p. 532 | CHRIST'S POWER IN US by Victor Thompson

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 3, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 34.

CHRIST'S POWER IN US.

By Victor Thompson

BY ELDER VICTOR THOMPSON.

“EVERY way of a man is right in his own eyes; but the Lord pondereth the hearts.” Prov. 21:2. It is not the doing of an action, though it may seem ever so good, that makes the man acceptable to God, but the spirit and motive by which it is done. “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Sam. 16:7. If Satan can deceive the individual by persuading him to take praise to himself because of some good or philanthropic act, sin is committed. There is no doubt that Lucifer performed many great and noble things; but his self-love because of it occasioned his ruin (Eze. 28:14-18); and he desires to have others follow his course. If a good act is performed, he works to get the man to take credit to himself instead of giving God the praise, who gave him the spirit to perform it.

It is often stated that some of the most philanthropic men have not been Christians, but the philanthropist out of Christ, though he may take satisfaction in the thought that he has assisted the needy, is often liberal for the praise of men. It is good that the needy have been helped, but to seek the praise of the world is not the Christian motive. Jesus says:—

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” Matt. 6:1, 2.

“Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Rom. 14:23.

Then there is sin somehow in every act that men do that is not done in faith in Christ. Faith in him evidently gives him the praise for the good acts we may do, as it recognizes it is only by his power and influence that we do good. Doubtless it is the Lord that moves on men to perform philanthropic acts, though they may not be connected with him by faith; but the philanthropist, not recognizing it, takes praise to himself. The Lord should be glorified in everything, that the universe may be taught there is no chance for goodness out of Christ, by whom all things are created; that even the “covering cherub” was dependent on his Creator for what he was in goodness, brightness, and power, and that he willfully destroyed himself in taking to himself the credit for what he was; and since the angels receive and retain their goodness through the power and influence of their Creator, it is folly to suppose that we, a sinful race, can in self accomplish good. Therefore Jesus says, “Without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5.

“The carnal mind . . . is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Rom. 8:7.

Hence a change must take place in the heart and mind of man before he is subject. God's subjects obey his law; but as his law is spiritual, so his subjects are spiritually minded. And we get the Spirit of God in the mind only by faith in Jesus Christ. Gal. 2:20. We are then the sons of God, led in obedience by his Spirit (Rom. 8:14; Gal. 4:8), by which the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us (Rom. 8:4), hence the peace of mind of those who truly accept Christ by faith, "not having mine own righteousness, . . . but . . . the righteousness which is of God by faith." Phil. 3:9. "Great peace have they which love thy law; and nothing shall offend them." Ps. 119:165. Our hearts being controlled by the Spirit of God, we are influenced to love his law.

The Saviour teaches us that the two great divisions of his law are love; then we know that "God is love." And as all his attributes are infinite, so his love is exhibited to us in creative power. John 3:16; Eph. 2:10; Rom. 1:16, 17; 2 Cor. 5:17. Man out of Christ knows no such love, and finds no real peace and happiness. But God's creative love in the heart furnishes the "great peace" and love for his law. The law of love is written by the Spirit of God on the heart of the man in whom Jesus is received by faith. Gal. 1:16; 2 Cor. 3:2, 3; Heb. 8:10. "My son, give me thine heart." The Lord can tune it to accord with the music of his law of love; and it then experiences the peace that only God can give.