"Not Every One by A. S. Hutchins

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 28, 1858

"Not Every One

By A. S. Hutchins

That saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matt. vii, 21.

If nothing more was required to constitute one a christian than to say "Lord, Lord," or to make a profession of the religion of Jesus, and become a member of some sectional and sectarian church, how safe would be the condition of millions, now in the open road to death. Yea, how certain they might be of heaven.

If this were true, we might expect the "world's conversion" at once. The boasting of the fallen churches, that to them is given the power to effect this object, we could no longer look upon as vain.

Thousands professing godliness, but who are fast filling up their cup of iniquity, would find time to stop and say, "Lord, Lord," and then rush on in their downward career.

Those now blindly and madly fighting the commandments of God, and the immediate coming of the blessed Redeemer, (and yet talking about the love of God in their hearts,) would breathe the easy prayer, "Lord, Lord," and then prosecute the unholy war.

But says Jesus, "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke vi, 46. Not only are good words, but also "good works" necessary in the service of our heavenly Master. The woof as well as the warp is necessary in the web. The heart must be active in the service of God; "for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Prov. iv, 23.

But let me ask each brother and sister, professedly walking in the shining light of the Third Angel's Message, [Rev. xiv, 9-12] are you heeding the counsel to the Laodiceans? Are you making every effort to secure the favor of Jesus, that you may meet him in peace when he cometh? Are you striving to lay up for yourself a treasure in heaven? "Not every one" we fear. "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith." For some in the possession of riches (with which they might and should glorify God) we entertain serious fears; for it is evident that they have forgotten the injunction of David, "If riches increase, set not your heart upon them." Ps. lxii, 10.

"No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Matt. vi, 24.

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John ii, 15.

Now may we not safely conclude from the firm grasp with which some hold their earthly possessions, who say "Lord, Lord," and are numbered with the remnant of God's people, that they are trying to serve two masters, and that their love for this world is both blinding and deceiving them.

Now the faithful steward may make to himself friends with the "mammon of unrighteousness." He may provide himself with "bags that wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not." He may pave his way to heaven with his riches. Undoubtedly some will here be ready to say, "Lord, Lord;" but remember that Jesus says, "Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

What is the will of God concerning those who are in possession of the "deceitful mammon?" Read the testimony of Jesus for such in these last days. "Sell that ye have and give alms." See Luke xii, 33-36. You may now secure a treasure in heaven, while waiting for the coming of the Saviour. But in a little while it will be too late! too late!

"In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; to go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth." Isa. ii, 20, 21.

Of what avail would it be to attempt to sacrifice to God in that day? The only consolation for one who should desire so to do, is found in the following words. "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days." James v, 1-3.

O, the awful, the incurable miseries of that dreadful day! Who would not sacrifice all for the cause of Christ now, and escape the fast hastening wrath of God?

"Stay not, O, stay not, for earth's vain allurements; See how its glory is passing away; Break the strong fetters the foe hath bound o'er thee, Heir of the kingdom, turn, turn thee away. "Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence; a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." Ps. i, 3-5.

Dear reader, do you not desire to be gathered in that day, with those who have made a covenant with God by sacrifice? If so, remember the words of Jesus. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." A. S. HUTCHINS. Lenawee Co. Mich., Jan. 15th, 1858.