Denying the Lord by G. B. THOMPSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 1, 1906

Denying the Lord

By G. B. THOMPSON

G. B. THOMPSON

MUCH is said in the Scriptures concerning the sin of denying the Lord. Paul speaks of some who “profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16. Again he tells us that “if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.” 2 Tim. 2:12. Jesus also said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 10:32, 33.

It is certainly important that we understand what is meant by denying the Lord. We may profess to love him, yet in works deny him. The following clear statement of how we may in our lives deny the Lord should be studied:—

“Men may deny Christ by evil-speaking, by foolish talking, by words that are untruthful or unkind. They may deny him by shunning life's burdens, by the pursuit of sinful pleasure. They may deny him by conforming to the world, by uncourteous behavior, by the love of their own opinions, by justifying self, by cherishing doubt, borrowing trouble, and dwelling in darkness. In all these ways they declare that Christ is not in them.”—“Desire of Ages,” page 357.

We should not pass these statements idly by. Have we been guilty of speaking evil of others when they were not present? Have we allowed unkind or insinuating words to fall from our lips, such as we would not have spoken if the persons themselves had been present? If so, in this we have denied the Lord. What about foolish talking? Are our minds filled with vain and frivolous things each day? Do we speak any idle words? Think over the record of the day just past. What have we said that in the day of God we shall wish had never been said? And remember constantly that in this way we can and do deny the One who has purchased us.

In a failure to bear life's burdens, too, we may deny our Lord. Have we murmured and complained beneath the load which is daily imposed upon us? Have we shunned duty, and left responsibilities, which we should have carried, for others to struggle with? If so, in this way we have denied our blessed Lord. Have we been conforming to the vain things of this world, and failed to maintain that nearness to the Lord which we should have done? Have we been justifying self, and cherishing doubt? Many have, and in doing this they deny him who has purchased them with his own blood. Have we been borrowing trouble, and as a result been living in darkness, and walking in sparks of our own kindling? Many are living in continual dread of things which never happen. This is all unbelief, and an outward sign that Christ is not dwelling within.

Takoma Park, D. C.