A Right Standpoint by L. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 16, 1905

A Right Standpoint

By L. A. S.

THE standpoint from which a view of anything is taken determines the nature of the view obtained. A correct view demands a correct standpoint. Men may reason very logically from a wrong standpoint, and come to a conclusion that is wide of the truth. The more logically they reason, indeed, from such a standpoint, the more surely must their conclusion be erroneous.

It is upon the Word of God that we depend for a correct standpoint in our view of Christian truth and duty. The Christian’s point of view is wholly different from that of the man of the world. It is a much higher standpoint, and affords a much broader and clearer view than any other. No matter what powers of intellect a man may possess, it is utterly impossible for him to see what the Christian sees so long as he occupies a worldly point of view. It is as impossible as for two persons to get the same view of an object looking at it from opposite sides.

When the work of proclaiming present truth was first started, it was foolishness to the man of the world, and in his judgment it was an undertaking that must speedily collapse. There was nothing, from his point of view, to indicate that it would grow and gather strength through coming years. It had neither wealth nor numbers nor influence for its support, nor was it at all popular. Those who scoffed at it and looked for its collapse reasoned correctly from a worldly standpoint; but their standpoint being wrong, they entirely missed the truth. Likewise in the matter of the removal of the headquarters of this work from its old and long-established location; men of the world saw in it only folly, and predicted disaster as a speedy consequence. Their reasoning was perfectly logical and correct, from their standpoint; the only trouble with it was, their standpoint was not the right one.

The churches of this time have largely made void the Word of God by tradition and the higher criticism, and are looking at the present and the future from a wrong standpoint. They are turning to the world for assistance in advancing the kingdom of Christ. They have a theory that, as one person of note expressed it, “the kingdom of Christ is to enter the realm of law through the gateway of politics.” They seek to effect great moral reforms, which will pave the way for the setting up of Christ’s kingdom, through the ballot and legislative enactments. Their reasoning is logical enough. The world is to continue on indefinitely, they believe, and yet God reigns and is all powerful, and the cause of righteousness must triumph. They note also that few men are being converted by preaching; the masses seem to be beyond the influence of the church and beyond the reach of the old-time methods of saving souls. The preaching of this day has little power. From these premises, it is a very logical step to the conclusion that the mighty power of the state, or of the ballot, must be invoked to sweep away the evils which threaten society, and secure that triumph of righteousness which they feel assured must come. Very logical reasoning,

but a very erroneous conclusion. Their standpoint is wrong. It is not a Scriptural one.

To obtain a correct standpoint, they must go back to the point where they rejected the message, which began to be given prior to 1844, proclaiming the hour of God’s judgment. It was there that the churches diverged from the pathway of divine truth. If they had received that message, they would not now be devoting themselves to plans which look forward to coming centuries, but would know that the work God has given them is that of saving souls from a sinking ship, which is fast settling to its doom. What a vast difference in the views of Christian opportunity and duty for this time obtained from the standpoint which supposes an indefinite continuance of time, and that which reveals the coming end of all things in this generation!

The correct standpoint is that of Him who sees the end from the beginning, and from whose eye nothing is hidden. When we see light in his light, we shall see the truth. We may not understand it, or be able to harmonize it with conclusions drawn from that of which we are cognizant, but we may be sure that the view it gives us of truth or duty is the correct one. Let us be sure that our view of things is from a right standpoint. L. A. S.