Two issues back, in February of 2014, I wrote an article entitled, “Divine Law in Science.” In a part of this article I took Newton’s first and third laws of motion and compared them to our spiritual life. Recently someone asked me about Newton’s Second Law of Motion and if there is any spiritual comparison that can be made. Why did I leave out the second?
At the time that I wrote the article I had thought about the second law briefly; and since it was just a scientific formula I did not give it a second thought. It is a formula that describes motion, taking into consideration the mass of an object, and the amount of force needed to produce a certain acceleration. This Second Law gives us an exact relationship between force, mass, and acceleration and can be expressed as this mathematical equation: FORCE = MASS X (times) ACCELERATION.
Acceleration is produced when a force acts on a mass. The greater the mass of the object being moved, the greater the amount of force needed to move it—to accelerate it. Everyone unconsciously knows that heavier objects require more force to move the same distance as lighter objects. As the force acting upon an object is increased, the acceleration of the object is increased. As the mass of an object is increased, the acceleration of the object is decreased.
God is the author of all science and it is He that developed these formulas that human scientists have discovered. This law is seen in operation all throughout nature, for example, the wind. The stronger the force of the wind, the heavier the objects that it can move, also, the lighter objects are moved a further distance. A light summer breeze may move a few stray leaves lying in the grass across the lawn, while hurricane force winds can move much heavier objects such as cars a short distance; it can uproot trees and move lighter objects like leaves a greater distance. Jesus used this example in describing how the force of the Holy Spirit moves up on an individual. “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8. “As the wind moves in its force upon the lofty trees and brings them down, so the Holy Spirit can work upon human hearts, and no finite man can circumscribe the work of God.” –In Heavenly Places, p.22
The main difference between the force of the wind and force of the Holy Spirit is the fact that the wind is indiscriminate. It exerts its force against everything that comes across its pathway, while the force of Holy Spirit (by choice) is dependent on the willingness of the human being. “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.” Acts 7:51
From this scientific formula in Newton’s Second Law of Motion we can also learn a lesson for our spiritual life. The acceleration of a person in their spiritual life is dependent, not only on the force applied (by the Holy Spirit), but on the mass of the person. This mass is not the actual weight of the physical person, but the spiritual mass that a person is carrying that they will not let go of. The weight of this mass is dependent on how strongly the person is hanging on to the world; how burdened down they are with the cares of this life, and their own struggles. Many people are extremely weighed down with the cares of this world, causing the force (voice) of the Holy Spirit to move them at a slow pace, if it can move them at all. “No class is free from the temptation to worldly care. To the poor, toil and deprivation and the fear of want bring perplexities and burdens. To the rich come fear of loss and a multitude of anxious cares. Many of Christ’s followers forget the lesson He has bidden us learn from the flowers of the field. They do not trust to His constant care. Christ cannot carry their burden, because they do not cast it upon Him. Therefore the cares of life, which should drive them to the Saviour for help and comfort, separate them from Him.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 51. Thus the voice of the Holy Spirit becomes weaker. Due to the weight of the mass, some people advance, and accelerate quickly in their spiritual life. Some move very slowly and some are stagnant—not moving at all. They are chained to their heavy burdens. And sometimes the force of their burdens is so heavy that they are being pulled backwards.
Many hesitate to lay their mass (burden) at the foot of the cross. They want to keep it. Others want to carry their mass (cross) alone, not choosing to let Christ help them. They will find their cross deplorably heavy. Their Christian life is lived with a frown and a heavy brow—a life bereft of joy and happiness. They need to let go of their hold on earth and lay hold on Christ, taking up His offer to, “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28–30. Then there will be joy in the place of sorrow.
God has the perfect formula to keep us moving and growing in our spiritual life. He has planned each of our lives in a manner fit for our character development. Just like each inanimate object has a different mass, so also each of us has a different spiritual mass and need a different amount of force, or pressure, to be able move us to finally reflect the spotless character of Jesus. We cannot compare our Christian walk with anyone else’s. This would do one of two things: it will either discourage us as we see there are others far more advanced in their spiritual walk than we are, or it will make us proud as we see we are further ahead than someone else. “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” 2 Corinthians 10:12. “In God’s plan there is no place for selfish rivalry.” –Education, p. 226. “We should not measure ourselves by the world, nor by the opinions of men, nor by what we were before we embraced the truth. But our faith and position in the world, as they now are, must be compared with what they would have been if our course had been continually onward and upward since we professed to be followers of Christ. This is the only safe comparison that can be made.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 406. Never should we grumble regarding our lot in life. It is all the leading of the Holy Spirit. Some have more wealth, some less. Some have excellent health; some are more feeble in their health. Some are powerful speakers, some are meek and quiet. All have different talents—all are being led by the Holy Spirit according to their ability to advance. You have God’s specific plan, and formula, for your life.
Sometimes the work of the Holy Spirit comes in a remarkably forceful manner and can be described using the common phrase in English, as a “Wake-up call.” Like an “electric shock on the palsy-stricken soul, causing every nerve to thrill with new life, restoring the whole man from his dead, earthly, sensual state to spiritual soundness.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 267. The Apostle Paul had such an experience on the road to Damascus. “Filled with fear, and almost blinded by the intensity of the light, the companions of Saul heard a voice, but saw no man. But Saul understood the words that were spoken, and to him was clearly revealed the One who spoke—even the Son of God. In the glorious Being who stood before him he saw the Crucified One. Upon the soul of the stricken Jew the image of the Saviour’s countenance was imprinted forever. The words spoken struck home to his heart with appalling force. Into the darkened chambers of his mind there poured a flood of light, revealing the ignorance and error of his former life and his present need of the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 115 (emphasis mine). The Apostle Paul was ready for this change of heart. He was willing to give up his old way of life; the traditions of the Pharisees. The way had been prepared in Paul’s life for many years before this event.
This is not a race to the finish where only the first person to cross the line receives the prize. In this race, all who finish before time runs out will receive the prize. Some will have run longer than others. Some may have run for 80 years, while others for 2. However, the prize is granted to all who allow the force of the Holy Spirit to keep them moving along until they cross the finish line.
CONTENDING FORCES
In the spiritual life of man, there are different forces
involved. There are good and evil forces contending for the heart of man, they can move us (accelerate us) in one direction, or in the opposite direction. “In the Word of God are represented two contending parties that influence and control human agencies in our world. Constantly these parties are working with every human being.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1118
When the world is not fully let go of, often a tug-of-war goes on in a person’s mind before the final decision is made as to which force will be the strongest in the person’s life. “A union with Christ by living faith is enduring; every other union must perish. Christ first chose us, paying an infinite price for our redemption; and the true believer chooses Christ as first and last and best in everything. But this union costs us something. It is a union of utter dependence, to be entered into by a proud being. All who form this union must feel their need of the atoning blood of Christ. They must have a change of heart. They must submit their own will to the will of God. There will be a struggle with outward and internal obstacles. There must be a painful work of detachment as well as a work of attachment. Pride, selfishness, vanity, worldliness—sin in all its forms—must be overcome if we would enter into a union with Christ. The reason why many find the Christian life so deplorably hard, why they are so fickle, so variable, is that they try to attach themselves to Christ without first detaching themselves from these cherished idols.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 231. The stronger a hold people have with this world, the more difficult is it to detach and get moving in the right direction. However, we are told that we must “mortify the deeds of the body.” Romans 8:13. Mortify, meaning, put to death.
There are many forces of evil at work in this world and they have a different method of working. Satan uses brute force to trap his unsuspecting victim. In the Bible we read of people who lived in the time of Jesus and were demon possessed. They began by yielding just a little to the evil one, who then took them in his grasp and fully possessed them to the point where they were incapable of freeing themselves (Mark 1:23–26; 5:1–8). I am sure it happens today, also. In these cases, the individual had yielded to the force of the evil one, loosening their connection from good, and they were accelerating on the road to destruction. “A train of cars was shown me, going with the speed of lightning. The angel bade me look carefully. I fixed my eyes upon the train. It seemed that the whole world was on board, that there could not be one left. Said the angel, ‘They are binding in bundles ready to burn.’ Then he showed me the conductor, who appeared like a stately, fair person, whom all the passengers looked up to and reverenced. I was perplexed and asked my attending angel who it was. He said, ‘It is Satan. He is the conductor in the form of an angel of light. He has taken the world captive.’” –Early Writings, p. 88. Only the power of Christ can bring freedom as they are seen accelerating quickly towards destruction.
Jesus uses no brute force. He only uses the force of love “The love of Christ is the force and power of every message for God that ever fell from human lips.” –Gospel Workers, p. 288 (emphasis mine). And this love is able to change people’s lives in a manner that no other force on earth can do. “The gospel is to be presented, not as a lifeless theory, but as a living force to change the life.” –Lift Him Up, p. 220
“Our Saviour has been lifted up upon the cross of Calvary, and the love of Christ shining from the cross speaks constantly to the sinner of the sufferings of Jesus for fallen man. His love for the fallen race constantly draws sinners to Him.” –The Signs of the Times, August 11, 1890 (emphasis mine)
When parents, in raising their children, use physical force or punishment to get them to comply and obey, it creates rebellion in the heart. When the force of love is used, it melts the heart and creates a desire for obedience because of love. This obedience is long-lasting. This same principle should be used in missionary work. Souls are to be won, not by fear of punishment, but they are to be drawn by the power of the love of God. “The truth is to be spoken in love. Then the Lord Jesus by His Spirit will supply the force and the power. That is His work.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 123 (emphasis mine)
The force of love is such a strong force that it can move the heaviest burdens that man is carrying and can melt the hardest hearts that man may possess. God could use brute force, but He chooses not to. He wants willing obedience and cooperation. Then you, in turn, will be a mighty force for good, as He lives in and through you. “Your energies are required to co-operate with God. Without this, if it were possible to force upon you with a hundredfold greater intensity the influences of the Spirit of God, it would not make you a Christian, a fit subject for heaven. The stronghold of Satan would not be broken. There must be the willing and the doing on the part of the receiver. There must be an action, represented as coming out from the world and being separate. There must be a doing of the words of Christ. The soul must be emptied of self, that Christ may pour His Spirit into the vacuum. Christ must be chosen as the heavenly guest. The will must be placed on the side of God’s will. Then there is a new heart, and new, holy resolves. It is Jesus enthroned in the soul that makes every action easy in his service.” –Healthful Living, p. 304
RESISTING THE HOLY SPIRIT
The force of the Holy Spirit is never applied against the will of a person. The will of man is the determining factor of the power of the force applied by the Holy Spirit. Man can resist the power by clinging onto his earthly ties and making them stronger. “Through the ministry of the angels the Holy Spirit is enabled to work upon the mind and heart of the human agent and draw him to Christ. . . . But the Spirit of God does not interfere with the freedom of the human agent. The Holy Spirit is given to be a helper, so that man may cooperate with the Divine, and it is given to Him to draw the soul but never to force obedience.” –That I May Know Him, p. 57
“Every child should understand the true force of the will. He should be led to see how great is the responsibility involved in this gift. The will is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or choice. Every human being possessed of reason has power to choose the right. In every experience of life, God’s word to us is, ‘Choose you this day whom ye will serve.’ Joshua 24:15. Everyone may place his will on the side of the will of God, may choose to obey Him, and by thus linking himself with divine agencies, he may stand where nothing can force him to do evil.” –Education, p. 289 (emphasis mine)
Being given a choice, many consciously resist the force of the Holy Spirit. They close their eyes from seeing and their ears from hearing the truth. They are willingly ignorant (2 Peter 3:5). However, this will not excuse them in the great day of the Lord. “Because your heart was not right with God, you did not receive the light He sent to you. You set up your stubborn will to resist the reproof which the Lord gave to you in love.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p.228
When truth comes to the church, or to individuals, some easily accept it and apply it to their daily lives. Some struggle with it and it takes them longer to accept and apply the new truths. Some outright reject the message. Why do some reject the new truths? “This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” John 3:19–20. Ask yourself if you have any burdens, cares, or sins in your life that are slowing you down in your spiritual advancement.
“You have had many convictions, many pangs of conscience. You have had so many purposes and made so many promises, and yet you linger and will not come to Christ that you may have life. Oh, that your heart may be impressed with a sense of this time, that you may now turn and live! Cannot you hear the voice of the True Shepherd in this message? How can you disobey? Trifle not with God, lest He leave you to your own crooked ways. It is life or death with you. Which will you choose? It is a fearful thing to contend with God and resist His pleadings.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 296
When we let go of this world and realize our helplessness, then the mighty force of the Holy Spirit will work in us and we will accelerate on our heavenward journey. “He who feels his weakness, and wrestles with God as did Jacob, saying, ‘I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me’ (Genesis 32:26), will go forth with the fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. The atmosphere of heaven will surround him. He will go about doing good. His influence will be a positive force in favor of the religion of Christ.” –In Heavenly Places, p. 314 (emphasis mine)
If you find yourself moving ever so slowly on your Christian journey, (or not moving at all), then examine yourself and pray the prayer of David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23–24. And when the Lord does find something amiss in your life and reveals it to you from His Word, or from a fellow believer, then let it go and lighten your load; lighten your mass.
May God help you to lighten your mass (connection with the world and worldly cares) so that the force of the Holy Spirit can work mightily in and through you and hasten (accelerate) you on your journey to heaven, is my prayer. Amen.
Wendy Eaton