God’s Church and Its Mission on Earth by D. P. Miller

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 18, 1913

God’s Church and Its Mission on Earth

By D. P. Miller

D. P. MILLER

The church is, so to speak, God’s dwelling-place in this world. He dwells among his people, leading and directing them by his Spirit. The church is the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. Christ, the Master Builder, is choosing material for his spiritual temple. In the hands of the Skilful Mechanic the living stones are being hewn and squared as designed by the Great Architect, to fill a place appointed for them. The living stones are being tried, smoothed, and polished. They are being fitly framed together, and are growing unto an holy temple in the Lord. Eph. 2: 19-22; 1 Peter 2: 5.

The body of Christ is safeguarded in every way from failure against the attacks and snares of the enemy. God has left nothing out of his plan that is required for a thorough and complete redemption, neither has he added anything that would be cumbersome and unnecessary. The organization of the church is wonderful in symmetry and strength. There are no weak spots in it anywhere that would serve as an inlet for the enemy when the plan is rigidly adhered to; for the Lord has given gifts unto men whom he has set in the church as watchmen. These watchmen are to sound the trumpet when they see the enemy preparing for an attack, and to keep the army from slumbering on the battle-field.

Man’s danger of falling has ever been in the masterpiece of Satan’s deceptions; namely, “Ye shall not surely die: . . . ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” This deadly mixture has undermined the moral and physical state of mankind, has wrought ruin in home and society, and has cursed the earth to its very foundations. “Thou shalt surely die” is as true today as when first spoken to Adam in the garden of Eden.

We do not, of course, see a tangible fruit-laden tree growing in the midst of the earth today, but, figuratively speaking, we see its fruit scattered everywhere, in tobacco, tea, coffee, alcoholic liquors, in fact, in all narcotics and improper foods. And more subtle still, we see it in the fictional reading-matter which is so wide-spread and so appallingly indulged in today. This mixture of good and evil may be imbibed through the study of certain recitation matter. Sometimes it is found in a song, disguised by a beautiful melody; oftentimes in the words spoken by a worldly trained orator; and generally in the theater and dance-hall. Innumerable are the avenues by which Satan is disseminating his seed of evil, which always produces doubt and unbelief in the minds of his victims.

“Now,” said the apostle, “concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.” 1 Cor. 12: 1. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. . . . And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits.” Eph. 4: 4-11; 1 Cor. 12: 4-10. Then men endowed with gifts are set in the church, each in his place, as under-shepherds of the flock, all working in harmony, and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Thus we see that the church has been fully equipped for service in the great plan for the redemption of the world, and whether it is preaching or teaching in the church on the Sabbath or teaching in the college on other days, the work is one, and all for one great purpose; namely, “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Eph. 4: 12. The gift of discernment is God-given, but it is too often overlooked and lost sight of; yet there is nothing more essential in the Lord’s work than keen discernment.

Great responsibility is placed upon the remnant church in the carrying out of God’s purpose for the finishing of the work of salvation. There has not been, in all the ages of the past, so solemn a message entrusted to mortal man. The Lord said to Ezekiel, “So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.” Eze. 33: 7. A watchman cannot afford to sleep on duty. His is a life of the greatest vigilance; he is ever on the lookout for approaching danger, always ready to warn his charges against possible injury and death.

David was a true shepherd, for he once slew a lion, and at another time a bear, rescuing a lamb from the mouth of each. Jesus, the Chief Shepherd of the flock, is our great example in faithfulness, for he laid down his life for the sheep. The pastor is held accountable for the souls under his care, as to how he gives the alarm in times of danger. For, said the apostle, “if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” 1 Cor. 14: 8. “Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. . . . But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will require at the watchman’s hand.” Eze. 33: 4-6.

Now while these words were spoken to Ezekiel, and apply particularly to ministers, yet we must not forget that all the members of the church are in a sense watchmen; therefore we see how important it is that Seventh-day Adventists guard against every encroachment of the enemy.

The college faculty, when rightly chosen and each member set in his place, may be to a great extent immune against Satan’s deceptions. Discernment is needed in the classification of both teachers and students. Discernment is required above all in the selection of the books to be used in teaching, in the subject-matter to be used in the lecture course or in the oratorical recital, etc. For if our children imbibe the mixture of good and evil, what will become of them?

The president of the college should possess great wisdom and discernment, but he cannot detect every flaw, neither can he be everywhere and see everything. Hence a share of the burden must rest upon the members of the faculty, according to their several abilities. On the part of parents, much must be learned before God’s purpose in the establishment of church-schools can be rightly understood. When parents realize more fully the danger in sending their children to the public school, where a mixture of good and evil is taught not only in books, but also through association with others, a great change will take place in the church. Selfishness originated in the heart of Satan, and all who are actuated by it are one with him. Now because education at the public school is free, many choose to jeopardize the souls of their children rather than sacrifice a little money and comfort in the effort to send them to the church-school. The church-school is the planting of the Lord, a part of his plan for the education and salvation of the youth, and this fact cannot with impunity be ignored.

The church has a tremendous responsibility in educating the children and in guarding them from the influences of the world. No greater missionary work can be accomplished than to bring the

children and youth into the church-school and college; and there can be no better way to instill into the minds of the youth a difference between the clean and the unclean, and enable them to discern between right and wrong. If, in the home, parents would talk faith in the message and in the work being done in all the different branches and would refrain from faultfinding and criticism of every kind, the children would learn to reverence God’s cause and would abide by it. Some parents are driving their children from the truth into the world by their grumbling and faultfinding. We do not say that there may not be cause for complaint sometimes, but who is responsible? Are you not of the body? “But now are they many members, but one body. . . . God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” 1 Cor. 12: 20-25. Teachers and parents should cultivate confidence in one another, and have mutual care for the children, thereby learning how best to treat the different temperaments. Perfection cannot be reached any faster in the work of education in the school than it can be in our own characters; and were all to see this in its true light, there would be less criticism and less difficulty in the work everywhere.

The emancipation of the fallen race from the thraldom of sin cost our Heavenly Father his all. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Christ filled up the cup of self-denial by leaving the courts of heaven, to come to this darkened and sin-cursed earth in order to save the lost.

Through every true-hearted father and mother, God’s love-stream flows onward to their children, and no man or woman whose heart is overflowing with love can fail to labor for the lost. Love for God, love for the truth, and love for the salvation of others are evidence that the love of God is being perfected in the heart. “Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth.” Yes, “love never falleth;” but these gifts that are set in the church, that are but a means to an end, for the perfecting and edifying of the body, till we all come to perfection in Christ, shall cease, and “whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away.” 1 Cor. 13: 4-8.

God’s purpose will be carried out. His plan will not fail; for he said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” O that men would believe God’s word, and trust the Lord with the carrying on of his work!

“And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.” Rev. 15: 2. Victory over every deception of Satan! Gathered at last with the triumphant host, around the throne in heaven! Glory to the Lamb. Amen.

College View, Nebr.