p. 203 | Union with Jesus by John Matteson

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 27, 1866

Union with Jesus.

By John Matteson

“He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.”

The great secret of all true happiness and success lies in a constant union with our Saviour. If a branch of the vine is separated from the stem it withers very quickly. Likewise when our union with Jesus is in any way disturbed, it injures our spiritual life; and if that union ceases, we cease to be the children of God. But the more we become acquainted with Jesus, pray to him, trust in him, love and obey him, the more our disposition will be moulded after the mind of Jesus, and we shall bring forth much fruit.

The disciples of Jesus bore much fruit, some more and some less. Paul sounded the gospel trumpet to the ends of the earth. He preached more, wrote more, suffered more, and gained more souls than any other apostle. And besides this he labored with his own hands both for himself and those that were with him.

I stand amazed! I bow in holy admiration! I drop a silent tear and mourn because of my own debility and the degenerate age in which we live. How deep have we fallen! Our bodies are debilitated. Our minds beclouded. Our faith, oh, how weak! Yet, after all, it was the union with Jesus that made Paul abound in every good word and work.

Is it not possible for us also to abound in good works? Must we always live at this poor, dying rate? Can we not also enjoy the smiles of Jesus in these last perilous times? Yes, blessed be God! Jesus is the same yesterday, to day, and forever. Even in these last days have we seen the patience of the saints developed. Faithful soldiers of the cross have lifted up the gospel banner and given the trumpet a certain sound. Some have sacrificed their property, others their health and strength, in the cause, and a heavenly work has been wrought in the hearts of many. Some of those have died in the triumph of faith, and others are still waiting for the coming of the Just One. And now a reform is going on which will prepare us for the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and the loud cry of the last message.

But this is an individual work. Let none rejoice in it except those that are willing to join it. Many of us who say it is a good work have only half begun the reformation. We need more firmness to carry out the principles of the law and the gospel in our conversation, in our deal with our neighbors, in our family, and in our meetings. It is no use to thank the Lord for the Testimonies in the church, and then forget or disregard the same.

Dear reader, if you want to be more zealous and firm, abide in Jesus. Go to him for wisdom and strength, and you can have it.

Many think if their circumstances were only different from what they are, they could serve the Lord better. But very often their circumstances are no better because they are backward in religion. They often put more trust in man than in God! They do not cast their burdens on the Lord. They do not feel that he has a tender care for them. And often our very burdens are the rod of our kind heavenly Parent, correcting his wayward child. Then if we do not like so many stripes, let us try to be good. And this we can be only when we can be in Jesus.

Others are afraid to sacrifice. They can always find means to make themselves comfortable, or increase their property; but they can find little or nothing to help the cause of God. And how difficult it is for such to find any object for their benevolence. “The people at the printing office charge such high prices for their papers and tracts. They make money on their books. And Bro. Aldrich wants to get rich, for he makes always such urgent calls for money when any one is behindhand.”

Brethren, we need more union with Jesus. Come, let us make a covenant with him by sacrifice. Let us give a little more of our time in devotion to the Lord, and a little more of our means. Then the Lord will reward us accordingly. The mighty God of Jacob can easily bless us in health and strength, in the house and on the field, in numerous different ways. But he can also curse us and take away all temporal and spiritual prosperity, until nothing but bitterness fills our soul.

Brethren take time to pray; take time to worship; take time to live right before God, and prepare for Heaven. Abide in Jesus. Humble yourselves and confess your sins before him. Trust him and love him. Then you will also bear more fruit to his glory, until we may meet and dwell forever with the saints in the kingdom of Jesus.

JOHN MATTESON.

Poy. Sippi. Wis. Nov. 12, 1866.