A Working Mission by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 27, 1910

A Working Mission

By C. M. S.

A CLASS of literature has become very popular of late, which is but a revival of the religio-philosophical teachings of ancient heathenism. Books are written by the score expounding the mysterious intertwinings of humanity and divinity, which finally terminate in man becoming god, and entering the realm of eternal cessation from all activity. It is a goal similar to that for which the Buddhist yearns — Nirvana.

But all these teachings, based on human reasonings, pandering to the human desire for self-exaltation, and pointing to a glorious eternity of inactivity, are antagonistic to the spirit and principles of the doctrine of Christ and the example of the Father.

The Word tells us that the angels are all “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” To minister is to serve, to work for. He who is the greatest minister is the greatest server. They who have been permitted to look into heaven in vision have witnessed there scenes of intense activity. Who can imagine a busier week than that which put into shape our solar system, bathed it in light, and filled it with life? Our God is indeed a working God. Christ said of him and of himself, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” There is man’s example.

There is a rest for the people of God, but it is not the rest of idleness or of slothfulness. It is the rest of peaceful, harmonious, God-ordained activity in carrying out the beneficent commands of our Father. The true Christian has true rest in the midst of strenuous activity, peace in the midst of the world’s turbulence and strife — all because he is trusting implicitly in the wisdom and mercy and power of God. That peace and that rest are foretastes of heaven, and will come in their completeness when heaven shall welcome its loyal subjects home; when all sin and all suffering have been forever removed, and the earth has been purified by the fires of God’s cleansing.

God’s command to his children is, “Go work to-day in my vineyard;” and, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” That he himself was not looking for any Nirvana, is shown by the promise which he made to his followers, “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

Christ himself was not rewarded without service; neither can his followers expect to be. “A place of reward in heaven presupposes a place of service on earth;” and that place of reward in heaven will not be filled by us unless we have filled the place of service on earth.

Every person of sound mind has a talent or talents. We can not afford to bury even the one talent. God has done great things for us, and he expects great things of us — but not in our strength alone. He has placed at our command a power that will enable us to accomplish great things for him. He has made it possible for us to be a source of joy and satisfaction to him through all eternity. We must not disappoint him. As there are no drones in heaven, we can not be drones here, and hope to enter there. Let him work out in you that which he has purposed concerning you. Then our Saviour, that great Servant of men, “shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.”

C. M. S.