CHARACTER by T. E. Bowen

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jun 20, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 24.

CHARACTER

By T. E. Bowen

While God is no respecter of persons, He does have respect unto character. He sets before all life and death. He delights not in the death of any, but assures all alike that reaping unerringly shall follow sowing, and that for all that is done “in the body” men shall have to render to Christ a strict account.

The controversy between good and evil, light and darkness, began early in the history of the race. God gave Adam directions as to how worship should be conducted. Abel followed God’s directions minutely. He chose a lamb without blemish, thus typifying Christ,—God’s great offering for sin. His worship was accepted by fire. Cain also worshiped. He wanted God’s blessing, but was not willing to do exactly as God had directed. He thought, no doubt, as thousands think to-day, God is not so particular as to what is offered, just so an offering is made. So he said, I will bring some beautiful fruit for my sacrifice. It certainly can make no difference with God in so small a matter as this. But character was being tested. Cain started in on the wrong path. His altar stands at the beginning of that way of disobedience that has widened out into the broad road that leadeth unto death. It was found that God did not respect this false offering. Cain’s wrath and jealousy were aroused, and Abel fell the first of martyrs, his blood witnessing to his obedience and faithfulness. God, in talking with Cain afterward said, “If thou doest well, shalt not thou be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” Sin lieth at every man’s door who disregards the voice of God, who deliberately goes on to have his own way, setting aside the Lord’s plain requirements.

The deceitfulness of it all is, these very persons verily believe they are doing God’s service. Instead, the words of Jesus spoken to the Samaritan woman, are applicable. “Ye worship ye know not what.” Thousands to-day

worship as did Cain. They know that God in His Word has given plain directions concerning their worship, even specifying the exact day Jehovah claims as His own upon which public divine worship is to be conducted. Yet, notwithstanding all this, with Cain of old, they flatter themselves that God surely will accept their worship. “Surely,” say they, “God can not be so particular as to care about the difference of a day for divine worship.” While admitting that the commandment specifically sets apart the seventh day as the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, stating that in it no work shall be done, yet they deliberately go right on using God’s holy rest day for their own work, and present themselves before God the following day for divine worship. If God would not accept a few bunches of fruit at the hand of Cain, because it was not in keeping with his plain instruction, which was known to earth’s first-born, is it probable that he will pass by as a trivial matter the ignoring of so important a matter as the setting aside of one of the plain precepts of the Decalogue?

Saul verily thought he had obeyed the Lord when he had gone down into the land of the Amalekites and slain the most of that wicked tribe, yet saving some alive—only a small portion to be sure. God’s explicit directions to him were, “Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.” When met by the prophet of God later, Saul said, “I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” “What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears,” asked Samuel, “and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” Saul’s character was tested. It was found that he could not be trusted to obey God, and the kingdom of Israel was rent from his hand.

Should God remove all the possibilities for disloyalty and disobedience there would be no means for developing character. Joseph might have sinned. Daniel preserved his integrity in the midst of shrewd and designing politicians. Abraham’s obedience and faith in God, stands out prominently amidst the prevailing idolatry in the world when he lived. Noah did not have to build that ponderous ark. He might have shunned this stupendous task. All the worthy examples of faith recorded in Hebrews 11 were wrought out by men and women in the face of terrible opposition and great difficulties. But by their faith in God, by relying upon His sure, unfailing promises, they “subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises . . . out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.”

God has not changed. He will respect the obedience of any trusting child on earth to-day. Dear reader, do you feel forsaken, tempted, or discouraged? Is your taper of faith in God flickering, almost ready to go out in darkness? Look up. Have faith in God, not yourself, or some human arm. Exercise for yourself faith in the living promises of Jehovah. None of them can fail. Study God’s Word for yourself. Settle upon it before you begin, that God means exactly what He says. You may not fully understand it, but it is the truth just the same. Ponder it until you get light upon the text. Compare scripture with scripture if need be upon your knees, and light will burst into the soul. Of such who thus trust and obey, the King says, “And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.”

T. E. BOWEN.