The Object of Life by Charles P. Whitford

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 10, 1872

The Object of Life.

By Charles P. Whitford

THE great object of life in this world, is to prepare for a home in the kingdom of God; and if we would be thus prepared, a character must be formed which will bear the fruits of the Spirit, and if we would have such a character, we must pass through such a chain of circumstances in this life as will make manifest the real condition of the human heart, for without this we should never know ourselves; and consequently never be able to overcome our easily besetting sins, for “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” Happy indeed is that man who has had such an experience in the things of God that he is able to understand the secrets of his own deceitful heart.

This knowledge, it is possible for us to obtain. The office of the Spirit of God is to reprove sin; and when we seek God with our whole hearts, the influence of the Spirit operating thereon will show us our sins, and we shall thus be enabled to go to work understandingly to put them all away.

But while it is true that we may understand our real condition in the sight of God, it is a lamentable fact that many of us do not. We may deceive ourselves, but we cannot deceive God. He is thoroughly acquainted with the secret movings and workings of the human heart, and in it he beholds much that is corrupt, selfish, worldly, covetous, and proud, for “the heart of the sons of men is full of evil.” And in view of these sins, as well as the fact that our individual cases are very soon coming before the Judge of quick and dead, how clear that deep contrition before God should characterize our actions.

None of us can for one moment doubt but that we have reached a most solemn and important time in the history of the third angel’s message. Signs on every hand proclaim the Judgment near. How fearful the thought that we have each a case pending in the court of Heaven, and that purity of heart and life will be the only sure passport through the celestial gates, into the eternal city of God.

In view of the swiftly approaching Judgment day we should be led to examine our hearts and seek God as we have never sought him before. The good resolutions formed at our recent camp-meeting must now be put into practice, if we expect to make advancement in the things of God.

Dear brethren and sisters, if the Lord, by his Spirit, has enabled us to more fully understand our hearts, and see our sins, it will not be safe for us to trifle with him by neglecting to put them away. Heartfelt repentance and forsaking of sins should characterize our actions now.

Our resolutions, determinations, and promises to the Lord have all been recorded by the angel, and now shall it be that we fail to fulfill our vows unto him? Let us remember that better, far better, will it be for us in the Judgement day had we never vowed, than to vow and not pay.

CHARLES P. WHITFORD.

Berkshire Center, Vt.