Practical Thoughts on Scripture Subjects.
By John Nevins Andrews
THE IMPROVEMENT OF OUR PRIVILEGES.
We can never realize the value of our privileges till they are past. While mercy and pardon are freely offered, we cannot realize the greatness of the offer. But when this is no longer extended, and we find that we have wasted all our season of probation, we shall too late awaken to the fact that we have wasted that which was of infinite worth. It is, therefore, of the utmost consequence that we improve our privileges while we enjoy them. They will not last always. They may close at any time. We should use every one as being the last. Acting thus, we shall make sure of everlasting life. EVERY MAN HAS HIS PROPER PLACE TO FILL.
There is some place in which every person can be useful. Yet few persons are ambitious to labor in their own proper sphere. It seems to be something inherent in human nature to desire to excel in those things wherein there is a lack. So men seek for work that is not suitable in any respect, simply because that in such directions they have a vain desire to excel. Our own place is always one of such a character as to inspire humility and lowliness in us. Satan is willing that we should be very active in our work if our work is not in the order of God. What we all need, is to know our own place, and then in humble obedience to faithfully fill it. God will bless us in our own proper sphere of action. Let us find our place and faithfully fill it. THE PEOPLE OF SODOM NOT DESTITUTE OF THE LIGHT OF TRUTH.
We are apt to think that the Sodomites lived in a very dark age of the world, and were, therefore, in comparative ignorance of the truths of the Bible. Let us see if there is not a mistake. First, it is certain that they had one righteous family dwelling in their midst. They regarded Lot as a man who wished to be a judge, because he condemned their wicked deeds. See Gen. 19; 2 Pet. 2. Second, it was their great privilege to have Abraham, the friend of God, to live within a few miles of them. They had occasion to be acquainted with him as he delivered them out of the hands of the kings that carried them captive. Gen. 14. Third, Melchisedec, a greater than Abraham, lived near them. Gen. 14. And fourth, Shem, the son of Noah who had witnessed the flood, lived fifty years after the building of Sodom. Surely, Sodom had no excuse for lack of light. THE WICKED SHALL NOT STAND IN THE JUDGMENT.
Why not? Simply because they are wicked. The Judgment is for the express purpose of punishing every sin not forgiven before that event. Unless, therefore, the sinner be stronger than the Judge, he must fall beneath his sin-avenging hand. Strange that men should be willing to test this question with the Judge of the quick and dead. The day is swiftly hastening toward us. We cannot be too much in earnest to put away our sins. He who will be our Judge is now ready to help us in putting away our sins. When he has finished the work in us, we shall certainly be able to bear his inspection. But this will never be finished in us unless we make most earnest and continued efforts. Swiftly we hasten toward the Judgment. Our days all count. Even those that are full of sorrow, tarry with us no longer than those that are the most joyous and precious. We need not murmur nor complain. Ours is a steady onward march toward our final home. The wheels of time are swiftly revolving, and they never turn backward. Let us make every day count. So to number our days that we shall continually apply our hearts to wisdom, is the great secret of safety at the end.