Blessed of the Father by John P. Gaede

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 5, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 26.

Blessed of the Father

By John P. Gaede

"COME, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you." Matt. 25: 34. These words will be spoken by Jesus, at His coming, to those standing on the right hand. Why are these favored at this time above others?—Because they heeded Christ's invitation to come. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation," "to make your calling and election sure." Now every one is invited to come: "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. . . . And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." While now all are invited, then only "the blessed of the Father," those who have availed themselves of present blessing freely offered to all, will accept it. As it is said of Christ, they loved righteousness and hated iniquity, therefore their God hath anointed them with the oil of gladness above their fellows. Heb. 1: 9.

No one can claim this unction, however, until he can say with the psalmist, "O how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies." Ps. 119: 97, 98. Here is where the superiority comes in—righteous in the righteousness of God.

Loving righteousness means to love the commandments of God with all our heart. "Thy testimonies that Thou hast commanded are righteous [margin, "righteousness"] and very faithful." Day and night must be our meditation upon the law of God. We read, "Blessed is the man, . . . his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night." Ps. 1: 1-3. "Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates [no other way] into the city." Rev. 22: 14.

"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." These words will then be heard: "Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." Matt. 7: 23. "Go from My presence, ye who live in sin."—"Twentieth Century New Testament." "Sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3: 4. "Depart from Me, those working lawlessness."—"Emphatic Diaglott."

But let us look on the brighter side. "What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? . . . These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. . . . For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Rev. 7: 13-17. JOHN P. GAEDE.