HONOR by P. C. Rodman

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 13, 1868

HONOR

By P. C. Rodman

MAY WE not learn a lesson from the Grecians, who in their games and combats gave the victors as their reward only a crown of olive leaves? Yet in preparing for these contests the combatants would subject themselves to the strictest discipline to obtain that honor that comes from men. What, then, shall not Christians submit cheerfully to do, if it only fits them the better to run the Christian race, and fight the good fight of faith, with the promise that we shall, if we strive lawfully, be crowned with glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life?

We lose nothing in denying ourselves and bearing the cross here. If it subjects us to suffering we have the promise that we shall also reign with Christ if our suffering is caused by our love and obedience to the truth.

If in obeying the Lord we are made poor in this world, we may be rich in faith, an heir of the kingdom which he has promised to them that love him.

If we are less honored by men by being servants of Christ, Jesus has said, “If any man serve me, him will my father honor.” John xii, 26.

So if father, mother, brother and sister, wife and children, houses and lands, all have to be abandoned, yea, and even life itself, there is this consolation, that we shall receive an hundred fold in this life with tribulation, and in the world to come life everlasting. What an honor to receive such a boon! What! to live as long as angels, Christ, and God, and in the society of such as Abel, Enoch, Job, Daniel, and a host of others, and see God? Truly we must be pure in heart, and if in heart we shall be in conduct, conversation, and all.

What! to reign with Christ on his throne, shall we not need to be meek and righteous indeed? Shall we not need to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, that we may prove what is that good and acceptable will of God?

Dear brethren, be not deceived. God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. And to reap approval of God and be honored of him at last, we must sow to the Spirit. In doing this, we shall be led into all truth, obeying it because it is truth, and we shall receive all honor at last when error and sin shall be among the things that were. Think you that any one that is made immortal will regret the self-denial it cost, or the cross borne to obtain such an end?

When I see some so unwilling now to obey the truth, I fear they do not appreciate the sufferings of Jesus in their behalf. Think you his feelings governed him in the garden, or on the cross? or his appetite or pride in the hour of temptation in the wilderness?

Reader, how are you governed? by the law of God and of your being, or are you still lawless in some degree? If so, do take hold anew in the work of seeking honor, immortality, and eternal life, remembering we are not crowned except we strive lawfully. Let all strive to form characters that they may be honored to stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb. See the characters of such described in Rev. xiv, 4, 5. “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they

are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile; for they are without fault before the throne of God.”

P. C. RODMAN.

Amherst, N. H., Sept. 15, 1868.