p. 37 | SUCCESS IN OUR WORK by B. F. Robbins

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 22, 1859

SUCCESS IN OUR WORK.

By B. F. Robbins

WHAT is our hope for success in the work entrusted to us as believers in the speedy return of the blessed coming One, as laborers in gathering the last harvest of "fruit unto life eternal?" This is an important question which should be immediately and scripturally answered in the mind of every servant and handmaiden of our Master.

Our hope for success in the work to which we are called rests upon an entirely different basis than that upon which rests the hope of a popular nominal christianity.

We have not the influence of a popular name which commands the respect of the worldly, for the numbers and influence gathered under it. We have not wealth to display in costly edifices in which to nominally worship, or popular talent in the ministry which wealth alone can make available. Yet much of the boasted success of this age in the churches may be traced to such causes alone; it is merely converting men to a form of godliness while the power is overlooked and denied.

But there are means mighty and powerful, ample and sufficient for us even though the scorn of the world and the church rests upon us as much perhaps as it did upon the despised disciples of the rejected crucified One. They were scorned for their belief in him as the promised Messiah come; we for the confidence we feel and profess in the coming of the Messiah the second time according to his promise, as near even at the door.

But what are the means mighty and powerful upon which we may rely and expect success in our work amid the mighty influences which oppose us? The very same that rendered the first disciples of our Master efficient and successful in their work. They tarried at Jerusalem until endowed with power from on high; and when the promise of the Father was fulfilled and the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them they were qualified to successfully labor in the work assigned them; and the scorned despised Galileans boldly met the prejudices and opposition of the Jews, and triumphantly demonstrated the resurrection and exaltation to the right hand of God of the rejected crucified One; for there before them was their word confirmed in power in the tongues of flame that sat upon each of them.

Brethren and sisters, such an endowment of power from on high in order to success as was given them, is also for us. "The promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call." What promise? "Upon my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit and they shall prophesy." Are we the called of God? Then the promise is ours by faith.

I am really thankful that the popular means for success are not ours. I am thankful that like the first disciples we are not of the world, therefore the world hateth us. The world loves its own, even though its own wears the profession of nominal Christianity.

But why am I thankful that ours is an unpopular, cross-bearing, self-sacrificing profession? Because it cuts us loose from every hope of success but the promise and Spirit of God; and I bless God for the assurance based upon his promise, that the same power from on high that made the word of God proclaimed by the disciples as the Spirit gave them utterance to be a two-edged sword that pierced to the heart the murderers of the Prince of Life, may be ours, the pledge and assurance of success in our work.

Does a worldly, popular ministry frown and oppose? Does a formal, fashionable church scorn and despise us for our coming Jesus' sake? I am glad; I rejoice; for it works in us an entire dependence upon God and his word, a consecration without reserve, the sacrifice of our all upon the altar most holy, by faith in Jesus, thus by inward purity preparing us for the endowment of power from on high, the tongue of flame to insure success to the labors of the sons and daughters of the Lord.

Here alone is the basis of our hope for success. A holy work to be accomplished by holy and powerful means made available for us all. Shall we then be disheartened and shrink from our responsibilities? No, never. Expectants of the glorious coming One, our time for labor is limited, and "the fields around us are white already to harvest." You may individually

gather fruit unto life eternal, for the means proffered to us are mighty and powerful. Work earnestly, work to persuade the sinner unconverted to be reconciled to God, ere the door of mercy is closed forever against him. Exhibit in your lives the lovely, attractive influence of holiness as a light to shine into the minds and hearts of the formal and worldly, to lead them from dead formality to the life and power of godliness.

The power from on high will enable us all to edify and encourage our brethren and sisters in our testimony to the truth and faithfulness of God, and we should all faithfully improve every opportunity to glorify God with our body and spirit which are his.

B. F. ROBBINS.

Friendship, N. Y.