The Christian's Duty to Know by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 23, 1913

The Christian's Duty to Know

By C. M. S.

SPEAKING before a men's club in New York, a prominent minister is reported to have asked the question, “Is life worth living?” and then frankly admitted that he did not know. Now, it is the privilege of every one who has named the name of Christ to know that life is worth living and to know it profoundly and triumphantly. He who is out of Christ may wonder and question. He who is in Christ has no occasion for question — he knows. If the glorious hopes held out to man in the Word of God were based merely upon human wishes and suppositions, there would be reason to question; but they are the declarations of God himself, and it is the true Christian's blessed privilege to know that they are true.

Unbelief whispers all manner of questionings, and when asked to give a reason for the hope that is within, has none to give, for it has no hope. The honest questioner comes to the doubting professor, receives a doubting answer, and becomes a doubting questioner. The melancholy questioner comes to the doubting preacher for hope and consolation, and the doubting answer doubles his gloom. How many such questioners there are only Heaven knows; but they number a mighty host. How disloyal to God to give a doubting answer to men when we might have set their feet upon the solid Rock! Of course, he who doubts can not do that; but the Christian has no business to doubt; he has no reason to doubt; if he is a true Christian, he can not doubt. He is set in the world for a light to lighten the pathway of those who have wandered from the fold, not for a snare to entrap them in their bewilderment; not for a fog to enshroud them on the precipice of ruin. It is the Christian's glorious privilege “to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” But how can we do it if we answer the questioner's question with a doubt? A doubting minister may be the devil's prime minister in the flesh.

There is no need to doubt. The Word of God is verified by evidence both internal and external; and they who are Christ's have the witness of the Spirit, which no shadow of darkness can ever quench. The words of Peter are to the point, and they apply here: “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”

The language of a great many suicides is, “I am going to end it all. I don't believe life is worth living.” It is the Christian's privilege to be able to answer, first, that this rash act does not end all; and, second, that the hope set before us is worth more than the greatest sacrifice ever made by man living on the earth. The glorious hope contained in the declaration, “I go to prepare a place for you,” outweighs the severest trials that man has ever been called upon to pass through. Then, for the sake of Him who died for you, do not allow yourself to add to the numbers of that melancholy army by not knowing

whether life is worth living. Do not be doing the devil's business while professing to be a follower of Christ.

With a word so true to depend upon, with a promise so glorious held out before us, and with events on every hand fulfilling the predictions of the Word of God before our eyes, there is no reason to doubt or question or become discouraged. But, with the wicked devices of Satan multiplying on every side, it stands us in hand to keep in close touch with our Guide, depending upon God alone for power to keep us from the snares of the adversary, and for grace and wisdom to make us a blessing in the cause of the Master. C. M. S.