To the Faithful in Christ Jesus
“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia
October 7, 1897
Portions of this manuscript are published in 6BC 1065; 7ABC 466; TDG 289.
I attended meeting, and spoke in the upper chamber where we assemble to worship on the Sabbath. The room was full of our people. I spoke from Ephesians: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” [Ephesians 1:1, 2.] 12LtMs, Ms 114, 1897, par. 1
This letter is addressed to the faithful in Christ Jesus. Precious words! We will hope that all were worthy of the confidence and love that Paul had for those brethren whom he addressed. 12LtMs, Ms 114, 1897, par. 2
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” [Verse 3.] We should appreciate the words of the apostle. How far from narrowness is his statement. He gives praise to God because of the great spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, “according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” [Verse 4.] 12LtMs, Ms 114, 1897, par. 3
This work was wrought out by the Father and the Son for the benefit of the whole world. If men whom God created should be seduced by the apostate who fell from heaven, Christ pledged Himself to become his substitute and surety, giving man a second trial. When man transgressed even the smallest precept of Jehovah, it was disobedience just the same as though the test were larger. But how is the grace, mercy, and love provided! The divinity of Christ undertook to bear the sins of the transgressor. This ransom is on solid ground; this pledged peace is for the heart that receives Jesus Christ. And in receiving Him by faith we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. 12LtMs, Ms 114, 1897, par. 4
How could the language be more explicit and full? “He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” [Verses 4, 5.] Here is the ground of our faith. You dare not risk the “suppose so,” the haphazard religion of this age, that knows so little of self-denial and self-sacrifice. This is a fashionable, convenient, self-indulgent religion. If we would be saved, we must be obedient subjects of the kingdom of God. The law of Jehovah will allow no license for transgression. He has pledged to save man from his sins, but not in his sins. We may repent, we may receive pardon, we may fix our eyes on the matchless ransom paid by Jesus Christ on the cross. “The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all,” the whole world. [Isaiah 53:6.] Christ bore the weight of our sins, a weight sufficient to crush a world. 12LtMs, Ms 114, 1897, par. 5
Sin and transgression is a fearful element. Legions of angels in the heavenly courts, which excel in strength, abused their precious privileges, and joined the ranks of Satan against God. They fell from their high estate to the lowest apostasy, and were exiled from heaven. And so every soul will choose sides. No one will gain an entrance into heaven with their sins unconfessed and unforgiven. But all who come to Christ for pardon, He will in no wise cast out. They may be converted, and remain converted, if they will accept the grace of God through Jesus Christ, and become adopted as children through His merits. And living in that grace, they will become obedient children because of the ransom paid on the cross. The Lord God is wholly reconciled to the humbled transgressor who becomes loyal to God, and keeps His commandments. 12LtMs, Ms 114, 1897, par. 6
The times in which we now live call for whole-souled helpers. The practical character of the doctrines which we profess will make an impression upon hearts, for heavenly messengers co-operate with the worker whose faith and works are combined. He who has a vital connection with Jesus Christ will have a testimony to bear as a witness for the Master. “Ye are my friends,” said Christ, “if ye do whatsoever I command you.” [John 15:14.] All who in truth are friends of Christ will do the works of Christ. We are so inclined to bring unsanctified, unconverted, traits of character into our family government and into the church; and these make our words, our manner, and our spirit not only an offense in the home, but also to the church and to the whole heavenly universe. God calls it a perverse spirit. 12LtMs, Ms 114, 1897, par. 7
If all could see how God regards the selfish, pettish disposition, they would thoroughly despise themselves, and would make decided efforts to cut away from them every disagreeable action. The idea that men can unite with the family of God with all their disagreeable traits of character unchanged in this life is the greatest deception and delusion. The power to overcome depends, not on circumstances, not on any man living, however learned he may be, but on the ever present help which God supplies. The truth is not something to be kept bottled up for private occasions. If the truth is in the heart the receiver will reveal that faith that works by love, and purifies the soul. Its abiding principles in the heart will be manifested at all times and on all occasions. 12LtMs, Ms 114, 1897, par. 8
Paul, in addressing his epistle to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus, says, “Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” [Ephesians 1:2.] These words are not spoken to the souls out of Christ. All our success, all our efficiency, is in Christ. We must continually look above earthly help, higher than the greatest human power, higher than the apostles. We must fasten our faith directly upon Christ Himself. He has declared, “Without me ye can do nothing.” “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the Vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without me ye can do nothing.” [John 15:4, 5.] 12LtMs, Ms 114, 1897, par. 9
He gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. What will these do? What true evidence will they give of their calling? How will they reveal that they are the chosen of God? In the influence and character of the work that they do, the object of which is the perfecting of the saints in the work of the ministry, the edifying of the body, the church, of Christ. 12LtMs, Ms 114, 1897, par. 10
The apostle could never forget his conversion from a persecutor of all who believe on Christ, to a believer in Him. What a bearing this conversion had on all his after life! What an encouragement it was as he worked on the side of Him whom he once ridiculed and despised. He could never forget the assurance conveyed to him in the first part of his ministry. He could speak intelligently because he had an experience, a personal knowledge, of the Lord Jesus Christ. He had a living, abiding faith, for he cultivated a sense of the presence of Christ in all his works. He received strength in prayer, and as a faithful soldier of Christ he ever looked to his Captain for orders. No amount of obstacles piled up before him could cause him to regard the work as an impossibility, for he realized that “all things are possible to them that believe.” [Mark 9:23.] 12LtMs, Ms 114, 1897, par. 11
The battle cry of victory under all circumstances comes sounding down the line to our time, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” [Ephesians 1:4-6.] 12LtMs, Ms 114, 1897, par. 12