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WITHOUT GUILE

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 19, 1860

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 16, No. 5.

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WITHOUT GUILE.

By Isaac Sanborn

“And in their mouth was found no guile; for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Rev. xiv, 5.
Dear brethren and sisters, we believe that this text has reference to the remnant people of God who are preparing for translation when Jesus comes. Let us then all apply the rule to ourselves and see if there is guile found about us. What is guile? Webster says, Cunning, craft, deceit. Do we find any of these deceptive words in our mouths? If we do, we are not the people spoken of in the text. But some may say it is impossible to live so. But stop a little, till we look at our pattern. Because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should walk in his steps, who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. 1 Pet. ii, 21, 22. Again, Jesus speaks to Nathanael in whom he says there is no guile. John i, 47. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot nor wrinkle, nor any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Eph. v, 20.
Dear brethren and sisters, are we members of that church? If we are, the above are some of our characteristics. Let us examine ourselves, and prove our own selves, and see if there is any guile in our mouths. We are all aware that it is an easy thing to profess to be the people of God, but quite another thing to produce the fruit by which Jesus says we are known. And while I have heard individuals talk about holiness, and about their own hearts being holy, and at the same time confess that they had prejudice in their minds against their brethren or sisters, or fellow-mortals, I must confess that I was constrained to believe that there was guile in their mouths, and that they were thereby deceived, and needed to go to Jesus and have their eyes anointed that they might see that they were poor, blind and naked. O Lord,
“Wake up thy slumbering people, Send forth the solemn cry.”
Yes, dear brethren and sisters, those who heed that solemn Laodicean cry will follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, and they will be meek and humble, and will not possess that contentious spirit which characterizes many at the present time. “Without fault before the throne!” Yes, glory to God, it is our high privilege to come to that holy position in character through our Lord Jesus Christ, that in the review of our characters before the throne of God in heaven we may be without fault.
Come, dear brethren and sisters, let us arise. We are living beneath our privileges. The following language of the poet sounds beautiful to me:
“Press forward, press forward, the prize is in view, A crown of bright glory is waiting for you.”
By the grace of God I will go on. Pray for me, brethren and sisters, that I with you may stand on mount Zion with the Lamb.
ISAAC SANBORN.
North Leeds, Wis.