Neglected Duty by C. GREEN

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 13, 1874

Neglected Duty.

By C. GREEN

Neglected duty always brings dearth to the soul. Whatever be that duty, if not promptly and heartily performed, the Spirit of God is in a measure withdrawn, causing us to feel the effect of thus neglecting its promptings.

Neglected duty brings darkness to the mind, as well as coldness to the heart. This causes us to be blind to our own faults and sensitive to the failings of our brethren. The duty may have been a small thing of itself; but these little foxes destroy the vines, and the consequence is, that the clusters of Christian graces that should hang on every branch are in time wholly destroyed. As the Christian character is made up of little duties, each in its place forms the wall which in time constitutes the building; so the moment that any of these duties are neglected, then the character suffers loss, and the part already reared is liable to go to decay from lack of fresh material which is necessary to be continually applied in order to render it strong and self-sustaining. God has appointed the way whereby we may secure the grace needful for the performance of every duty; but it is for us to act as though we desired that grace; then in the discharge of duty we obtain the blessing.

When, through the lack of watchfulness and prayer, we fall under the power of temptation, our only course of safety is to find our way back to the path of duty, and be no more neglectful, but in the fear of God perform our humble task, that Satan and an evil heart may no more gain an advantage over us.

Have we neglected the light given us, and permitted doubts and unbelief to gather like shadows over us? Let us no more neglect that light, lest we become lost in the maze, and stumble upon the dark mountains of unbelief. Have others been burdened by our neglect of duty? We may not have so good an opportunity as now to resume our burden; so let us now resume it, though it be a cross, and brings care, perplexity, and pain, with it.

It sometimes happens that we must bear others’ burdens. What of that? If they are too weak to carry their own load, we are required to help. Brotherly love calls on us to do it; it is our duty. If others are careless, indolent, or indifferent to duty, we may in such a case be called upon for a time to carry a double burden. God’s work must be done, and we may through his grace and for his glory often do that which will even surprise ourselves. Though the flesh be weak, if the courage be good, and the faith strong, almost insurmountable obstacles may be overcome.

The light shines to guide us from this dark world to one of light and glory, but along the path we are to tread, is many a lion chained, many a cross to take up, and many a burden to bear; but if all are met with courage and meek resignation, we will at last be permitted to share in that rest that God in his goodness has prepared for his people.

A character fitting us for that rest is not formed from a love of ease, and neglect of duty, but in the faithful discharge of all we are able to do in the cause of God for his glory and the good of our fellow-men.

C. GREEN.

Battle Creek, Mich.