p. 6 | The Prerequisite of Acceptable Service by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 25, 1909

The Prerequisite of Acceptable Service

By C. M. S.

WE are not on safe ground until we can count as a loss everything we have gained outside of Christ, whatever it may be. The more men load themselves down with worldly honors or wealth, the more difficult it is for them to enter the narrow gate and walk in the straight way.

The most important lesson of Paul's experience was this: “What things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ.” Phil. 3:7, 8. There never will be a time when the kind of service that wins heaven's approval will have the approval of the self-seeking, clamoring world, or be popular with the ease-loving, amusement-seeking church-members. There are two ways, the broad and the narrow; two services, that of self and that of Christ; two goals—and they are far apart. The broad way needs to be broad, for it must accommodate many professed church-members, as well as the great motley throng that has never professed the name of Christ.

When the very Christianity of Christ becomes a part of our being, there is a transformation wrought in us which is equivalent to a new creation. Then the things we once loved become hateful to us, and those things which seemed of no value, because self had darkened our perception, become as the apple of the eye. It must be so, else God can not use us to accomplish his purpose. While we treasure the things of earth, heaven's realities are dimly seen or entirely obscured, and self assumes most wonderful proportions. So long as this condition exists, the streams of our beneficence are all turned inward to nourish our vanity and pride. We are like the geyser, a noisy, self-attracting fountain, whose waters return again inward and bring benefit to none. When true conversion comes, there is a complete transformation. Self shrinks, and disappears; the streams of our beneficence flow outward; the geyser becomes a sweet, bubbling spring that flows quietly through the woods, meadows, and gardens, blessing everything along its course, causing trees and fields to yield their food for man and beast. Such is the true Christian, watering souls and bringing the bread of life to the hungry and perishing.

God can use such, and only such. The self-centered and self-serving, whatever the profession, are destitute of the great prerequisite that makes for the advancement of God's cause and kingdom. They are running without a message, hindering what they pretend to advance. There is only one remedy—contrition of heart, sacrifice of self, full surrender of the whole man to the cause of Christ—in short, conversion. That is the prerequisite of true service. That brings heaven's approval and the divine commission. That assures success in the saving of souls.

C. M. S.