Untitled article by Wm. C. Gage

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, February 4, 1868

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 8

The Sermon.

By Wm. C. Gage

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; PREACH THE WORD. 2 Tim. iv, 2.

THE CONVENIENT SEASON.

BY WM. C. GAGE.

TEXT.— “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season I will call for thee.” Acts xxiv, 25.

By an examination of the context, we learn the circumstances which called forth these words. The apostle Paul had been summoned to appear before Felix, a Roman governor, to explain to him, and to his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, “concerning the faith in Christ.” “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled,” and made answer in the words of our text.

In presenting a few ideas in connection with this subject, we would inquire

I. TO WHOM IS THIS REPLY ADDRESSED?

The persons engaged in the conversation were Felix and the apostle. But as we examine the nature of Paul’s preaching, and the manner in which it was received, we shall see that although the reply is addressed personally to him, it is virtually a response to the monitions of the Holy Spirit. In proof of this we will notice

1. The nature of the preaching. The grand basis upon which the apostle founded all his gospel discourses, the law of God, is first presented to the attention of Felix. This is shown in the fact that Paul reasoned first of “righteousness,” which we might show by abundance of Scripture testimony, is conformity to the law of God. With all the eloquence of a cultivated tongue and a gifted intellect, he boldly and fearlessly pleads the integrity of a law which convicts men of sin; by which “all the world are become guilty before God;” and on account of the immutability of which the Son of God gave up his life for a guilty world.

He next reasons of temperance, concerning the violation of whose principles, as we learn from history, this proud ruler was exceedingly guilty. His unbridled passions had led him unto many an intemperate and sinful transgression, and upon this point we may imagine he was particularly sensitive.

His mind, thus wrought up by the searching pointedness of Paul’s preaching, is now prepared for the third point in his discourse: the judgment to come. A time in which God will try every work, and in which unrighteousness and intemperance will receive its just recompense of reward. A time in which all the secrets of men’s hearts will be revealed, all their motives searched out, and every deed examined in its true light. This kind of reasoning, pointed, close and logical, produced an impression upon the mind of the haughty Roman governor, and this brings us to notice,

2. The effect of this preaching. As his transgressions were thus laid open before him, and the enormity of his guilt made apparent, together with the certainty of a coming judgment, when all his sins would be reckoned against him, Felix trembled. This proves the presence of God’s Spirit. Without it, all the eloquence of Paul, with his clear reasoning and logical deductions, would have utterly failed to move upon the obdurate hearts of his listeners; with it, even a Felix is made to tremble. But, alas! the sweet promptings of the Holy Spirit are resisted, and the reply “Go thy way,” is urged against its influences, which if heeded might persuade him to be a Christian, and secure to him the favor of God in that coming day of judgment.

This plea illustrates the refusal of the awakened sinner to attend now to the matter of salvation, and as such, we will examine it further, considering

II. THE DANGER OF MAKING THIS PLEA.

The language of the text supposes that the one who urges this request intends at some future time to attend to the subject of the salvation of the soul. The conscience is awakened, the presentation of the law of God has convicted of sin, the need of Christ and the certainty of eternal death without him, are made apparent, and now is the accepted time.

How dangerous, then, to resist the Spirit’s influences. How unlikely that this combination of favorable circumstances will again occur. Continuation in sin hardens the conscience, deadens the sensibilities, and blinds the mind against the just claims of God’s righteous law.

The danger of this plea is further evinced in the fact that “this time” may be the last. The Spirit of God will not always strive with the hearts of men, and it may be grieved away for the last time. The preaching of the gospel or other influences which have awakened conviction now, may at another time utterly fail to produce a similar effect, and the sinner may become so hardened that even the thunders of Sinai would fail to again awaken to a sense of the awful danger of continuing in the transgression of God’s holy law.

Consider, also, the nature of this answer. Suppose that some earthly monarch or titled lord were to prepare a banquet and invite us to be present. Although we might have the best of reasons for not attending, reasons which would be sufficient under any circumstances, should we dare repulse the messenger by such an answer as “Go your way; wait my convenience for presenting your invitation?” Could we expect the invitation to be repeated and urged upon us, again and again, or should we not feel absolutely certain that even a civil refusal would be sufficient to cause the messenger to withdraw his presence immediately? And if we would not be thus disrespectful to a fellow-mortal, even although he comes in the capacity of a servant, what shall we do when the King of high Heaven comes to us by his Holy Spirit, and extends to us an invitation which we can have no reasonable excuse for refusing; an invitation not only to partake of the heavenly banquet at the marriage of the Lamb, but to dwell forever in the courts of his Royal Majesty? Would not a refusal under such circumstances be exceedingly hazardous? Were it not for the fact that the compassion of God is infinite toward poor fallen man, the fate of the person refusing would be inevitably fixed, and his doom forever sealed; but mercy still lingers, and time is yet measured out, while the sweet Spirit of God strives yet a little longer with the sons of men. Oh! beware, lest it be grieved away for the last time. Do not commit the fatal error of supposing your case an exception; that your desire to be saved will excuse you from making the necessary effort, for the work of preparation to meet the Lord is an individual work, one which each must perform himself. Those who are saved must make a mighty struggle, and improve upon every privilege and opportunity. There is none too much time to make preparation for the great day of final accounts, and certainly no one can afford to lose a single opportunity to make his “calling and election sure.”

But aside from the danger of making this plea, there is also another point involved, which we will briefly notice:

III. THE PRESUMPTUOUS MISTAKE.

1. The mistake made by those who thus reply to the Spirit of God, is apparent as we examine the nature of its office. This is a plea of convenience. “When I have a more convenient season I will call for thee.” One prominent tendency of the carnal heart is to consult

its own convenience, not only in temporal matters, but in the more important business of securing eternal salvation. Thus we find that the vast majority of mankind, although willing and even anxious to be saved, come short of eternal life simply because they wait for a convenient time. By so doing they commit the mistake of supposing that the Spirit of God can be made subject to the beck and call of man. “I will call for thee.” What assurance have they that their call will be heeded? None at all. On the contrary, the probabilities are greatly against the idea, and they are likely to learn, sooner or later, the mistake they have committed.

Many a poor soul has grieved away the Spirit for want of a convenient opportunity to heed its warnings, and then when the time of convenience came,—the hour of sickness and distress, or the bed of death,—they have found their call insufficient to secure its soothing presence. Even their earnest, agonizing cries, imploring the consoling and quieting ministrations of the heavenly visitant, have failed to summon it to their side, and they have learned, alas! too late, the fatality of their mistake.

2. The presumption of this mistake is the feature which occasions us the greatest astonishment, as we examine the provisions God has made for fallen man.

First, the plan of salvation is devised. Although utterly undeserving of favor, a way has been provided, by which we may escape the justly-deserved penalty of God’s law, and have eternal life. The Son of God has given his life a ransom, that whosoever believeth on him shall never die, and although we may have been plunged into the depths of sin and degradation, so low even as to despise ourselves and loathe our very existence, yet the richness of God’s mercy is sufficient for us. Though our sins be as scarlet, we may by the blood of Christ be washed from every stain, and become in the sight of Heaven, as white as snow.

Secondly, God has placed in our hands a knowledge of this glorious plan. We have the Scriptures of divine truth, from whose sacred pages we may learn how to avail ourselves of this plan, and secure its benefits to the saving of our souls. The description of these merciful provisions is also accompanied by merciful warnings and instructions, by giving heed to which we may make salvation ours to enjoy, here and hereafter.

We are warned by the experience of others—those who have slighted or lightly heeded the offers of mercy, and in consequence have sealed their own destruction. We are comforted and instructed by the example of those who have remained steadfast in the midst of temptation and trials, having respect unto the recompense of reward, and by holding fast to the ways of truth and holiness until their course was finished and their battles all fought, have received the blessed assurance that a crown was laid up for them, to be given at the appearing of Jesus. We have, then, the plan of salvation, and a complete guide book or manual of instructions by which that plan may be made available. These two considerations alone should be sufficient to move the hearts of men with gratitude to God for his mercy. But as if to leave man without excuse another gracious provision is made:

Thirdly, the office and work of the Holy Spirit. Notwithstanding we have the plan provided, and a complete knowledge of its rich provisions placed within our reach, the mercy of God is still further manifested in the faithful and persuasive influences of his Holy Spirit, impressing these truths upon our hearts, and gently entreating us to make salvation the great work of our lives. It comes to us in the night-watches, in the providences of God, in the hearing of the preached Word, or in the reading of the Scriptures, setting home to our hearts the solemn truths of God’s word, and the necessity for our making sure work for eternity.

How presumptuous, therefore, is the great mistake committed by man in supposing that this gracious messenger can be summoned at his pleasure. When God has made so many promises it would seem that man ought to make all possible haste to turn in with the overtures of mercy, lest the golden opportunity be lost forever, and the voice of Mercy be silenced by that of stern Justice, calling for the execution of the penalty of violated law. Yet such is the hardness which sin imparts to the heart, and the blindness which it throws over the mind, that man even presumes to repel the advances of the Comforter until such a time as suits his own convenience.

How many, alas! in that great day of final accounts, will find they have committed the fatal mistake, and brought ruin and everlasting destruction upon their souls by refusing to heed the still small voice, and making now the time for preparation to meet God in peace.

And now a few remarks by way of application, and I leave the subject with you for contemplation and meditation. The foregoing principles are applicable in all ages and dispensations. Wherever the gospel was preached and mercy offered, whether to Adam or to Abraham, to the Jews or to the Gentiles, these ideas may be applied in all their force. But if there was ever a time when and a people to whom they are especially important, that time is now, and the people those who are heeding the voice of the third angel’s message.

As we look over the history of this cause, from its beginning unto the present time, we shall hardly find a year so full of importance as the year 1868 promises to be. The people of God are making an earnest, determined effort to arouse themselves, and be more energetic in the work of overcoming. Some are trying to heed the counsel of the true and faithful Witness, by purchasing of him the gold tried in the fire, by putting on the white raiment and by anointing their eyes with eye-salve.

And in this connection permit me to call your attention to this counsel, as found in Rev. iii, 14-21. If it is dangerous for the unconverted sinner to turn a deaf ear to the warning voice of God’s Spirit, how much more dangerous for the lukewarm, backslidden Christian, again and again to refuse to “hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” When the faithful Witness stands at the door of our hearts and knocks for admission, shall we not commit a presumptuous mistake by saying, “Go thy way for this time, when I have a convenient season I will call for thee?”

This, dear friends, is the convenient season. When God’s Spirit chooses to come unto us, yea, when we are especially invited to avail ourselves of the glorious privileges offered to those who will open the door to admit the true Witness, when we may partake of the repast made glorious by his presence,—then is the convenient season. No time is so well adapted to the work of zealous repentance, and the purchase of the true riches of His grace.

We are living in a time of great unbelief. The world at large is steeped in infidelity, and even some of those whom we had thought well grounded in the faith, are becoming infected with this spirit. How important, then, that we have faith, the gold tried in the fire; that faith which will pass the test of the crucible of affliction and trial, and like refined gold, come out purer and brighter for it all. What season can be more convenient than the present for us to learn our poverty, and to have a realizing sense of the fact that we are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked. When the Spirit’s influence is being exerted upon our hearts, leading us to see the necessity for making thorough work, we shall be better able to take the necessary steps toward the purchase of the gold and the white raiment, that we may be truly rich, and have our nakedness covered from the gaze of our enemies and the enemies of truth.

The importance of this subject is increased by the importance of the times in which we live. If Felix trembled in view of a judgment to come, what should be the feelings of the backslider, who is living in the time when the “hour of his judgment is come.” If indeed we are now in the time “when judgment must begin at the house of God, . . . what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”

Oh! let us consider well these things, and endeavor to have a just and proper appreciation of the solemnity of the times in which we live; and as we enter upon the duties of another year, let us form resolutions which will enable us to make greater progress in the work of overcoming than we have made during the past year. Let us profit by the experience of the past. Doubtless all of us, as we look back over the year just gone, can see many places where we have deviated from the straight and narrow path, and many things which have given us cause for deep and heartfelt sorrow and repentance. But let us commence the new year with a determination to improve upon the last.

This is an appropriate time for self-examination. Search the heart, and see if love for God and his truth are uppermost there. See if there is a leaning toward the world, and a lingering desire for its follies and fashions. If so, you have commenced the year wrong, and should immediately make a determined, earnest effort to get right, and make a start in the right direction.

But perhaps some are discouraged, and think the convenient season has passed with them, and that all their efforts would utterly fail to secure salvation. Be assured, dear friends, that if any feeling for your own case remains in your heart, any anxiety for your salvation, even although you may have grieved that Spirit many times, there is still a chance for you. A vigorous effort now, while the gracious messenger waits for you, may avail you much in the work of overcoming, and may finally result in your acceptance with God, and your salvation with his people on Mount Zion.

May we all feel the importance of making the present the convenient season to gain new strength, to covenant anew with the Lord, to search our hearts with a firm purpose to overcome, that those of us who are permitted in the providence of God to see the close of 1868, may be able to report progress in the work of overcoming, and increased strength of purpose to go through to the kingdom and to receive the crown of life to be given to all those that love the appearing of our Lord and Saviour. Amen.