Whosoever Shall Deny Me by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 16, 1906

Whosoever Shall Deny Me

By C. M. S.

THIS world is now preparing for just such a departure from God as that which characterized the world when ancient heathenism was at its height. It seems paradoxical that this should be the case when the Word of God is being published as never before, and is going into countries which it has never before entered in printed form.

In lands and among people where the Word has had longest and freest circulation, a subtle force has been at work undermining the faith of the people, dulling the edge of Christian doctrine, and parrying the direct force of the immutable law of God. In the midst of this fierce struggle between light and darkness God has multiplied his witnesses in the form of his printed Word. With no other force than this, the converting power of the Spirit and the living light of his faithful children, that battle will go on till the world has made its choice, “and then shall the end come.”

For years this attack upon the position and work of Christ has been filtering into almost all kinds of religious literature, and was never so prominent as it is to-day. In gilded phrases, in lofty panegyrics, man is said to be able to do for himself what God could do for him only through the death of his own Son.

Making man his own savior did not originate with Unitarianism. The germ of it was in Cain’s self-invented sacrifice of the fruits of his own labor. It grew to perfection in the tower of Babel; it has been kept alive in penances and self-inflicted flagellations, which are being practised even to-day in heathen and Catholic lands; and to-day in a new garb it parades through eloquent literature, and speaks from costly pulpits to luxurious pews into ears that flash diamonds and hear more of the jingle of gold than of the stately steppings of the true God.

There is going on in the religious press at the present time a considerable discussion over the question of whether Christians should add to their prayers such expressions as “in Jesus’ name,” and “for Christ’s sake.” The printed agitation of the matter has come up as a result of its oral discussion; and that oral discussion reveals in the general body a malignant growth of doubt along the line of Christ’s intercession in our behalf before the throne of the Father. Christ’s own instruction upon this point should settle the question for those who believe in Christ and his work: “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13. Again: “Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16.

Those who look upon him simply as a great and good teacher must in their own hearts impeach his testimony in this matter, and accuse him of assuming a position which God the Father did not recognize. Such ones, of course, make no petitions “in his name,” or “for his sake.”

At the same time there is going on in heaven, in our behalf, an intercessory work “with groanings which can not be uttered . . . because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Rom. 8:26, 27. And there rings out from the direct testimony of Jesus, “Without me ye can do nothing.” But Jesus Christ is not even “a great teacher” if he did not teach truly concerning man’s inability to save himself, and man’s need of an intercessor at the throne of God. That is one of Satan’s devices to make Christ appear to be an imposter.

A work having a similar effect in discrediting Christ is that which exalts the Virgin Mary to the position of intercessor in man’s behalf. This was particularly noticeable in the work of Leo XIII, whose exaltation and glorification of Mary were very pronounced. Other Catholic writers have put her in a position which would almost entirely shut out Christ from the human race. Mariolatry is gaining at a furious pace.

With Mohammedanism and the heathen world generally repudiating Christ; with the unconverted of “Christian” lands too busy to listen to the messengers of the Lord; with the great Catholic world shutting Christ away from men by putting another in his place as mediator; with the popular churches of the land repudiating the fall of man and Christ’s redemptive work for the race; with many who had been loyal now questioning whether they should longer pray “in his name,” and “for his sake,” with the “higher critics” (nominally Christians) sowing broadcast the seeds of doubt concerning the very Bible itself, this present world seems to have reached the place which the ancient heathen world had reached when the record states of that age. “As they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind,” when, “knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened.” He who is denying Christ’s work for us, and his death in our behalf, is certainly not giving thanks for that work and that sacrifice.

It is a terrible accusation that such philosophers are bringing against our Lord, this denial of him and his work. To such apply with terrible distinctness these words of our Saviour: “Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.” Matt. 10:33. We can leave him out of our reckoning here, we can call his life and death a “sweet, sad story,” but without worth in our salvation; nevertheless, when our name and our record come before the Judge of all the earth, the fact of our denial of Christ will be the first witness against us, and none other will be necessary. “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”—He will, in a little, persecuted band. “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” But the world will have denied him, and that “evangelism of denial” is making most rapid headway to-day.

C. M. S.