Have You Repented? by E. B. Saunders

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Feb 21, 1865

Have You Repented?

By E. B. Saunders

THE nominal professor will readily answer the question in the affirmative, without a thought of the great work wrought in the believer by true repentance. We may profess to repent, and may even walk in church fellowship with the people of God, and be strangers to that deep heart-work necessary to salvation. A mere taking the name of "Christian," and an outward observance of ordinances, is not all that we need; for many will say in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils?" and in thy name done many wonderful works?" They come up in the great day deceived; their profession will not save them. Brother! Sister! You who profess to believe the third angel's message, have you experienced that deep repentance which is necessary to work a thorough reformation in your life? Are those carnal desires that are not subject to the law of God, subdued? Does the love of God reign supreme in your heart?

We are apt to make a few faint efforts for eternal life, and then settle down into a sort of stupor, and glide along with Satan's mantle of insensibility drawn over us, till, unless awakened, we land in perdition. There can be no true repentance unless we have felt the claims of the law, that it reaches to the secret desires of our hearts. We must let that holy law, which we profess to obey, probe the depths of our hearts. Then, and not till then, can we see the corruption which lies beneath the surface. "Love is the fulfilling of the law;" and one of the great principles upon which the law hangs, is love to God: not esteem, or admiration, but love, holy purifying love; the word comprehends more than can be expressed.

We can only faintly describe love to God. It must be felt to be appreciated or understood. When we have this love, God will reign supreme in our affections. To please him will be our first desire; to honor and glorify him will be the chief object of our lives, and his pleasure the law of our hearts. Our idols will vanish before such love, like dew in the sunshine.

We have idols in our hearts which will keep our Saviour out, and shut the love of God from us. Some of our idols we might name: First, self, conceited, egotistical self, sits upon the highest throne. He is guarded and flattered by love of praise, worldly-honor, earthly-treasure, pride, love of ease, carnal desire, intemperance, and a host of others, which, unless we look carefully, will hide even the majesty of self.

The selfish heart cannot love God in sincerity; and whatsoever occupies the place in our affections designed for love to God, takes the form of an idol; and if idolaters, we shall come short of eternal life.

God is now vindicating his down-trodden law; he will show to the world that there is life, quickening, transforming life in that law which man regards as dead. He will convince the world that there is life and spirituality enough in his law to call people out from the world, and fasten their affections on God. And we may rest assured that if we lack in holiness or spirituality, we must either be reformed, or cut off from among his people.

But what shall we do? it may be asked. This we can do: we can examine ourselves to see what idols and rubbish prevent our opening the door of our hearts; we can try to see the sinfulness of sin, of inbred sin, of our desires, thoughts, motives, &c. We can cry mightily to God for help, for pardon and for his free Spirit to take full possession of our hearts. We can lay ourselves unreservedly upon the altar of God, rejoicing in that we are able to rest solely upon the merits of Jesus' blood; then, after we make a full surrender, an entire consecration, call upon God for pardon, and believe that he accepts of us; call in faith and he will hear us, and fill our hearts to overflowing. Then we can begin to live each moment with our hearts stayed on God, asking him to direct us in all things, always striving to possess the graces of his Spirit. Do this and our light will shine, we shall reflect the lovely image of Jesus, and God will be glorified.

E. B. SAUNDERS.

Penfield, N. Y.