Christians not Non-Resistants by R. C. PORTER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 27, 1908

Christians not Non-Resistants

By R. C. PORTER

R. C. PORTER

No more important question can be considered by Christians at the present time, than this: Should Christians be non-resistants? I know that this heading will suggest to many minds the thought of war, with all its horrible strife and bloodshed, but I do not expect to discuss that view of the question in this brief article. I shall, however, speak of warfare that is just as real, and the results of which involve all that is dear.

The conflict between Christ and Satan involves every member of our race. It is no sham battle. It is real warfare. One can not do as the old washer-woman innocently remarked: “Let them fight it out; I will have nothing to do with it.” We all have something to do with it, and there is no such thing as standing neutral. “He that is not with me is against me.” To profess to be a Christian and live a compromising life, is to be a traitor to the cause of the Master.” No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye can not serve God and mammon.”

In view of the many professedly Christian lives, which are really devoted to mammon, this is a fearful statement. It is no more startling, however, than the picture of this class of mammon worshipers presented in Eze. 7:19: “They shall cast their silver in the

streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumbling-block of their iniquity.” This is the awful end of mammon worship,—it shall not satisfy their souls. Why labor so ardently for that which is so unsatisfying? Why not take a practical view of life? “A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” What then is real life? It is to seek “first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.” It is to “seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth.” Then “when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, ye also shall appear with him in glory.” Such a life is satisfying. It is a life of peace and contentment. It has promise of the life that now is as well as of that which is to come.

This does not mean that a man can not labor to make money. But it does mean that he can not pile up earth’s riches unused in the advancement of the cause of his Master, or they will witness that he is not a servant of Christ.

Then there is the professed Christian who is lusting constantly in harmony with the worldling of his time. Is he a servant of Christ? “By their fruits ye shall know them.” “A good tree can not bring forth evil fruit.” Do you say that you have known ministers and missionary workers equally guilty with yourself? What help does that give you, if you are guilty? Will another’s misconduct save you? You are warned against misconduct found in the ministry, and you should shun it as you would the leprosy. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” How much better are you than they, if you, in the face of this plain warning, are being led by such into sin?

This is an age of moral pollution. It is the time of which the Master speaks, when he says, As it was in the days of Noah and Lot, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. In that time the thoughts of the people were “only evil continually.” Not so with Noah and Lot. Of Noah it was said, “Thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” It was said of Lot, “And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds).” Did Noah and Lot plead that because many about them were going wrong, therefore they were excusable and could go wrong also?—Emphatically no. There was and is no excuse. “Where sin abounded grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” It is the same to-day.

One point on which too many are weak is that they are non-resistants. That will never do in this warfare. To be a non-resistant is to be a captive of the enemy. We have definite instruction on this point. “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” “Whom resist steadfast in the faith.” Why are we continually harassed by Satan?—It is because we do not follow instructions. We do not resist. The fact is, most of our failures are because we do not even pray when the tempter comes to us. The trouble is we want to gratify a lustful appetite or passion, and we do not want to resist. Is it not time that we look the matter squarely in the face, and if we desire to live Christian lives, take Christ by faith into our lives and be as he was when he was here? “Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” It means definite warfare to fight the good fight of faith. It means definite opposition to lust, pride, and love of the world, to resist the devil until he will flee from us.

The devil left heaven because he was resisted and not wanted longer there. When we become in earnest in following Christ and seeking purity of heart, and resist the devil as if we meant it, he will flee from us. This scripture does not say that he will never again return; but if we walk with Christ, then Satan, when he comes, will meet with our immediate resistance and flee with fresh defeat.

We shall then be overcomers and not be constantly overcome. Is it not time for us to take our stand as resistants?

Hamilton, Mo.