Two Different Viewpoints by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 26, 1914

Two Different Viewpoints

By F. M. W.

It is one thing to recognize the weaknesses of our fellows; it is another thing to undertake a campaign of agitation and criticism regarding those weaknesses. The first is necessary in order that we may know how rightly to relate ourselves to humanity, but the second shows a weakness on our part, and places us in the same category as those we criticize. It makes very little difference whether we spend our time tanning the hide of a mosquito or criticizing the man who does do it. In either case we waste our time, and the good we might do is left undone.

Christian believers, in common with Thomas Paine and Robert G. Ingersoll and a host of other Bible critics, recognize the mistakes made by Bible characters, the human element existing in the church of God, and the weaknesses connected therewith throughout its history; but unlike these opposers, Christian believers do not spend their time in a campaign exploiting the mistakes of these men or attempting to make a gospel or a message out of human frailties and weaknesses.

There are many things in the Scriptures of Truth and in God's dealing with the human family which will remain a mystery while the world stands. The study of eternity will not suffice to penetrate the boundless depth of infinite wisdom. The Word of God, as the apostle Peter declares, contains "some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, . . . unto their own destruction." In this world the Lord has not afforded us an undimmed view of many of his designs and purposes. We cannot explain the mystery of iniquity, nor can we explain the mystery of godliness. The prophets themselves "have inquired and searched diligently" the Word of God revealed through their agency, in order that they might understand its meaning. Even the angels "desire to look into" those things which have come to us through the ministry of fallible man.

Why should we marvel because God, in his infinite wisdom and compassion, speaks through an instrument of clay, — an erring man or woman whose life does not fully express the principles enunciated? The encasing of priceless gems in humble caskets does not lessen the value of the precious treasure; and because God chooses sinful, erring humanity through whom to make known his word, the revelation is none the less his word.

We read of the mistakes of Moses, the great sin of David, the failures of the apostle Peter, and the personal differences existing between Paul and Barnabas. However, we recognize these as belonging to the human element rather than to the divine; and the more glory redounds to God that he can take poor, weak, feeble men such as these were, and speak through them the words of eternal life. If we fasten our eyes upon their frailties and weaknesses, then we shall lose the blessed message of God which has come through them.

This principle is just as true when applied to the manner in which God uses men and women at the present time. We may listen to the warning words of truth which fall from the lips of some minister of God, and accept them as God's message to our souls and be transformed by them; or we may fasten our eyes upon the weaknesses of the human instrument, and so magnify these that the message will lose its effect.

And after all, from our viewpoint we shall find in our fellows largely what we look for. To the froward man the ways of God appear froward, but to the righteous man those same ways appear right and just. The psalmist says: "With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful; with the upright man thou wilt show thyself upright; with the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt show thyself froward." The Lord in his wise purpose has not removed from his dealings with mankind occasion for doubt if the human heart is determined to find occasion. The determination of our destiny, under God, is largely in our own hands. We may cherish and build up in our experience faith and hope and confidence, or we may incite criticism and unbelief among our fellows. We may speak the word of cheer and courage, or we may sow the seeds of unbelief and discord. We may act the part of Korah or of Moses, of Sanballat or of Nehemiah, of Shimei or of David, of Judas or of Jesus. The times before us will try our souls. May God grant that we shall strengthen in our own experience and in the experience of others the things which remain.

F. M. W.