Untitled article by Ransom F. Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 5, 1868

EXTREMES. NO. 2.

By Ransom F. Cottrell

The word of God, rightly interpreted, is harmonious. But if we take the extreme meaning of some particular texts, as extremists are inclined to do, we make irreconcilable contradictions in that word, and hopelessly separate ourselves from each other; and Satan is pleased to see believers divided and alienated, and the Bible traduced.

For example: One seizes upon the text that says that he that is born of God cannot sin; and, taking the extreme meaning, concludes that it is an utter impossibility for such a one to commit the least sin, right in the face of all the examples, warnings, and admonitions in the word of God, by which the believer is cautioned not to “depart from the living God,” being ensnared by the deceitfulness of sin, and, falling from their steadfastness, come short of entering into the promised rest. Here and there one can be found, taking this extreme meaning of the text, whose sanguine and hopeful temperament can be persuaded to believe that they have attained to a perfect deliverance, not only from their past sins, but from a possibility of future sin, and hence feel as secure as if they had already entered into everlasting life. And when they hear their brethren confess their faults they pity them, and conclude that they have not been born of God as they themselves have.

Another person takes an opposite extreme. He finds a text that says that there is not a just person upon earth that doeth good and sinneth not. So he concludes it is an utter impossibility to attain to the perfect consecration and victory which the Scriptures so plainly inculcate, and being averse to the agonizing exertion necessary to its attainment, he concludes to hope for salvation while he continues willingly in known sin. Nothing is surer than that he will come short unless he can be aroused to seek salvation as he never sought it.

Satan is pleased with this state of things. He does not want these to unite on the truth. But he hopes to destroy them both. Oh! that they knew the importance of pressing together, at the expense of their extreme views, giving no chance for Satan to step between them to keep them apart; the importance of striving together for holiness, and to be found without fault before the throne of God.

But how do you reconcile these different texts of Scripture which have been alluded to? How is it that persons that cannot sin are cautioned and warned against falling into it? The word cannot is not to be taken in its extreme sense. But it is contrary to the principles, desires, and feelings, of the truly-converted man to sin. Still there is a possibility from the strength of temptation and the “deceitfulness of sin,” to be overcome.

You say to the person that asks you to take a drink of intoxicating liquor, No, sir, I cannot. What do you mean? You mean it is contrary to your fixed principles. You have chosen the contrary course of action. You do not mean that it is an impossibility for you to drink; but as long as you abide in your temperance principles, you cannot drink such liquors. So, whoever abideth in Christ sinneth not. Says the apostle, “These things write I unto you, that ye sin not. But if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father.” If, while we are striving to live without sin, we find we have failed through ignorance, beguilement, or strong and sudden temptation, do not give up in despair. We have an Advocate with the Father—we may be forgiven. Such, doubtless, is the intent and meaning of the Scriptures.

To one class of extremists, the voice of inspiration is, “Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise; why shouldst thou destroy thyself?”

To the other, “Be not over much wicked; neither be thou foolish; why shouldst thou die before thy time?”

“He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end,” shall be clothed in white, and not have his name blotted from the book of life.

R. F. COTTRELL.