p. 10 | What Eternal Life Will Cost Us by G. B. Thompson

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

What Eternal Life Will Cost Us

By G. B. Thompson

G. B. THOMPSON

Eternal life! How precious! To think of living in the realms of joy and happiness through endless cycles, in a real home, unmarred by sin, is sufficient to inspire in every heart a sincere desire to be numbered among those who will be saved to enjoy the pleasures at our Redeemer's right hand forevermore.

To secure to man the right to eat of the tree of life, which he forfeited by transgression, cost the Son of God an infinite sacrifice. The human mind can in no way fully comprehend it. It will require all eternity for the elect, with immortal minds, to fathom the cost of redemption. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 2 Cor. 8:9. He gave up incomprehensible riches and honor for the deepest poverty and humiliation, to save us from the fearful consequences of sin. And all this because he loved man.

And shall it cost us less than it cost him? If, in order to save us, it was necessary for Christ to relinquish all the riches and glory which he had with his Father before the world was, can we enter among the blood-washed throng, and fall at his feet, and yet at the same time cling to the treasures and worldly aggrandizements of this sinful world? It is well that we sit down and count the cost to us of a home with Jesus in the mansions which he has gone to prepare, and definitely settle whether or not we are willing to pay the price.

When asked concerning this very matter, the Saviour gave some plain instruction. When one came to him, inquiring what he might do in order to have eternal life, the Master said, “One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” Mark 10:21.

I ask, When this instruction was fully carried out, how much would this young man have had of this world? Would he have had whole quarter sections of land, well stocked, and a snug bank account, and a number of notes for money loaned at the legal rate of interest? In carrying out this instruction from the Master would he have had his eyes on some ranch or money-making enterprise by which he could make more money with which to “help the cause”? What do you think? A sacrifice, we are told, does not increase, but decreases.

On another occasion Jesus draws the lines still closer, in the following words: “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he can not be my disciple.” Luke 14:33.

Notice the words, “forsaketh not all that he hath, he can not be my disciple.” Not that he is not a disciple, but the strong affirmation, can not be a disciple. Frequently it is asked, What does this scripture mean? The writer does not know what it means unless it means what it says. We insist everywhere that the fourth commandment means exactly what it says. Why not apply the same reasoning to this text? It is as definite and clear as the fourth commandment of the decalogue. Various explanations and interpretations as to what different persons think that Jesus meant are given, but it is well to take these words as they read, and go on our knees before the One who spoke them, and ask him what they mean. Let us face the judgment-seat of the great God, before whom we must all soon appear, and in full view of this august and final tribunal decide as to their meaning.

I write this in India, the land of ignorance, superstition, idols and heathenism,—the land of poverty, famine, and plague. All about me are throngs of human beings, without God and without hope in the world. Here are three hundred million heathen. Place the inhabitants of the world in a circle, and every fifth man would be a heathen from India.

We have a message which is to go to all this world in this generation. Only a little time remains, and we have only made a beginning in this land. Tremendous sacrifices of earthly treasures, and of consecrated laborers must still be made. Only those who forsake all can have a place among the redeemed. This is a personal matter; no one can decide it for another. Let us personally take to our hearts the question, Have I forsaken all?

Calcutta, India.