One Thing I Know by K. C. Russell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 9, 1911

“One Thing I Know”

By K. C. Russell

K. C. RUSSELL

“ONE thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25.

In a time like this the uncertainty that prevails on the part of many regarding their relation to God is cause for alarm, especially when the world needs men and women who can speak with assurance of the Saviour's love. God's people in all ages have spoken with full confidence concerning the Lord's keeping power, and of their future hope.

Can the reader conceive of a more clear and striking illustration of the certainty of one's acceptance with God than is afforded by the Scripture incident of the man blind from his birth? It can hardly be imagined how—

One That Had Never Seen

the light of day until thirty years of age, could reply, when asked if he could see, “One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”

This incident is intended to teach us that we can be absolutely certain that we are accepted of Christ, as the blind man was certain that he could see, after his eyesight had been restored.

The apostle Paul says that he who is born again, is a new creature: “Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” The Scriptures recognize a sinner as one who is blind; hence we can see the force of this—

Remarkable Account

given of the man who was blind and had his eyesight restored. Every person born into this world since Adam's fall was born spiritually blind, or, in other words, born in sin.

The apostle Peter, speaking of those who lack the Christian graces enumerated by him,—faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity,—says that they are “blind, and can not see afar off.” One can determine for himself by the aid of the Holy Spirit whether he—

Is Lacking These Elements

in his Christian life, and if he finds that he is, he may be sure that he is blind; but if, on the other hand, he finds these graces predominant in his life, he may know that whereas he was blind, he now sees. The Scriptures say that one who lacks these things can not see afar off. When one is unable to see afar off, it is evident that he is near-sighted.

Many instances of those who are spiritually blind might be mentioned. Often people who admit the truth of this message, will say, “I can't obey it, for it would entail upon me so many hardships,—the loss of my former associates, the sacrifice of a lucrative position, and in other ways I should experience many things that are unpleasant and unsatisfactory.” Now in viewing these questions at short range, or in a short-sighted way, all these considerations might be technically true; but those who have—

Ventured to Take Their Stand

by faith upon the naked Word of God know from experience that to view things in this way is altogether too narrow and circumscribed. It is not present pleasure that we are to expect as the result of a life of devotion and sacrifice to the principles of truth, but the ultimate results.

Even in this present life we may realize some of the fruits of genuine faith and obedience to God's Word; for the Saviour says, “Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” What do all these present enjoyments, social or financial, amount to if we lose the future immortal life? Or, as the Saviour says, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Many fail to realize that the misfortunes which overtake them in this life may be made to contribute to their good, but look upon all such experiences as dire calamities. Is it not because they are blind and can not see afar off, or, in other words, are near-sighted? For we should know, if we are truly converted, that “all things work together for good to them that love God.” Often even professed Christians are found murmuring against God when sickness or death visits their home, when, if they could only take a broader view, they would know that all such experiences are for their good, and also for the good of others. Many persons have been aroused from their carnal security by some adverse experience that overtook them, who might never have accepted

Christ as their Redeemer had it not been for these misfortunes. How important it is for us that we seek to obtain a broader and more far-reaching view of the experiences that overtake us in this eventful life. How many times we have drawn—

Hasty and Unwarranted Conclusions

regarding the deportment of some brother or sister who we thought had pursued a wrong course; but after we had considered the matter in a more deliberate way, we saw where we were mistaken, or were near-sighted. All such experiences emphasize the fact that we are blind, and can not say, as did the young man whose eyes Jesus opened, “One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”

Remedy

It is by the medium of the Holy Spirit that men are convicted of sin; for the Saviour says: “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin.”

Many have sought in vain to heal themselves, or have tried to obtain salvation by some works or efforts of their own. It is the Holy Spirit that gives assurance to the child of God, as is emphasized by the words of the apostle in 1 John 2:27, 28. Through the Spirit's cleansing, the true children of God, when Jesus appears, will have “confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” If, when Jesus appears, one is to be so confident that his peace has been made with God, he must now, in this present life, be able to say, “One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”

Takoma Park, D. C.