The Sabbath, a Test by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 14, 1907

The Sabbath, a Test

By C. M. S.

MAN’S whole lifetime is a period of probation—a testing time; for that is what probation means. In that period man’s character is being formed and tested.

God has used his holy law through all human history as a character tester; and by means of that test, it has been developed that all mankind “have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” The fact that the remnant people, at the time when “all the world” have flocked to the banner of God’s enemy, are designated as commandment keepers and possessors of the “faith of Jesus,” shows that the law of God is the test of God right down to the culmination of the controversy.

This fact is further shown by the Revelator when he declares the character of those who will finally be found outside the city of God. Their character is utterly opposed to the law of God, and some of these characteristics are specified thus: “Without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever that loveth and maketh a lie.” They who would do the

things here specified would covet, dishonor father and mother, and trample the Sabbath of the Lord under their feet. “The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Therefore, he who deliberately breaks one of these commands has, in spirit, broken them all.

Among all the commandments of the decalogue, the closest tester, doubtless, is the Sabbath command. God himself has used it designedly as a test. See Ex. 16: 4, 5, 26–29. He said he would prove his people whether they would walk in his law or no. The proof came in the matter of their obeying his directions concerning the observance of the Sabbath. Some of them gave no heed, and used the Sabbath as they chose. Then he asks, “How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?” He had proved them upon the matter of the Sabbath, and found them disobedient. He does not reprove them for the breaking of one command; but in the breaking of that one precept there was indicated the spirit of disobedience to them all—disloyalty to God. Therefore he does not ask them how long they will refuse to keep the Sabbath law or the Sabbath commandment; but he puts it in the plural—“commandments” and “laws.”

The failure to bear that test showed in them a spirit at variance with the purpose of God; and so for forty years he educated them upon that point by supplying a double portion of manna upon the sixth day and none upon the Sabbath. We exclaim, “With what patience he dealt with them!” But with that same patience he is dealing with the world and with us to-day. To this last generation God is saying, “I will prove them whether they will walk in my law or no.” So John says: “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5: 2, 3.

Thus is again brought to view the idea of a test, first whether we love the children of God, and second whether we love God himself. Surely, none will enter the kingdom of the redeemed who do not love the King of that country; and the one test that he has given to show whether we love him is our attitude toward his holy law.

In the very culmination of the conflict there comes a time when a certain power “causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” Rev. 13: 12. In this there is a violation of the first and second commands of the law of God. An image is made for worship; and the people worship—all save those whose names are written in “the Lamb’s book of life.” Disobedience, disloyalty, insurrection against God—all culminate there in that world-wide apostasy.

But at the same time another people, a remnant of the mighty web of humanity, are found limned out against the dark background of disobedience, made conspicuous by two peculiarities. They have stood for the commandments of God in spite of persecutions and threats of death; they have kept “the faith of Jesus” in spite of a world-pervading skepticism. The test has found in them the spirit of obedience and loyalty, and because of their faith in Jesus, his righteousness is imputed to them, and they stand uncondemned before the throne of God, victors over sin and all its consequences. C. M. S.