p. 102 | GOOD WORKS by Isaac Sanborn

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 27, 1861

GOOD WORKS.

By Isaac Sanborn

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Eph. ii, 10.

Dear reader, let us look at some things in the above text, which I think are applicable to us all.

How are we created in Christ Jesus? Answer: By putting away old things, or our own ways, and becoming new creatures [2 Cor. v, 17], and walking in the ways that God has foreordained that we should walk in. To illustrate: God has foreordained that we should remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy, which is a good work, as all must admit. And not only should we keep the fourth commandment, but all the other nine, which are also good works, before ordained of God for us to walk in. But is this all? No. See 1 John ii, 23. And this is his commandment that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ. Paul adds in 1 Cor. xv, 3, that Christ died for our sins, that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day, according to the scriptures. But will it do simply to assent to this by saying we believe it? No. Paul says [Rom. vi, 17], God be thanked that ye (or that though ye) were the servants of sin, ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. This form we understand is clearly brought to view in the first five verses of this same chapter, as follows: What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin (or transgression of the law, which is sin) live any longer therein? Now comes the form of doctrine: Know ye not that so many of us as were (or have been) baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death; therefore we are buried (not sprinkled nor poured), with him by baptism into death. This will prove our faith genuine and perfect, and is one of the good works ordained of God that we should walk in; for Jesus says, Go teach all nations, baptizing them; and he also says, As the Father said unto me, so I speak. This then is another good work for us to walk in.

But is this all? No; Paul says [Heb. x, 25], Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. This then is another good work. But do we see the day approaching? Yes. Do we not see that it hasteth greatly?

Dear reader, are you preparing for the great day? May God help you to get ready, by watching and praying, lest you enter into temptation, and the enemy make you think there is plenty of time to seek a preparation for that great and notable day of the Lord.

May God grant that we may all get ready, by obeying the truth, and be saved with his people in his kingdom. ISAAC SANBORN. Davis, Ills.