LET US PREPARE by Cornelia Hilton

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 25, 1868

LET US PREPARE.

By Cornelia Hilton

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Heb. ix, 28.

It is only to those who look for him, and try to prepare themselves for his coming, that he will appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Are we making all preparation that lies in our power to meet our coming Saviour? If not, let us be more zealous in the work. Our stay is short here; but if we put forth all our energies, we can yet make our election sure. If we only try to help ourselves, God will not pass us by. It is his pleasure to help us when we call on him for help. Shall we deny the truth and be left in utter darkness, when Christ has done so much for us?

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.” Cannot we suffer a little when Christ suffered so much for us? He gave his life that we might live. “For Christ also hath suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us unto God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” 1 Pet. iii, 18. When I think of his suffering on the cross, and how backward we are in the cause of truth, I fear that many of us will not be accepted.

But what a glorious reward awaits us if we only prove faithful. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John iii, 2. What a precious hope! We are looking forward with great anticipation to that glorious time; but there is work for us to do. There is no time to sit and fold our hands idly now, for there are more dear souls who are still out of Christ, that must be brought into the fold. We have others to help besides ourselves. Cannot we speak a kind word to some poor sinner that is wandering far from Christ? We must do all we can to show them the true and only way to eternal life. We must set such an example before the world that they may see and know that we are living for Christ. We are watched by the world. Will it be said of us at the Judgment day, that we did not set a good example before the world, and cannot enter into eternal life? Oh! let our daily walk and conversation be to the honor and glory of God. Let us be more prompt in this work. We all want to become the children of God; but we each have a work to do in order to become such. Others may work for us, but that will not save us without some effort on our part. Will we stand the trials that will be brought upon us, as meekly and calmly as our example, Jesus? What agony must he have suffered when nailed to the cross! yet he murmured not. We are apt to complain at the least trials we have to bear. But Christ did not complain, and all his agony was for us; and now we are so afraid of suffering. He set an example for us to follow. He was our pattern. Do we imitate him? If we do we shall have a right to the tree of life, and be found in the kingdom of God.

But, say some, the path is so narrow we cannot walk in it. We want a little of the enjoyment of this world. But what are the enjoyments or trials of this world compared with the reward that is to come to the overcomer? We shall not have to wait and strive long. The time will soon come when God will take away all cause for tears, and this earth will be restored to its Eden beauty. Shall we be prepared for the crown that fadeth not away? Not unless we put forth all our energies, and do all we can to help the cause along. God will not accept of us unless we are whole-hearted. He does not look at our outward appearance, but into the heart. Let us cleanse our hearts from all sin, that we may meet our Saviour with joy, when he comes to take those who have followed his example, to their eternal home.

CORNELIA HILTON.

Saginaw Co., Mich.