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Our Place in God's Plan

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 25, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 17.

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Our Place in God's Plan

By C. B. STEPHENSON

C. B. STEPHENSON
“LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!” Ps. 144: 3.
In the creation of man, God had in view for him a glorious existence, a life that would measure with his own sinless, immortal life. Man was created in the image of his Maker, to fill a special place in the great family of God.
In his “eternal purpose,” God has a definite position for every soul; and by grace and heavenly wisdom all who will, may find and occupy it. When that has been done, there is a settled, fixed state of mind and contentment of heart, peace with God. There will be no question as to the calling of God. It will be known by experience that God gives to every man his work. The carpenter specially prepares every piece of timber for its place in the house. It will not fit any other place, and can not be used anywhere else. So if we are not willing to occupy the position or place, in other words, to do the work, Heaven designs, we shall be of no value, and therefore will be cast out as worthless material, and can not become a part of the great building.
The only true view of life is to reckon it in the light of eternal standards. “In all your reckonings reckon eternal things.” There must be a constant calling into the soul more and more of the life of Christ. We must feed upon it, drink it, hour by hour. There must be a continual inflow of the heavenly life, and a constant outflow of the earthly. We must by grace reach the standards from which man fell by sin. To give this opportunity, Adam was not cut off immediately. This is why God makes “account of him.” The Lord was so desirous that we find our place in his plans, that none perish and come short of it, that he gave his only begotten Son to die for us. This is why he takes “knowledge of him.”
It is only as we make progress in the Christian life that we make a success of our time on earth. It is not the abundance of material things we accumulate that gives standing in heaven, but the righteousness of Christ we possess, and the proper use of the things we have. Our distance from God is measured by the sinfulness of the heart. “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God.”
The one great question that confronts every soul is that of dealing with sin.If sin is overcome, man is again given his appointed place in the heavenly family. If sin overcomes, man's eternal separation from God is complete. Then what can compare to the question, “What shall I do to be saved?” Jesus Christ has provided for every man a perfect life, and freely offers it to all. This life meets absolutely the mind of God for us, and by receiving it we are restored to our place in God's family on earth. There is no other way of reaching the high calling of the Lord. We are “accepted in the Beloved.”
Every one who is born into the kingdom of grace has a place to fill in the development of the plan of redemption. No more sure is there a place prepared for us in heaven, than there is a special place for us to work on earth. Paul would have no doubt been lost if he had refused the heavenly calling. He says, “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.” 1 Cor. 9:16. In “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VII, page 30, this statement is made: “And every one who is added to the ranks by conversion is to be assigned his post of duty. Every one should be willing to be or to do anything in this warfare.”
To this denomination has been committed the proclamation of the last gospel message to a fast-dying world, a world that is drifting farther and farther from God. All heaven is interested in this great crisis. Angels are hurrying to and from this earth. The angel of mercy is folding her wings soon to take her flight forever, we are told. Then how shall we stand in the great judgment if we are inactive and indifferent in such a time? We read again: “When church-members put forth earnest efforts to advance the message, they will live in the joy of the Lord, and will meet with success.”—Id. We are responsible to God and man for the light we have in advance of the unsaved. We are exhorted to owe no man anything. How shall we answer in the judgment if we have not paid our obligations to our fellow men? If a woe would have been visited upon Paul for neglecting the heavenly calling, shall we escape, if guilty?
If we have found our place in this last great work and are fulfilling the purpose of our life, the account being made of us will be pleasing to God, and will give us a place in the eternal purpose and family of heaven.
Atlanta, Ga.