Individual Obedience to Truth
By Editor
NOTE.—The case of the young man and his father above mentioned, is such as we frequently hear of. How long will people suffer the ties of earth to bind them down! How long will they fail to realize that the work for salvation is an individual work! We are to be judged not by the standard of those around us, or what they would suffer us to do, but by our personal obedience to the requirements of God. We are not to look to what our neighbors do, or our relations do, or what they require; but to what God alone requires of us, and having ascertained this, to obey it with fear and trembling. It is often urged against the reception of the truth, that it will disturb society, it will cause division in families, it will alienate friends. We are surprised at this objection. What says the Saviour? "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you nay; but rather division." Luke xii, 51. And again, "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." Luke xiv, 26. The truth must be obeyed at all hazards. What if a father, or a wife, or neighbors will not come with you and obey the light of truth; must you go down to perdition on that account? What if it does stir up the carnal mind in some of your friends to see you worshiping God by keeping his Commandments? Has God any the less requirements of you for all that? That obedience will never find acceptance which says, Lord, I will worship thee, as far as I can and not disturb my friends! Are friends of more importance than God? and to please them more important than to obey his requirements? What then shall we do? Shall we sacrifice the truth for the sake of keeping peace! Shall we peril our own salvation for the sake of keeping peace! What has brought down persecution from the wicked upon the people of God from the earliest times? Has it been their efforts to keep peace with them? And what will stir up the dragon to his last emotions of wrath against us Commandment-keepers! Will it be our efforts to keep peace? We desire no peace but that which is found within the pale of truth. There is eternal war between the kingdoms of light and darkness; between truth and error. It must necessarily be so; and our Saviour notified us of it, when he said, I came not to send peace, but division. The moment a person enlists under the banner of pure and living religion, that moment he declares war with the world, the flesh, and the Devil; and from them he can expect no more peace, unless by compromise or treachery he unites with them again. He who acknowledges the truth, and yet refuses to obey it, assumes a fearful position. He virtually says that he can be saved without obedience to God and his truth, or that he cares more for the world than he does to be saved. He therefore walks knowingly and deliberately the downward road; for who can expect to be saved, who refuses to obey what from conviction, he acknowledges to be essential truth. God forbid that any should compromise their eternal interests through a desire to please any mortal, or to keep peace in any neighborhood. Break every tie. Burst every such fetter asunder; nor be afraid to let the world know that you as an independent and accountable being, are seeking eternal life. May the Giver and Guardian of all truth, beget in every heart, an earnest and holy purpose, to obey it, proclaim it, and live it out, regardless of friend or foe.—Ed.