p. 19 | Some Important Questions by E. M. GRAHAM

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 27, 1913

Some Important Questions

By E. M. GRAHAM

FAITHFULNESS is a quality very pleasing to the Lord. This is evident as we study the lives of the men who were used by the Lord in his work in Old Testament times. Faithfulness is a prominent quality in all of them. Let us call a few to mind.

Noah was given a work to do, and in it he was faithful. He spent one hundred and twenty years in building the ark and warning the people. No opposition turned him from his purpose; the long years that passed did not slacken his hand. The Lord could depend on him, for he was faithful.

Abraham was called out to do a special work. We read of him that he would command his children and his household after him. The Lord could depend on him, because he knew he would teach those who were under his control to serve God. He was faithful.

Joseph was called to be ruler of the greatest kingdom in the world at that time. But before he was thus honored, he had proved that he could be depended upon. In Potiphar’s house he was faithful, and became overseer of all his master had. In the prison he was faithful, until finally everything in it was committed into his hand. Neither trial nor prosperity turned him from the way of faithfulness; so God could use him to accomplish great things.

Moses was faithful in all his house. To him the Lord gave instructions, and he carried them out. He sought no ways of his own, no ease of life, but, with one exception, he was faithful in doing just what he was given to do.

Many others could be named who were used by God because they were faithful and he could depend on them.

Are we faithful, and can the Lord depend on us as he did on these men of old?

‘Christ calls upon us to labor patiently and perseveringly for the thousands perishing in their sins, scattered in all lands, like wrecks on a desert shore.’—‘Testimonies for the Church,’ Vol. IX, page 31.

Are we laboring patiently and perseveringly for these perishing souls? If not, are we faithful?

‘To every man God has given a work to do in connection with his kingdom. Every one who professes the name of Christ is to be an earnest, disinterested worker, ready to defend the principles of righteousness. Every soul should take an active part in advancing the cause of God. Whatever our calling, as Christians we have a work to do in making Christ known to the world. We are to be missionaries, having for our chief aim the winning of souls to Christ.’—‘Testimonies for the Church,’ Vol. VI, page 427.

Are we taking an active part in advancing the cause of God? Is our chief aim the winning of souls to Christ? If not, can we truly say we are faithful, and can the Lord make much use of us? Will he be able to say to us, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant’? If not, what will he say?

These are solemn questions, especially so in view of the days in which we are living. There are now no long years ahead in which mistakes may be repaired. We are told by the spirit of prophecy that the end is nearer than many of us believe. So now is the time to show the Lord that we are faithful, and that he can depend on us to do our part in finishing the work.

E. M. GRAHAM.