GOOD RESOLUTIONS by C. M. Willis

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 31, 1865

GOOD RESOLUTIONS

By C. M. Willis

Stray Thoughts. No. 1.

GOOD RESOLUTIONS.

"Why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?" Acts v, 3.

THERE has many an honest hearted professor read this history of Annanias and Sapphira, and while shuddering with horror at the justly severe punishment of the guilty pair, has greatly wondered at the crime. How any one professing to love God, and knowing that their most secret thoughts were as open to his perusal as the pages of an open book, could still plan to defraud him, surpasses their comprehension. Doubtless, when this guilty pair disposed of their possessions, it was their intention to bestow the whole in the treasury of the Lord. But we see that their hearts were not filled with the love of God. Avarice held a conspicuous position there; and no doubt the moving motive of the whole transaction was a desire for praise; and a wish to appear as zealous and devoted as the other apostles. But avarice clamored loudly against giving ALL, so they made a kind of compromise,—split the difference, if you please, gave approbativeness a part, and so met a speedy and terrible retribution.

Two very important lessons to the Christian, may be learned from this transaction. One is, that it is impossible to be on good terms with God and the world, both at the same time. Earth and earthly desires, if fostered in the heart, will take the lion's share, and God is robbed of his just due. Guard against it as we will, the thoughts will be imperceptibly drawn out after the world, until we hardly know whether we have a hope in Christ or no.

Another no less important lesson to be deduced is, the danger of broken promises. Many, very many are the promises made to God by his followers, heard and recorded by angels above. Many a reformation is firmly resolved on, to amend our ways, break off from some besetting sin, to eradicate pride, envy, malice, hatred, evil-speaking, vain conversation, impatience, love of selfish gratification, and all other indulged sins, to which all are more or less inclined. Many a vow has been uttered, secretly perhaps, yet none the less binding, to renew our covenant with God, and strive for a closer fellowship with him. God's Spirit was working on our hearts, to influence us to their performance. Angels were eagerly watching for their fulfillment. But, alas! who cannot look back on resolutions unfulfilled, on promises unperformed, on vows heedlessly broken! And yet how few consider that every resolve is a promise, and every failure to perform is a lie to the Holy Ghost! "But because judgment for an evil deed is not speedily executed, therefore the hearts of the children of men are fully set to do evil." And because all who vow and forget to pay, do not meet the fate of Annanias and Sapphira, professors will go on making promises and breaking them, until we have reason to fear, that with some of them at least, the road to ruin will be paved with good resolutions.

There are many circumstances which call forth vows and promises. When the hand of affliction, in its various dealings, is upon us; when we hear a searching exhortation, or read a touching article, or see the consistent lives of others, be assured it is the Spirit of God that is forcing these things home to our hearts, and every effort toward a purer life is a promise; every desire for holiness comes from God, and to disregard these impressions, and live in the neglect of these duties, and these vows, is a direct lie to the Holy Ghost, which will sooner or later bring the punishment of Annanias and Sapphira on the offender, the punishment of death. Many injunctions are scattered throughout the Sacred Word to pay our vows to the Most High, and to perform our promises to the Lord. If there were no punishment due the offense, there surely would be no warnings against it. Then seeing there is danger in broken vows, let us be careful that we pay them, and thus escape the threatened danger.

C. M. WILLIS.

Charlotte, Mich.