The Reason Why by A. M. Lindsley

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 9, 1875

The Reason Why.

By A. M. Lindsley

The reason we believe as we do is not because it is the popular belief, neither is it that we cherish rebellion, although it may be so reported, and Gashmu may have said it. Neh. 6:6. But we have a regard for the word of the Lord. He has commanded, and what are we that we should be found fighting against God? None ever prospered that entered into controversy with the Almighty. We have learned that in the way of righteousness, that is, obedience, is the way of peace. The man who declared that “he would have peace, if he had to fight for it,” did not have the spirit of peace in his heart. Yet we, as lovers of righteousness, order, and harmony, are obliged to fight, and fight a hard warfare against the devil and all his works; but, if we strive lawfully, with spiritual and not carnal weapons, we shall be approved of true wisdom.

We do not plant ourselves so decidedly on what we feel to be truth, in opposition to others, because we love opposition for its own sake, nor because we love to make ourselves a spectacle for others’ curiosity or gossip. No; it is for none of these things. Like others, we would choose the easier road only that we know it ends in destruction. We know that to be pure and perfect beings, we must follow the divine Pattern given us. We have fallen in love with the character of God. We take him for our sovereign—his laws we must obey. Not all the combined hosts of error shall drive us from our decision in this matter. We would not daringly challenge these evils; but we know we shall have them to meet, and have tried to count the cost beforehand. We rely on the promised aid of Him who has called us; and we expect in his strength that we shall conquer. He has said that “no weapon formed against us shall prosper.”

Here, everything that is lovely soon fades; but we know that He that is to restore all things cometh, and our fainting spirits now and then catch glimpses of the ineffable glory of that kingdom that is so soon to be established. We desire a place among his saints there, and we would gladly welcome all the crosses that he would have us bear, hoping they will more perfectly fit us to become loyal subjects of his government whose right it is to reign. These are a very few of the reasons why we choose the course we do, and we hope many more will be persuaded to follow our example in keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

A. M. LINDSLEY.