Our Greatest Need by G. B. THOMPSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 19, 1905

Our Greatest Need

By G. B. THOMPSON

G. B. THOMPSON

WHAT is our greatest need? Some may think, in view of the frequent calls made, that it is money with which to carry on the work in both home and foreign fields. To some it may seem that it is laborers to respond to the “Macedonian cry” which is coming from nearly every land under heaven for some one to come and teach them the way of life. But it is neither of these; nor is it schools, printing houses, or sanitariums. None of these are of any real value unless vitalized with the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. We need, more than anything else, the Holy Spirit. Without this we have but a form of godliness without the power; the skeleton without the breath of life.

Coldness and indifference reign everywhere. Lukewarmness has taken possession of many. Formality is seen in many churches, and instead of growing they are withering. As laborers we toil hard, and yet see but little accomplished compared to what should be done when we consider the tremendous truths with which we are entrusted. The most stirring appeals for help in the “regions beyond” fall on cold, selfish hearts, and produce but little results. Worldliness is laying its icy hand upon the work and the people of God. Something is needed to thaw us out. In their personal experience, many do not bear testimony to the sanctifying power of the truths which we profess, and the strength needed to cope with the powers of darkness is sadly wanting. We do not wish to be pessimistic, or to be understood as doubting the final and complete triumph of this message and people in this generation. The Lord is at the door; the end is almost here. But this admonishes us that there must be a revival of spiritual power far greater than anything we have ever seen in this work. At the pace we are going, a millennium would be needed to finish the work. But, thank God, the pace will be quickened; for the work will be done in this generation. It is power, spiritual power, the power of God manifest through the Holy Spirit, that we need; this, I firmly believe, is our greatest need.

Power comes only through a bestowal of the Holy Spirit. Just before his ascension the Saviour cheered the hearts of his disciples with this promise: “But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8. After his ascension, having sought God and put away their sins, they received the promise of the Father; and of their experience we read, “And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed.” Mark 16:20.

This is the identical experience that we need. And can anybody tell why we should not have just such an experience? Living as we are in the closing hours of probation, when the enemy is working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness among his children, will not God pour out upon his faithful children, those who earnestly seek for it, the same measure of strength as in former days? In a special Testimony we are told that “the power of evil can be held in check only by the power of God in the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit.”

There is but one thing that can hinder, or does hinder, the receiving of the Holy Spirit, and that one thing is sin. When we come to that place in our experience where we love victory and power enough to let go our hold on every worldly, selfish, wicked thing, however dear it may be to us, we shall receive from God the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the power for service which goes with it. But this is an individual work, a personal examination of heart, a personal seeking of God for help. And truly, as we contrast our spiritual power with the vastness of the work to be done in the short time yet allotted to this generation, it should lead us to great humbleness of heart. The blessing of the Holy Spirit brings all other blessings in its train, and for this we should individually seek, not for a day or a week, but “until ye be clothed with power from on high.”

We are nearing the end. The sand is almost run through time’s great hour-glass. Probation is almost ended; the destiny of every soul is soon to be decided; the seven last plagues are soon to fall. The wreck of the world, with all the proud, lofty aspirations of men, is just before us. Such scenes of woe and distress as mortals have never seen await this generation. What greater incentives, tell me, could we have to seek in humility of soul for power to stand in that awful time? Surely it is time to seek Jehovah, till he come and rain righteousness upon us.

Washington, D. C.