The Love of Christ Constraineth Us by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jul 17, 1879

"The Love of Christ Constraineth Us."

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

THE motive that prompted Christ to leave Heaven, the sacrifice he manifested in coming to this world to die, is what draws men unto himself. And in proportion as we possess this spirit we gather with Christ. Works of sacrifice, prompted by the love of Christ, however inferior they may appear unto men, are wholly fruitful. The life principle is in its own nature, originating with God and his beloved Son, Jesus Christ. A small beginning with such a spirit results in great good. It is not so much the amount a person does, as it is the spirit which prompts the action, and the sacrifice it requires in performing it. It is powerful to win hearts. There is the power of wealth, the power of intellect combined with physical energy. This may affect men's heads. Men will submit from policy to such means, and intellectually to sound reason; but it is the true spirit of sacrifice that affects hearts. "Like begets like." If we possess it, others will voluntarily partake of it, and this with cheerfulness and joy.

It is here that every nationality under Heaven is affected alike. There is no national or denominational line here. Every barrier is broken down, and we enter one fold. It is a Heaven-born principle. And therefore it is God that unites hearts "where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free; but Christ is all, and in all." It is this principle that unites hearts and binds them to the throne of the Eternal. And there is no greater proof of the divine origin of the cause of Christ than the fact that when men receive the truth and spirit of Christ they are actuated with a sacrificing spirit, and desire others to receive the same.

The first impulse of a young convert is to help his fellows. It was in this way the gospel began. When Jesus the great Shepherd manifested himself to the children of men John pointed his disciples to him as the Lamb of God. They followed him. One of these was Andrew, and he first went to his brother Simon Peter and brought him to Jesus. The next day Jesus enlisted Phillip in his service. The first work of Phillip was to hunt up Nathanael and bring him in.

So it has been and so it ever will be of those who partake of the Spirit of Christ. If we have drank at the fountain of truth, we shall be anxious for others to partake of the same. Those who can fold their hands and quietly see others go to ruin are not possessing the Saviour's love and are not prepared to enter the joy of their Lord. "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. Glorious crowns are within the reach of us all. They will be given to the workers only.

Shall we let the present opportunities pass, and the stars which we might secure fade from our crowns of rejoicing, and the crowns themselves fall from our grasp, and the kingdom recede from our reach, and life and all its joys be lost forever?

You answer, No; but the answer, to be effectual, must be, not in words only, but in works also.

"O God, my inmost soul convert, And deeply on my thoughtful heart, Eternal things impress. Cause me to feel their solemn weight, And tremble on the brink of fate, And wake to righteousness."

S. N. HASKELL.