Random Thoughts by John Nevins Andrews

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 14, 1870

Random Thoughts.

By John Nevins Andrews

THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL.

Our Lord spoke the parable of the prodigal son to teach the possibility of the return of those who have wandered far from God. He also designed by it to show the great love of God toward those who have wandered from the right way, and his willingness to forgive and bless them, provided they return to him with all the heart. He cannot save them till they forsake their sins. He will forgive them when they turn from sin with the whole heart and humbly ask his blessing. But they must have great decision. They have been taken captive by the devil at his will. They can only return to God by seeking help, and then resolutely breaking the bands with which Satan has bound them. But the tender mercy of God will be extended to help them the moment they set out in earnest to return to him.

GOD WILL HELP.

Surely the hand of God is ever ready to help his suffering people. Never is there a time when God will so tenderly care for us as when we are in affliction. The heavens may seem to be shut to our petitions, but the ear of God is nevertheless attent to us, and his eye is open to watch our situation. Surely God will help us if we seek him. And let us not doubt this fact but in humility of heart seek his face and with courage toil onward in the work of God.

HOPE THOU IN GOD.

What a gracious privilege is granted us by the God of Heaven, to hope in him! How exceeding rich are the things which he has promised us! And how freely has he offered them to us! Every mercy promised us in Jesus Christ is freely granted if we lay hold of the promises of God. Surely it would be wicked in us to distrust our merciful Father in Heaven. It is well pleasing to him that we hope in his mercy. It is a grief to the Holy Spirit, when we give way to unbelief and distrust. But we cannot hope in the mercy of God if we will persist in sin; God will not accept. Surely God will bless, if we will put away our sins; but otherwise he will not regard our prayers. It is high time for us to learn this great lesson.

WHAT SEPARATES US FROM GOD.

There is but one thing that can separate us from our God; and that is sin. This, God will not tolerate in any being in the universe. He testifies his abhorrence of it by withdrawing his presence from us when we are guilty even in what we think small transgressions. And he gives us due notice that if we do not put our sins from us he will at the great day of Judgment destroy us with terrible destruction. Why should we cling to sin? It is evil and only evil. Why should we cherish that which renders us obnoxious to the displeasure of the Almighty? If we wish his presence we can have it when we do truly turn from sin to righteousness. By all means let us do this.

THE BIBLE.

This blessed book is full of heavenly instruction. We never need instruction, reproof, or warning, which the Bible does not contain within its pages. God has given it to guide our feet to life everlasting. We must take heed to its words of infinite worth. When our character is formed by the principles of this sacred book, we shall be fit for the society of the angels of God. God will immortalize us, for we shall be worth preserving. There will be no sin in us, but good, and that alone. We can form such a character by taking heed thereto according to the word of God.

REPROOF IS EVIDENCE OF GOD'S LOVE.

If he had given us up to destruction he would send us no reproof. He gives admonition, and rebuke, and warning, that we may not go on in darkness to the Judgment. He chastens us that we may not be condemned with the world. He does not want us to come up to

the Judgment as the wicked world will come up to it. He wishes to separate us from our sins. He shows us our state that we may have zeal in repenting of our transgressions. Why not be thankful for reproof, and active in heeding the solemn warning thus sent to us from Heaven? J. N. A.