Early Writings
by Ellen G. White
Preparation for Christ's Coming1
Dear Brethren and Sisters: Do we believe with all the
heart that Christ is soon coming and that we are now having the last message of
mercy that is ever to be given to a guilty world? Is our example what it should
be? Do we, by our lives and holy conversation, show to those around us that we
are looking for the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who shall change these vile bodies and fashion them like unto His glorious body?
I fear that we do not believe and realize these things as we should. Those who
believe the important truths that we profess, should act out their faith. There
is too much seeking after amusements and things to take the attention in this
world; the mind is left to run too much upon dress, and the tongue is engaged
too often in light and trifling conversation, which gives the lie to our
profession, for our conversation is not in heaven, whence we look for the
Saviour. {EW 111.1}
Angels are watching over and guarding us; we often grieve
these angels by indulging in trifling conversation, jesting, and joking, and
also by sinking down into a careless, stupid state. Although we may now and
then make an effort for the victory and obtain it, yet if we do not keep it,
but sink down into the same careless, indifferent state, unable to endure
temptations and resist the enemy, we do not endure the trial of our faith that
is more precious than gold. We are not suffering for Christ's sake, and
glorying in tribulation. {EW
111.2}
There is a great lack of Christian fortitude and serving God
from principle. We should not seek to [112] please
and gratify self, but to honor and glorify God, and in all we do and say to
have an eye single to His glory. If we would let our hearts be impressed with
the following important words, and ever bear them in mind, we should not so
easily fall into temptation and our words would be few and well chosen:
"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are
healed." "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give
account thereof in the day of judgment." "Thou God seest me." {EW 111.3}
We could not think of these important words, and call to
mind the sufferings of Jesus that we poor sinners might receive pardon and be
redeemed unto God by His most precious blood, without feeling a holy restraint
upon us and an earnest desire to suffer for Him who suffered and endured so
much for us. If we dwell on these things, dear self, with its dignity, will be
humbled, and its place will be occupied by a childlike simplicity which will
bear reproof from others and will not be easily provoked. A self-willed spirit
will not then come in to rule the soul. {EW 112.1}
The true Christian's joys and consolation must and will be
in heaven. The longing souls of those who have tasted of the powers of the
world to come and have feasted on heavenly joys, will not be satisfied with
things of earth. Such will find enough to do in their leisure moments. Their
souls will be drawn out after God. Where the treasure is, there will the heart
be, holding sweet communion with the God they love and worship. Their amusement
will be in contemplating their treasure—the Holy City, the earth made
new, their eternal home. And while they dwell upon those things which are
lofty, pure, and holy, heaven will be brought near, and they will feel the
power of the Holy [113] Spirit, and this will tend to
wean them more and more from the world and cause their consolation and chief
joy to be in the things of heaven, their sweet home. The power of attraction to
God and heaven will then be so great that nothing can draw their minds from the
great object of securing the soul's salvation and honoring and glorifying God. {EW 112.2}
As I realize how much has been done for us to keep us right,
I am led to exclaim, Oh, what love, what wondrous love, hath the Son of God for
us poor sinners! Should we be stupid and careless while everything is being
done for our salvation that can be done? All heaven is interested for us. We
should be alive and awake to honor, glorify, and adore the high and lofty One.
Our hearts should flow out in love and gratitude to Him who has been so full of
love and compassion to us. With our lives we should honor Him, and with pure
and holy conversation show that we are born from above, that this world is not
our home, but that we are pilgrims and strangers here, traveling to a better
country. {EW 113.1}
Many who profess the name of Christ and claim to be looking
for His speedy coming, know not what it is to suffer for Christ's sake. Their
hearts are not subdued by grace, and they are not dead to self, as is often
shown in various ways. At the same time they are talking of having trials. But
the principal cause of their trials is an unsubdued heart, which makes self so
sensitive that it is often crossed. If such could realize what it is to be a
humble follower of Christ, a true Christian, they would begin to work in good
earnest and begin right. They would first die to self, then be instant in
prayer, and check every passion of the heart. Give up your self-confidence and
self-sufficiency, brethren, and follow the meek Pattern. Ever keep Jesus in
your mind that He is your example and you must [114] tread
in His footsteps. Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who
for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame. He
endured the contradiction of sinners against Himself. He for our sins was once
the meek, slain lamb, wounded, bruised, smitten, and afflicted. {EW 113.2}
Let us, then, cheerfully suffer something for Jesus' sake, crucify self
daily, and be partakers of Christ's sufferings here, that we may be made
partakers with Him of His glory, and be crowned with glory, honor, immortality,
and eternal life. {EW
114.1}
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