Faith and Earnest Effort by E. K. SLADE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 16, 1908

Faith and Earnest Effort

By E. K. SLADE

E. K. SLADE

The race to be run, the battles to be fought, and the victories to be won, will require the very best of our effort, and much earnestness and zeal. Many seem to have been led to feel that inasmuch as it is God that worketh in us, it will be just as well for them to move along from day to day in an easy, formal way, repenting, resisting, praying, and working as if our part in the plan of God for our redemption counted but little. But it is plainly indicated in the Word of God that no one is properly a candidate for redemption whose whole heart is not in it, or who is not sufficiently decided in his choice to place himself and all that he is at God's disposal in this work. Many will come up to the close of probation only to be suddenly and terribly disappointed.

We desire to add to the Christian graces, but it is only by “giving all diligence” that we may hope to make any progress in this. An abundant entrance is ministered into the everlasting kingdom of God to those who will “give diligence” to make their calling and election sure. In no degree are we permitted to believe that a formal or half-hearted service will be acceptable. It must be nothing short of loving God with the whole heart. The thoroughness of effort required in seeking for wisdom is presented by the wise man in these words: “If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” Only by having some knowledge of how men seek for silver and gold, can we understand the force of these words.

Many are content to go on year after year without experiencing any change of heart, or making any advancement in the Christian life, but they hope that sometime, in some way, it will be all right with them, and they go on trusting. God's way is pointed out in his Word. The Scriptures are intended to tell us what our attitude shall be to the promises and provisions of God, whereby we are to be redeemed. The soul that delighteth itself in fatness is the one that heeds the words, “Harken diligently unto me.” There is to be a diligent searching for the light, life, and power contained in the Word of God. It is not that God is not willing to give, or that he reluctantly bestows his gifts, but he is a wise giver, and can bestow his gifts only when and where they will be a blessing.

The same thing is true of prayer. It is easy for persons to form the habit of praying, and to be quite systematic in that practise, and yet come very far short of the true, effectual prayer. To pray without ceasing must be an experience that will be characterized by much earnestness and intense prevailing with God. In “Early Writings,” page 131, we have pointed out two companies. One company is represented as careless and indifferent, many of whom were being shaken out by the way. The other company is represented as persevering in pleading with God, and they are the company that was seen occupying a plane high above those of the earth.

The Christian must not only draw near to God, but he must steadfastly resist the devil. Steadfastness and earnestness will be required in this. The words, “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin,” indicate something of the earnestness and real effort required. Unto one of the churches it was said, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” God desires that those who seek to be overcomers become intensely earnest in the matter. He would have his children understand that in this time there must be an awakening on the part of his people in all that pertains to the Christian life.

After referring to the formal and lukewarm state of the church at this time, the Lord, through his servant John, pleads with his people to be zealous and repent. It has been pointed out that there must be a repentance such as has not been seen in the lives of many. More than an ordinary effort is to be brought into this. We are to be zealous and repent. In the current in which we all find ourselves in this world, there are but two ways that we can go. It is either up-stream or down-stream. There are more ways than one that we can go down-stream. There is but one way for a person to make progress in the upward way. That way is for him to bend to the oars and couple with his faith a zeal and earnestness that will put the best of his ability in his effort. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Holly, Mich.