October 12, 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
LET HIM WHO THINKS HE IS ALREADY ETERNALLY SAVED TAKE HEED LEST HE BE SELF-DECEIVED
“Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Cor. 10:12, KJV.
Peter, one of the Twelve disciples had to learn a lesson that we all need to learn even more today “in these perilous times of the last days.” What was it?
See Matt. 26: 31-35, 58, 69-75. Now this: “Peter’s fall was not instantaneous, but gradual. Self confidence led him to the belief that he was SAVED, and step after step was taken in the downward path, until he could DENY his Master.
“Never can we safely put confidence in self or feel, this side of heaven, that we are secure against TEMPTATlON. Those who accept the Savior, however sincere their conversion, should NEVER be taught to say or to feel that they are saved. THIS IS MISLEADING. Everyone should be taught to cherish HOPE and FAITH, but even when we give ourselves to Christ and know that He accepts us, we are NOT BEYOND THE REACH OF TEMPTATION. Only ‘he who endures the trial will receive the crown of life.’
“Those who accept Christ, and in their FIRST CONFIDENCE say, ‘I am saved,’ are in danger of trusting to themselves. We are admonished [1 Cor. 10:12 quoted]. Our only safety is constant DISTRUST of self, and dependence on Christ…..
“We are never to rest in a satisfied condition, AND CEASE TO MAKE ADVANCEMENT [in the divine-human joint work of moral character perfection], saying, ‘I am [already] saved.’ When this idea is entertained, the MOTIVES for watchfulness, for prayer, for earnest endeavor to press onward to higher [spiritual] attainments, CEASE TO EXIST.
“No sanctified tongue will be found uttering these words, [‘I am already saved’] till Christ shall come, and we ‘enter in through the gates unto the city of God.’ Then, with UTMOST PROPRIETY, we may give glory to God and to the Lamb for ETERNAL DELIVERANCE.” – (From E. G. White, Maranatha, p. 236).
May all learn this lesson before it is too late! God bless all, NMF