p. 132 | THE WORK OF THE LORD by A. C. Bourdeau

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 20, 1869

THE WORK OF THE LORD.

By A. C. Bourdeau

“CURSED be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully,” or “negligently,” margin. Jer. xlviii, 10.

There is no work in which we can engage that is so great, so majestic, so noble, so exalted, and so important, as is the work of the Lord. It is the work in the most eminent degree, and the only work in which we can engage successfully. It embraces everything that is perfect, holy, just, and good, in Heaven and in earth, and in all our thoughts, words, and actions. It comprises every virtue, and everything that is praiseworthy. “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil. iv, 8. It accords perfectly with truth, wisdom, justice, equity, and righteous judgment. And it is all done in love.

This honorable and glorious work does not counteract, nor clash with, itself. Though at times it may bring to view a change of duties, and new requirements to be accomplished under different dispensations, and in different ages, it always keeps good what it has accomplished; and never tears down what it has once built up.

There are but two kinds of work in which we can possibly be engaged. One is the work of the Lord, and the other is the work of Satan; and these are directly in opposition one to the other. All that is done by man is either for God or for Satan. “No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matt. vi, 24. Those who serve mammon, or the world, serve Satan.

Now those who have enlisted in the service of God, should do the work of the Lord acceptably. In this work it will not do for us to try to halve it. Those who labor thus, labor in vain. God will not accept of such a service. He requires the whole heart, and will accept nothing short of our entire service. We are not our own; we are bought with a price; therefore we should glorify God in our body and in our spirit which are his. All that we do in thought, word, or deed, we should do to the glory of God. 1 Cor. vi, 20; x, 31.

But there are many professed Christians, even of those who profess to obey the law of God, who practically deny their faith. Their works do not correspond with their profession, and thus they misrepresent the work of the Lord. In practice they falsify the truth, and while they are deceived themselves, they deceive others also. “By their fruits ye shall know them.” However great their profession may be, relative to doing God’s service, if they neglect known duties, and knowingly practice that which is wrong, they are deceitful workers; instead of bearing the fruits of the Spirit, they do the works of the flesh; they are really engaged in the work of Satan, and rob God. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Gal. vi, 7, 8.

Many, from the minister in the pulpit down to the least member in the church, are not clear on this point. But I wish here to notice that part of our service to God, which may emphatically—in its most literal sense—be called the work of the Lord. I refer now to the work of the ministry, and to what is done by preachers and people, for the spread and support of the gospel, for the advancement of the cause of truth, to relieve the needy and the oppressed, etc. In this important work we should be very careful to deal honestly with our God. If we cherish pride, selfishness, and covetousness, in our hearts, and are negligent and deceitful in every respect, God takes cognizance of it all, and we incur his great displeasure.

Those who are engaged in disseminating the light of truth, should not corrupt the word of God. We should always speak the truth in sincerity, as in the sight of God, renouncing “the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Cor. iv, 2. As we have received mercy, we should not faint, nor be negligent, in warning the sinner, winning souls to Christ, and entreating those who are unbelieving and in a state of backsliding to become reconciled to God. And as we are but “earthen vessels,” and the excellency of the power is of God, and not of us, we should keep humble, and “preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord,” etc. In bringing light and truth from the rich treasury of God’s word for ourselves and others, we should consider that God from whom all blessings flow, is supreme, and do all to his honor and glory. If we do otherwise we work deceitfully.

God’s people should feel in duty bound to bestow of the means that the Lord has intrusted to their care, to help the cause, and to assist the destitute, etc. Great responsibilities rest upon us relative to the use that we make of our means. And it is as unsafe for us to deceitfully withhold from God what belongs to him, as it was for Ananias and Sapphira to hold back secretly a part of the price, or value, of their possessions, thus representing it to be less valuable than it really was. Again, when we have pledged to give to the cause according to a scriptural plan, we should be diligent in paying our vows to the Lord. God loves the cheerful giver; but for us to wait till we have served ourselves and the world, before giving to the Lord his dues, is wrong, and heinous in the sight of God and man. God save us! And may we ever be diligent in doing the work of the Lord acceptably; be faithful servants, that we may have his smiles, shun his displeasure, and at Christ’s appearing have it said unto us, “Well done.”

A. C. BOURDEAU.