A Chosen People by H. E. Sawyer-Hopkins

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 14, 1912

A Chosen People

By H. E. Sawyer-Hopkins

H. E. SAWYER-HOPKINS

PAUL has a word to say to the “faithful in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 1:1. He mentions those who were chosen before the foundation of the world (verse 4), that they “should be holy and without blame before him in love.” God has a work, a purpose, in the life of each of us. He has chosen us as his children, and wishes us to attain to that position where he can present us as “a glorious church.” All that is defective in our hearts must be rooted out. This work is to go on “all the days of our life.” Luke 1:75.

The Word of the Lord Was Unto Them

“Precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little” (Isa. 28:10), is the Lord’s way of making known his requirements to his chosen people. To keep his words ever before us we need to have our memories often refreshed, else a spirit of indifference and carelessness creeps in unawares, and his wise precepts are forgotten.

The children of Israel’s long journey of forty years through the wilderness might have been avoided had they been obedient to God’s requirements.

In Peter’s day God said: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9.

“Those who would be joint heirs of Jesus Christ to the immortal inheritance will be peculiar; yes, so peculiar that God places a mark upon them as his.

Think ye that he will receive honor from and acknowledge a people so mixed up with the world that they differ from others only in name? The Israel of God are in constant danger of mingling with the world and losing all signs of the chosen people of God.”

Is Modern Israel Peculiar?

Paul says, “Be not conformed to this world.” And the spirit of prophecy says that “some are so conformed to this world, one can scarcely distinguish them as His people.” Some are losing their holy, peculiar character, and are imitating the fashions and following the customs of the world. Love of dress is wrecking the happiness of thousands. Vanity in dress is a grief to the dear Saviour. All display of jewelry and ornaments of every kind is out of keeping with our faith. “Some have been so unfortunate as to come into possession of gold chains or pins, or both, and have shown bad taste in exhibiting them, making them conspicuous to attract attention. I can but associate these characters with the vain peacock that displays his gorgeous feathers for admiration. It is all this poor bird has to attract attention; for his voice and form are anything but attractive.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. III.

“The way of the cross is an onward and upward way, and as we advance therein, seeking the things that are above, we must leave farther and farther in the distance the things that belong to this earth.”

As pilgrims and strangers seeking for a home in that city which has twelve foundations, whose gates are of pearl and streets of gold (just in sight), shall we be obedient, stand every test, give up every idol, heed the counsel of the “True Witness”? Shall we who have been long “in the way” give up the battle now? The angels of God have their charge,—“They are joined to their idols; let them alone,”—and they leave them, with their evil traits unsubdued, to the control of evil angels.

“God will give grace to those who fear him and walk in the light of truth, and he will withdraw his blessing from all that conform to the world. Those who are uniting with the world are receiving the worldly mold, and preparing for the mark of the beast.”

Loma Linda, Cal.