p. 173 | THE GUIDE by M. Wood

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 1, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 22.

THE GUIDE.

By M. Wood

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31. Again, says Paul, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Rom. 12:1. Very many professed Christians ignore these words of inspiration, and regard these plain Bible declarations as non-essentials. But the great apostle informs us that these words of Holy Writ are for our reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

According to Paul’s testimony, the texts above quoted, instead of being of no importance, are of the utmost significance especially to those looking for the coming of the Lord. Every Christian should keep his body under control. So did Paul. “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” The animal appetites must not rule. Many who are not gluttons eat too much, and many who are not drunkards, drink too much. They eat simply for enjoyment, without regard to principle or health. Quantity and quality are wholly disregarded. And they drink for the same purpose. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Let every Christian take this inspired rule to his table and it will preserve him from yielding to many a temptation. Let him ask, How can I glorify my heavenly Father in partaking of this food, or this drink?

Many who profess to love the Lord appear to live simply to eat, drink, dress, sleep, and take their pleasure. The Christian should eat, drink, and dress to live, and do all this in that manner which will honor God most. What a preservative would this text have been to many professors who have fallen little by little, until they have backslidden from God.

Dear brother, and dear sister, let me entreat you to keep this text constantly before your eye, write it upon your mind, stamp it upon your heart. If tempted by careless professors to smoke or chew tobacco, drink a glass of the Indians’ fire-water, tea, coffee, or other stimulating drink, ask yourself, Can I do this to the glory of God? Will it glorify God, and benefit me to indulge in it? Ought I to be led by these dead professors? Should we not let our light shine here, bear our testimony for the Lord and his cause, and show that we do walk by the precepts of our God and appreciate the light and counsel of his Holy Spirit? M. WOOD.