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The Legacy of Faith and a Warning for All of Us

  • johnbeliefs
  • Dec 30, 2023
  • 3 min read

My grandmother, Vivian Allen, was a force to be reckoned with. A resident of Newark, New Jersey, she possessed a powerful blend of outspokenness, aggression, humor, and kindness. One memorable instance involved her accusing a fruit vendor of hiding bad peaches at the bottom of the box. To prove her point, she proceeded to dump the entire box out, ensuring she got good ones!Her faith was a tapestry woven from various threads. Raised with Baptist traditions, she also held spiritualist beliefs. Stories abound of the extraordinary in their family: great-grandmother levitating a table, great-aunt conversing with her deceased husband, and even a neighbor's chimney struck by lightning during a Ouija board session.


A pivotal moment arrived with the visit of a Colporteur selling religious books. My grandmother, ever the inquisitor, bombarded him with questions about death and the afterlife. His Bible-based answers resonated with her, leading her to delve deeper into the faith. She began attending weekly Bible studies with the local Adventist pastor, a process that took over 2 years due to the emphasis on thorough understanding and study.


A miracle unfolded in the life of my uncle Clifton, my grandmothers second child. Diagnosed with rheumatic fever at age five, which caused severe damage to his heart valves.  The physician predictions of his demise by age ten or twelve, his future seemed bleak. However, my grandmother's unwavering faith led her to seek divine intervention through anointing. The results were astonishing. Clifton, who struggled to fit into his shoes due to severe swelling, put them on and ran outside to play after the anointing, leaving everyone speechless.


This profound event impacted my aunt Grace, who accompanied my grandmother to church the following Sabbath. Grace was 25 and had just become engaged and was happily showing the ladies her diamond ring. Unfortunately, a comment about the prohibition of wearing rings alienated her, and she never returned.  No one else from my grandmother linage has every consider the truth we hold so dear. This was in 1935.


With many minds, and often those of the finest susceptibility, an atmosphere of unsympathetic criticism is fatal to effort. Flowers do not unfold under the breath of a blighting wind. CG 280.4


But never should it be forgotten that influence is no less a power for evil. To lose one's own soul is a terrible thing; but to cause the loss of other souls is still more terrible. That our influence should be a savor of death unto death is a fearful thought; yet this is possible. Many who profess to gather with Christ are scattering from Him. This is why the church is so weak. Many indulge freely in criticism and accusing. By giving expression to suspicion, jealousy, and discontent, they yield themselves as instruments to Satan. Before they realize what they are doing, the adversary has through them accomplished his purpose. The impression of evil has been made, the shadow has been cast, the arrows of Satan have found their mark. Distrust, unbelief, and downright infidelity have fastened upon those who otherwise might have accepted Christ. Meanwhile the workers for Satan look complacently upon those whom they have driven to skepticism, and who are now hardened against reproof and entreaty. They flatter themselves that in comparison with these souls they are virtuous and righteous. They do not realize that these sad wrecks of character are the work of their own unbridled tongues and rebellious hearts. It is through their influence that these tempted ones have fallen. COL 340.3

So frivolity, selfish indulgence, and careless indifference on the part of professed Christians are turning away many souls from the path of life. Many there are who will fear to meet at the bar of God the results of their influence. COL 341.1

It is only through the grace of God that we can make a right use of this endowment. There is nothing in us of ourselves by which we can influence others for good. If we realize our helplessness and our need of divine power, we shall not trust to ourselves. We know not what results a day, an hour, or a moment may determine, and never should we begin the day without committing our ways to our heavenly Father. His angels are appointed to watch over us, and if we put ourselves under their guardianship, then in every time of danger they will be at our right hand. When unconsciously we are in danger of exerting a wrong influence, the angels will be by our side, prompting us to a better course, choosing our words for us, and influencing our actions. Thus our influence may be a silent, unconscious, but mighty power in drawing others to Christ and the heavenly world. COL 341.2


My Prayer is that we will all “put ourselves under the guardianship” of our angel every day and especially when we come to church on Sabbath.

 
 
 

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