TIED TO THE WORLD by G. V. Kilgore

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 16, 1877

TIED TO THE WORLD.

By G. V. Kilgore

MANY are complaining of their slow progress in the divine life, and wondering why they do not make greater advancement toward the kingdom of God. The trouble with all such is certainly with themselves; for the Lord is sure to reward every one who seeks him diligently. Heb. 11:6. But none can seek God aright while they are influenced by a love of worldly amusements.

I have just been reading, in Mr. Moody’s work, of two men who, while under the influence of liquor, started one night to cross a bay in a boat. They were going to their home on the other side, I suppose. They got into the boat, and rowed hard all night, wondering why they did not reach the other side of the bay. When the morning light came, behold they had not loosed the mooring line or raised the anchor! “That is just the way,” says Moody, “with many who are striving to enter the kingdom of Heaven. They cannot believe, because they are tied to this world.”

This is a good illustration. We often hear people say, “Oh! if we only had more faith;” or, “If we could more fully realize the importance of heavenly things, we should be more in earnest.” Now this is very true; but why are some people in such a state of feeling? Why do they not realize? All of us who are in this condition must agree with Mr. Moody that it is because we are tied to this world; and as long as we remain so, we can make no advancement toward Heaven. But Mr. M. says, “Cut the cord! Cut the cord! Set yourselves free from the clogging weight of earthly things; and you will soon go toward Heaven.”

That is just what must be done. We must cut the cord, or else we shall find that when the blazing light of the eternal morning dawns, we shall be, like those men who rowed all night, fastened to this earth. Then, will that dreadful saying be true: “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”

“Heir of the kingdom, oh! why dost thou slumber? Why art thou sleeping so near thy blest home? Wake thee, arouse thee, and gird on thine armor; Speed, for the moments are hurrying on.”

G. V. KILGORE.