Who Will Stand the Test?
By P. A. C.
We are nearing the Judgment, and the query arises, Who will stand the test? Just a little before us is the time of trouble, and who, oh! who will be shielded from the wrath of God when the seven last plagues are falling? Will it be those who have become convinced in regard to truth and in relation to duty, but have passed on undecided, waiting perhaps for a more convenient season, all their energies wasted, and the good they might have done neglected? Will it be those who have started out to walk in the light, but have become blinded by the god of this world, and are content to give all their time, and talents to the accumulation of the unrighteous mammon? Will it be those who profess to love the Lord and his truth, but have lulled themselves into a carnal security, and make no exertion to scatter light? Will it be those who claim to be striving to overcome, yet are closely wedded to habits that are injurious to health and soul-destroying in their influence? Ah! no. “Be not deceived, God is not mocked.” Those who stand acquitted at last will be those who have been thoroughly in earnest—they will be fearless souls, who have not been afraid to battle for the right, who have stood up in defense of truth, regardless of persecution, possessing that spirit of confidence and determination of purpose that characterized the ancient servants of God, when they could stand up, in view of a heated fiery furnace, and exclaim, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” Dan. 3:17, 18. God will have a people who are zealous of good works. It is not enough to have a correct theory of religion. We must have the saving power of religion itself. It is not enough to say that we are striving to overcome, but it is important that we earnestly seek to break off from every sinful indulgence, for it is certain that nothing impure will enter the kingdom of God. Then let us be in earnest in the matter. There is no time to lose. Let us work while the day lasts. “Then be active and be earnest,
Up, and let us try;
There is work around us all the day.
For the world is full of sin,
And the tempter lies within,
But the Lord will help us if we try.”
P. A. C.