An Important Question by C. D. M. Williams

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 29, 1906

An Important Question

By C. D. M. Williams

C. D. M. WILLIAMS

“WHAT shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” We all love to think of the grace of God, and wonder that he could so love the world as to give his only begotten Son to save us. This has filled the world with astonishment, and around it cluster the hearts of the Christian people. Upon the thought of God’s love, his forbearance, his long-suffering, Christians have come to dwell so fully that they continually say, “God will forgive if I do make a mistake. He ‘so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.’ I believe; so he will forgive me my shortcomings, and finally in his own good time I shall come to be what he wants me to be; so, although I know that I am not what he wants me to be now, finally I shall be saved. His grace is abundant, so I know that he will forgive me now for these little things.”

But the Word of God says, “What shall we say then?” Is this the thing that we shall say? The Lord would have us consider the answer carefully; for he says, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” His grace is abundant, he is long-suffering, he does love; but shall we continue in sin, that this may be so? This is the question that the Lord asks, and most forcible is his answer: “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

First, God forbids such a course in life; therefore as a commandment-keeping people we must not do this; for if we do, we cease to be a commandment-keeping people, and are no longer to be numbered with the saints.

Second, “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Is it possible for one who is dead to anything to do that thing? The very fact of his doing it shows that he is not dead to it. Therefore, what shall we say, brethren? Shall we continue in sin? Is it not time for every soul of us to lay aside every weight and sin, even though it has in the past easily beset us?

Is not the inheritance reserved for those who are kept by the power of God? Before his translation, Enoch had the testimony that he pleased God; and as he is a representative of those who will be translated when the Lord comes, is it not time that we separate ourselves from all sin, and come out and walk with God in such a way that we may also have this testimony that we please God?

In Honolulu, H. I.