The Week of Prayer: What It May Mean to Us
By I. H. EVANS
(Reading for Sabbath, December 2) The Week of Prayer: What It May Mean to Us
“We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” This exhortation was written by the great apostle to the Gentile church. This people lay very near his heart. He had suffered many things that he might preach the gospel in Corinth; now that the believers had received Christ, he wrote them, as one anxious for their salvation. “Be ye reconciled to God.” Reconciliation with God is brought about through Christ; it cannot be accomplished through works. In the work of reconciliation, there must be three parties; namely, the two to be reconciled —the offended and the offender—and the mediator. The offended must be satisfied for the wrong he has suffered, and be persuaded that the offending party will cease offending. The offender must have experienced such a change of heart through greater knowledge, or a changed will and desire, that he not only regrets past offenses, but purposes in his heart to cease doing the things that gave offense. The third party is an intermediary, or middle person, who acts as a go-between, bringing the alienated parties together, and assuring each of the other’s good will and purpose. The one to be reconciled is God. He is the offended party. It is against him that we have sinned. It is his law that has been broken. When David confessed his sin, he said, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight.” When Christ put words of confession in the mouth of the prodigal, he cried, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight.” Our text says, “Be ye reconciled to God.” Then God is the one to whom the sinner must be reconciled. The sinner is the offender. Man, created in the image of God and crowned with glory and honor, entered into rebellion against his Maker. Treason against the government of heaven is charged up to man’s account. Man’s rebellion and disobedience is unthinkable,—it would appear unbelievable did we not know it from observation, experience, and the Word of God. When we sing,—
“I’ve wandered far away from God,
The paths of sin too long I’ve trod,”
we only feebly describe man’s fearfully fallen condition. Rebellion and treason are the high crimes against earthly governments. Death is the inevitable penalty. Nothing but mercy can save the offender from ruin and death. In man’s rebellion against God there are no works that he can do to make atonement for his sins. Death is the verdict for sin. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” “The wages of sin is death.” These are God’s pronouncements against all transgressors. It is because of our sins that the apostle cries out, “Be ye reconciled to God.” Christ is our Mediator. He entered into man’s estate, took man’s sinful flesh, and perfectly obeyed God while in this condition. Then he died, tasting “death for every man.” Paul says, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” Not only did Christ die that he might pay the price of8man’s guilt, but he also lives as man’s intercessor. Again: we are taught in the Scriptures that Christ entered man’s estate, taking upon himself man’s experience, that he might become a high priest in our behalf, to make reconciliation for the people of God. We read, “Verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.” Not only did Christ give his life while on earth in man’s behalf, but he is giving his life as a high priest now. Even now he is at the right hand of God, ministering in the heavenly sanctuary, interceding for his people, and making atonement in the sinner’s behalf. “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” Our hearts rejoice that “we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore,” as we are exhorted, “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” We have every reason to believe that Christ is ready to offer himself as our high priest, and to make atonement for our sins. Therefore this scripture, “Be ye reconciled to God,” should come to each one of us with special emphasis at this time. The week of prayer is set apart for the express purpose of giving opportunity for God’s people to find that reconciliation, and become conscious that they are accepted in the Beloved, with their sins all confessed and put away. As we enter upon this week of prayer for 1916, it seems fitting that we should have a season of close self-examination, and resolve that the week shall not pass until we find full and complete satisfaction for all our sins through faith in Jesus Christ. We know not how many of us who enjoy this privilege today will, through sickness, accidents, or other misfortune, be called to lay down our lives before another week of prayer shall come. The years, swift-winged and unchained, are inevitably bearing us rapidly to the end of our race. We stand face to face with eternity. Events that once seemed tardy and slow in coming, are now hurrying, rushing, and overwhelming in the rapidity with which they are marching into history. Ought we not at this time to take a retrospective view of the past, and a prospective view of the future, and early fix our purpose concerning our personal duty and experience? A clear vision is of primary importance for a successful Christian. No retrospective view can atone for wrong. Yet it seems becoming that we should carefully review the past, and see wherein we have missed the way. When we find ourselves in the wrong, we should seek reconciliation with God, and find pardon through faith in Christ our Saviour. Would it not be for our own best interests that we should determine at the opening of this week of prayer to reach certain results?—
First, to obtain forgiveness of our sins.
Second, to reconsecrate our lives to God.
Third, to resolve to lead some soul to Christ during the coming year.
Fourth, to determine, as far as we are individually concerned, that we will maintain a state of preparedness for life or death, or whatever the Master may see is best for us.
Let us consider these questions in their order, and resolve in our hearts that as far as we are personally concerned, the week of prayer shall bring to us experiences in the four objects mentioned. Forgiveness and pardon belong to every repentant sinner, and surely the Christian can have them if he will but take them by faith. Few professed Christians have personal faith to believe that their sins are forgiven; yet it is primary and all-important that the children of God should know from his Word that forgiveness is theirs. The receiving of forgiveness of sins is dependent on faith in the Word of God, and on the determination to put sin out of the life. It is not enough to say that God has promised to forgive our sins, if, when we use these words, we have no intention of ceasing to do the thing for which we ask forgiveness. If a man asks the Lord to forgive him for stealing, the very fact that he asks forgiveness implies that he intends to steal no more. If a man asks the Lord to forgive him for being angry, he implies in the asking that he intends to cease getting angry. It is true that he may fall into the snare of the enemy, but as far as his will is concerned, he must be firmly resolved that he is forever through with that thing. When he has thus resolved that he will quit the thing, it is his privilege to believe with all his heart that when he confesses his sin before God, he is forgiven. Sometimes it is necessary, in order to obtain forgiveness, to go to those whom we have wronged, and, as far as is in our power, to make that wrong right. If we have defrauded or in any way taken advantage of another, before we can expect God to forgive us, we must undertake to make that wrong right as far as we can, by restitution and acknowledgment. Having undertaken this, it is our privilege to believe with all our hearts that God has forgiven us, and cleansed us from all iniquity. Again, it is our duty to forgive. It matters not what has taken place, nor who the offender may be, it is our duty to forgive and forget all. Christ said, “If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matt. 6:14, 15. Therefore, if we expect mercy, we must extend mercy; if we receive pardon from God, we must forgive those who trespass against us. As we seek for forgiveness, let us also forgive. Let love to all God’s children dwell richly in our hearts. Not a day should pass in which we do not confess our sins to God, and receive from him mercy and pardon for our transgressions. This is our privilege in Christ Jesus. As sons of God, as children of our heavenly Father, it is our privilege to receive from him the forgiveness of our sins. And if we would maintain a Christian life, we must continually live in a state where we are conscious of no sin that we have not confessed, and as far as possible made right. As we sing, let us believe that—
“Jesus paid it all,
All to him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain:
He washed it white as snow.” Reconsecration for Service
Again, the week of prayer should find us in such a spiritual condition that our hearts have been given anew to God for service. The Christian must reconsecrate himself to God daily. Every morning, when he arises, he should give himself to God in a very definite way, by offering to the Lord all his strength, his mind, and his affections, so that there is nothing that he does not daily give to the Lord. There is nothing in this world that God so much desires as the affections and love of his children. If we have grown cold and indifferent during the past year, the week of prayer should bring to us an experience that will help us to give ourselves anew to God. The enemy is fighting hard for our souls. He is using every agency of which he knows to lead us into disobedience and rebellion against God. It is therefore necessary for every one of us to reconsecrate himself anew to the service of God, and this week of prayer should not close until every heart has made this new reconsecration. This reconsecration will bring reconciliation between the members of families and between brethren. It is most unfortunate that the enemy should sow alienation in the church or in the home; yet sometimes he gains the supremacy over God’s children in such a way that bitterness springs up, and unless the heart is cleansed of this, many will be defiled by it. This week of prayer should not close until all such alienations are put away, and reconciliation is made. We cannot understand how any can feel that they are accepted children of God while living in a state of envy and hatred toward God’s children. 1 John 2:10, 11, reads, “He that loveth his brother abideth in the light; and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.” And again,9“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” Again we read, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” We ought not to deceive ourselves, thinking that we are children of God, when we have a spirit of alienation toward any of God’s children. Should not this week of prayer bring reconciliation between brethren and between members of families? The command is, “Be ye reconciled to God,” and this is impossible without reconciliation with one another. Then again we ought individually to resolve that this coming year shall not pass without our putting forth every possible effort to win some soul to Christ. Oftentimes our brethren and sisters seem to think that God has laid on the ministry alone the responsibility of saving the lost. A closer study of the Word of God cannot but lead to the conclusion that this responsibility rests on the church as well as on the ministry, and that each church member must be a soul-winner for Christ. The times in which we live demand great activity in giving the third angel’s message to the world. Events on every hand indicate the nearness of the end. From all that we can see among the nations of earth the prophecies applying to the time of the end are fast fulfilling before our eyes. The church must be aroused to finish the work which God has committed to it. But the church cannot be aroused to this great work until its individual members are aroused. I know of no one thing that will keep the heart truer to God, and incline the soul more to prayer, to the unity of the faith, and to the love of the brethren, than striving to bring the truth before some one in darkness. Every one of us needs this experience, and we need the faith and courage that come with active service in behalf of our friends and neighbors. If we would but undertake to bring one soul to Christ during the year through agencies God can use in imparting the third angel’s message to others, it would be possible for this church to do a work that would bring the loud cry of the third angel’s message. Preparedness for Christ’s Coming
Again, we should maintain a state of preparedness for the coming of Christ. If we are to continue in this work, and be ready for the coming of our Master, it is necessary for us to maintain a well-balanced, growing Christian experience, and day after day to continue in a state of preparedness for Christ’s coming. This cannot be attained except through faith in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The time has come when the people of God should obtain justification by faith and maintain this experience. It is not enough for us to go on as we have been going. We must make a new order of things for 1917, and resolve that as far as we are individually concerned, we will live a clean Christian life, and continually keep our souls so free from sin and so filled with faith, that we can be ready for whatever work the Master may appoint us. It is not safe for the people of God to slumber as did the five virgins. We must have oil in our vessels, and must know that we are ready to meet the Bridegroom. This preparation can be received only through faith in Jesus Christ, believing that he has imparted to us his righteousness. We sincerely hope this week of prayer will be the very best in the history of our people. Let us set apart each day some definite time when we will go apart by ourselves and commune with God. This is what the week of prayer is for. We do not want to make this week merely a formal week of going through the regular readings and taking the Annual Offering at the close. No; we must have a renewed Christian experience. This will come only as we set apart some definite time to read the Word of God, and to commune with him in prayer. If God’s people will do this, there is no question but that the week of prayer will bring to our people a great revival in spiritual things, and many sinners will be converted to the Lord. Let us put ourselves in a state of preparedness, and of complete surrender and consecration, as expressed in the hymn which we have so often sung,—
“Ready to suffer grief or pain,
Ready to stand the test;
Ready to stay at home, and send
Others if he sees best.
“Ready to go, ready to bear,
Ready to watch and pray;
Ready to stand aside and give,
Till he shall clear the way.
“Ready to speak, ready to think,
Ready with heart and brain;
Ready to work where he sees fit.
Ready to bear the strain.
“Ready to speak, ready to warn.
Ready o’er souls to yearn;
Ready in life, ready in death.
Ready for his return.” Then that grand chorus let us all make the motto of our lives,—
“Ready to go, ready to stay,
Ready my place to fill;
Ready for service, lowly or great.
Ready to do his will.”