What makes a genuine SDA reformer? Beliefs? Church attendance? Loyalty? Faithful tithe paying? All of the above would be part of the answer, but there is more. Lifestyle, believing and living comprise the essence of the Christian faith. Francis Schaeffer, author of The Church at the End of the 20th Century, says,
“If you think that those who have rejected plastic culture and are sick of hypocrisy are going to be impressed when you talk about truth and at the same time practice untruth, you are wrong. They will never listen.”
We as reformers frequently emphasize the importance of our distinctive beliefs and doctrines. And it is right and necessary that we should do so. They identify us as a people. Yet, if we are to be truly genuine Christians, our distinctive beliefs must be followed by a distinctive way of life. It is not enough for us to merely profess to believe, for profession without practice is a form of religion, but it is not genuine Christianity. It is vital that we know by experience what it means to be a true Christian and a true follower of Christ.
There is another reason why we should live distinctive lifestyles. We are the people who believe in the Lord’s soon coming. In the light of this blessed hope, we are to be a people prepared and ready for Jesus’ return. Such readiness means that we are in earnest about our life practice as well as our doctrinal correctness. Yet, the history of human experience shows that we are unable to live this kind of life in our own strength. Our experience is very much one of sinning and repenting—and repeating this cycle. Our only strength and ability to be authentic Christians is found in Christ. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.
“You are safe only as you trust in God. We have a vigilant foe to contend against. . . . He [Christ] saw that it was not possible for man to overcome the powerful foe in his own strength, therefore He came in person from the courts of heaven and bore in behalf of man the test that Adam failed to endure. . . . Christ overcame Satan, making it possible for man to overcome on his own behalf in the name of Christ. But the victory can only be gained in Christ’s name, through His grace. When burdened, when pressed with temptation, when the feelings and desires of the natural heart are clamoring for the victory, earnest, fervent, importunate prayer in the name of Christ brings Jesus to your side as a helper, and through His name you gain the victory and Satan is vanquished. . . .
“The Christian life is a life of conflict, or self-denial and conquest. It is a continual battle and a march. Every act of obedience to Christ, every victory obtained over self, is a step in the march to glory and final victory. Take Christ for your Guide and He will lead you safely along. The pathway may be rough and thorny and the ascents steep, requiring toil. You may have to press on when weary, when you long for rest. You may have to fight on when faint and hope on when discouraged, but, with Christ as your Guide, you cannot lose the path of immortal life. . . . If you follow pride and selfish ambition you will find it pleasant at first, but the end is pain and sorrow. You may follow selfishness, which will promise you much but will poison and embitter your life. To follow Christ is safe. He will not suffer the powers of darkness to hurt one hair of your head. Trust in your Redeemer and you are safe.”—Our High Calling, p. 25.
May each of us entrust our hearts to the Redeemer’s special care, and through His power, daily live His victorious lifestyle!—B. Jaksic.
