LET HIM ALONE by Roswell F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 6, 1876

“LET HIM ALONE.”

By Roswell F. Cottrell

THE chastening of the Lord is for our salvation. If heeded it will prove a blessing, and work for our salvation. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.” If it cause genuine and zealous repentance, the object will be gained, a soul saved. God is exceedingly gracious and merciful. He bears long with perverse human nature. But when his kindness and long-suffering are slighted until he shall say, “Let him alone,” the condition of that soul is fearful. Judgment and fiery indignation will follow.

Yet God’s threatenings, as well as promises, are conditional. If we can find it in our hearts to heartily repent and zealously and perseveringly reform, there is hope in our case. “At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; if that nation, against which I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; if it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.” Jer. 18:7–10. Here are expressed the fixed principles in accordance with which the Lord acts. Of course the same principles apply to individuals, as well as nations. Genuine repentance will always obtain the favor of the Lord. Our salvation turns upon this point. If we fully yield the will to God, and walk in the light God has graciously given, eternal glory will be the result. But if we seek for reasons to sustain and justify self, if we follow our own perverted judgment, and cherish our self-will, we shall fail of that thorough conversion without which we cannot be fitted for the society of angels and just men made perfect.

While we neglect to walk in the light, we may flatter and deceive ourselves with the vain hope that God accepts of us. Thousands in the nominal churches are thus deceiving themselves. They flatter themselves that they are approved of God, and enjoy his Spirit, while they neglect his known requirements. But God will say to those who neglect his word, “Depart from me, I never knew you.” They flatter themselves that he accepts of them, though they still remain in disobedience. They ought to know better; and how sad it will be when the mistake is discovered too late for amendment.

And so it will be with us who profess faith in the truth which God has revealed especially for these last days, these days of peril. No flattering unction which we may lay upon ourselves that we have the Spirit, and enjoy the favor of God, while we neglect our light, can help us in the soon-coming day of fearful retribution. The only way is to retrace our wrong steps, confess our sins, and by humble and zealous repentance seek the favor of God and reconciliation with his people. This is the gathering message. If we attempt to take an independent course, imagining we can walk with God ourselves, while we exert a scattering influence, we shall meet in the end with a fearful disappointment.

Brethren, has God given us the light of present truth? Is his hand in the work of proclaiming the last message as we now see it going to the nations of the earth? How important then that we aid the work and do not hinder it. Brethren in Western New York, has God spoken to us? He has, if this work is of God. And are we, as individuals, giving our influence to the work of God, and gathering with his people? or is our influence to scatter and divide? Awake! my brother, my sister, and view things in their true light. Let us as individuals cast the whole weight of our influence on the right side. In this way, and only in this way, we may save those we love from going down to death. My love is not withdrawn from you; but my soul yearns over you, earnestly desiring that you may live. R. F. COTTRELL.