May 15, 1901

The Rejection of a Faithful Message

EGW

In the sixth chapter of John is recorded the plain testimony which Christ bore to His followers. “It is the Spirit that quickeneth,” He said; “the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him. And He said, Therefore said I unto you that no man can come unto Me, except it were given unto him of My Father.”ST May 15, 1901, par. 1

It was necessary that Christ should speak thus plainly in regard to His work. Those who claimed to be His disciples must be tested. They must be proved, and this before He should leave them, lest after His departure their apostasy should come as a surprise to the true disciples, and the trial be too severe for them. The Saviour saw that this test was necessary for the future safety of His church.ST May 15, 1901, par. 2

“There are some of you that believe not.... Therefore said I unto you that no man can come unto Me, except it were given unto him of My Father.” He desired to impress them with the fact that if they were not drawn to Him, it would be because they were not sensible of the greatness of the Father's love for fallen human beings. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” It is by a living, ever-increasing faith that the soul sees and appreciates the holiness of Christ. This is the glory that pure faith receives, and it awakens in the soul the decided action which demonstrates the power of God.ST May 15, 1901, par. 3

The plainly spoken truth did its work. By it many were offended. They showed by their actions that truth was unpalatable to them. Closing their eyes to the light, and their hearts to rebuke, they chose the praise of men rather than the admonition of God. They willingly misapprehended Christ's words. “From that time,” we read, “many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.”ST May 15, 1901, par. 4

With sorrowful heart the Saviour watched the result of His words, and saw that many were departing from Him. His compassion was unappreciated, His love unrequited, His mercy slighted, His salvation rejected; and He felt this keenly. It was such developments as this that made Him a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.ST May 15, 1901, par. 5

The news quickly spread that Christ Himself had declared that He was not the Messiah. This garbled statement changed the tide of popular feeling, and turned many away from Him. But Christ did not enter into controversy with those who had left Him. He did not seek to remove from their minds the impression which had resulted in their leaving. He did not try to explain away His words. Looking upon the twelve who remained, He asked, “Will ye also go away?” Peter responded by the inquiry, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” “To whom shall we go?” Separated from Christ, where would they be? Should they leave His lessons of love and mercy for the unbelief and wickedness of the world?ST May 15, 1901, par. 6

Those who were reproved in love were offended, and turned from Christ in disdain, uniting with His enemies. They could not bear the test sent to save them from fatal deception.ST May 15, 1901, par. 7

Today souls are being tested and tried, and many are passing over the same ground trodden by those who forsook Christ. When tested by the Word, they reject the divine Teacher. When rebuked because their lives are not in harmony with truth and righteousness, they turn from the Saviour; and their decision, like that of the offended disciples, is never reversed. They walk no more with Christ. Thus are the words fulfilled, “Whose fan is in His hand, and He will throughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner.”ST May 15, 1901, par. 8

To those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit, Christ's lessons appear complete in their harmony with His mission of love. Those who are partakers of the divine nature, will be melted into tenderness when the Spirit sends conviction of sin. They will see the great work that must be done for the soul before it is prepared to dwell in the presence of God. They will not be too self-sufficient to receive correction. And in their dealing with one another, they will manifest the pitying tenderness which Christ revealed in His words and works.ST May 15, 1901, par. 9

True, earnest, self-sacrificing Christians will understand more and more of the mystery of godliness. The Spirit of Christ abides with them. They are co-laborers with Christ, and to them the Saviour reveals His purposes. There is seen in them none of the surface-work which leaves the character dwarfed, feeble, and sickly. Daily they grow in grace and in the knowledge of God. They recognize the mercy which administers reproof and reaches out the hand to restrain evil. In word and deed they say, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.”ST May 15, 1901, par. 10

Mrs. E. G. White