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To Which Party Do You Belong?, July 27
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess
also before my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 10:32
.
The truth, to be genuine in its influence on the human heart, must be
acknowledged before the universe of heaven, before the worlds unfallen,
and before men. Let no one entertain the idea that he may work out his
own salvation or receive the smallest spiritual blessing which the gospel
offers, by stealth. The Lord calls for open, manly confession. “Ye are
my witnesses, saith the Lord” (
Isaiah 43:10
). Nothing can be effectually
gained in advancing in the knowledge of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ
until the unbelieving one, longing after Christian excellence of character,
shall become as God has intended—a spectacle unto the world, to angels,
and to men, a city set on a hill that cannot be hid....
When one places his feet on the solid rock Christ Jesus as his founda-
tion, he receives an endowment of power from the Source of all knowledge,
all wisdom, and spiritual efficiency, that all may know to which party he
belongs—commandment keepers or commandment breakers. The banner
of Prince Emmanuel that floats over his head will not fail to clear away
all uncertainty and give all to understand that we keep the commandments
of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. The love of Jesus Christ
possesses a constraining power
When Jesus was asked the question, Art thou the Son of God? He knew
that to answer in the affirmative would make His death certain; a denial
would leave a stain upon His humanity. There was a time to be silent, and a
time to speak. He had not spoken until plainly interrogated. In His lessons
to His disciples He had declared: “Whosoever therefore shall confess me
before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”
When challenged, Jesus did not deny His relationship with God. In that
solemn moment His character was at stake and must be vindicated. He left
on that occasion an example for man to follow under similar circumstances.
He would teach him not to apostatize from his faith to escape suffering or
even death
[215]
43
Letter 128, 1895
.
44
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 5:1124
.
220