p. 45 | Now as Then by A. S. Hutchins

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 5, 1875

Now as Then.

By A. S. Hutchins

As the sound of salvation through the cross broke upon the ears of the world in power and splendor at the opening of the present dispensation, it encountered the most bitter and determined opposition from all ranks of society. Those who wrapt themselves up in robes of self-righteousness, boasting of their communion with God were, with the most openly vile, equally its opposers. Both Jews and Greeks united in the effort to grind the life and power out of the truth, and lay its influence low in the dust. Blinded and maddened by Satan, they were unprepared to receive and appreciate the Heaven-sent tidings of mercy, the melodious notes of redemption to lost man. They recognized neither the love or providence of God in the plan of salvation through the death of his Son.

So the apostle says, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” A few received the truth, rejoiced in it, and suffered for it; sealing the testimony of their love for it with their blood, as millions have since done.

And again, says Paul, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser that men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” 1 Cor. 1: 21-25.

Now as then, men set their own wisdom and human reasoning above the wisdom and reason of God. Now as then, there is a present truth; and now as then, the preaching of truth applicable to the present time is “foolishness” to those who do not believe; but unto them which believe it is “the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”

It is no fault of the gospel system, in its grand adaptation to the wants and woes of the human family, that one class behold in it the surpassing wisdom and goodness of God, and reach out to receive it with unspeakable joy and gladness, while another beholds in it no attracting beauties. The rays of divine light and luster reflected by the gospel of the Son of God are obscure to the mind beclouded by sin and rebellion; so that to the one it is the savor of life unto life; and to the other, of death unto death.

Now as then, “the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Rom. 8: 6, 7. Let the carnal mind be exchanged by the power of God for “the mind which was in Christ Jesus,” and then, as did the apostle, we may say, “I delight in the law of God after the inward man.” And now may we, under the highest approval of Heaven, publish the truth, standing equally firm with the honor and throne of the Lawgiver. “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the law.” Rom. 3: 31. A. S. HUTCHINS.