How the Lord Sees Us by C. P. BOLLMAN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 28, 1910

How the Lord Sees Us

By C. P. BOLLMAN

C. P. BOLLMAN

It is sometimes said, with a view to giving encouragement, that “the Lord does not see us as we are, but as we shall be, saved in the kingdom of God.” In a sense this is true, and the thought, properly understood, may be encouraging and helpful; but, misunderstood or misapplied, a grave danger lurks in it. It should never be forgotten that while the Lord sees some redeemed in the kingdom of God, he sees others—even some who profess present truth—finally lost, and forever outside that kingdom.

Perhaps the real truth of the way the Lord sees us can not be better illustrated than by an incident which is said to have occurred in the life of Michael Angelo. It is related that, upon one occasion, the great sculptor visited a quarry, and seeing there a block of marble which the workmen had rejected as of little or no value, asked that it might be given to him, remarking that he saw in it a beautiful angel. His request was granted, and from that rejected block the artist chiseled one of his masterpieces.

But while this genius among men saw in that despised block of marble a beautiful angel, he saw also the work to be done ere that angel could be developed. In like manner, while God sees the possibilities there are in each of us, he sees also the work that must be done to fit us for a home in his kingdom. He sees the cutting and chiseling, the chastening and polishing, necessary to each individual to bring out and develop the character which His law demands. The stone, even though it be a living one, must be fitted for its place in God’s great spiritual temple.

The wise human parent sees more clearly than can any one else the imperfections in his child, and his every effort is directed to the end of correcting the faults and imperfections that would otherwise permanently mar the character of his offspring. We must believe that in like manner, but to a much greater extent, our Heavenly Father notes our imperfections, reveals them to us, and, if we have the spirit of obedience, enables us to overcome them, to the end that they may not prove our eternal ruin.

Read the several messages of the second and third chapters of Revelation, and note how the Lord not only commends the good, but how he points out and reproves the evil. To the church of Ephesus, the church in the days of the apostles themselves, he says, after commending them for their faithfulness: “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Rev. 2: 4, 5.

And so in each of the messages to the churches we find reproof and exhortation, mingled with whatever of commendation is deserved, until we come to the last message, that to the Laodiceans. In these two important chapters we find the sharpest rebuke, the most solemn threatening, and the most earnest exhortation.

Brethren and sisters, we are living in the Laodicean period of the church. The message of Rev. 3: 14-22 is especially for us. And down deep in our inmost hearts we know that it has not yet wrought in our lives the transformation the Lord sees must be wrought in us. “I saw,” said the servant of the Lord, “that the testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs, has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance; all who truly receive it, will obey it, and be purified.”—“Early Writings,” page 132, edition of 1900.

God forbid that we should deceive ourselves with the thought that the Lord is too benevolent to take account of our sins, that he is blind to our faults, or that he looks upon our lukewarmness with indifference. “Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be

without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. . . . Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Heb. 12: 6-11.

Therefore, instead of hardening our hearts against reproof, let us say, with the psalmist, “Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head.” “Mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.” Ps. 141: 5, 8.

Nashville, Tenn.