p. 10 | Personal Religion Versus Denominational Religion

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 13, 1911

Personal Religion Versus Denominational Religion

By Francis M. Wilcox

A PERSONAL experience in God is necessary to the salvation of every soul. This is strongly and repeatedly emphasized throughout the Scriptures of truth. The call of God primarily is not to man in a community sense, but to each individual: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

In response to this call, there must be the exercise of a personal faith. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”

For the acceptance or rejection of this call every man is made accountable. “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” And in the day of final reckoning every man will be judged according to his works, and the reward will be proportionate to the fruits of his labors. “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”

Of that day of final awards the prophet Ezekiel declares: “Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.”

One great danger which has threatened the church in every age is that this vital truth of a personal and practical Christianity would be forgotten. Israel of old forgot it. In consequence the form was substituted for the substance, the letter for the spirit, and trust was placed in service and ceremony rather than in real heart work and personal experience.

The writer of these words and the readers thereof confront in their religious experience the same danger. We have a beautiful system of truth, we are connected with a progressive movement. There is much to draw out our interest, enlist our activities, and arouse our enthusiasm. We rejoice in the spread of the message through the printed page and gospel herald. We view with pleasure the large force of youth in our schools who are preparing for service. We are confident that this movement in which we are engaged is of divine origin, and that its speedy and glorious triumph is assured.

But we may see all this, feel all this, and believe all this, and yet fail to comprehend the full significance of the gospel message as applied to personal needs. We may have a sort of denominational religion, but fail in obtaining a personal experience in God. Against this we are warned in the message to the Laodicean church as found in Rev. 3:14-21.

Saul before his conversion possessed a denominational zeal, but it took a personal revelation of Christ to show to him his own individual need and to transform him into the apostle to the Gentiles. Peter was foremost in proclaiming his loyalty, but not until Christ looked on him, and his heart was broken, did he reach a saving personal knowledge of Christ. The apostle Paul recognized his danger, even as a gospel messenger, of being a castaway. Our danger is equally great.

Belief of a system of doctrines or faith in the triumph of a cause can not be substituted for faith in a personal Saviour. Faith in the conversion of others will not avail for the application of the blood of Christ to our own needs. We must see Jesus as our personal Saviour, as the One who forgives our sins, and who speaks peace to our souls. He must dwell in our lives by his blessed Spirit, purifying our purposes, subduing our iniquities, and conforming us to the likeness of the divine example. With this personal knowledge of Christ in our lives, we shall be able to bring others to the same Fountain of cleansing and blessing.

The need of the church of God to-day is not a denominational religion, but a personal, living faith, which will apply individually the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. May God give us hearts to seek for this personal experience. We should take time to cultivate the Spirit’s graces. As gospel laborers, as institutional workers, we are in danger of forgetting God while engaged in his work. Let us take time from life’s busy activities to become acquainted with Jesus. This will prepare the way for the inflowing of the Spirit, for the glorious manifestation of divine power, which will attend the labors of the remnant church. This experience will make us more loyal to the truth, more eager to carry the gospel to those in darkness, more zealous in placing our property and our very lives upon the altar of service as an evidence

of our love for the One who has taken us into such close and sweet communion with himself. This personal relationship can be attained through the confession of sin, through consecration and submission, through prayer and faith and watchfulness, through the study of the Word, and the blessed ministry of the Holy Spirit. God is anxious to unite with us in bringing it about. May we avail ourselves of the means which he places within our reach, and of the present opportunity to gain in him that experience which will make our efforts effective here, and bring to us personal salvation in his kingdom.

F. M. W.