How Far Can I Go? by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 6, 1908

How Far Can I Go?

By C. M. S.

Many who have started in the service of Christ have been tempted from time to time to ape the world and its ways, and have turned to their spiritual advisers with the question, “How far can I go in this direction and be clear of sin?” They ask, “Is it wrong for Christians to attend theaters?” “Is it wrong for Christians to dance?” “Is it wrong for Christians to play cards?” “Is it wrong for Christians to wear jewels and expensive finery?” Such an one may even flatter himself that he is manifesting a commendable characteristic in refraining from indulgence in these practises until satisfied as to the rightfulness or wrongfulness of such indulgence. It is rather an indication of a desire to please the carnal nature if it can possibly be done without the danger of losing the soul. Such questions reveal that the heart has not yet yielded fully to God, but is clinging with tender embrace to the pleasures of this life. The heart that is surcharged with an intense desire to advance the cause of Christ is not anxious to know how far it can go in following the ways of the world. It is not the Christian idea to get all the pleasure we can out of this world, just so we do not seriously endanger our prospect of getting safely into the next world. A better question is, How far can I keep from those things that I may be the better able to serve my Master?

We might better paraphrase these questions, and ask, “Is it right for Christians to spend hours of precious time in ministering to their own gratification?” “Is it right for Christians to participate in a practise that has always had an immoral influence, and has been the direct door through which thousands have gone to ruin?” “Is it right for Christians to encourage by their patronage a game that has wrecked homes, deprived the needy of their living, driven thousands to despondency and suicide, and seared the consciences of millions till they see no wrong in taking the property of another by the mere turn of a card?” “Is it right for us as Christians, looking for our Lord’s return, to dress in such a way as to cause others to expend on their own outward adornment means that could be so much more wisely used?”

Participation in such things has a deadening, demoralizing effect upon the soul and conscience both of those who do it and of those who are tempted and attracted by it. We can not be Christ’s followers while we encourage any demoralizing work. We can not take Christ with us when we abandon the occupation he has set for us, and go out into the playground of Satan to find pleasure in the follies that are binding and destroying his victims. The thing which we patronize is the thing to which we lend our influence. If we lend our influence to these things that are used by Satan to ruin souls, we are responsible with him in their ruin. Can God hold us guiltless in this when we should have been seeking to save these souls? In law the person who aids or encourages a criminal in the accomplishment of his crime is held guilty with him—particeps criminis.

The true Christian is more concerned about how his course is advancing the cause of God than how much he can indulge in worldly pleasure without actual sin. Somewhere there is a “dead-line.” Each little indulgence leads on to another not so very different, until we are standing with both feet on the vantage-ground of the enemy himself. Our very approach to that line may encourage another who was already debating the performance of an act that would take him across onto the enemy’s ground.

It is better to seek from God a knowledge of his will and ways; seek his leading; study his Word till we know, from imbibing its principles, what the right is, and what his will is concerning us. Then we shall be able not only to keep entirely away from the “dead-line,” but to do active, aggressive work in the ripe harvest-fields of the Lord. Make no compromise with evil; turn not to the right hand or the left from the straight path of God. Set the face like a flint Zionward, and “let thine eyelids look straight before thee.” “Remove thy foot from evil.” In such an attitude God will lead us, and we shall avoid even the appearance of evil which might lead another to commit sin. Let us seek ever those things that are above. In the beauty of holiness let us serve our Leader, that we may stand on the day of final awards clad in the garments of his righteousness, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. There will be beauties that never fade and pleasures that bring no sorrow in their train.

C. M. S.