p. 474 | HOW MAY WE KNOW ? by L. A. S.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Jul 23, 1901

HOW MAY WE KNOW ?

By L. A. S.

How may we distinguish a religious impostor from a true disciple of Christ? This question is one that has long been asked, and as long been answered; yet it was never more pertinent to any time than to the present. For it appears that, in spite of the boasted progress and enlightenment of this age, never did religious impostors find readier dupes than they find to-day.

These impostors usually justify themselves by pointing to their works. If they have a measure of success in their undertakings, they point to it as evidence of the prospering hand of God. But the ability to accomplish even “wonderful works” is not a real test of discipleship. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works? and then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt. 7: 22, 23. The Lord will not deny that these persons have done many wonderful works in His name, but they were not His followers, nevertheless. All the evidence afforded by their “wonderful works” was simply a delusion, which confirmed them in their course of transgression of the divine law.

Again: “If any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” Rom. 8:9. There is a man in Chicago who stands at the head of an extensive religious movement which purports, as one of its prominent features, to exemplify the Bible doctrine of healing by prayer. This man claims to be Elijah the prophet, and has thousands of followers, not only in Chicago, but in many other cities and towns. The wall back of the pulpit in his Chicago tabernacle is covered with crutches and almost every other kind of implement used by cripples and infirm people, which have been discarded by those whom he has “healed.” These are some of the “wonderful works” which demonstrate that he is sent of God, and there are others which the writer has heard him cite as evidence that he is acting by divine authority. But while he is pointing to these evidences of his commission from the Lord, he exhibits, frequently, a spirit anything but Christlike. The striking characteristic of his preaching is the vituperation and abuse which he heaps upon all who do not agree with his pretensions. Yet his followers listen to him and give their approval, seemingly utterly blind to the fact that the manifestation of such a spirit is incompatible with claims to godliness.

Not long ago we saw a man who claimed to be a prophet of the Lord, and undertook to force Seventh-day Adventists to accept him as such. He would calmly appropriate any Seventh-day Adventist pulpit at any time, as if it were his property, and occupy it until put out by force. He would appropriate the pulpit which had been built and the audience which had been brought together at the expense of others, and the time of the people, none of which things belonged to him, thus in three ways violating the commandment, “Thou shalt not steal,” and exhibiting a spirit as foreign to Christianity as could well be imagined. Yet he found adherents, and probably is still finding them to-day.

He who is sent of God will have the spirit of Christ and teach the doctrine of Christ. The devil’s work shows neither of these characteristics, but the devil has power, and can perform signs and wonders. Of such evidences therefore we must beware, for we are assured that in the last days many false prophets shall arise and show great signs and wonders, which if it were possible should deceive even the very elect. And this is but to say that the only sure way to escape deception is to be among the elect; for the elect will not be deceived.

We must be among those who have accustomed themselves to hear and heed the voice of God. The sheep who are of the fold of Christ know the voice of the Good Shepherd; “and a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” John 10:4, 5. Their safety is in knowing the voice of the true Shepherd. And how do they know His voice?—Simply as any person learns to know the voice of another with whom he is closely associated. If we closely associate ourselves with Christ, we shall learn to know His voice beyond any possibility of mistake.

The more love we have for our Lord, the closer will be our acquaintance with Him, and the more sure will be our safeguard against the false Christs and false prophets which are now gone out into the world. L. A. S.