HOW IS IT? by D. T. Fero

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 15, 1879

HOW IS IT?

By D. T. Fero

Do we believe that “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”? Rom. 5:8. Do we believe that he left the indescribable glories of Heaven, and bore our griefs, and became wounded for our transgressions, until “His visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men”? Isa. 52:14; 53:4.

Do we believe that his agony while in the garden, the anguish which wrung from his breaking heart that soul-piercing cry while on the cross, the cruel laceration of his tender hands and feet, the piercing of his sacred side, were all suffered for us, because he loved us?

It is true. No wonder sinless angels were amazed. No wonder the sun refused to shine, and the earth shook and groaned in sympathy with the suffering of the sinless Lamb of God. How can we doubt such proofs of divine love? Still less can we doubt, when it is made plain that it was to give us “power to become the sons of God.” John 1:12.

If we believed with an active faith which would enable us to realize the great sacrifice he has made, we should “love him because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19. If we love him, we shall keep his words. John 14:23. Some may say, “We do this. We believe the Saviour’s words. We talk the truth to others; and, whenever we have opportunity, we do our duty in exhorting and praying.” So far as it goes, this is right; but the word says, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” These two words, “deed” and “truth,” are definite ones. Our Saviour’s love was shown in deeds. It is true that gracious words fell like jewels from his lips; but, without the acts, he would not be what he is,—the complete Saviour, the perfect Pattern.

Such he is now; and with authority he says, “Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart.” Here some will say, “I know I ought to do something. I ought to labor, and I feel it my duty to give something to the cause; but I can hardly get enough to live on and pay my debts.” Hold! Let me say to you that not the least of our Saviour’s acts were those of self-denial. He has gone to glory, to prepare mansions—for whom?—For those who listen to and heed the words, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself.” Luke 9:23. Some who cannot spare any means for Christ, pay from twenty to thirty cents a week for tea, which does no good, but positive harm. Now let us see. Say twenty-five cents a week; in one year this will amount to thirteen dollars. Some may be using other articles which simply gratify a perverted appetite,—“taste good.”

Then we may be using means in other ways, for things which, had we only a little of the self-sacrificing spirit of the Saviour, we would deny ourselves, and save, and by devoting it to the work Christ requires of us would show our love to him, and our appreciation of what he has done for us. Then the hours we spend in unprofitable visiting and in other ways,—hours which might be given to Jesus! Do we believe that the end of all things is at hand, and that the loving Saviour is coming for us? Oh! if we do, we shall deny self, and follow him.

“I love thee, I love thee, And that thou dost know; But how much I love thee, My actions must show.”

D. T. Fero.