WE sometimes hear people saying, “What can I do for Jesus ?” as though they were placed here upon this earth, to fold their hands in idleness; or that they were to engage them only in those things which should be for their pleasure and comfort, regardless of the welfare and good of mankind; thinking that they have nothing to do in the drama of life as light—bearers, or as meek and humble followers of the blessed Saviour, that men might take knowledge of them and turn and glorify God. I sometimes think if we were sensible of what the Lord of glory has done for us, such expressions would never escape our lips.
After we had fallen, as a race, and lost our first estate by sin, He pitied and loved us, and prepared a way of escape from death for us. He established and set forth a perfect plan of salvation, that through faith and by obedience we might be restored to the favor of God, and at last have eternal life. He left His Father’s kingdom, where He was highly exalted and honored, laying aside the glory that was His, condescending to take upon Himself the form of fallen man and bear our iniquities upon the tree, offering His life as a ransom, and pouring out his blood for the washing away of sin. And all this for sinful and rebellious man.
As we recount the trials and sufferings of our blessed Saviour while here upon this earth; the many mighty miracles which he wrought in attestation of His benevolent character; his going about doing good, preaching the gospel of the kingdom unto the poor and needy, healing the sick, making the lame whole, giving eyes to the blind, unstopping the ears of the deaf, restoring the dead to life again, confirming the sayings of the prophets by His acts; His love unmeasured; His mercies unnumbered; His kindness untold, and all because He loved us, who can say, that they can do nothing for him? A thousand lives, like the lives we have here upon this earth, could not repay the debt of gratitude and love we owe to Him.
As we look upon the Lord’s extensive vineyard, with the few laborers therein toiling on through the dust and heat, spending their lives in gathering the jewels of the Lord, how can we say, we can do nothing for him?
The sands in the hour—glass of time are almost run out. The earth has been rolling round for nearly six thousand years, but now the day of the Lord is at hand. The harvest of the earth is fast ripening, preparing for the day of destruction, when the unmingled wrath of God shall be poured out, and the fury of His power manifested in the mighty whirlwind that shall sweep over the earth, and engulf all the wicked in the vortex of destruction. There are many honest souls walking in the ways of death who would delight themselves in the Lord, and walk in His commandments if they were but instructed in the truth. False theology must be exposed, and the gospel in its purity set before the people. All have, or may have, an influence on the side of the Lord; and in order that it may tell, our lives must first be right. Some may do little, others more, and many can do much, Let us, therefore, as God hath given, glorify Him in doing good in proportion as He hath given. All ye that have lost your first love, ye backsliders, ye cold and formal professors, ye that are discouraged under trials and temptations, lift up your heads and rejoice; be encouraged; start anew in the way of eternal life; be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might, like trees planted by the riverside that do flourish. And ye that regard your flocks, your cattle and horses, houses and lands before the Lord your God, tear down your idols and worship the Lord your God, lest He turn and speedily cut you off and leave no remembrance of you in the earth. Yes, we can do something for Him if it be nothing more than to give a glass of water to one of His disciples, or to speak a word of encouragement to the discouraged, despondent ones.
We may help fill up His suffering while on’ earth with patience and meekness, that we may be with them that glorify Him, when He comes to receive His people (the faithful and obedient) and return to heaven with them.
The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald Jan. 22 1867