Doing and Being by H. F. Phelps

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 14, 1875

Doing and Being.

By H. F. Phelps

Did you ever think, dear reader, that one might do a great many things that he ought to do, and yet come very far short of what he should be? It is one thing to do, and yet quite another thing to be.

The Bible is replete with instruction as to what we should do; and we, as a people, speak much about doing. Action, not profession alone, helps to make up the Christian character. Says Christ, “Whosoever shall do the will of my Father;” “They that hear the word of God, and keep it;” “If ye do whatsoever I command you.” In all these, a blessing is pronounced upon those who do. And Peter declares in regard to certain things, “If ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” Again, James says, “To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

Now it seems to me to be a fact that one may, to outward appearance, do these things, or many of them at least, may keep the Sabbath, may profess much zeal, may attend upon religious duties, and yet not be what he should be. Now listen, “Be patient.” How many impatient—Christians, I was going to say, but they are not wholly Christians if they are impatient—there are. Again, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love.” How many times do evil surmisings and jealousies arise instead of love. “Be gentle to all men.” “Be ye holy.” “Be perfect.” “Be of good comfort”—not always fretting. “Be of one mind.” “Be ye therefore followers of God.” Simply professing to be a Seventh-day Adventist will not make us followers of God. It is no outside work. “Be pitiful.” “Be courteous.” Politeness is befitting a Christian in every sense of the word; and, “finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord.”

Inasmuch as we are so liable to be deceived in ourselves, let us see how the apostle uses the word with not, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” If we sow to the flesh we shall reap corruption. God help us to do, and while we try to do, may we also be just what we profess to be—lights to the world. Let us not be deceived in ourselves, and thereby deceive others; but let us dig deep, build upon the rock, and in thus doing be saved at last.

H. F. Phelps.