Practical Thoughts by John Nevins Andrews

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 16, 1872

Practical Thoughts.

By John Nevins Andrews

ACCEPT OF REPROOF.

It is not best to have a stiff neck or a hard heart. If we have these, it is our own fault; for the grace of God is able to make our hearts tender and to create within us a teachable spirit. Now one of those things which is hard for us to receive, but which is withal exceedingly necessary, is reproof. It is not pleasant to the carnal mind, but it is safe and profitable for us. Better by far have reproof than flattery or even too much of encouragement. Accept, then, of reproof. Not, however, in a sullen, inactive manner, but by laying the thing to heart and bringing forth fruit meet for repentance. God means by it our salvation. Why not, then, co-operate with him?

BOTH ARE NECESSARY.

The gospel is needed for our encouragement as the law is needed for our admonition. We can dispense with neither. We must make use of both. One shows us our lost condition and our need of help. The other furnishes the very help which we need. We must not presume and we need not despair. Surely God is gracious to grant us the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.

DIVINE GUIDANCE.

“It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” Jer. 10:23. God’s guiding hand is needed at every step. Without this, he will surely err from the path of right. The guidance of the Spirit of God is a thing of the utmost consequence. But it is never granted to the careless and indifferent. It is never given to the man whose heart does not bow in submission to God. Those only can have it who seek for it. And even these must seek it aright. If men have other motives than the glory of God, if they seek his guidance merely for their own credit, or for their own advancement, God will not be pleased specially to guide such. “The meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek will he teach his way.” Ps. 25:9. God will guide those who submit without reserve to him. He will delight to lead those who delight in his guidance. He may not always lead men in just the way that would be most pleasant to them to walk; but he will guide them in that path that is safest and best, and in the end they themselves shall see it. He surely will lead them in the path of self-denial and cross-bearing, but he will save them from the snares of the devil, and help them to make every step count in the way to eternal life. Few persons really want divine guidance. Those who do seek it with the one grand object of honoring God will surely find it. J. N. A.