“And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? How readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: This do, and thou shalt live.”
(RH March 28, 1893, Art. A, 1)
The positive question of the lawyer was as positively answered by the Master. The condition of salvation specified was the doing of the commandments of God. After receiving this positive answer, the lawyer asked, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus then gave the parable of the robbed, wounded, and dying stranger who was aided by the good Samaritan, to illustrate what he meant by loving our neighbors as ourselves. Through obedience to the commandments of God, our characters are built up in such a way that we may safely be intrusted with the gift of eternal life. Justice, truth, love, pity, forgiveness must be found in the heart of the Christian, for in his sermon on the mount Jesus said, “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Merely to profess to believe the commandments of God, while following the example of the priest and Levite, who left the needy, suffering one to die, without lifting a hand to help him, will not insure eternal life. He who treats a suffering soul in this way reveals the fact that he does not love his neighbor as himself, and his profession has no practical value.
(RH March 28, 1893, Art. A, 2)
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” The Lord Jesus weighs men in the golden scales of the sanctuary, and gives them credit as far as their practice of the great standard of righteousness will justify.
(RH March 28, 1893, Art. A, 3)
“And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.” The faith of this young man did not penetrate beyond the surface. He did not discern in the Master the Son of God, one equal with God, who is the way, the truth, and the life. But Jesus answered, “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, which?” The Lord Jesus specified several precepts of the decalogue, and quoted, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,” as a necessary requirement. “The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up; what lack I yet?” Mark states that “Jesus beholding him loved him,” but he said unto him, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”
(RH March 28, 1893, Art. A, 4)
The young man had inquired of the Master, “What lack I yet?” and Jesus had told him. But when he “heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” In this requirement to sell what he had and give to the poor, Jesus had revealed to the young man the plague spot of the heart, and he wished no further enlightenment. His decision was made. He had come full of admiration for Christ, running unto him, and kneeling down before him. Jesus looked upon the ardent young man, and saw material for the working out of a beautiful character; but the young man had not taken into account what was meant by practicing the commands of the law. Jesus laid before him the cost of eternal life. He revealed to him what was involved in the doing of the commandments of God. Nothing short of loving God with the whole heart, and his neighbor as himself, fulfilled the law. Jesus sought to clear the mist of deception from his soul, to give him spiritual eye-sight that he might discern the fact that he had not met the standard of character required by the law of God.
(RH March 28, 1893, Art. A, 5)
The question asked of Christ involved the whole conduct of life, and in the answer Jesus revealed the scheme of redemption. He revealed the young man to himself, by presenting before him the moral standard of righteousness. The young man had thought that he understood all the requirements of the law. He had asked, “What lack I yet?” Satisfied with his morality, confident of his piety, he imagined that he was above the average, and if not quite perfect, very nearly so. He desired to receive instruction if he needed any, that he might be perfect in himself. Christ revealed to him the fact that he was building upon his own self-righteousness. He showed him what he was lacking in the knowledge and practice of the law. The love of self, the love of the world, was the barrier which stood between him and Christ, and Jesus alone could remove this obstruction. The young man had never known himself before, never realized how he was idolizing earthly treasures. The opportunity was offered him to use his intrusted talents of earthly treasure in doing good, in blessing the needy, thus laying up an enduring substance in heaven. He was offered the privilege of choosing to follow the Master whom he had called good, and whom he really admired, or to hold fast his earthly possessions and forfeit eternal life. He never understood how little love he had for his neighbor, or how much his earthly possessions were to him until he was required to part with them. He went away very sorrowful. He preferred his property rather than the company of Jesus. He preferred his earthly substance rather than the treasures he was assured he would have in heaven. He loved the passing things of this life rather than eternal life.
(RH March 28, 1893, Art. A, 6)
The young man could not have the world and the heavenly treasure also. His neighbors were in suffering need of the good things which had been lent him of heaven, through which he was to bless the widow and the fatherless. Instead of distributing to the needy, he was hoarding up his treasure, and still considering himself a doer of the commandments of God. He did not understand the spirituality of the law, and the worthlessness of a formal, ceremonial obedience. He did not comprehend what were his eternal obligations to God. He had no practical experience. He neither understood the holy, paternal character of God nor the relation he sustained to his fellow-men. He did not look upon his possessions as a trust from God over which he should act the part of a faithful steward. He did not realize that he was to dispense of his abundance, doing good with his possession. He did not accept the conditions upon which eternal life was granted. He refused to obey the commandments which he claimed he had kept from his youth up. He did not realize God's great love in giving his Son for the salvation of the world. He did not comprehend the spiritual nature of the gospel, nor realize the necessity of repentance, of prayer, of holiness on the part of all who would enter the kingdom of heaven. If he had accepted the invitation of Christ to follow him, he would have been enlightened, through the agency of the Holy Spirit, which renews and sanctifies the soul.
(RH March 28, 1893, Art. A, 7)
The Son of God presented to the young man eternal riches, but he did not estimate the eternal treasure as of more value than the temporal treasure. He had not kept the ancient precept which enjoined love to his neighbor, and pointed out the duty of relieving his necessities. He had no practical experience in doing deeds of benevolence, in showing kindness and loving consideration. But the Lord Jesus proposed to set before him an example of obedience. Christ was free from every taint of selfishness. He pleased not himself. His whole life was one of disinterested benevolence. He invited the young man to follow him. O, if he had only obeyed, appreciating the heavenly treasure above the earthly substance, what gain it would have been to him!
(RH March 28, 1893, Art. A, 8)
How many who profess to keep the commandments of God are virtually acting as did this young man! They put from them the grace and truth revealed in Jesus, and although professing to keep the law, they stand as transgressors. But selfishness and idolatry cannot live in the heart of him who keeps the commandments of God. How many, when tested and proved by the royal standard, will be found wanting,—lovers of self, idolaters, worshiping their possessions, hoarding their earthly treasure, and neglecting their fellow-men, loving themselves better than they love God. There are many who profess to be children of God, but who are deceived, and need to be aroused by the sacred truths of the word of God.
(RH March 28, 1893, Art. A, 9)
To every soul who is inquiring, “What shall I do that I may have eternal life?” the answer comes from the divine Son of God, “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Does Christ tell us to do that which it is not possible for us to do?—No, never. The path of obedience is possible, and it leads to the tree of life. This is the path that leads to the paradise of God. The requirement of God to obey and live was given to Adam. The only way to life is found through obedience to the commandments.
(RH March 28, 1893, Art. A, 10)
Duty of Parents to Their Children
[Published September 19, 1854, and reprinted by request.] EGW
One of the signs of the “last days” is the disobedience of children to their parents. 2 Timothy 3:2. And do parents realize their responsibility? Many seem to lose sight of the watch care they should have over their children, and suffer them to indulge in evil passions, and to disobey them. They take but little notice of them until their own feelings are raised, and then punish them in anger.
(RH March 28, 1893, 1)
Many parents will have to render an awful account at last for their neglect of their children. They have fostered and cherished their evil tempers by bending to their wishes and will, when the wishes and will of the children should bend to them. They have brought God's frown upon them and their children by these things. Parents, have you forgotten that which was written in the holy word: “He that spareth the rod hateth his son”? Children are left to come up instead of being trained up. The poor little children are thought not to know or understand a correction at ten or twelve months old, and they begin to show stubbornness very young. Parents suffer them to indulge in evil tempers and passions without subduing or correcting them, and by so doing they cherish and nourish these evil passions until they grow with their growth and strengthen with their strength.
(RH March 28, 1893, 2)
The house of God is often desecrated, and the Sabbath violated by Sabbath-believers’ children. In some cases they are even allowed to run about the house, play, talk, and manifest their evil tempers in the very meetings where the saints should worship God in the beauty of holiness. And the place that should be holy, and where a holy stillness should reign, and where there should be perfect order, neatness, and humility, is made to be a perfect Babylon, “confusion.” This is enough to bring God's displeasure, and shut his presence from our assemblies. His wrath is kindled for these things, and he will not, while these things exist, go out with Israel to battle against their enemies. The enemies of our faith will be suffered to triumph on account of God's displeasure.
(RH March 28, 1893, 3)
Parents stand in the place of God to their children, and they will have to render an account, whether they have been faithful to the little few committed to their care. Parents, some of you are rearing children to be cut down by the destroying angel, unless you speedily change your course, and be faithful to them. God cannot cover iniquity, even in children. He cannot love unruly children who manifest passion, and he cannot save them in the time of trouble. Will you suffer your children to be lost through your neglect? Unfaithful parents, their blood will be upon you, and is not your salvation doubtful with the blood of your children upon you?—children who might have been saved had you filled your place, and done your duty as faithful parents should.
(RH March 28, 1893, 4)
God says: “I know Abraham, that he will command his household after him,” and God gave him the honor of being the father of the faithful. Parents, it is your duty to have your children in perfect subjection, having all their passions and evil tempers subdued. And if children are taken to meeting, they should be made to know and understand where they are, that they are not at home, but where God meets with his people. And they should be kept quiet and free from all play, and God will turn his face toward you, to meet you and bless you.
(RH March 28, 1893, 5)
If order is observed in the assemblies of the saints, the truth will have better effect upon all who hear it. A solemnity which is so much needed will be encouraged, and there will be power in the truth to stir up the depths of the soul, and a death-like stupor will not hang upon those who hear. Believers and unbelievers will be affected. It has seemed evident that in some places the ark of God has removed from the church; for the holy commandments have been violated, and the strength of Israel has been weakened.
(RH March 28, 1893, 6)
Parents, correct your children. Begin while they are young, when impressions can be more easily made, and their evil tempers subdued before they grow with their growth and strengthen with their strength.
(RH March 28, 1893, 7)
You should correct your children in love. Do not let them have their own way until you get angry, and then punish them. Such correction only helps on the evil, instead of remedying it. After you have done your duty faithfully to your children, then carry them to God, and ask him to help you. Tell him that you have done your part, and then in faith ask God to do his part, that which you cannot do. Ask him to temper their dispositions, to make them mild and gentle by his Holy Spirit. He will hear you pray. He will love to answer your prayers. Through his word he has enjoined it upon you to correct your children, to “spare not for their crying,” and his word is to be heeded in these things.
(RH March 28, 1893, 8)
It certainly must bring displeasure upon parents when they leave him to do what he has left, and commanded them to do. God corrects us when we disobey, and go astray from him; and parents are bound by the word of God to correct their children when they disobey them, and show evil temper. Check the very first manifestation of passion. Break the will (but do it with feelings of tenderness, and with discretion), and your children will be far happier for it, and you will be happier. Your effort will be remembered of God, and he who is so particular as to observe the falling of the sparrow; he who noticed and commended Abraham's faithfulness, will not pass by your efforts. He who never slumbers nor sleeps will be ready to aid you with his Spirit and grace, and will reward your feeble efforts.
(RH March 28, 1893, 9)
Parents, above everything, take care of your children upon the Sabbath. Do not allow them to violate God's holy day by allowing them to play in the house or out-of-doors. You may just as well break the Sabbath yourselves as to let your children do it, and when you suffer your children to wander about, and suffer them to play upon the Sabbath, God looks upon you as Sabbath-breakers. Your children, who are under your control, should be made to mind you. Your word should be their law. Will not parents wake up to their duty before it is too late, and take hold of the work in earnest, redeem the time, and make unsparing efforts to save the children?
(RH March 28, 1893, 10)
Children are the lawful prey of the enemy, because they are not subjects of grace, have not experienced the cleansing power of Jesus, and the evil angels have access to these children; and some parents are careless and suffer them to work with but little restraint. Parents have a great work to do in this matter, by correcting and subduing their children, and then bringing them to God and claiming his blessing upon them. By the faithful and untiring efforts of the parents, and the blessing and grace entreated of God upon the children, the power of the evil angels will be broken, a sanctifying influence is shed upon the children, and the powers of darkness must give back.
(RH March 28, 1893, 11)
When the destroying angel was to pass through Egypt, to destroy the first-born of man and beast, the command to Israel was, to gather their children and families into their houses with them, and then mark their door-posts with blood, that the destroying angel might pass by their dwellings, and if they failed to go through this process, there was no difference made between them and the Egyptians.
(RH March 28, 1893, 12)
The destroying angel is soon to go forth again, not to destroy the first-born alone, but “to slay utterly old and young, both men, women, and little children” who have not the mark. Parents, if you wish to save your children, separate them from the world, keep them from the company of wicked children; for if you suffer them to go with wicked children, you cannot prevent them from partaking of their wickedness and being corrupted. It is your solemn duty to watch over your children, to choose the society at all times for them. Teach your children to obey you, then can they more easily obey the commands of God, and yield to his requirements. Don't let us neglect to pray with and for our children. He who said, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me,” will listen to our prayers for them, and the seal, or mark, of believing parents will cover their children, if they are trained up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
(RH March 28, 1893, 13)