May 1, 1904

Laborers Needed

EGW

Many fields are open for the proclamation of the gospel of truth. One thing is certain. We must have more laborers. I know of no other way of obtaining them than by praying most earnestly to our heavenly Father. I am satisfied that God's people need the impartation of the Holy Spirit. When they receive the Spirit they will go to work to do what needs to be done. They need to awake to a realization of their half-hearted way of working. I cannot see how they dare to stand in their present position,—a position of spiritual indifference. Is not the warning in the Word of God of sufficiently grave import to lead them to make an unreserved consecration of themselves to God's service?BTS May 1, 1904, par. 1

“These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest and art dead. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die; for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how that thou hast received and heard, and hold fast and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shall not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments: and they shall walk with Me in white; for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed with white raiment, and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.”BTS May 1, 1904, par. 2

We need more zeal and animation in the Lord's work, more genuine interest in matters of eternal importance. When we know that the Lord cannot be glorified in us unless we surrender all to Him, why do we not cast our helpless souls upon Him? Why do we not abide in Him, that He may abide in us? When we do this, we shall be a living power in the world. The change in our spiritual experience will witness to the power of the truth. We shall be bright lights, shining amid the moral darkness of the world. Since the Lord has declared that He is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him, than parents are to give good gifts to their children, why do we not accept the promise so freely made? Why do we not consecrate ourselves to God? Entire surrender to the Lord is something that is revealed in the daily life, and it exerts an influence upon other lives.BTS May 1, 1904, par. 3

In the sermon on the mount, Christ has given a definition of true sanctification. He lived a life of holiness. He was an object lesson of what His followers are to be. We are to be crucified with Christ, buried with Him, and then quickened by His Spirit. Then we are filled with His life.BTS May 1, 1904, par. 4