieve the Spirit of God and dishonor your Redeemer by pursuing this reckless course.
A partial observance of the Sabbath law is not accepted by the Lord and has a worse effect upon the minds of sinners than if you made no profession of being a Sabbathkeeper. They perceive that your life contradicts your belief, and lose faith in Christianity. The Lord means what He says, and man cannot set aside His commands with impunity. The example of Adam and Eve in the garden should sufficiently warn us against any disobedience of the divine law. The sin of our first parents in listening to the specious temptations of the enemy brought guilt and sorrow upon the world, and led the Son of God to leave the royal courts of heaven and take a humble place on earth. He was subjected to insult, rejection, and crucifixion by the very ones He came to bless. What infinite expense attended that disobedience in the Garden of Eden! The Majesty of heaven was sacrificed to save man from the penalty of his crime.
God will not pass over any transgression of His law more lightly now than in the day when He pronounced judgment against Adam. The Saviour of the world raises His voice in protest against those who regard the divine commandments with carelessness and indifference. Said He: “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, He shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” The teaching of our lives is wholly for or against the truth. If your works seem to justify the transgressor in his sin, if your influence makes light of breaking the commandments of God, then you are not only guilty yourself, but you are to a certain extent responsible for the consequent errors of others.
At the very beginning of the fourth precept, God said, “Remember,” knowing that man, in the multitude of his cares and perplexities, would be tempted to excuse himself from meeting the full requirements of the law or, in the press of worldly business, would forget its sacred importance. “Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work,” the usual business of life, for worldly profit or pleasure. These words are very explicit; there can be no mistake. Brother (Church Member), how dare you venture to transgress a commandment so solemn and important? Has the Lord made an exception by which you are absolved from the law He has given to the world? Are your transgressions omitted from the book of record? Has He agreed to excuse your disobedience when the nations come before Him for judgment? Do not for a moment deceive yourself with the thought that your sin will not bring its merited punishment. Your transgressions will be visited with the rod, because you have had the light, yet have walked directly contrary to it. “That servant, which knew his Lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to His will, shall be beaten with many stripes.”
God has given man six days in which to do his own work and carry on the usual business of life; but He claims one day, which He has set apart and sanctified. He gives it to man as a day in which he may rest from labor and devote himself to worship and the improvement of his spiritual condition. What a flagrant outrage it is for man to steal the one sanctified day of Jehovah and appropriate it to his own selfish purposes!
It is the grossest presumption for mortal man to venture upon a compromise with the Almighty in order to secure his own petty, temporal interests. It is as ruthless a violation of the law to occasionally use the Sabbath for secular business as to entirely reject it; for it is making the Lord’s commandments a matter of convenience. “I the Lord thy God am a jealous God,” is thundered from Sinai. No partial obedience, no divided interest, is accepted by Him who declares that the iniquities of the fathers shall be visited upon the children to the third and fourth generation of them that hate Him, and that He will show mercy unto thousands of them that love Him and keep His commandments. It is not a small matter to rob a neighbor, and great is the stigma attached to one who is found guilty of such an act; yet he who would scorn to defraud his fellow man will without shame rob his heavenly Father of the time that He has blessed and set apart for a special purpose.
My dear brother, your works are at variance with your professed faith, and your only excuse is the poor plea of convenience. The servants of God in past times have been called upon to lay down their lives in vindication of their faith. Your course illy harmonizes with that of the Christian martyrs, who suffered hunger and thirst, torture and death, rather than renounce their religion or yield the principles of truth.
It is written: “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” Every time you put your hands to labor on the Sabbath day, you virtually deny your faith. The Holy Scriptures teach us that faith without works is dead, and that the testimony of one’s life proclaims to the world whether or not he is true to the faith he professes. Your conduct lessens God’s law in the estimation of your worldly friends. It says to them: “You may or may not obey the commandments. I believe that the law of God is, in a manner, binding upon men; but, after all, the Lord is not very particular as to a strict observance of its precepts, and an occasional transgression is not visited with severity on His part.”
Many excuse themselves for violating the Sabbath by referring to your example. They argue that if so good a man, who believes the seventh day is the Sabbath, can engage in worldly employments on that day when circumstances seem to require it, surely they can do the same without condemnation. Many souls will face you in the judgment, making your influence an excuse for their disobedience of God’s law. Although this will be no apology for their sin, yet it will tell fearfully against you.
God has spoken, and He means that man shall obey. He does not inquire if it is convenient for him to do so. The Lord of life and glory did not consult His convenience or pleasure when He left His station of high command to become a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, accepting ignominy and death in order to deliver man from the consequence of his disobedience. Jesus died, not to save man in his sins, but from his sins. Man is to leave the error of his ways, to follow the example of Christ, to take up his cross and follow Him, denying self, and obeying God at any cost.
Said Jesus: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” If we are true servants of God, there should be no question in our minds as to whether we will obey His commandments or consult our own temporal interests. If the believers in the truth are not sustained by their faith in these comparatively peaceful days, what will uphold them when the grand test comes and the decree goes forth against all those who will not worship the image of the beast and receive his mark in their foreheads or in their hands? This solemn period is not far off. Instead of becoming weak and irresolute, the people of God should be gathering strength and courage for the time of trouble.
Jesus, our great Exemplar, in His life and death taught the strictest obedience. He died, the just for the unjust, the innocent for the guilty, that the honor of God’s law might be preserved and yet man not utterly perish. Sin is the transgression of the law. If the sin of Adam brought such inexpressible wretchedness, requiring the sacrifice of God’s dear Son, what will be the punishment of those, who, seeing the light of truth, set at nought the fourth commandment of the Lord?
Circumstances will not justify anyone in working upon the Sabbath for the sake of worldly profit. If God excuses one man, He may excuse all. Why may not Brother (Church Member), who is a poor man, work upon the Sabbath to earn means for a livelihood when he might by so doing be better able to support his family? Why may not other brethren, or all of us, keep the Sabbath only when it is convenient to do so? The voice from Sinai makes answer: “Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.”
Wrongs perpetrated by believers in the truth bring great weakness upon the church. They are stumbling blocks in the way of sinners and prevent them from coming to the light. Brother, God calls you to come out fully upon His side and let your works show that you regard His precepts and keep inviolate the Sabbath. He bids you wake up to your duty and be true to the responsibilities that devolve upon you. These solemn words are addressed to you: “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”
Like many of our brethren, you are becoming entangled with the transgressors of God’s law, viewing matters in their light and falling into their errors. God will visit with His judgments those who are professedly serving Him, yet really serving mammon. Those who disregard the Lord’s express injunction for their personal advantage are heaping future woe upon themselves. The church in —– should inquire closely if they have not, like the Jews, made the temple of God a place of merchandise. Christ said: “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.”
Are not many of our people falling into the sin of sacrificing their religion for the sake of worldly gain; preserving a form of piety, yet giving all the mind to temporal pursuits? God’s law must be considered first of all and obeyed in spirit and in letter. If God’s word, spoken in awful solemnity from the holy mountain, is lightly regarded, how will the Testimonies of His Spirit be received? Minds that are so darkened as not to recognize the authority of the Lord’s commandments given directly to man can receive little good from a feeble instrument whom He has chosen to instruct His people.
Your age does not excuse you from obeying the divine commands. Abraham was sorely tested in his old age. The words of the Lord seemed terrible and uncalled-for to the stricken old man, yet he never questioned their justice or hesitated in his obedience. He might have pleaded that he was old and feeble, and could not sacrifice the son who was the joy of his life. He might have reminded the Lord that this command conflicted with the promises that had been given in regard to this son. But the obedience of Abraham was without a murmur or a reproach. His trust in God was implicit.
The faith of Abraham should be our example, yet how few will patiently endure a simple test of reproof for the sins which imperil their eternal welfare. How few receive reproof with humility, and profit by it. God’s claim upon our faith, our services, our affections, should meet with a cheerful response. We are infinite debtors to the Lord and should unhesitatingly comply with the least of His requirements. In order to be a commandment breaker it is not necessary that we should trample upon the whole moral code. If one precept is disregarded, we are transgressors of the sacred law. But if we would be true commandment keepers we should strictly observe every requirement that God has enjoined upon us.
God allowed His own Son to be put to death in order to answer the penalty of the transgression of the law; then how will He deal with those who, in the face of all this evidence, dare venture upon the path of disobedience, after having received the light of truth? Man has no right to urge his convenience or wants in this matter. God will provide; He who fed Elijah by the brook, making a raven His messenger, will not suffer His faithful ones to want for food.
The Saviour asked His disciples, who were pressed with poverty, why they were anxious and troubled in regard to what they should eat or how they should be clothed. Said He: “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” He pointed to the lovely flowers, formed and tinted by a divine hand, saying: “And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?”
Where is the faith of God’s people? Why are they so unbelieving and distrustful of Him who provides for their wants and upholds them by His strength? The Lord will test the faith of His people; He will send rebukes, which will be followed by afflictions if these warnings are not heeded. He will break the fatal lethargy of sin at any cost to those who have departed from their allegiance to Him, and awaken them to their sense of duty.
My brother, your soul must be quickened and your faith enlarged. You have so long excused yourself in your disobedience on one plea or another that your conscience has been lulled to rest and ceases to remind you of your errors. You have so long followed your own convenience in regard to keeping the Sabbath that your mind has been rendered unimpressible as to your course of disobedience; yet you are none the less responsible, for you have brought yourself into this condition. Begin at once to obey the divine commandments, and trust in God. Provoke not His wrath, lest He visit you with terrible punishment. Return to Him before it is too late, and find pardon for your transgressions. He is rich and abundant in mercies; He will give you His peace and approbation if you come to Him in humble faith. 4T 247-254.