June 10, 1903

Triumphant Through Christ

EGW

Christians are engaged in a warfare. The church militant is not the church triumphant. The followers of Christ, marching toward Zion, must fight at every step. His adversary is the one who once stood in the heavenly courts as the first of the covering cherubs. The beams of glory enshrouding the eternal God, once rested constantly upon him. But, not content with his position, tho honored above the heavenly host, he began to covet the glory with which the Father had invested the Son. Lucifer desired to be first in heaven. Thus he introduced sin into the universe. Entering the Garden of Eden after his expulsion from heaven, he succeeded in deceiving our first parents. Ever since he has claimed this world. Declaring that no human-being can keep the law of God's kingdom, he claims all men as his subjects.ST June 10, 1903, par. 1

The Redeemer of the Fallen Race

It was the existence of sin in the human heart that led Christ to come to this earth. He covenanted with God to lay aside His kingly crown and royal robe, clothe His divinity with humanity, and, standing on this earth at the head of humanity, bear testimony against the assertion of darkness that man could not live without sin. To save sinners, the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, descended step by step to the lowest depths of humiliation.ST June 10, 1903, par. 2

If we should ask Isaiah who Jesus of Nazareth is, we should receive this reply: “Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulders; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Such are the titles Isaiah gives to the One who came to our world to save the fallen race.ST June 10, 1903, par. 3

Christ came to subject Himself to all the temptations wherewith man is beset. In human nature He suffered all the trials and disappointments, the humiliations and afflictions, that man suffers. In our behalf Christ took humanity upon Himself, and stood at the head of humanity. In His humanity, He touched humanity; in His divinity, as His right, He laid hold on the throne of God.ST June 10, 1903, par. 4

When the Pharisees asked the disciples why their Master ate with publicans and sinners, Christ, overhearing the question, turned to His accusers, and, in the dignity of His mission, said: “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” In His life He has given us a representation of what repentant sinners may become. He was pure and undefiled. From His lips escaped no word that could leave a stain upon His character. All through the Scriptures He has given us assurances that through His grace we may attain the same perfection of character that He attained.ST June 10, 1903, par. 5

Our High Estate

By giving Himself, Christ offered a complete sacrifice, that we, by believing on Him, might become “sons and daughters of the Most High.” What are we willing to do in return for this infinite sacrifice? What sacrifice are we willing to make, that we may be sons and daughters of God, “partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust?”ST June 10, 1903, par. 6

My brother, my sister, do you desire to be a member of the royal family, a child of the heavenly King? Do you desire to share in the final reward of the faithful? It matters not what your surroundings are; if you look to Christ for counsel and strength, you will be able to withstand every temptation.ST June 10, 1903, par. 7

Let those who are so desirous of worldly pleasure, so ambitious for worldly honor, think of the one who sacrificed His all in order to show them what they may become through His grace and strength. Will those for whom He has died do what they must do to be saved? Will they learn from His life the lessons they should learn in regard to the character they must form in order to be prepared to unite with the loyal, holy family that shall enter through the gates into the city?ST June 10, 1903, par. 8

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” If the affections are set on earthly things the life is tainted and corrupted. Ever remember that by submitting to the rite of baptism you have signified that you “are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” Precious promise!ST June 10, 1903, par. 9

The Christ-Life

How thankful we should be that Christ came in poverty! No one can say, He knows nothing about the trials and hardships of poverty. Altho He knew that He was the Majesty of heaven and the Redeemer of the lost race, He worked for many years at the carpenter's trade. From childhood he did his part toward sustaining a family living in poverty. And in His daily work He taught lessons in regard to the perfecting of character. In every detail of the work connected with the construction of buildings—in every stroke He made, in every piece He prepared and joined to other pieces—He showed the care and exactness with which character should be built. It is He who inspired Paul to declare, “Ye are God's building.”ST June 10, 1903, par. 10

The companions of Jesus often said to Him, Why need you be so particular? It is unnecessary to work in that way. You could just as well work with less exactitude, and save time. Instead of arguing with them, Jesus answered their criticisms by beginning to chant one of the Psalms in which David taught that faithfulness and integrity must mark the character. The spirit of the song affected the hearts of those who were with Jesus, and almost before they realized what they were doing, they caught the strain and joined with [Him] in singing. And when a quarrel arose, instead of stopping to argue or to justify His course, Jesus began to sing. Soon His companions would forget their differences of opinion and their angry words. Those who, a few moments before, had felt provoked with Him or with one another, now joined in singing the hymn of praise.ST June 10, 1903, par. 11

By pursuing the same course we may hide in Christ. Then we shall be partakers of the divine nature.ST June 10, 1903, par. 12

The Victory

The Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering, that He might bring many sons and daughters to the Father above. We are standing under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel. As faithful soldiers of the cross we are not to fight against principalities and powers, but against spiritual wickedness in high places. We are to meet Satan and his host. In this warfare there is no rest, no release. We must conquer in the name of Jesus, or be conquered. Armed with the mind of Christ, we shall be more than overcomers.ST June 10, 1903, par. 13

The Lord desires us to be victorious over the powers of darkness. He is willing to save to the uttermost all who come to Him. It is through Him that “we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand.” Through Him we have access to heaven's treasure-house—His Word, the Holy Scriptures. From this treasure-house we are to draw the weapons of our warfare—the weapons so effectively used by our Saviour. With the sword of truth—“it is written”—He vanquished the foe. Armed with this sword, and protected by the shield of faith, we, the church militant, shall be able to stand unmoved by Satan's assaults. Continuing to resist the enemy, we shall constantly gain strength, and finally become the church triumphant.ST June 10, 1903, par. 14