p. 151 | The Cross of Christ by C. Lawton

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 25, 1870

The Cross of Christ.

By C. Lawton

TO THE experienced Christian, one that has learned to suffer with Christ, there is a love for the cross. A halo of light and glory surround it. They can say with the apostle Paul, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Gal. 6:14. But there are many who profess to be followers of Christ, who have not yet learned to love the cross. They cannot say that the world is crucified unto them, and they unto the world. Again, Paul says, “They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Gal. 5:24. Here we see it is expected of those who are Christ’s, that the flesh, with the affections and lusts, should be brought into subjection to the will of God, or regulated according to his word. And again he says, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast-away.” 1 Cor. 9:27. Paul was ready to make sacrifice, to practice self-denial. All unholy temper, passions and appetites, were laid on the altar. The will of God was more to him than his life. He resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Did he not give us full proof that he loved the cross? Certainly he did. And what excuse shall we have, with all the light that is now shining, if we do not live up to the requirements of God’s word as much as Paul did? Let us answer this question between God and our own souls. I believe we are too slow, many of us, in the great work of overcoming. We have not enough of Paul’s sacrificing spirit. I do not expect I shall stand acquitted in the Judgment if I do not, as far as practicable, live out the light of present truth. I have allowed myself at times to be overcome by a perverted appetite, by eating unhealthy food, and eating to excess. This must be entirely overcome. By the grace of God, this unholy appetite can be subdued. By a fixed purpose of soul to die daily, as Paul did, we may gain the victory. Errors in eating, both in quality and quantity, bring upon the mind dullness, darkness and condemnation.

And here I would give an extract from “Upham’s Interior Life.” He says: “We would urge upon all persons who wish to live a life of pure holiness, the great importance of living in such a manner, in the exercise and indulgence of the appetites, as to fulfill and nothing more than fulfill the intentions of the wise and benevolent Author of nature. The life of God in the soul has a much closer connection with modes of living than is generally supposed. If Christians, instead of indulging and pampering the appetite for meats and drinks, would be satisfied with simple nourishment, and with that small quantity which is adequate to all the purposes of nature, what abundant blessings would infallibly result to both body and mind. Many dark hours, which are now the subject of sad complaints, on the part of professed Christians, would be exchanged for bright ones. God would then reveal his face of affectionate love, which it is impossible for him to do to those who enslave themselves in this manner. Christians, think of these things! Ye who seek the experience, the indispensable and blessed experience, of holiness of heart, earnestly make them the subject of reflection and prayer. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’ ‘Whether ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.’”

C. LAWTON.

Jefferson Co., N. Y.