p. 124 | Well Done by J. H. W.

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Oakland, Cal. · Feb 25, 1875

"Well Done."

By J. H. W.

WE often express our desire to have these words addressed to ourselves when our Lord shall come to gather his people. The text is very suggestive, and a little examination will show that much is expressed in it, and that it presents to us a very high standard of Christian life; an active, zealous, energetic, and continued effort to attain unto the greatest possible moral excellence. The words of the text are, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

1. The person so addressed has done something. He had not that kind of faith which repudiated works; which would cry, "Lord, Lord," to Jesus, and refuse to do the will of his Father in Heaven; which makes void the law of God. Keeping the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus, well expresses the life of such a servant.

Very much of the religion of this age is merely emotional; it consists entirely of feeling. To feel well is the highest ambition of such professors; to do well is denounced as "legal bondage." Their cry is for "liberty"—not freedom from sin, or the transgression of the law, but freedom from the obligations of the law; freedom to gratify feelings and passions; freedom to mix with the world and seek its friendships and its pleasures.

All our feelings should be brought to the test of that day when "God will bring every work into judgment"; when Jesus shall reward "every man according as his work shall be." And in view of this day and of its events we are told to "Fear God, and keep his commandments." Says the apostle: "He that doeth righteousness is righteous." Now as "All unrighteousness is sin," and "Sin is the transgression of the law," 1 John 5:17; 3:4, of course righteousness is obedience to the law,—the opposite of transgression or sin.

The third angel's message of Rev. 14:9–12, is the last message given just before the Lord comes, and of course marks out the preparation for his coming. It contains the commandments of God. And thus to "do his commandments" will receive the approval of "well done" when Jesus comes. They who are found so doing will "have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. 22:14.

2. They have not only done something, but they have done it well. Says the prophet, "Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently." Jer. 48:10. The original has the idea of slackness, remissness, as well as deceitfulness. This is not spoken of him who refuses to do the work of the Lord, who rejects the call, saying, "I go not." He does the work of the Lord, but he does it in a slack, careless, or indifferent manner. He consults his own feelings; takes his own ease, while engaging in the work of the Lord. Such rest under the curse. They have done, but they have not done well. They were lukewarm, when zeal was required. Our times and our work demand energy. Like Lot, we must run for life, and stay not in all the plain.

3. They have not only done, and well done what they have done, but they have been faithful. A person may do and do well, and yet not be faithful. A faithful servant is watchful, vigilant, steadfast. He who works is not faithful if he does only half as much as he can do. If it be a fact that we are doing only a small part of what we might do, we are not faithful to the trust committed to us. The fields are ripe for the harvest. The way is opening before us in every direction, and among the people of all nations. "Come over and help us," is heard on every hand. And all may do something. They who preach can renew their diligence, and put on more strength by drawing nearer to God. There is "grace to help in time of need," if we seek for it. The Lord has promised that our strength shall be according to our day; he will give more grace as we need. By waiting on the Lord we may renew our strength. Our cause is onward and upward. The message must and will go with power, and God will clothe his servants with power to carry it.

They who cannot preach can work in some other department. They can circulate tracts; they can spread our periodicals. They can give of their means to extend the truth. All can work; each can do something.

If it be indeed so, that there will be no starless crowns, then some among us must arouse to duty or they will receive no crowns. Many who profess this faith have yet done nothing to lead their fellow mortals to walk in the way of life. If they are saved thus no one could ever point to them as the means of his salvation. Surely, they could not "enter into the joy of the Lord." They could not sympathize with him who laid down his life to save the lost. The pathway he trod was marked with tears and groans, with agony and blood. They do not follow him. Some weep on account of their trials and troubles, more than on account of their own sins, or the thought of sinners perishing all around them. They who are sealed and protected from the plagues are they "who sigh and cry for the abominations" prevailing. Eze. 9:1–6. They, as did their Lord, look upon a sinful world with pitying eye, and sacrifice their own enjoyment for the benefit of others.

It is a solemn thought that there will be no starless crowns worn by the overcomers. We must each be able to bring our sheaves with us, or be left out of the company of the harvesters. And who would wish to stand with that company and be empty-handed? Where are our sheaves in the harvest? Where are the stars in our crowns of rejoicing? We cannot afford to stand with the self-deceived in that day.

Fellow-workers in this cause, we have every thing to encourage us. The truth is plain, consistent, and harmonious. The Spirit of God is with it, not only to impress it on the hearts of the people, but, to lead and guide into all truth and duty. The providence of God is opening the way everywhere for the proclamation of the truth. And his word assures us that victory will soon crown our efforts.

While we long for the appearing of Jesus, our hearts yearn over the multitudes sitting in darkness. We pray, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly," and yet our cry is, "Spare thy people; bring not thy heritage to reproach." Let us arouse to renewed diligence. God will give strength, and health, and grace, as we need, to fulfill his will. And just before us the "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" rises to our view. Courage in the Lord, and soon the everlasting "joy of our Lord" will be ours.

J. H. W.