p. 3 | Higher Attainments by J. M. HOPKINS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 20, 1911

Higher Attainments

By J. M. HOPKINS

J. M. HOPKINS

Our Father is not pleased when his children make no advancement in Christian graces and accomplishments. He would have them ever growing into a more perfect image of his own glorious character. “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” Isa. 60:1. Every command and admonition our Father has given his people implies and assuredly means divine assistance to execute fully the conditions imposed.

It is not only a duty but a most blessed privilege to attain the standard set by this divine admonition: “Arise, shine.” It is possible for every one by divine grace to rise above the lowlands of earthliness, of sinfulness. It is the privilege of every one to wear the garments of salvation, the robe of Christ’s righteousness. It is the privilege of every one to have his life adorned with the beautiful graces of the Holy Spirit. Gal. 5:22-25. Study these verses carefully in connection with Phil. 4:8.

This glory of the Lord which the prophet declares “is risen upon thee” is his beautiful character; and it is this glorious character of God in his children that shines in the world of darkness around them. “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”

Such is the standard set by our God. Such is the purpose of our God in setting that standard. Have we attained unto it? Are we satisfied with our attainments in the heavenly life? Or do not our inmost souls cry out for higher and better things than we now possess?

We can not attain to this excellence at one stride or by one endeavor; as compared with the former life of sin and darkness, the life may appear, and indeed may be, beautiful. But as contrasted with the Father’s character, it falls far below the excellent glory. He does not expect nor ask that we shall at once attain to the standard he has established for us. He says: “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Prov. 4:18. The child of God will be continually growing more and more unto the divine likeness, reflecting more and more the beauty of his holiness; demonstrating more and more the power of his blessed gospel to save from sin, to keep from sinning, to uplift toward heaven.

This is all for us, for his children everywhere, white or black, free or bond, high or low, rich or poor. All alike have the blessed privilege of rising higher and higher, becoming more and more like our Father, like our Elder Brother and Saviour. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor. 3:18. We thank and praise God that this is so.

Are you satisfied with your present attainments and accomplishments? or are you daily catching glimpses of the divine glory that make you long for more and higher views and possessions? Education, refinement, culture, knowledge, wisdom, purity of heart and life, helpfulness, sympathy, gentleness, loyalty, and fidelity to principle and duty,—O, how these virtues beautify and enrich and adorn the life! These are just what our Heavenly Father wants us to

have and to enjoy. He desires that we shall be “filled with the Spirit,” “filled with all the fulness of God,” “filled with the fruits of righteousness.”

Is not this a glorious and blessed experience? Yet it is for us. It is for you, my brother, who live where you are surrounded with the advantages of civilization; and for you, my brother and sister far away, who may have been, and even now are, less fortunate in this respect. “God is no respecter of persons,” but “in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” Acceptance means blessing and growth and advancement, higher and ever higher attainment “till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full-grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Eph. 4:13.

Let us come to the Fountain, and drink, and live.

Hewitt, Mich.