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Complete in Jesus

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 19, 1872

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 39, No. 14.

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Complete in Jesus.

By Nellie F. Heald

MAN’S life, without the gospel of Jesus, is a waste and a perversion. His faculties and energies are misdirected. His motives are selfish. He knows nothing of that spiritual and inner life that comes only to the soul transformed by the renewing of the Holy Spirit.
He is destitute, lacking the one thing needful. He may indeed be highly gifted in intellect; may possess fine and noble qualities, and be much esteemed for his many virtues. By his industry and tact he may acquire wealth, and fill an important position in society. The silver trump of fame may herald his name abroad. Friends may guard him by their watchful love, and make his home sweet. Nature and art, in their various forms of beauty and loveliness, may minister to his delight and instruction; but without the love of Christ to mould his character and govern his conduct, his life is incomplete.
Faith in Jesus only can make him a true and complete man. He has broken God’s holy law and is condemned to die. Without a Saviour, there can be no escape, no hiding-place. He carries a heavy burden in his heart, from which there is no relief by faith in a bleeding, dying Saviour. In the service of his worst enemy, he is fettered by chains that only the wounded hand of Jesus can unloose.
His heart is not tuned to the sweet music of those words, “Thy sins are forgiven thee.” He is not in harmony with the Maker of his being. He would not be happy even amid the glories of Heaven and the praises of the angelic hosts. No; his earth-bound spirit could not chime in unison with the melody of that holy throng. And above all, he could not stand in the presence of Him that sitteth upon the great, white throne, before whom the heavens and the earth shall flee away.
Only those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb can stand unrebuked in his pure sight. God delights in the humble and contrite soul. Jesus loves the truly penitent sinner that seeks him with the whole heart. Over such, there is joy in Heaven among the angels. That we might be cleansed from every stain of sin, the Saviour left the glory which he had with the Father, and came to this dark and sinful world. For this, he died on Calvary. Oh! why are we so indifferent to his claims? Why are we so slow to give him the whole heart? Why are we so blinded by earthly interests that we do not more earnestly seek to obtain an interest in the life eternal? It would seem as though we should put forth every effort and cheerfully make any sacrifice, to secure such a reward as the Saviour has promised to his faithful followers.
How strange that we should cling so fondly to earth, and its fleeting honors! that we should care so much for the good opinion of our friends, and so little for the approbation of God! The day is swiftly approaching when it will not avail us that we stand high in the esteem of friends and the world, if we have not the favor of God. And it is only by cheerful obedience to his commands that we shall obtain his favor.
“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love.” To him that keepeth his commandments he says, “My Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him.”
Shall we not be more in earnest to live in obedience to every word that he has given us, that we may claim this gracious promise and rejoice in the approbation of God our Father, and the Lord Jesus our Saviour, whose approval is sweeter far than any praise of men?
The pleasures and honors of earth can never satisfy. Only in yielding to the claims of Jesus, can the weary, longing, thirsty soul find complete satisfaction. He is the living fountain. “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.” To the hungry soul he is the “Bread of Life.” To the weary he says in tones of love and tenderness, “Come unto me and I will give you rest.”
He is the Good Shepherd. He knows every one in his flock; for he calleth them by name. He does not leave them to find the rugged way alone, but he goeth before them and the sheep follow him. He is ever near to protect from the devouring wolf that seeks to scatter and destroy.
To the weak he says, I am the “Rock of thy strength.” To the ignorant, he is wisdom and understanding. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Are we tried and tempted? “He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” “For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.”
In the night of sorrow, we may carry our griefs to him and find solace. He that notes the sparrow when it falls will not be unmindful of us. He pleads with us earnestly, with the promise of his own blissful companionship, if we will but open our hearts to receive him.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice, and will open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Sweet, indeed, must be that feast where Jesus presides, and enters in to sup with us. Is it not the joy unspeakable and full of glory? How can our poor, trembling hearts entertain so divine a guest! It seems too wonderful to believe, yet it is the promise of Him whose word cannot fail.
He would have the doubting and faint-hearted grow strong in trust, taking in all the sweetness of such a promise. He who shed his precious blood on Calvary for us, will freely bestow every other blessing. His promises are rich, abundant, and full of hope. Oh that we may overcome every sin and be made complete in Jesus.
“Complete in Jesus blissful thought! ’Tis ours what e’er befall ; Our Jesus is our Saviour, Friend Our Life, our Hope, our All.”
NELLIE F. HEALD.
Temple, N. H.