THE BASIS OF POWER by Walter E. Gillis

Pacific Press Publishing Company · MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA · Sep 27, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 39.

THE BASIS OF POWER.

By Walter E. Gillis

BY WALTER E. GILLIS.

ONE after another, men of genius have startled the world by the establishment of empire, confederation of wealth, or other feats of intellect, or arms, but their names and deeds alike lie buried in the archives of the centuries. Notwithstanding the heraldings of the great, they and their eulogists have gone out as meteors in the blue of heaven.

It remained for a simple Man,—a Carpenter with tools,—to lay the world under a tribute so great that the years have magnified His deed, as Gerizim and Ebal echoed the words of "that Prophet." Was it thirst for empire, wealth, or fame, that gave Him such a place in the hearts of men?—No; it was love. Who is this whom the ages herald Greatest of the great?

Adam will tell you, It is the Seed of the woman that shall bruise the serpent's head. Gen. 3:15.

Ask Abraham, he will tell you, It is "Melchizedek King of Salem," King of Peace. Gen. 14:18.

Jacob will tell you, He is "Shiloh of the tribe of Judah."

Isaiah will tell you, "Immanuel, Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isa. 7:14; 9:6.

Jeremiah will tell you, The Branch of David, "the Lord our Righteousness." Jer. 23:6.

Daniel will tell you He is the "Messiah."

Hosea will tell you, He is "the Lord God of Hosts; the Lord is His memorial." Hosea 12:5.

John the Baptist will tell you, He is "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29.

The great Jehovah has proclaimed from His throne, "This is My beloved Son." Matt. 3:17.

His disciples declare, "This is Jesus, the Messiah," the Prince of Life, the Redeemer of the world.

And the prince of the powers of darkness acknowledges Him, saying, "I know Thee who Thou art, the Holy One of God." Mark 1:24.

We have all read the story of the fall of man and the "counsel of peace" for his redemption. How love divine was revealed in the Man of Galilee, who lived and died for His enemies!

But love, even with the sacrifice of life, can not do the work of forming character for any one else, for love is wide-eyed, and recognizes individual freedom as divine. This being a foundation principle which at no time can be compromised, love has revealed the only way; namely, to provide the stimulus, the ideal, and the atmosphere for the growth of character. To each soul is delegated the task of working out the pattern furnished.

To this end a well-known author has aptly written:

In the matchless gift of His Son, God has encircled the whole world with an atmosphere of grace as real as the air which circulates around the globe. All who choose to breathe this life-giving atmosphere will live, and grow up to the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. . . . By the precious economy of grace, the exhibition of divine love, God strives to produce love in human beings. As we look unto Jesus, beholding the glorious spectacle of the love and tenderness of God, there springs up in our hearts a desire to engage in active service for the Master. The riches of the grace of Christ are without limit. They are sufficient to fill every heart with wisdom and sanctified judgment, creating an atmosphere of grace, real and enjoyable.

All righteous attributes of character dwell in God as a perfect, harmonious whole. His purpose for man is that he shall, in the particular sphere which he occupies, attain to His perfection. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect," said Jesus. In order that this result may be attained, God has revealed His perfect will in just the way which man would choose to have it, could he see the end now as he will see it in the future state. And in response the perfect Man, Christ Jesus, cried, "I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart!"

All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And, if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that, when obeying Him, we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.

To each individual the Holy Spirit interprets God's ideal of perfection for them, and their success or failure wholly depends upon how they relate themselves to that interpretation as they work it out in their lives.

That the will of God stands in direct antagonism to the prevailing customs and natural inclinations goes without question. But love is power, and "God is love." And this mighty power of God which levels prejudices and breaks down every opposing force "is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us." Rom. 5:5.

Intellectual and moral strength are involved in this principle, love, and can not be separated from it. The power of wealth has a tendency to corrupt and destroy; the power of force is strong to do hurt; but the excellence and value of pure love consist in its efficiency to do good, and to do nothing else than good. Whatsoever is done out of pure love, be it ever so little or contemptible in the sight of men, is wholly fruitful; for God regards more with how much love one works, than the amount he does. Love is of God. The unconverted heart can not originate nor produce this plant of heavenly growth, which lives and flourishes only where Christ reigns.

Love can not live without action, and every act increases, strengthens, and extends it. Love will gain the victory, when argument and authority are powerless. Love works not for profit nor reward; yet God has ordained that great gain shall be the certain result of every labor of love. It is diffusive in its nature and quiet in its operation, yet strong and mighty is its purpose to overcome great evils. It is melting and transforming in its influence, and will take hold of the lives of the sinful, and affect their hearts, when every other means has proved unsuccessful. Whenever the power of intellect, of authority, or of force, is employed, and love is not manifestly present, the affections and will of those whom we seek to reach assume a defensive, repelling position, and their strength of resistance is increased. Jesus was the Prince of Peace. He came into the world to bring resistance and authority into subjection to Himself. Wisdom and strength He could command, but the means He employed with which to overcome evil were the wisdom and strength of love.

This power, this victory, dear reader, is subject to our choice, for God says, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." Phil. 2:8.

Mountain View, Cal.