Be Diligent by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 1, 1881

Be Diligent

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

"BE DILIGENT." BY ELD. S. N. HASKELL.

THESE are the words of Peter addressed to the church of Christ. The people of God are made light-bearers to the world. God has committed to them his sacred truth and made them responsible for its being proclaimed to a dying world. They are therefore under obligation to others to impart the light which they have received. The apostle realized this, and he exclaimed, "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise." Rom. 1:14. The truth of the Gospel laid him under obligation to those who were not enjoying its blessings. As far as any selfish or worldly consideration was concerned, he was perfectly free from all men; but God had laid upon him a responsibility in committing to him the light of the Gospel. "Though I be free from all men," says the great apostle to the Gentiles, "yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without law, as without law (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ), that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak that I might gain the weak. I am made all things to all men that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the Gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you." 1 Cor. 9:19-23.

This is the feeling of every child of God who feels the importance of the work of Christ. There are principles of righteousness upon which the whole Gospel structure rests. These principles are God's tests of character. And those interests which pertain to ourselves, when compared with these, are of no especial importance. They should ever take the background. And to successfully recommend the religion of Jesus Christ should be the all-important theme with the Christian.

The professed Christian who does not have any of the experience above described lacks the vital principle of Christianity. Charity (love) extends beyond

ourselves. It commences to manifest itself when self-interest ends. There are many who would have diligence in the cause of God, and manifest great zeal in the missionary work, providing that they can have their own way. They will give their means if their plans and ways are not crossed. They will make great sacrifices in certain directions. But they seem to be blind so far as being governed by the principles of mercy, justice, and truth. "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:8. The very fountain of our nature is evil, the motive of the heart, unrenewed by the grace of God is wrong. Although the fruit borne may at times appear to others fair to look upon, yet there will be found the bitter taste, and in its effect will be found selfish interest, and selfish interest only.

Satan will enter every unguarded avenue of the human heart, and there erect a citadel of defense. He will welcome every form of piety that he can appropriate to the gratification of himself. His business is to destroy. The reason why we should be vigilant is, "Because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."

There is much truth in the old adage, that "Satan always finds some work for idle hands to do." If we are not engaged in the service of God, we are occupying a position where we are likely to fail an easy prey to the devil. He is walking to and fro up and down the earth, seeking whom he may devour, and the more closely the people of God can unite their interest, the better. The more of a pure, unselfish, disinterested spirit is manifested for each other, the more of the Spirit of Christ we shall possess. Paul writes concerning Timotheus, "For I have no man like-minded who will naturally care for your state." This is the spirit we should cultivate under all circumstances.

There are companies of those who keep the commandments of God, scattered in the various States and territories of this country, and in other nations, who have no means of communicating with others of like precious faith save by means of the pen. There should be a correspondence with every such lone Sabbath-keeper and company of Sabbath-keepers who are sincere worshipers of our Lord throughout the world. Here is a field of usefulness to which there is no limit even at the present time, and it will increase as this message progresses, until the world is warned, and the work of God closes up. "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent, that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."

The cause in which we are engaged is worthy of all our energies, and unless they are devoted to God's cause, they will be in the active service of Satan. There is no standing still in this cause.