OUR WORK by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 4, 1876

OUR WORK.

By R. F. Cottrell

NEVER was a more solemn and important work committed to men than that to which the Lord has called his people in these last days. The time has come for the last warning to be given to the church and to the world. On the full acceptance or rejection of this warning hangs the destiny of each individual to whom it comes. The reception of the warning is something more than a mere assent to its truth; it implies a thorough preparation, in the light of the whole truth of God, for the Judgment that is at hand. The time in which lost men can be saved will be past, forever past. In view of this the Master calls to us who believe, Go, labor in my vineyard. But who is sufficient for these things? Our sufficiency must be of God, by the gift of the Holy Spirit. If we consecrate ourselves to God and his work, he will supply all necessary help. Who will take a part in this sacred, solemn, and important work?

The prophetic commandment to all the people of God now is, “Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.” Those who engage in this work must have the law of God in their hearts. That law requires us to love our neighbor as ourselves. If we love our neighbor, we will labor for his good. We will not be called upon to quarrel with him; but with the love of the truth in our heart, and with the single desire for his salvation, we will labor to bring him to God. Labor thus put forth for the honor of God’s law and for the salvation of men will not be in vain.

The sealing message is rising like the eastern sun. The earth is fast being enlightened by the glory of this message. Who will take a part in the work? No half-hearted workers are called for. A whole consecration alone can answer the demand. Whatever the talent is which God has put in our hands, whether it be moral influence, mental ability, or worldly goods, all must be consecrated to God, all laid upon the altar, and be put to use in the cause of human salvation, the cause for which the Son of God poured out his soul unto death.

Many are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Our efforts will be repelled with scorn by many; but nothing should discourage us in the work. Our work is of God; and he will crown our efforts with success. Jesus was rejected and reviled. All manner of indignity and abuse was heaped upon him by those whom he came to help. He was despised and rejected of men. But still his mission was a success. He shall see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied. And we, my brethren, may enter into that joy of our Lord. Our mission will as surely be successful. The fruit of our labor, put forth according to the will of God, will surely be seen, though it may not immediately appear.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Well may we afford to labor on in this cause, so evidently the cause of the Lord. Time and means given heartily and perseveringly in this cause will not be lost. Those to whom God has given talents or means may invest in a way in which it is impossible to lose. It may be transferred to the bank of Heaven, a bank that cannot fail, and which no thief can plunder. And those who freely give their time, without hope of reward in this life, will, by the improvement of time, gain eternity. Those who will forego earthly honors and pleasures, for the Lord’s sake and for the salvation of those for whom he died, shall receive instead heavenly honors and pleasure for ever more. Courage, brethren, courage in the Lord! The time to labor is short, the reward is near. Fear not, little flock, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

R. F. COTTRELL.