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APPENDICES
Peter’s Letter to the church
The ladder of progress
2 Peter 1:1-19.
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 according as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue:
4 By which are given to us exceeding great and precious promises [in the Bible]: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature [the new man], having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust [the old man].
5 And beside this [change of heart], giving all diligence [or persistence],
[1] add to your faith - virtue;
[2] and to virtue - knowledge;
[3] 6 and to knowledge - temperance;
[4] and to temperance - patience;
[5] and to patience - godliness [or sinlessness];
[6] 7 and to godliness - brotherly kindness;
[7] and to brotherly kindness - charity [or perfection].
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren [without child] nor unfruitful [without result] in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off [that is, the past], and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins [the sinmaster]. 10 Wherefore rather, brothers [and sisters], give diligence [or attention] to make your calling and election sure [by not forgetting how you came to be]: for if you do these things, you shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered [or supplied] to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
12 For this reason I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them, and be established in the present truth. 13 Yes, I think it meet [or proper], as long as I am in this tabernacle [or body], to stir you up by putting you in remembrance...
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty...
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy: whereto you do well that you take heed, as to a light that shines in a dark place, until the day [of the second coming] dawn...
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Jesus talks to Nicodemus
The rebirth
John 3:1-21
1 "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that You do, except God be with him".
"3 Jesus answered and said to him, Verily, verily, I say to you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
"4 Nicodemus said to him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?"
"5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say to you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
"7 Marvel not that I said to you, You must be born again. 8 The wind blows where it lists, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes [from], and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."
"9 Nicodemus answered and said to him, How can these things be?"
"10 Jesus answered and said to him, Are you a master of Israel, and know not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say to you [or assure you], We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and you receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things [or things that happen on earth], and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?"
"13 And no man has ascended up to heaven [to get this truth], but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in [or from] heaven."
"14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up [to be crucified]: 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
"17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."
"18 He that believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name [or character] of the only begotten Son of God."
"19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.'
"21 But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought [or done] in [or through] God".
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Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Dead and buried once and for all
Romans 6:1-23
"1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"
"3 Don’t you know, that so many of us as were baptised into Jesus Christ were baptised into His death?"
"4 Therefore we are [also] buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection:"
"6 Knowing this, that our "old man" is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin [the sinmaster]. 7 For he that is "dead" is freed from [the slavery of] sin."
"8 Now, if we be dead [now] with Christ, we believe that we shall also live [now] with Him: 9 knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death has no more dominion over Him. 10 For in that He died, He died to sin once: but in that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin [once], but alive [every day] to God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
"12 Let not sin therefore reign [now] in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts of it [that is, don’t let Satan persuade you that you are still a slave to sin]. 13 Neither yield you your members [or bodies] as instruments of unrighteousness to sin: but yield yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin [the sinmaster] shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law [of sin and death], but under grace [the law of life]."
"15 What then? Shall we [continue to choose to] sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Don’t you know, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?"
"17 But God be thanked, that you were [once] the servants of sin, but you have [now] obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness [because now it is your choice]."
"19 I speak in the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh [the weakness of your understanding], for as you have [in the past] yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity for iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness for holiness."
"20 For when you were the servants of sin, you were free from [or had no] righteousness. 21 What fruit [or results] had you then in those things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin [the sinmaster], and become servants to God, you [can] have your fruit to holiness, and the end everlasting life."
"23 For the wages of sin [the sinmaster] is death;"
"but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. "
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"Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted of God’, for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren". James 1:13-16 NKJ.
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Co-operating with the Spirit
(An example)
"And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm". Daniel 1:20.
Prophets and Kings Pages 486 - 490
"In acquiring the wisdom of the Babylonians, Daniel and his companions were far more successful than their fellow students; but their learning did not come by chance. They obtained their knowledge by the faithful use of their powers, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They placed themselves in connection with the Source of all wisdom, making the knowledge of God the foundation of their education.
"In faith they prayed for wisdom, and then they lived their prayers.
"They placed themselves where God could bless them. They avoided that which would weaken their powers, and improved every opportunity to become intelligent in all lines of learning. They followed the rules of life that could not fail to give them strength of intellect. They sought to acquire knowledge for one purpose - that they might honour God. They realised that in order to stand as representatives of true religion amid the false religions of heathenism they must have clearness of intellect and must perfect a Christian character. And God Himself was their teacher. Constantly praying, conscientiously studying, keeping in touch with the Unseen, they walked with God as did Enoch, although not as far.
"True success in any line of work is not the result of chance or accident or destiny. It is the outworking of God's providences, the reward of faith and discretion, of virtue and perseverance. Fine mental qualities and a high moral tone are not the result of accident. God gives opportunities; success depends upon the use made of them.
"While God was working in Daniel and his companions "to will and to do of His good pleasure," they were working out their own salvation. Here is revealed the outworking of the divine principle of co-operation, without which no true success can be attained. Human effort avails nothing without divine power, and without human endeavour, divine effort is with many of no avail. To make God's grace our own, we must act our part. His grace is given to work in us to will and to do, but never as a substitute for our effort.
"Our effort must be what He wants. As the Lord co-operated with Daniel and his fellows, so He will co-operate with all who strive to do His will. And by the imparting of His Spirit He will strengthen every true purpose, every noble resolution.
"Those who walk in the path of obedience will encounter many hindrances. Strong, subtle influences may bind them to the world, but the Lord is able to render futile every agency that works for the defeat of His chosen ones. In His strength they may overcome every temptation, conquer every difficulty.
"God brought young Daniel and his friends into connection with the great men of Babylon, that in the midst of a nation of idolaters they might represent His character. How did they become fitted for a position of so great trust and honour? It was faithfulness in little things that gave colour to their whole life. They honoured God in the smallest duties, as well as in the larger responsibilities.
"As God called Daniel to witness for Him in Babylon, so He calls us to be His witnesses in the world today. In the smallest as well as the largest affairs of life, He desires us to reveal to those about us the principles of His kingdom. Many are waiting for some great work to be brought to them, while daily they lose opportunities for revealing faithfulness to God. Daily they fail of discharging with wholeheartedness the little duties of life. While they wait for some large work in which they may exercise supposedly great talents, and thus satisfy their ambitious longings, their days pass away.
"In the life of the true Christian there are no nonessentials. In the sight of Omnipotence every duty is important. The Lord even measures with exactness every possibility for service. The unused capabilities are just as much brought into account as those that are used. We shall be judged by what we ought to have done, but did not accomplish, because we did not use our powers to glorify God.
"A noble character is not the result of accident. It is not due to special favours or gifts of Providence. It is the result of self-discipline, of subjection of the lower to the higher nature, of the surrender of self to the service of God and man, using the power of God available to all.
"Through the principles of temperance shown by the Hebrew youth God is speaking to all of us today. There is need of men and women who, like Daniel, will do and dare for the cause of right. Pure hearts, strong hands, fearless courage, are needed because the warfare between vice and virtue calls for ceaseless vigilance.
"The body is a most important medium through which the mind and the soul are developed for the upbuilding of character, therefore the adversary of souls especially directs his temptations to the enfeebling and degrading of the physical powers. To every person Satan comes with temptation in many alluring forms on the point of indulgence of appetite and passion. His success here often means the surrender of the whole being to evil. He knows that the tendencies of the physical nature, unless under the dominion of a higher power, will surely work ruin and death.
"The body is to be brought into subjection to the higher powers of the being. The passions are to be controlled by the will, which is itself to be under the control of God. The kingly power of reason, sanctified by divine grace, is to bear sway in the life.
"Intellectual power, physical stamina, and the length of your life depend upon unchangeable laws.
"Through obedience to these laws, men and women may stand conquerors of themselves, conquerors of their own inclinations, as well as conquerors of principalities and powers, of "the rulers of the darkness of this world," and of "spiritual wickedness in high places."
"In that ancient ritual which is the gospel in symbol, no blemished offering could be brought to God's altar. The sacrifice that was to represent Christ must be spotless. The word of God points to this as an illustration of what His children are to be - "a living sacrifice", as well as being "holy and without blemish."
"The Hebrew worthies were men of like feelings with ourselves; yet, notwithstanding the seductive influences of the court of Babylon, they stood firm, because they depended upon a strength that is infinite. In them a heathen nation saw an illustration of the goodness and generosity of God, and of the love of Christ. And in their experience we have a picture of the triumph of principle over temptation, of purity over depravity, of devotion and loyalty over atheism and idolatry.
"The spirit that possessed Daniel, we of today may have. We may draw from the same source of strength, possess the same power of self-control, and reveal the same grace in our lives, even under circumstances as unfavourable. Though surrounded by temptations to self-indulgence, especially in our large cities, where every form of sensual gratification is made easy and inviting, yet by divine grace our purpose to honour God may remain firm. Through strong resolution and vigilant watchfulness under the Spirit’s guidance we may withstand every temptation that assails the soul. But the victory will be gained only by the one who determines to do right because it is right.
"What a lifework was that of those young people! As they bade farewell to their childhood home, little did they dream what a high destiny was to be theirs. Faithful and steadfast, they yielded to the divine guiding, so that through them God could fulfil His purpose.
"The same mighty truths that were revealed through these men, God desires to reveal through all His Christians today. The life of Daniel and his fellows is a demonstration of what He will do for those who yield themselves to Him and with their whole heart seek to accomplish His purpose."
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Comments on "Science of Redemption"
2T.312.001
"The boy is the type of the man [as the
acorn contains the tree]. I entreat of you
to face rightabout. Do everything that needs to be done in the
shape of small duties, disagreeable though they may be. Then you
will have the approval of those around you, and, what is to be
more highly prized, you will have the approval of God. You cannot
be a Christian unless you are a faithful servant in that which is
least. If you pray, and strive to do your best [using Christ's righteousness]
to perform every duty, God will bless and help you. When Jesus
comes to take His faithful ones to Himself, do you wish to have
Him say to you: 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant'?
Do you desire to have all imperfections removed from your
character, that you may be found without fault before the throne
of God? If so, you have a work to do for yourself which no one
else can do for you. You have an individual responsibility before
God. You can walk in the light, and daily receive strength from
God to overcome every imperfection, and finally be among the
faithful, true, and holy in the kingdom of God. Yield not to
temptation. Satan will annoy you and seek to control your mind,
that he may lead you into sin. 'Resist the devil, and he will
flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to
you'."
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Youth's Instructor 1899-07-20.010
"Christ's heart was pierced by a far sharper pain than that
caused by the nails driven into his hands and feet. He was
bearing the sins of the whole world, enduring our punishment, -
the wrath of God against transgression. His trial involved the
fierce temptation of thinking that he was forsaken by God. His
soul was tortured by the pressure of great darkness, lest he
should swerve from his uprightness during the terrible
ordeal."
"Unless there is a possibility of yielding, temptation is no temptation. Temptation is resisted when man is powerfully influenced to do a wrong action; and, knowing that he can do it, resists, by faith, with a firm hold upon divine power."
"This was the ordeal through which Christ passed. He could not have been tempted in all points as man is tempted, had there been no possibility of his failing. He was a free agent, placed on probation, as was Adam, and as is every man. In his closing hours, while hanging on the cross, he experienced to the fullest extent what man must experience when striving against sin. He realized how bad a man may become by yielding to sin. He realized the terrible consequence of the transgression of God's law; for the iniquity of the whole world was upon him." Return to "Science of Redemption"
Desire of Ages 125.001
"The tempter thought to take advantage of Christ's humanity,
and urge Him to presumption. But while Satan can solicit, he
cannot compel to sin. He said to Jesus, "Cast
Thyself down," knowing that he could not cast Him down;
for God would interpose to deliver Him. Nor could Satan force
Jesus to cast Himself down. Unless Christ should consent to
temptation, He could not be overcome. Not all the power of
earth or hell could force Him in the slightest degree to depart
from the will of His Father."
DA.125.002
"The tempter can never compel us to do evil. He
cannot control minds unless they are yielded to his control. The
will must consent, faith must let go its hold upon Christ, before
Satan can exercise his power upon us. But every sinful desire we
cherish affords him a foothold. Every point in which we fail of
meeting the divine standard is an open door by which he can enter
to tempt and destroy us. And every failure or defeat on our part
gives occasion for him to reproach Christ."
DA.125.003
"When Satan quoted the promise, "He shall give His
angels charge over Thee," he omitted the words, "to
keep Thee in all Thy ways;" that is, in all the ways
of God's choosing. Jesus refused to go outside the path of
obedience. While manifesting perfect trust in His Father, He
would not place Himself, unbidden, in a position that would
necessitate the interposition of His Father to save Him from
death. He would not force Providence to come to His rescue, and
thus fail of giving man an example of trust and submission. Return to "Science
of Redemption"
Mount of Blessing 060.001
"When the thought of evil is loved and
cherished, however secretly, said Jesus, it shows that sin still
reigns in the heart. The soul is still in the gall of bitterness
and in the bond of iniquity. He who finds pleasure in dwelling
upon scenes of impurity, who indulges the evil thought, the
lustful look, may behold in the open sin, with its burden of
shame and heart-breaking grief, the true nature of the evil which
he has hidden in the chambers of the soul. The season of
temptation, under which, it may be, one falls into grievous sin,
does not create the evil that is revealed, but only develops or
makes manifest that which was hidden and latent in the heart.
As a man 'thinks in his heart, so is he;' for out of the
heart 'are the issues of life.' Proverbs 23:7;
4:23." Return
to "Science of Redemption"
Desire of Ages
490.005
The omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit is the defense of every
contrite soul. Not one that in penitence and faith has claimed
His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy's
power. The Saviour is by the side of His tempted and tried ones. With
Him there can be no such thing as failure, loss, impossibility,
or defeat; we can do all things through Him who strengthens us.
When temptations and trials come, do not wait to adjust all the
difficulties, but look to Jesus, your helper. Return to
"Science of Redemption"
Desire of Ages 311.002
"God's ideal for His children is higher than the highest
human thought can reach. "Be ye therefore perfect, even
as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." This
command is a promise. The plan of redemption contemplates our
complete recovery from the power of Satan. Christ always
separates the contrite soul from sin. He came to destroy the
works of the devil, and He has made provision that the Holy
Spirit shall be imparted to every repentant soul, to keep him
from sinning.
DA.311.003
The tempter's agency is not to be accounted an excuse for one
wrong act. Satan is jubilant when he hears the professed
followers of Christ making excuses for their deformity of
character. It is these excuses that lead to sin. There is no
excuse for sinning. A holy temper, a Christlike life, is
accessible to every repenting, believing child of God.
DA.311.004
The ideal of Christian character is Christlikeness. As the Son
of man was perfect in His life, so His followers are to be
perfect in their life. Jesus was in all things made like unto
His brethren. He became flesh, even as we are. He was hungry and
thirsty and weary. He was sustained by food and refreshed by
sleep. He shared the lot of man; yet He was the blameless Son of
God. He was God in the flesh. His character is to be ours. The
Lord says of those who believe in Him, "I will dwell in
them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall
be My people." 2 Cor. 6:16."
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PP.082.003
"Notwithstanding the wickedness of the antediluvian world,
that age was not, as has often been supposed, an era of ignorance
and barbarism. The people were granted the opportunity of
reaching a high standard of moral and intellectual attainment.
They possessed great physical and mental strength, and their
advantages for acquiring both religious and scientific knowledge
were unrivaled. It is a mistake to suppose that because they
lived to a great age their minds matured late; their mental
powers were early developed, and those who cherished the fear of
God and lived in harmony with His will continued to increase in
knowledge and wisdom throughout their life. Could illustrious
scholars of our time be placed in contrast with men of the same
age who lived before the Flood, they would appear as greatly
inferior in mental as in physical strength. As the years of man
have decreased, and his physical strength has diminished, so his
mental capacities have lessened. There are men who now apply
themselves to study during a period of from twenty to fifty
years, and the world is filled with admiration of their
attainments. But how limited are these acquirements in comparison
with those of men whose mental and physical powers were
developing for centuries!
PP.083.001
It is true that the people of modern times have the benefit of
the attainments of their predecessors. The men of masterly minds,
who planned and studied and wrote, have left their work for those
who follow. But even in this respect, and so far as merely human
knowledge is concerned, how much greater the advantages of the
men of that olden time! They had among them for hundreds of years
him who was formed in God's image, whom the Creator Himself
pronounced "good"--the man whom God had instructed in
all the wisdom pertaining to the material world. Adam had learned
from the Creator the history of creation; he himself witnessed
the events of nine centuries; and he imparted his knowledge to
his descendants. The antediluvians were without books, they had
no written records; but with their great physical and mental
vigor, they had strong memories, able to grasp and to retain that
which was communicated to them, and in turn to transmit it
unimpaired to their posterity. And for hundreds of years there
were seven generations living upon the earth contemporaneously,
having the opportunity of consulting together and profiting each
by the knowledge and experience of all.
PP.083.002
The advantages enjoyed by men of that age to gain a knowledge of
God through His works have never been equaled since. And so far
from being an era of religious darkness, that was an age of great
light. All the world had opportunity to receive instruction from
Adam, and those who feared the Lord had also Christ and angels
for their teachers. And they had a silent witness to the truth,
in the garden of God, which for so many centuries remained among
men. At the cherubim-guarded gate of Paradise the glory of God
was revealed, and hither came the first worshipers. Here
their altars were reared, and their offerings presented. It
was here that Cain and Abel had brought their sacrifices, and
God had condescended to communicate with them.
PP.084.001
Skepticism could not deny the existence of Eden while it stood
just in sight, its entrance barred by watching angels. The order
of creation, the object of the garden, the history of its two
trees so closely connected with man's destiny, were undisputed
facts. And the existence and supreme authority of God, the
obligation of His law, were truths which men were slow to
question while Adam was among them.
PP.084.002
Notwithstanding the prevailing iniquity, there was a line of holy
men who, elevated and ennobled by communion with God, lived as in
the companionship of heaven. They were men of massive intellect,
of wonderful attainments. They had a great and holy mission--to
develop a character of righteousness, to teach a lesson of
godliness, not only to the men of their time, but for future
generations. Only a few of the most prominent are mentioned in
the Scriptures; but all through the ages God had faithfully
witnesses, truehearted worshipers. Return to
"Science of Redemption"
RH.1881-08-23.005
Enoch lived in a corrupt age, when moral power was very weak.
Pollution was teeming all around him; yet he walked with God. He
educated his mind to devotion,--to think on things that were pure
and holy; and his conversation was upon holy and divine things.
He was made a companion of God. He walked with him, and received
his counsel. He had to contend with the same temptations that we
do. The society surrounding him was no more friendly to
righteousness than is the society surrounding us at the present
time. The atmosphere he breathed was tainted with sin and
corruption, the same as ours; yet he was unsullied with the
prevailing sins of the age in which he lived. And so may we
remain as pure and uncorrupted as did the faithful Enoch. He was
a representative of the saints living amid the perils and
corruptions of the last days. For his faithful obedience to God,
he was translated. So, also, those who are alive and remain,
who are faithful, will be translated to Heaven. They will be
removed from a sinful and corrupt world to the pure joys of
Heaven.......
..........
RH.1881-08-23.009
It is not for lack of knowledge that God's people are now
perishing. They will not be condemned because they do not know
the way, the truth, and the life. The truth that has reached
their understanding, the light which has shone on the soul, that
has not been cherished, and which they have neglected, or refused
to be led by, will condemn them. What more could have been done
for God's vineyard than has been done? Light, precious light,
shines upon his people; but the light will not save them,
unless they consent to be saved by it.
RH.1881-08-23.010
God calls upon his people to act. Will they awake? Will every one
who professes godliness seek to put away every wrong, confess to
God every secret sin, and afflict the soul before him? Will they,
with great humility, investigate the motives of every action, and
know that the eye of God reads all,--searches out every hidden
thing? Let the work be thorough, the consecration to God be
entire. He calls for a full surrender of all that we have and
are. Ministers and people need a new conversion,--a
transformation of the mind,--without which we are not savors of
life unto life, but of death unto death. Great privileges belong
to the people of God. Great light has been given them, that they
may attain to their high calling in Christ Jesus; yet they are
not what God would have them to be, and what he designs they
should be. Return to "Science of Redemption"
PP.478.002
Had not the life of Moses been marred with that one sin, in
failing to give God the glory of bringing water from the rock at
Kadesh, he would have entered the Promised Land, and would
have been translated to heaven without seeing death. But he
was not long to remain in the tomb. Christ Himself, with the
angels who had buried Moses, came down from heaven to call forth
the sleeping saint. Satan had exulted at his success in causing
Moses to sin against God, and thus come under the dominion of
death. The great adversary declared that the divine sentence--"Dust
thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Genesis
3:19)--gave him possession of the dead. The power of the grave
had never been broken, and all who were in the tomb he
claimed as his captives, never to be released from his dark
prison house. Return to "Science of Redemption"
GC 605.001 [Here is
a principle]
But not one is made to suffer the wrath of God [or separation from Him] until the
truth has been brought home to his mind and conscience, and has
been rejected. There are many who have never had an opportunity
to hear the special truths for this time. The obligation of the
fourth commandment has never been set before them in its true
light. He who reads every heart and tries every motive will leave
none who desire a knowledge of the truth, to be deceived as to
the issues of the controversy. The decree is not to be urged upon
the people blindly. Everyone is to have sufficient light to make
his decision intelligently. Return to "Science of Redemption"
AA.311.001
In referring to these races as a figure of the Christian warfare,
Paul emphasized the preparation necessary to the success of the
contestants in the race--the preliminary discipline, the
abstemious diet, the necessity for temperance. "Every
man that striveth for the mastery," he declared, "is
temperate in all things." The runners put aside every
indulgence that would tend to weaken the physical powers, and by
severe and continuous discipline trained their muscles to
strength and endurance, that when the day of the contest should
arrive, they might put the heaviest tax upon their powers. How
much more important that the Christian, whose eternal interests
are at stake, bring appetite and passion under subjection to
reason and the will of God! Never must he allow his attention to
be diverted by amusements, luxuries, or ease. All his habits and
passions must be brought under the strictest discipline. Reason,
enlightened by the teachings of God's word and guided by His
Spirit, must hold the reins of control.
AA.311.002
And after this has been done, the Christian must put forth the
utmost exertion in order to gain the victory. In the Corinthian
games the last few strides of the contestants in the race were
made with agonizing effort to keep up undiminished speed. So the
Christian, as he nears the goal, will press onward with even more
zeal and determination than at the first of his course.
Return to "Science of Redemption"
John 1:9-12
"That [He] was the
true Light, which lights every man [and woman] that
comes into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made
by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came to His own, and His
own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave
He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on
His name [Saviour].... "
ST.1882-01-26.003
Infinite Love has cast up a pathway upon which the ransomed of
the Lord may pass from earth to Heaven. That path is the Son of
God. Angel guides are sent to direct our erring feet. Heaven's
glorious ladder is let down in every man's path, barring his way
to vice and folly. He must trample upon a crucified Redeemer ere
he can pass onward to a life of sin. Our Heavenly Father's
voice is calling us, Come up hither... The tokens of his love are
as numerous as the sand upon the sea-shore. The humble, trusting
ones are guided and protected in the way of peace. But He who is
infinite in wisdom compels none to accept Heaven's most precious
gift - compels none to walk in the path which has been cast up at
such a cost. Every one is permitted to choose for himself the
narrow, shining steep that leads to Heaven, or that broader and
easier way which ends in death. Return to
"Science of Redemption"
AA 537.003
Peter, as a Jew and a foreigner, was condemned to be scourged and
crucified. In prospect of this fearful death, the apostle
remembered his great sin in denying Jesus in the hour of His
trial. Once so unready to acknowledge the cross, he now counted
it a joy to yield up his life for the gospel, feeling only that,
for him who had denied his Lord, to die in the same manner as his
Master died was too great an honor. Peter had sincerely repented
of that sin and had been forgiven by Christ, as is shown by the
high commission given him to feed the sheep and lambs of the
flock. But he could never forgive himself. Not even the
thought of the agonies of the last terrible scene could lessen
the bitterness of his sorrow and repentance. As a last favor he
entreated his executioners that he might be nailed to the cross
with his head downward. The request was granted, and in this
manner died the great apostle Peter. Return to
"Science of Redemption"
5T.651.003
Much of the faith which we see is merely nominal; the real,
trusting, persevering faith is rare. Moses realized in his own
experience the promise that God will be a rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him. He had respect unto the recompense of the
reward. Here is another point in regard to faith which we wish to
study: God will reward the man of faith and obedience. If this
faith is brought into the life experience, it will enable
everyone who fears and loves God to endure trials. Moses was
full of confidence in God because he had appropriating faith. He needed help, and he prayed for it, grasped
it by faith, and wove into his experience the belief that God
cared for him. He believed that God ruled his life in
particular. He saw and acknowledged God in every detail of his
life and felt that he was under the eye of the All-seeing One,
who weighs motives, who tries the heart. He looked to God and
trusted in Him for strength to carry him uncorrupted through
every form of temptation. He knew that a special work had
been assigned to him, and he desired as far as possible to make
that work thoroughly successful. But he knew that he could not do
this without divine aid, for he had a perverse people to deal
with. The presence of God was sufficient to carry him through the
most trying situations in which a man could be placed.
5T.652.001
Moses did not merely think of God; he saw Him. God was the
constant vision before him; he never lost sight of His face. He
saw Jesus as his Saviour, and he believed that the Saviour's
merits would be imputed to him. This faith was to Moses no
guesswork; it was a reality. This is the kind of faith we need,
faith that will endure the test. Oh,
how often we yield to temptation because we do not keep our eye
upon Jesus! Our faith is not
continuous because, through self-indulgence, we sin, and then we
cannot endure "as seeing Him who is invisible."
»»» «««
Counsels to Parents, Teachers and
Students 127.002 (See also MH 386)
Teach your children from the cradle to practice self-denial and
self-control. Teach them to enjoy the beauties of nature, and in
useful employment to exercise all the powers of mind and body.
Bring them up to have sound constitutions and good morals, to
have sunny dispositions and sweet tempers. Teach them that to
yield to temptation is weak and wicked; to resist is noble and
manly.
CT.127.003
Let all, both old and young, give diligent heed to the words
penned by the wise man three thousand years ago: "My
son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to
thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy
neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: so shalt thou
find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and
man." [Proverbs 3:1-4].
»»» «««
The word carries on with: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes: fear [respect] the LORD, and depart from evil". Proverbs 3:5-7.
Return to
"Science of Redemption"
Gospel Workers 254.002
While engaged in our daily work, we should lift the soul to
heaven in prayer. These silent petitions rise like incense before
the throne of grace; and the enemy is baffled. The Christian
whose heart is thus stayed upon God cannot be overcome. No
evil arts can destroy his peace. All the promises of God's
word, all the power of divine grace, all the
resources of Jehovah, are pledged to secure his deliverance. It
was thus that Enoch walked with God. And God was with him, a
present help in every time of need. Return to
"Science of Redemption"
Great Controversy 425.001
Says the prophet: "Who may abide the day of His coming?
and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner's
fire, and like fullers' soap: and He shall sit as a refiner and
purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and
purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord
an offering in righteousness." Malachi 3:2, 3. Those
who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ
shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a
holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their
characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through
the grace of God and their own diligent effort they must be
conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative
judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent
believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a
special work of purification, of putting away of sin,
among God's people upon earth. This work is more clearly
presented in the messages of Revelation 14. Return to "Science
of Redemption"
DA 555.006
"No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation.
The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed
and unforsaken sin; it is a principle of life that transforms the
character and controls the conduct. Holiness is wholeness for
God; it is the entire surrender of heart and life to the
indwelling of the principles of heaven."
DA.556.001
"The Christian in his business life is to represent to the
world the manner in which our Lord would conduct business
enterprises. In every transaction he is to make it manifest that
God is his teacher. "Holiness unto the Lord"
is to be written upon daybooks and ledgers, on deeds, receipts,
and bills of exchange. Those who profess to be followers of
Christ, and who deal in an unrighteous manner, are bearing false
witness against the character of a holy, just, and merciful God.
Every converted soul will, like Zacchaeus, signalize the entrance
of Christ into his heart by an abandonment of the unrighteous
practices that have marked his life. Like the chief publican, he
will give proof of his sincerity by making restitution. The Lord
says, "If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that
he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing
iniquity; . . . none of his sins that he hath committed shall be
mentioned unto him: . . . He shall surely live." Ezek.
33:15, 16." Return to "Science of Redemption"
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