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The Cause of God

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 26, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 53.

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The Cause of God

By O. B. Kuhn

O. B. KUHN
The plan of redemption has a broader and a deeper meaning than man’s salvation. Its breadth and depth comprehend the vindication and justification of God’s character. In the lives of men and women the principles of the divine government are to be revealed.
God is love. Love does not seek its own. It denies self for the good and happiness of others. The cause of God is the cause of love. His work always has and always will bring healing to suffering, afflicted sinners. God and the angels rejoice more over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
Thorough organization of the church, the successful operation of institutions, individual conformity to certain forms of worship and religious obligations are required, and are a part of the service and worship toward God, but in themselves they are not the cause of God. These may perish or be discontinued when the church militant becomes the church triumphant.
After rebellion and sin entered, God’s character was questioned. Uncertain and vacillating service and worship were rendered. God might have destroyed all whom he had created, and have brought other beings into existence; but because of his love he would not destroy. He would save. He would win the hearts and minds of all who honestly trusted in him.
Jesus Christ,—the Son of God,—God in human form,—by courteously and lovingly ministering to afflicted sinners, revealed the attributes of God’s character. In relieving pain, healing disease, raising the dead, freeing the captives, removing the burden of guilt, teaching right principles, and imparting motive powers of life, faith, hope, courage, andlove, he manifested to men the mind of God toward them.
The first object of his mission was to reveal to sinners the love of God for them. The second was to justify the divine requirements regarding obedience to the law, thus declaring that God did not ask of any, even the weakest of his creatures, an impossibility, nor make requirements which he himself was not willing to obey. The principles of God’s government are an outgrowth of his own nature.
When sending out the twelve disciples, the Lord said: “As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils.” Thus they demonstrated to the people of their time that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, and this practical work constituted the greater part of their ministry. They preached but little, and the preaching they did was but an introduction to, a spiritual interpretation of, their practical labor for the people.
The church, as an agent of the Lord, is to witness for him, and to train men and women to be a blessing to the world. The great and ever-increasing needs of sick and suffering humanity cry out for the ministry of love. “The greatest want of the world is the want of men,—men who are true and honest in their inmost souls; men who cannot be bought nor sold; men who will call sin by its right name; men who will stand for right though the heavens fall.”
Teachers are needed who will not be content with imparting mere technical knowledge, but who will inspire their students with principles of truth and right,—teachers who will not be satisfied with developing merely clever accountants, skilful artisans, successful tradesmen, or men of mere professional ability; but teachers who are constrained to develop men who will keep in touch with practical life and meet the real needs of humanity.
In addition to literary qualifications and a working knowledge of some profession or trade, a knowledge of health principles is necessary, if one is to be fitted to meet the responsibilities of his own life; much more those of a school, institution, or mission field. Workers are needed who know how to care for their own health and the health of others, workers who can give the simple treatments that do so much to relieve pain and remove disease. “Whether in foreign missions or in the home fields, all missionaries, both men and women, will gain much more ready access to the people, and will find their usefulness greatly increased, if they are able to minister to the sick.”—“Ministry of Healing,” pp. 145, 146. Workers are needed who can heal the sick as well as preach the word.
An unselfish life of earnest service to our fellows, having in view their temporal and eternal good and happiness, is the truest witness and most acceptable worship of God. It is the clearest exposition of the cause of God.
Shanghai, China.