p. 8 | The Kingdom Principle by T. E. Bowen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 23, 1909

The Kingdom Principle

By T. E. Bowen

T. E. BOWEN

One of the hardest lessons for us to learn is the one Jesus taught us when he stepped down from his exalted place beside the throne of his Father to become one with us in our fallen estate. There could be no selfishness in this free choice on Christ's part; for he already had all that his heart could desire in the way of honor, wealth, and glory. But the word had been whispered in heaven that even God the Father and Christ the Son were actuated by self-interests in their administration of the affairs of the universe. And when Jesus voluntarily offered himself as a sacrifice for the lost world, and the Father gave him up, and the Son actually of his own free will left his exalted place upon the throne, all heaven must have looked on in wonder and astonishment. That mystery hidden from before the foundation of the world, now began to unfold and be worked out in a way heretofore not understood. An actual demonstration was to be made of the blessed principle underlying love—that heaven-born principle of self-forgetfulness in its service for the good and happiness of others.

Satan contests this point. He seems never to tire in repeating that there is no such thing as unselfishness, no motive born of disinterested love. But Jesus forever settles the question in his life of self-denial, self-forgetfulness, and toil would be for a race so ungrateful as to repay his love by cruelly putting him to death. One thing is sure, and that is that on the cross our Lord effectually put an end to this falsehood, as far as heaven is concerned. The last lingering tie of sympathy that might have remained in any angel heart surely must have been severed when Satan poured out his contempt and hate upon the innocent, suffering Son of God, as his divine-human form quivered in the agonies of death in that awful hour of darkness on Calvary's hill. And one good, long look on the scene ought so to set our hearts against the wicked principle of self-serving, self-exaltation, self-seeking for glory and honor and place, as to banish it, by the help of God, from the soul forever. But somehow the battle rages in our hearts still. The tempter lures us into some pleasing snare often before we are aware of it.

One beautiful illustration of how strife for glory found no place in the life of Jesus, is shown in an occasion early in his ministry, at a time when John's work was at its height, when large multitudes thronged to hear him at Jordan and be baptized. The record says: “When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, . . . he left Judea, and departed again into Galilee.” He wanted no strife to arise, caused by comparison of his work with that of John; so he quietly removed to another place,—a lesson all workers in spiritual labor might study with great profit to-day.

Even the disciples comprehended but faintly the self-sacrificing life of their Master. In seeking to correct their self-seeking for place and position and honor, we are told: “Very tenderly, yet with solemn emphasis, Jesus tried to correct the evil. He showed what is the principle that bears sway in the kingdom of heaven, and in what true greatness consists, as estimated by the standard of the courts above. Those who were actuated by pride and love of distinction, were thinking of themselves, and the rewards they were to have, rather than how they were to render back to God the gifts they had received. They would have no place in the kingdom of heaven. . . . When men exalt themselves, feeling that they are a necessity for the success of God's great plan, the Lord causes them to be set aside. It is made evident that the Lord is not dependent upon them. The work does not stop because of their removal from it, but goes forward with greater power.”—“Desire of Ages,” page 436.

The principle of self-exaltation belongs to Satan. He is the father of it. It is evil, and evil only. It will work ruin to every one who builds upon it.

Unselfish love is of God. He originated it. He lives it. In it is all true greatness. To build upon this principle is life, because this is love, and love is of God. And he that hath the Son of God, hath life. Jesus has made it possible for us as truly to live unselfishly

in our lives as he lived, and still lives, in his life. The enemy says it is impossible. God says it is possible. Unselfishness must appear in every life that goes in through the gates into the city.

And this principle of unselfish love can not be evolved by human effort. It must come into our lives as the result of faith on our part, as a gift from God to be wrought out in us. Once received, it sets our feet upon the narrow path that leads heavenward. New impulses spring into action. Our lives touch and unite with those of the angels in the blessed ministry of unselfish service. God's name is exalted, and he receives back all that his heart of love demands—the simple, earnest, and confiding love of his children on earth. And such lives will be extended throughout eternity.

“The sincere, contrite soul is precious in the sight of God. He places his own signet upon men, not by their rank, not by their wealth, not by their intellectual greatness, but by their oneness with Christ. The Lord of glory is satisfied with those who are meek and lowly in heart.”—Id., page 437. “To this man will I look,” saith the Lord, “even him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” This is the kingdom principle.

Takoma Park, D. C.