FINISHED WORK by Vesta J. Olsen

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 3, 1879

FINISHED WORK.

By Vesta J. Olsen

How few, comparatively, of professed Christians, when called to lay down the armor and rest from the toilsome journey of life, can say, “My work is finished.” Very few can say like Paul, “I have fought a good fight.” Looking at the character of Paul, we are constrained to admire the energy, zeal, and devotion which characterized his work for his Master. When the time came for the last act in the drama of his life, which was to seal his testimony with his blood, he was ready with thankfulness to say, “I have finished my course.” It is our privilege in this age of the world, like the apostle to live such a blameless life that our course may be finished with joy.

The great trouble with professed Christians now-a-days is, they fight no real warfare and obtain no real victory. Sometimes, perhaps, they have a slight skirmish, which generally ends in a defeat; for as Satan is a skillful general, he manages the battle his own way. But of real, genuine fighting against sin and Satan they have little or no knowledge. They know little of the transforming influence Paul speaks of, or of being crucified to sin and self. When such professors give up the world with its affections and lusts, then there will be fewer complaints of crooked paths, unperformed duties, and bitter failures.

Thank God, all are not so. Even in this day some are coming to their end like a shock of corn fully ripe. Some of our godly parents are thus called to rest from their toils, soon to wear the crown laid up for them at the appearing of Jesus. They have entered into the joy of their Lord in gathering souls for the heavenly garner, and soon they will enter into the rest which has been purchased for them by his blood.

By looking to God in humble confidence, we may, in a large degree, avoid failures and defeats; and when called to give up our account, or to behold the coming of the King of kings, we shall be able to say with a thankful heart, “Through Christ Jesus my Lord, my work is finished.”

“Oh, that each in the day Of his coming may say, I have fought my way through; I have finished the work thou didst give me to do. “Oh, that each from his Lord May receive the glad word, Well and faithfully done; Enter into my joy, and sit down on my throne.” VESTA J. OLSEN.