WHAT WE ARE AND WHAT WE SHOULD BE.
By Geo. E. Hollister
GOD sees the end from the beginning. He has described the experiences of His people in every age, and He says to us, who are living now, in the time of the judging of the people:— "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Rev. 3: 15-17. That is what I am; and tho admitting it as a theory, I have never until lately realized it as a personal experience. When I saw, it came to me with great force. This is what the Saviour says, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father." John 14: 12. These words are true. Christ has already demonstrated their truthfulness in the experiences of those who believed on Him. Of the church on the day of Pentecost we read:— "They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added to them about three thousand souls." Acts 2: 4, 41. "And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people. . . . And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. Insomuch that they brought forth the sick in every street, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them." Acts 5: 12-16. In the light of these experiences, are we not indeed "miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked?" Now read again:— The life of Christ has shown what humanity can do by being partaker of the divine nature. All that Christ received from God we too may have. Then ask and receive. With the persevering faith of Jacob, with the unyielding persistence of Elijah, claim for yourself all that God has promised.—"Christ's Object Lessons." p. 149. Let us do it, and the lukewarm condition will forever pass away. We shall not be cold either; but the Lord's desire concerning us will be realized, for those who are "waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" are to "come behind in no gift." 1 Cor. 1: 7. GEO. E. HOLLISTER.
Santa Rosa, Cal.