WHAT LACK I YET? | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 10, 1856

"WHAT LACK I YET?"

CAN any of us ask this question in sincerity? Are we conscious of no lack? Perhaps we can say in truth that we have followed in theory all the light that has been given; that we believe all the truth that has been shown; but after we have said this, can we honestly ask, "What lack I yet?" The young man who came to Jesus, had kept all the commandments from his youth up; doubtless he felt very well satisfied with his moral attainments; but when he asked the Saviour the above question he received an answer that sent him away sorrowful.

We remember that there is a practical part as well as a theory to all truth, and that it is possible for us to come short in this. Doubtless we are all very well satisfied with our theory. The Bible is rendered harmonious; the truth is plain and consistent; this we all believe, and perhaps we are in danger of priding ourselves on the clear chain of Bible truth that can be presented. But when we come to the every day work of living out these truths before the world; of letting our light shine before men, can we see no lack? Let us test ourselves by the Bible pattern of a Christian. "If thou wilt be perfect," said Jesus to the young man. With the Bible we are to be thoroughly furnished unto all good works. And when all the members of the church can bow before the throne of Him who knoweth the secrets of all hearts, and ask sincerely, What lack I yet? we may expect that there will be no lack of the Spirit of God among his people.