More and More by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 16, 1902

More and More

By Editor

Editorial

More and More

The gifts of God are free and abundant. One gift is but a stepping-stone to another. An excellent illustration of this “much more” plan is found in the fifth chapter of the epistle to the Romans. “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” In the same chapter the “much more” method of reasoning is forcibly applied in dealing with the result of Adam’s offense and Christ’s gift. “For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. . . . For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” The fullness of God is never exhausted. However much we may have received, we may always be sure that there is still an infinite supply from which to draw. Our great need is our most effective plea. He “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.”

“Have you on the Lord believed? Still there’s more to follow; Of his grace have you received? Still there’s more to follow: O, the grace the Father shows! Still there’s more to follow; Freely he his grace bestows, Still there’s more to follow.”

“More and more, more and more, Always more to follow; O, his matchless, boundless love! Still there’s more to follow.”

The Coming King

The prophet Isaiah saw visions “concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.” To him was given a view of the people’s backslidings and the “marvelous work and a wonder” which the Lord would accomplish. But with all the rest there were given to him clear revelations concerning the coming Messiah. And so while marking the course of kings and people which would end in the downfall of Jerusalem and the Babylonish captivity, he looked forward to the restoration of all things and the everlasting kingdom. “Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness.” “Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty.” In our day these predictions of the prophet Isaiah will find their complete fulfillment. It is in this generation that the great voices will be heard in heaven saying, “The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.” In our time we shall see in fact what John saw in vision: “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.” And now the cry is to be raised, as of old, “Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. . . . Behold, thy King cometh.” This message is not merely calling attention to a future event, but is rather the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom which is to be proclaimed “in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” The cry, “Behold your King,” when given in its fullness, will bring the coming of the King.

“Ye pilgrims, rise, break forth and sing The glorious coming of your King; The thrilling cry—we hear it sound, ‘Prepare to meet your Lord.’”

Personal Effort

There is nothing which will supply the place of personal effort in the work of winning souls for Christ. The public teaching of the word in the large congregation is necessary, and is in harmony with the Master’s example and instruction, but in many cases it accomplishes little, and it must be supplemented with the direct personal appeal. There is something in the heart-to-heart talk by an earnest soul winner which will often open the doors which have been closed to all general appeals. While it is true that the Saviour addressed large companies as they gathered on the lake shore or mountain side, or followed him to the desert place, yet some of his most valuable lessons were given to an audience of one. “In the interview with Nicodemus, Jesus unfolded the plan of salvation, and his mission to the world. In none of his subsequent discourses did he explain so fully, step by step, the work necessary to be done in the hearts of all who would inherit the kingdom of heaven.” “The Saviour did not wait for congregations to assemble. Often he began his lessons with only a few gathered about him, but one by one the passers-by paused to listen, until a multitude heard with wonder and awe the words of God through the heaven-sent Teacher. The worker for Christ should not feel that he cannot speak with the same earnestness to a few hearers as to a large company. There may be only one to hear the message; but who can tell how far-reaching will be its influence? It seemed a small matter, even to his disciples, for the Saviour to spend his time upon a woman of Samaria. But he reasoned more earnestly and eloquently with her than with kings, councilors, or high priests.” “Those who have been most successful in winning souls were men and women who did not pride themselves in their ability, but who went in humility and faith, and the power of God worked with their efforts in convicting and converting the hearts of those to whom they appealed.” “He that is wise winneth souls.”

The Basis of Repentance

No one is ever moved to a genuine repentance for sin by thinking of his own wickedness or the wickedness of others. There is only one basis for true repentance. “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” Godly sorrow for sin and a desire to be free from it can be inspired in the heart only by the contemplation of the wonderful love of God. When we interpret the character of God in the light of the cross of Calvary, we are led to exclaim, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” When each soul thinks of the Only-begotten as the one “who loved me, and gave himself for me,” “tears of repentant grief silently fall.” The times are

evil. The daily record of wickedness is horrible. But constantly dwelling upon the wickedness of men does not lead sinners to repentance. On the contrary, this familiarity with sin soon robs it of its repulsive character. It soon ceases to appear as the horrible thing that it really is. It is not the wickedness of men, but the goodness of God that leads to repentance. “We do not repent in order that God may love us, but he reveals his love to us in order that we may repent.” It was after he had set forth the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ that Peter called upon the multitude to repent; and when the Spirit pressed home the truth to their hearts, they cried out, “What shall we do?” Three thousand souls were convicted and converted that day. O, we need to reveal the love of God for sinners! We need to tell in the simplest way that the Lord loves us with an everlasting love, and that with loving-kindness he has drawn us. Let it be seen that “the love of Christ constraineth us.” Let that love which “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things,” be manifested in every effort to save a soul, and it will soften hearts that have remained unmoved by a cold presentation of theological theories. We can love people into the kingdom who have resisted all efforts to drive them in. The message now is, “Be zealous therefore, and repent.” Let the truth be made known in love, and love be made known in the truth, that there may be a true basis for repentance.