Second Advent Review and Sabbath
Herald, April 28, 1859
“The Sinner’s Trials”
We often hear the life of the Christian
described as being filled with trials, sadness and sorrow, with but little to
cheer and comfort; and the impression is too often given, that if he should
give up his faith and his efforts for Eternal Life, the scene would be changed
to pleasure and happiness. But I have been led to compare the life of the
sinner with the life of the righteous. The sinner does not have a desire to
please God; therefore can have no pleasing sense of his approbation. He does
not enjoy his state of sin and worldly pleasure without trouble. He feels
deeply the ills of this mortal life. O yes, at times he is fearfully troubled.
He fears God, but does not love him.
Is the sinner free from disappointment,
perplexity, earthly losses, poverty and distress? O no! In this respect he is
no more secure than the righteous. He often suffers lingering sicknesses, yet
has no strong and mighty arm to lean upon, no strengthening grace from a higher
power to support him. In his weakness he must lean upon his own strength. He
cannot look forward with any pleasure to the resurrection morn, for he has no
cheering hope that he will then have part with the blest. He obtains no consolation
by looking forward to the future. A fearful uncertainty torments him, and thus
he closes his eyes in death. This is the end of the poor sinner’s life of vain
pleasures.
The Christian is subject to sickness,
disappointment, poverty, reproach and distress. Yet amid all this he loves God,
and loves to do his will, and prizes nothing so highly as his approbation. In
the conflicts, trials, and changing scenes of this life, he knows that there is
One who understands it all; One who will bend his ear low to the cries of the
sorrowful and distressed; One who can sympathize with every sorrow and soothe
the keenest anguish of every heart. He has invited the sorrowing ones to come
to him and find rest. Amid all his affliction the christian has strong
consolation, and if he suffers a lingering, distressing sickness, before he
closes his eyes in death, he can with cheerfulness bear it all, for he holds
communion with his Redeemer. You often see his countenance radiant with joy,
while he contemplates the future with heavenly satisfaction–only a short rest
in the grave, and the Life-giver will break the fetters of the tomb, release
the captive and bring him from his dusty bed immortal, never more to know pain,
sorrow or death. Let this hope of the christian be our hope, and we will ask no
more.
Many speak of the life of the christian
taking away from us pleasure and worldly enjoyment. I say it takes away nothing
worth having. Is there perplexity, poverty and distress endured by the
christian? O yes, this is expected in this life. But is the sinner of whom we
speak as enjoying the pleasures of this world free from these ills of life? Do
we not often see in him the pale cheek, the racking cough, indicating a fatal
disease? Is he not subject to burning fevers, and contagious diseases? How
often do you hear his complaints of meeting with heavy losses of worldly goods;
and consider, this is his only treasure. He loses all. These troubles of the
sinner are overlooked.
Christians are too apt to think they are
the only ones who have a hard time, and some seem to think that it is a
condescension in them to embrace unpopular truth, and profess to be Christ’s
followers. The road seems hard. They think they have many sacrifices to make,
when in truth they make no real sacrifice. If they are adopted into the family
of God, what sacrifices have they made? Their following Christ may have broken
friendship with worldly relatives; but look at the exchange–their names
written in the Lamb’s Book of Life–elevated, yes, greatly exalted to be
partakers of salvation–heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, to an
imperishable inheritance. If the link which binds them to worldly relatives is
weakened for Christ’s sake, a stronger one is formed, a link which binds finite
man to the Infinite God. Shall we call this a sacrifice on our part because we
yield error for truth, light for darkness, weakness for strength, sin for
righteousness, and a perishable name and inheritance, for honors that are
lasting, and an immortal treasure? But even in this life the christian has One
upon whom to lean for support who will help him bear all his trials. But the
sinner has to bear his trials alone. He goes down into the grave suffering
remorse, under darkness, bound by Satan, for he is his lawful prey.
It does seem to me if there is any one who
should be continually grateful, it is the christian. If there is any one who
enjoys happiness even in this life, it is the faithful follower of Jesus
Christ. It is the duty of God’s children to be cheerful. They should encourage
a happy frame of mind. God cannot be glorified by his children living
continually under a cloud and casting a shadow wherever they go. The christian
should cast sunshine instead of a shadow. The unbeliever often receives the
impression that religion is a gloomy thing, and that the life of the christian
has nothing inviting in it. If the christian dwells too much upon the rough
pathway, he makes it harder than it really is. If he dwells upon the bright
spots in the way, and is grateful for every ray of light, and then dwells upon
the rich reward that lies at the end of the race, instead of gloom, mourning
and complaints, he will bear a cheerful countenance. He has carefully treasured
every token for good, and God can safely bless him, and give him gladness of
heart.
May the Lord ever give us a lively sense of
the great sacrifice which has been made for us, and then present before us the
inheritance purchased for us by that dear sacrifice, and may our vision be
brightened and clear to dwell upon and appreciate the reward and excellent
glory prepared for the faithful christian. E. G. White, Second Advent Review
and Sabbath Herald, April 28, 1859.