p. 3 | Applying Principles by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 9, 1906

Applying Principles

By Editor

Editorial

CHASING theological will-o'-the-wisps is unprofitable exercise. We are not called upon to be wise above what is written, or to neglect truths which are plain and simple, in a fruitless effort to establish some far-fetched conclusion which has no real foundation in the Scriptures. “Preach the Word.”

THERE is the form of the third angel's message, and there is the spirit of this message. Those who are spiritually minded will readily discern the difference between these two things. There is the true ring of the message, which is both comforting and inspiring, and there is that feeble imitation, which jars upon the spiritual nerves like sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. There would be no counterfeit of the message if there were not a genuine message. We are not to be surprised because there are mere forms and deceptive counterfeits, but we are to prove all things and hold fast that which is good. With all the light which has been shed upon our way in recent years, there is no possible excuse for departing from the truth.

WE should live in a constant state of watchfulness, not in idle waiting, but working earnestly, yet looking for the return of our Lord. We are repeatedly warned to be on our guard lest “that day” should come upon us unawares; and even though it is our business to proclaim the second advent, there is a possibility that it may become a mechanical routine to us, and we be devoid of the real spirit of this message. Satan is employing every possible means which he can devise to prevent the people from giving heed to the warning which the Lord is sending to the world at this time. Shall we permit him to use us in carrying out his schemes?—Nay, rather, let every Seventh-day Adventist be indeed a laborer together with God in making known the truth for this time. Let the conviction that the coming of the Lord is near be the inspiration to faithful service in this closing work. “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.”

Applying Principles

THE Bible is a book of fundamental truths and eternal principles. It is designed for all peoples and all times. It is a divine revelation addressed to beings who possess freedom of will and the intellectual capacity to consider and apply the principles set before them. In order to make this revelation effective in spite of the blindness caused by sin, the Author of divine truth has given the Holy Spirit, with the promise that he will guide us into all truth. It is our privilege and duty, then, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to apply in the daily affairs of life the principles which are taught both in the abstract and in the concrete form in the Word of God. All these principles are summarized thus: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” and further, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” This is the essence of true religion, the heart of Christianity, the substance of a godly life. For one to love God “with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.” Selfishness, which is the very essence of sin, warps our lives, and prevents us from attaining to the image of the divine. Our fear that we shall lose some present advantage, or that we shall fail to acquire some temporal gain, deprives us of that which is of much greater value—the strength of character resulting from self-denial and the increased capacity for fellowship with Him “who gave himself for us.” A mere profession of religion, a nominal connection with the church, the practise of outward forms and ceremonies—all these count for nothing apart from the application of gospel principles in daily life. “If I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing.” “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.” In the school of Christ we are to learn how to apply divine principles to the actual experience.