Circumstances Need Not Control Us

Christ Triumphant - A Devotional by E.G. White

Circumstances Need Not Control Us

Today's Text: The Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake.... Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. Genesis 39:5, 6

The Message:      Many blame their circumstances and plead, as an excuse for their condition, that they are unfavorably situated, being thrown into the society of the irreligious and self-indulgent and intemperate. But do not let yourself be deceived. You can shape your surroundings in the place of bending and being molded in character by circumstances. Godliness will stand the test, because it has a living root to sustain it, a wellspring from which it draws its nourishment.      The corruption of the human heart is that which leads it to love the society of the careless and unholy. The true secret of all true followers of Jesus, and their continued, unsullied integrity, is that they love truth, they love righteousness. Their moral taste is not depraved, and although they are surrounded by evil the deep work of the truth wrought in their hearts keeps them true and steadfast to God even in very bad circumstances. This is the fruit that grows on the Christian tree, the faith that realizes the presence and help of God at all times. There is a constant dread of incurring the displeasure of God, whom they reverence and whom they love. It was this principle that preserved Joseph amid temptation. You must cultivate real faith in God, in His gracious goodness, faith in His presence. You must pray as you have never prayed before.      Albert [a friend] is no help to you and you are no help to him, because you do not exercise the power of influence for good. Your influence is to strengthen the temptations of Satan, to lead each other away from truth, purity, and holiness. Angels blush over your words and your actions. You have become tempters to one another. You both need to greatly humble your souls at the foot of the cross and learn meekness and lowliness of heart. It is genuine godliness woven into the character that will make young men a light in the world....      Fearing God-how little of it there is! ... There are those who will be like the men and women who helped to build the ark. They hear the truth; they have every advantage to become people of moral worth, yet they will not choose the good society, but the corrupt. If there is an influence that is not heavenly, they will gather to their side and unite with them, and although they act a part in the preparation of the truth that is to fit a people to stand in the day of the Lord, they will perish in the general ruin like Noah's carpenters who helped to build the ark. God help you that you may not be of that class.-Letter 36, 1887 (Manuscript Releases 18:260-262).

Commentary: My friend, each of us has circumstance that tend to lead us away from developing characters for Christ, but these circumstanced do not need to shape and mold us.  We can be connected to the living water if we choose.  Jesus said in John 15:5 "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."  It is only as we are continually connected to Jesus that we may develop characters for Heaven. There are many today that are in favorable circumstances and, yet they are not truly connected to Jesus.  Their belief in the god of the trinity obscures their view of God and develops within them a form of godliness but does not transform them into the image of God.  In this time of relative peace and prosperity they will show forth works that seem to be Christian, but when trial and tribulation comes this façade will be stripped away.  An outward show of righteousness cannot replace true righteousness in the heart.  Jesus speaking of the Scribes and Pharisees said in Matthew 15:8, 9 "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."  It is in the heart that we are to be transformed, and if the heart is transformed the works of God will follow. The trinity is not a doctrine of the Bible but a doctrine of men, and as such cannot lead the believer to true righteousness; righteousness that comes from above will lead to a total and complete surrender to the will of God.  By introducing the Holy Spirit as a separate being from the Father and the Son, the trinity has introduced another mediator, separate from Jesus Christ.  In this way the trinity obscures our view of God and as such leads us to a false experience with Him. My friend, the Scriptures teach us that there is only One true God and that is the Father, and it is only through His Son, Jesus Christ, that we are connected to Him (John 17:3), for He said "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6).  If you believe in the trinity it may give you a form of godliness, but it has no power to transform your life.  It is only as we are connected to Jesus Himself, can we be transformed into His image and be prepared to meet the trials of the last days. The foundation of the trinity is built upon a foundation of sand and when storm and tempest come, it will not stand.  All those who are basing their salvation upon this error will be swept away when the time of trouble comes to us all. May you accept the One true God of the Bible and His Son Jesus Christ today. God bless,

Video of the Week Jesus or Barabbas - Part 1 with Daniel Mesa This video series explores 307 Bible verses Daniel Mesa has found (and corresponding quotes) about God the Father and His Son. This is a continuing series of short presentations about who the God of the Bible really is.