There Will Never Be A Time To Change Our Message

Christ Triumphant - A Devotional by E.G. White

There Will Never Be A Time To Change Our Message Today's Text: But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:9 The Message:      My soul is much burdened, for I know what is before us. Every conceivable deception will be brought to bear upon those who have not a daily, living connection with God. Satan's angels are wise to do evil, and they will create that which some will claim to be advanced light and will proclaim it as new and wonderful; yet while in some respects the message may be truth, it will be mingled with human inventions and will teach for doctrine the commandments of men. If there was ever a time when we should watch and pray in real earnest, it is now. Many apparently good things will need to be carefully considered with much prayer, for they are specious devices of the enemy to lead souls in a path that lies so close to the path of truth that it will be scarcely distinguishable from it. But the eye of faith may discern that it is diverging, though almost imperceptibly, from the right path. At first it may be thought positively right, but after a while it is seen to be widely divergent from the way which leads to holiness and heaven. My brethren, I warn you to make straight paths for your feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way.       In the work of ministers and laymen who have not a daily connection with God there is not that which will stand the test of storm and tempest. A new order of things has come into the ministry. There is a desire to pattern after other churches, and simplicity and humility are almost unknown. The young ministers seek to be original, and to introduce new ideas and new plans for labor. Some open revival meetings, and by this means call large numbers into the church. But when the excitement is over, where are the converted ones? Repentance and confession of sin are not seen. The sinner is entreated to believe in Christ and accept Him, without regard to one's past life of sin and rebellion. The heart is not broken. There is no contrition of soul. The supposed converted ones have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus.      The Old and New Testament Scriptures show us the only way in which this work should be done. Repent, repent, [repent,] was the message rung out by John the Baptist in the wilderness. Christ's message to the people was, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:5. And the apostles were commanded to preach everywhere that men should repent.      The Lord desires His servants today to preach the old gospel doctrine, sorrow for sin, repentance, and confession. We want old-fashioned sermons, old-fashioned customs, old-fashioned fathers and mothers in Israel.  The sinner must be labored for, perseveringly, earnestly, wisely, until they shall see that they are transgressors of God's law, and shall exercise repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ.       Workers should not feel that it is a virtue to stand apart because they do not see all minor points in exactly the same light. If they agree on fundamental truths, they should not differ and dispute about matters of little real importance. To dwell on perplexing questions, that after all are of no vital consequence, tends to call the mind away from truths vital to the saving of the soul....      Unbelievers are critical, and they seek to frame some excuse for not receiving the truth as it is in Jesus. Where these differences exist among us, those who stand outside will say, "It will be time enough for us to believe as you do when you can agree among yourselves as to what constitutes truth." Thus the ungodly take advantage of the divisions and controversies among Christians.-Manuscript 82, 1894 (The Review and Herald, November 4, 1965). *Note: I have added in the parts that were left out by the compilers for what ever reason, that the true sentiment of the author may be seen.  These parts are underlined. Commentary: My friend, the gospel that was preached in the time of Christ is the same gospel that is to be preached today, and that gospel is "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18). Our salvation and everlasting life comes only by the Son of God living within our hearts. "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (1 John 5:11, 12). Yet today the pillars of our faith have been changed.  The One true God spoken of by Jesus in John 17:3 "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." has been changed to the triune god of the trinity.  While on the outside it looks the same, having a Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; in reality destroys both the Father and the Son. The trinity teaches that the Son of God is not truly a son, but is only a role, or a metaphor that one of the divine beings has assumed for our salvation.  It teaches that the God the Son cannot truly be a son for He is God and does not have a beginning.  Yet the testimony of the Father is "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17).  If the Son is not truly a son then the testimony of the Father is a lie.  Of this the Scriptures foretold in 1 John 2:22 saying "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son." The doctrine of the trinity is a doctrine of men and not supported by the Scriptures.  Jesus speaking to His disciples said of the man made doctrines of the Pharisees "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Matthew 15:9). My friend, the everlasting gospel that is to go to the world with the power of God is not the gospel of the trinity, but a call of the world back to the One true God through His Son Jesus Christ.  If we are to give this message with the power of God, we must be sanctified by Him, and that sanctification comes only through Christ living within us. May you turn from the worship of the false god of the trinity unto the One true God through His Son Jesus Christ today. God bless, Video of the Week The Legal Universe (Wenatchee) - David Clayton A message from David Clayton at a Camp Meeting in Wenatchee, June 2018.