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STRIVE LAWFULLY

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 17, 1879

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 54, No. 4.

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STRIVE LAWFULLY.

By G. W. Pond

“AND if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned except he strive lawfully.” 2 Tim. 2:5.
All who would prove successful in the Christian warfare, and be rewarded in the life to come with a crown of never-fading glory, must strive for the mastery over all the lusts of the flesh, and gain a complete victory over the temptations by which they are surrounded. But to strive in a hap-hazard manner will not do; we are required to strive according to law.
We sometimes hear it said of a professed Christian that “he does hold some very erroneous opinions, and his practices are in accordance with them; but yet he seems sincere and earnest.” This will not do. Misdirected zeal will never save a man. He must strive lawfully; he must keep all the commandments of God, and comply with all the ordinances of the gospel of Christ. We should be very careful to know what the law is, so that we may strive lawfully. We shall not be excusable for remaining in ignorance, for we are required to “search the Scriptures,” where we shall find the law by which to strive. “To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” We must obey the whole law; for “whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” We must strive according to the letter of the law; and not, as some profess to do, keep the law in the spirit, and yet transgress every day of our lives. If we strive for the crown in that manner, we shall never obtain it, though we have all faith, and strive with all zeal.
Dear reader, are you striving to be an overcomer? do you want to stand in your lot with Daniel at the last day? do you want an inheritance with the saints of God in the new and beautiful earth? Strive continually, and strive lawfully; otherwise no man can be crowned. And what language can describe the wretched condition of him who has endured enough of the strife, and denied himself of so much of the pleasures of this present life, as to be persecuted, buffeted, and tormented for his faith, and yet fails because in some particular he had not striven lawfully? See to it that you strive lawfully, and so receive the reward. G. W. POND.