Elevate the Standard by R. F. Cottrell

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Dec 5, 1878

Elevate the Standard.

By R. F. Cottrell

THE standard of Christian character and consecration which are in the minds of professed followers of Christ, is altogether too low; and unless the aim can be directed to higher attainments, it is in vain to hope for a preparation for translation at the coming of Christ. Iniquity abounds; it is so common; the standard of piety is so low, that to purify a people and prepare them to stand in the hour of temptation which is coming to try them, is truly a great work. In the time of the end, “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried.” It is a perfect purification that will prepare them to bear the trial. They must stand blameless at the close of the intercessions of Jesus, our High Priest, or they cannot stand with him thus on Mount Zion in the city of the living God.

This work can and will be done for the waiting church; but it cannot for those who aim no higher than the standard in the minds of professors generally. It must be seen that it is our “reasonable service” to sacrifice our all, our dearest idols, for His sake who “gave himself for us.” The Spirit of Christ will lead to self-sacrifice for the good of others, and “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” To renounce one’s self and take up the cross and follow Christ, is a greater work than the mass of professed Christians are aware of. To get the mind elevated from the low grounds of sin, and from the selfish desire of being saved by Christ by a mere profession of faith in him, or a little less than that, without following him in his example of self-sacrifice and labor of love, is the great work that is needed, and which is most difficult to be done.

In consequence of prevailing apostasy and loose moral sense, the standard of Christian character is trailing in the dust. Who will take hold to elevate it? Who will go up into the gaps, that the house of Israel may stand in the battle in the day of the Lord? Who is ready to meet the fiercest assaults of the enemy, by advancing and taking position in the gap?

Let those who can see the need of a higher standard take hold of the work. Let them begin at home, and build against their own house. Until men can see that there is a higher standard, no progress will be made in coming up to it. Let Israel arise. Let them come up to the help of the Lord. We have the light, and we are responsible for it. Let us advance at the risk of all. It is the courageous that will be victorious. R. F. COTTRELL.