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THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 24, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 32, No. 22.

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THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.

By Jos. Clarke

The gradual unfolding and development of Christian character is a sight far more interesting to good men than any other this world can afford.
With great delight the man of science traces the paths of the planets, or follows the track of the blazing comet, as it hastens away from our system; or he peers, with more intense interest, into the region beyond, where Orion shines with brilliancy and splendor; but with deeper, more anxious solicitude does the experienced Christian watch the development of Christian character and moral worth.
The decisions and resolutions of the mind, the practical, the daily walk and life, the control of the moral over the material; this is what calls the attention of the good man; this interests angels; and this is, too, the greatest theme of discourse in the book of God to man.
The Christian life is not one of dreary, treadmill round, prompted by fear of the lash, or love of gain; but is one of the highest, holiest aspirations, and of the noblest character; in short, the convert just turning to God from the world, realizes, for the first time, that he is the workmanship of God, and as such, owes to him his best service, which he gives more cheerfully than words can describe.
But so deceitful is the influence of this world upon him who starts out with the design of forming a character such as God approves, that he is often drawn aside from his purpose, and losing sight of the glory and excellence of obtaining such a character as will furnish him a passport to the regions where God manifests himself to perfect and holy beings, we say, losing sight of these things, he is drawn aside, and too often never returns.
Sad thought, that so many commence this work only to fail of accomplishing it. It is idle to say that the path of the Christian is always a pleasant one. It is an error to say that it is not a difficult one. We may say, it is easy to him who, loving it, lives so near to God that he is constantly in the light; but right here lies the difficulty, in keeping in the light, and in walking constantly with God; and it is this constant effort to keep in the path, and walk with God, as did Enoch of old, which causes and continually prompts to the formation of a Christian character.
Man was originally a noble being, and Christianity proposes to restore him in the end to his first estate; under and it is the prospect of such an object which nerves the soul for the noblest work in which it can engage; and the hope of such a future often fills the heart with joy unspeakable, and full of glory.
In contemplation of this noble theme, the mind of man rises still higher than this, and leaving the theme of his own salvation, he is led to think of the character of God, the Creator, and in the admiration he feels for the attributes of Jehovah, he is led to love him with all his powers of mind; and he so connects the honor of God with his own salvation, that the more he desires the eternal life, the more does he admire and love God, and seek his glory.
Thus he rises from one eminence of faith to another, pressing on to higher attainments; and as he grasps the heavenly blessing, he lets go of the world, and leaves it behind, and so rivets his attention to heavenly things, confessing his sins, he finds mercy, and grace to do the will of God.
JOS. CLARKE.