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One Thing I Do

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Nov 7, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 45.

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One Thing I Do

By Claude E. Holmes

“THIS one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
In these few words is crystallized the whole life of the learned Paul. Such a whole-souled, self-forgetting consecration can be made only after an earnest consideration of what it involves. Nothing less than the word of God himself, who spake and it was, could cause such a transformation as that made in the life of Paul at his conversion. God is willing to accomplish the same work in us; and upon his working this transformation depends our accomplishing anything of worth. This transformation involves the energy by which we are to do the task before us. A locomotive may have its headlight pointed toward the city it is desired to reach, but unless it becomes filled with a sufficient head of steam, it will never arrive at its destination. Paul says, “I press toward the mark.” With him there was no vacillating between that thing and this. Once for all he settled it, and then threw all into the effort to obtain the prize.
Every young person must be careful that he does not make the mistake which ruined the life of Cain. He was what we might term a horticulturist. Probably he was a skilled gardener, and raised fruit of which he might well be proud. His heart was set upon his work, and he waited patiently until it grew and matured. But, sad to relate, his affections were so bound up with his own labors and the success of his work, that he considered it well adapted for what the Lord required, even though the Lord had given direct instruction to the contrary. And by failing to give heed to God’s wishes he brought upon himself the name of a murderer. Even though our work may be perfect, let us not be so wrapped up in any work, whether it be on a farm, in a shop, or in commercial lines, that we think the Lord must accept it.
God speaks to you, young man or woman, as he did to Cain: “Bring me an offering.” What shall be our offering?—“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Perhaps you may say that you are not in a condition for the Lord to use you. Go to one of our schools and prepare yourself. Make a good offering to the Lord. Had Cain made an offering of a lamb, as God required, his labor would have been accepted, but in refusing to heed the exact words of God he failed altogether.
We have a noble example of a determination to win, in the life of Caleb; He said: “Let us go up at once, and possess it [Canaan]; for we are well able to overcome it.” All the giants in the land of Canaan could not daunt the courage of Caleb. After forty years of wandering with a murmuring and rebellious people, he was just as ready to do what he said could be done—and he did it.
Where are the “children” of Israel to-day who are ready to face the giants—the hard languages, the buffetings, the toils, the difficulties, even in distant lands? Who will be among the victors to take part in the triumphal entry into the New Jerusalem?
CLAUDE E. HOLMES.