CONSECRATION MUST BE TO GOD ONLY
This same figure of baptism in water is for you and me, and it becomes an outward confession that whatever is written in the Book concerning us we will be glad to do. We rejoice to do the will of God, and desire that His will may be done in us, even as it was done in our Master. This is the only kind of sacrifice that God will accept. One says, I have consecrated myself to my church. Others say, I will consecrate myself to God and then will try mission work. Another says, I will consecrate myself to work for God in the temperance field. God did not ask them to do any of this. That is not acceptable sacrifice. God says that we are to consecrate ourselves to Him only, and put no restrictions around our sacrifice. “Thy will be done in me, whatever that may be,” should be our heart sentiment.
So, then we see what God has arranged for us, and how reasonable it all is that we have been invited to become partakers of Christ’s sufferings now in order that we may become sharers
in His glory to follow. It has been an invitation, not a command. A command to sacrifice our lives would not have been just. God set before us a great prize. He made no threat, used no force. If we do not wish to come without being forced, we cannot come at all. He has merely sent forth His Message, and wherever that Message goes it appeals to certain hearts, and to those only.
IS OUR WIRELESS RECEIVER IN TUNE
It is like the wireless messages that go forth from the telegraph instrument. Waves of sound go out miles and miles, clear across the Atlantic Ocean. They go from New Jersey clear over into Germany. It is not every one that can catch the message. The sending instrument is tuned to a certain key. If you have a good co-hearer, or receiving instrument, and yet do not have your co-hearer properly tuned, you cannot receive the message at all. If you have a good co-hearer and get it in line with the message that is coming in, you can get the message. It is often necessary to tune the receiver up higher and higher before it gets in tune with the sending instrument.
And so, you and I must have been in tune with God before we could hear His Message; and we must continue to keep in tune with Him if we would continue to receive messages from Him.
God’s messages pass over the heads of millions of people and they do not hear. “Eyes have they, but they see not; ears have they, but they hear not.” “Blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears, for they hear!” Many in Jesus’ day had co-hearers that were not properly attuned to receive the Message of the Son of God, and they refused the words of Jesus. Their thoughts were not in tune.
So, it is today. God is finding the humble and sincere, those who are in tune with Him. I trust that we are in tune to receive the Message which our great Shepherd has sent forth; that we have true co-hearers, and are keeping our instruments in tune with the infinite One, so that we shall be able to hear the Message more and more fully, and are continuing in that love that rejoices to lay down life itself in His service. In the 8th Chapter of Romans, we read that God has foreordained that all who would be of the Church class in glory must be copies of His dear Son (Character wise); otherwise, we shall not receive the “prize” no others can obtain it.
CHANGE OF THE CHURCH NEAR AT HAND
Now, dear friends, I cannot tell you when we shall reach the end of our race course. As far as I can see, judging from the Word, we must be near, very near, even at the door. We are certainly down in the time referred to by Jesus when men’s hearts would fail them for fear. Every financier and statesman are fearful respecting the future. The things coming upon the earth are causing great perplexity. But when we, the Lord’s true people, see these things beginning to come to pass, we are to lift up our heads and rejoice, “knowing that our deliverance draws nigh.” The time for the glorification of the Church is close at hand. When the door (to the Heavenly calling) shall once be shut, no one else will ever enter therein. The door of mercy for the world (and restitution blessings) will then be thrown open wider than ever, but the door which has been open (now during the Gospel age) for the bride to enter in to her marriage with the Lamb will be closed forever. So then, if we hope to be joint-heirs with Christ, to suffer now and to be glorified shortly, now is the time to make our calling and election sure.
Is your election sure, brother?
It is sure upon the terms which God has made. Have you met these terms. If so, God will never fail you. It is absolutely certain with Him. The only uncertainty is with ourselves. If you are faithful to the best of your ability, God asks nothing more. All things are yours if you abide in Him. Continue in the spirit of the Master, growing in grace and in knowledge, and becoming stronger and stronger. His grace will be sufficient for you, for His strength is made perfect in our weakness; and all things the trials, the sufferings, the persecutions and misunderstandings shall work together for good to those who abide in His love, “the called ones according to His purpose.” This applies to us, if we are His. So, as we see the terrible trouble drawing nearer, I trust we are becoming stronger in the Truth, and will be pledged to lay down our lives in God’s blessed service.” 3H792
This same figure of baptism in water is for you and me, and it becomes an outward confession that whatever is written in the Book concerning us we will be glad to do. We rejoice to do the will of God, and desire that His will may be done in us, even as it was done in our Master. This is the only kind of sacrifice that God will accept. One says, I have consecrated myself to my church. Others say, I will consecrate myself to God and then will try mission work. Another says, I will consecrate myself to work for God in the temperance field. God did not ask them to do any of this. That is not acceptable sacrifice. God says that we are to consecrate ourselves to Him only, and put no restrictions around our sacrifice. “Thy will be done in me, whatever that may be,” should be our heart sentiment.
So, then we see what God has arranged for us, and how reasonable it all is that we have been invited to become partakers of Christ’s sufferings now in order that we may become sharers
in His glory to follow. It has been an invitation, not a command. A command to sacrifice our lives would not have been just. God set before us a great prize. He made no threat, used no force. If we do not wish to come without being forced, we cannot come at all. He has merely sent forth His Message, and wherever that Message goes it appeals to certain hearts, and to those only.
IS OUR WIRELESS RECEIVER IN TUNE
It is like the wireless messages that go forth from the telegraph instrument. Waves of sound go out miles and miles, clear across the Atlantic Ocean. They go from New Jersey clear over into Germany. It is not every one that can catch the message. The sending instrument is tuned to a certain key. If you have a good co-hearer, or receiving instrument, and yet do not have your co-hearer properly tuned, you cannot receive the message at all. If you have a good co-hearer and get it in line with the message that is coming in, you can get the message. It is often necessary to tune the receiver up higher and higher before it gets in tune with the sending instrument.
And so, you and I must have been in tune with God before we could hear His Message; and we must continue to keep in tune with Him if we would continue to receive messages from Him.
God’s messages pass over the heads of millions of people and they do not hear. “Eyes have they, but they see not; ears have they, but they hear not.” “Blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears, for they hear!” Many in Jesus’ day had co-hearers that were not properly attuned to receive the Message of the Son of God, and they refused the words of Jesus. Their thoughts were not in tune.
So, it is today. God is finding the humble and sincere, those who are in tune with Him. I trust that we are in tune to receive the Message which our great Shepherd has sent forth; that we have true co-hearers, and are keeping our instruments in tune with the infinite One, so that we shall be able to hear the Message more and more fully, and are continuing in that love that rejoices to lay down life itself in His service. In the 8th Chapter of Romans, we read that God has foreordained that all who would be of the Church class in glory must be copies of His dear Son (Character wise); otherwise, we shall not receive the “prize” no others can obtain it.
CHANGE OF THE CHURCH NEAR AT HAND
Now, dear friends, I cannot tell you when we shall reach the end of our race course. As far as I can see, judging from the Word, we must be near, very near, even at the door. We are certainly down in the time referred to by Jesus when men’s hearts would fail them for fear. Every financier and statesman are fearful respecting the future. The things coming upon the earth are causing great perplexity. But when we, the Lord’s true people, see these things beginning to come to pass, we are to lift up our heads and rejoice, “knowing that our deliverance draws nigh.” The time for the glorification of the Church is close at hand. When the door (to the Heavenly calling) shall once be shut, no one else will ever enter therein. The door of mercy for the world (and restitution blessings) will then be thrown open wider than ever, but the door which has been open (now during the Gospel age) for the bride to enter in to her marriage with the Lamb will be closed forever. So then, if we hope to be joint-heirs with Christ, to suffer now and to be glorified shortly, now is the time to make our calling and election sure.
Is your election sure, brother?
It is sure upon the terms which God has made. Have you met these terms. If so, God will never fail you. It is absolutely certain with Him. The only uncertainty is with ourselves. If you are faithful to the best of your ability, God asks nothing more. All things are yours if you abide in Him. Continue in the spirit of the Master, growing in grace and in knowledge, and becoming stronger and stronger. His grace will be sufficient for you, for His strength is made perfect in our weakness; and all things the trials, the sufferings, the persecutions and misunderstandings shall work together for good to those who abide in His love, “the called ones according to His purpose.” This applies to us, if we are His. So, as we see the terrible trouble drawing nearer, I trust we are becoming stronger in the Truth, and will be pledged to lay down our lives in God’s blessed service.” 3H792
