Abiding Truth

All who make worldly good their portion, who seek to save themselves by  their own devisings, will do exactly as did the disciples who would not  understand Christ’s teaching, who refused to believe that He Himself is  the Bread of life. These disciples, offended at the word of Jesus,  walked no more with Him. They forsook His teachings. They depended on  their own wisdom and spent money for that which is not bread. Their  hearts and minds remained unsatisfied. It is eating the Bread of life  that alone can satisfy the hungry soul. Without this Bread, the  spiritual necessities must remain empty, unsatisfied. Christ’s words are spirit and life. It is the salvation of true obedience that gains for us eternal life. {Ms81-1906.14}

Our part is, by believing His word, to find rest in Christ Jesus. His words are spirit and life. In believing them there is rest and peace. “Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”  Our prayers will reach the ear of Christ, and He will open unto us the  rich treasures of His grace. Through prayer we are brought into  communion with the high and holy One who inhabiteth eternity. He opens  the door to every one who will knock.  {SpTB03b 5.5}

Jesus said: “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3).  All that was done and said had this one object in view—to rivet truth  in their minds that they might attain unto everlasting life. Jesus did  not come to astonish men with some great announcement of some special  time when some great event would occur, but He came to instruct and save  the lost. He did not come to arouse and gratify curiosity; for He knew  that this would but increase the appetite for the curious and the  marvelous. It was His aim to impart knowledge whereby men might increase  in spiritual strength, and advance in  the way of obedience and true holiness. He gave only such instruction as  could be appropriated to the needs of their daily life, only such truth  as could be given to others for the same appropriation.  {1SM 186.3}

Christ was obedient to every requirement of the law.... {Mar 225.2}

By  His perfect obedience He has made it possible for every human being to  obey God’s commandments. When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart  is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind  becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to  Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the  garment of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees,  not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but  His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of  Jehovah.7 {Mar 225.3}

Through  the plan of redemption, God has provided means for subduing every  sinful trait, and resisting every temptation, however strong.8 {Mar 225.4}

The strongest temptation is no excuse for sin. However great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul,  transgression is our own act. It is not in the power of earth or hell to  compel any one to sin. The will must consent, the heart must yield, or  passion cannot overbear reason, nor iniquity triumph over righteousness.9 {Mar 225.5}

If  you will stand under the bloodstained banner of Prince Emmanuel,  faithfully doing His service, you need never yield to temptation; for  One stands by your side who is able to keep you from falling.10 {Mar 225.6}

I  have been impressed with the subject of the influence of the  church—what this influence should be. By earnest prayer the members are  to obtain power that will make their influence a savor of life unto  life. What is needed today is practical Christianity,  not merely for a day or a year, but for a lifetime. The man who  professes to be a Christian, and yet reveals in his life no practical  godliness, is denying Christ. Opposite his name in the books of heaven  are written the words, Unfaithful steward. {RH January 28, 1904, par. 1}

How  is the world to be enlightened, save by the lives of Christ’s  followers? You profess to believe in Christ, to be a follower of his. Do  you do his works? Can the world see plainly that you have been with  Jesus, and learned of him? How are unbelievers to know that you belong  to Christ if you show no zeal in his service, but instead cherish  worldly ambition and follow worldly plans? Christ declares, “He that is  not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth  abroad.” {RH January 28, 1904, par. 2}

God  can not prepare for the day of trial before us those who are careless  and indifferent. With those who are neither cold nor hot he has nothing  to do. “I would thou wert cold or hot,” he says. “So then because thou  art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my  mouth.” The half-hearted Christian exerts an influence more harmful than  the influence of the avowed infidel. {RH January 28, 1904, par. 3}

There  are many whose lives are but a pretense of godliness. They are a law  unto themselves, and they always will be, unless the grace of Christ  subdues their hearts. They lift up their souls unto vanity, and God has  no use for them in his service. {RH January 28, 1904, par. 4}

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14. {FH 52.1}

The  greatest blessing we can have is a correct knowledge of ourselves, that  we may see our defects of character and by divine grace remedy them....  {FH 52.2}

Are  we nearer to God today than we were a year ago? What a change there  would be in our religious experience, what a transformation in our  characters, if day by day we carried out the principle that we are not  our own, but that our time and talents belong to God, and every faculty  should be used to do His will and advance His glory.... {FH 52.3}

We  may be shut in by the promises of God, which will be as a wall of fire  about us. We want to know how to exercise faith. Faith “is the gift of  God,” but the power to exercise it is ours. If faith lies dormant, it is  no advantage to us; but in exercise it holds all blessings in its  grasp. It is the hand by which the soul takes hold of the strength of  the Infinite. It is the medium by which human hearts, renewed by the  grace of Christ, are made to beat in harmony with the great Heart of  love. Faith plants itself on the promises of God and claims them as  surety that He will do just as He said He would. Jesus comes to the  sinful, helpless, needy soul and says, “What things soever ye desire,  when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”  Believe, claim the promises, and praise God that you do receive the  things you have asked of Him, and when your need is greatest, you will  experience His blessing and receive special help.... {FH 52.4}

The  inquiry in many hearts is, How shall I find happiness? We are not to  make it our object to live for happiness, but we shall surely find it in  the path of humble obedience. Paul was happy. He affirms repeatedly  that notwithstanding the sufferings, conflicts, and trials that he was  called to bear, he enjoyed great consolation. He says, “I am filled with  comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.” All the  energies of the chiefest of the apostles were bent to a preparation for  the future, immortal life, and when the time of his departure was at  hand, he could exclaim in holy triumph, “I have fought a good fight, I  have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid  up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous  judge, shall give me at that day.”—Signs of the Times, May 22, 1884. {FH 52.5}

The Lord calls for perfect faith in Him. He calls upon His people to  cease accusing their brethren, confusing them, and making their way  difficult by censure and condemnation. He calls upon them to love their  brethren, not to destroy them. He calls for prevailing prayer,  for an earnest seeking of Him, that His servants may know how to build  up and advance His work. Prayer is not merely the addressing of words to  God. Words of prayer are lifeless and meaningless unless they are  imbued with a spirit of real soul hunger. To formal, lifeless prayers,  there will be no response. {Ms167-1902.18}

Another element of prevailing prayer is faith. “He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6.  Jesus said to His disciples, “What things soever ye desire, when ye  pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24. Do we take Him at His word? {SC 96.1}

“Having  therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from  all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear  of God.” [2 Corinthians 7:1.]  “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what  fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness and what communion  hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or  what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement  hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living  God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I  will be their God, and they shall be my people.” [2 Corinthians 6:14-16.] {Lt123-1900.10}

At  this time, under the warnings and appeals of the first, second, and  third angels’ messages, there comes a most solemn message to the mixed  multitudes in the churches, “Come out from among them, and be ye  separate.” This reaches every alliance, every secret society, all who  have bound themselves together by oaths and penalties. “Come out from  among them, and be ye separate, ... and touch not the unclean thing.” [Verse 17.] God calls for faithful men and women to be in the world but not of the world.  The redeemed, believing people of Christ, who are worthy to claim  kinship, with Him, will demonstrate their relationship by being true  witnesses to the truth for this time. They will show that they are sons  and daughters of the heavenly King by their modesty in apparel, by their  words and actions. They will wear the pilgrim’s dress and manifest the  pilgrim’s spirit, witnessing a good confession. {Lt123-1900.11}

This  is true missionary work, to bear the truth to all nations. The last  message of warning to our world is to be of the most decided character,  as represented in Revelation 14:6-13. The next great event is brought to view in the eighteenth chapter of Revelation. {Lt123-1900.12}

The  Lord designs that before He shall come to execute judgment upon  transgressors, His law shall be made known and understood. All who  desire light will have light. The work of the gospel ministry is not to  decrease in efficiency, but is to increase until it becomes the great  enlightening agency in our world. Everything possible should be done to  send more laborers into the field. No influence should be exerted to  turn young men aside from qualifying themselves for ministerial  missionary work. To this we may attach the word medical, for it is  essential that the gospel minister shall have a knowledge of disease and  its causes. He should know how to give help to the sick. He should be  able to teach the people how to treat the house we live in. This is a  part of the gospel. {Lt123-1900.13}

Then I call upon you, my brethren, to practice working in lines in which Christ worked. You must never put on the cloak of severity and condemn and  denounce and drive away from the fold, poor, tempted mortals; but as  laborers together with God, heal the spiritually diseased. This you will  do if you have the mind of Christ. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” [Hebrews 4:15.]  “Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God,  the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is  weary? There is no searching of his understanding.” [Isaiah 40:28.] {CE 161.1}

It should be written upon the conscience as with a pen of iron upon a  rock, that he who disregards mercy, compassion, and righteousness, he  who neglects the poor, who ignores the needs of suffering humanity, who  is not kind and courteous, is so conducting himself that God cannot  co-operate with him in the development of  character. The culture of the mind and heart is more easily  accomplished when we feel such tender sympathy for others that we bestow  our benefits and privileges to relieve their necessities. Getting and  holding all that we can for ourselves tends to poverty of soul. But all  the attributes of Christ await the reception of those who will do the very work that God has appointed them to do, working in Christ’s lines.525 {CCh 283.4}

The Lord sanctions the efforts of the consecrated worker, the true  shepherd. He may have little time to preach discourses, but he can act  sermons which will be far more powerful. The truth expressed in living, unselfish deeds is the strongest argument for Christianity. The  relieving of the sick, the helping of the distressed, is working in Christ’s lines and demonstrates most powerful gospel truths representing Christ’s  mission and work upon earth. The knowledge of the art of relieving  suffering humanity is the opening of doors without number, where the  truth can find a lodgment in the heart,  and souls be saved unto life—eternal life. Even the most hardhearted and  apparently sin-encased souls may be approached in this way and understand something of the mystery of godliness and  become so charmed that they will not rest until they have a knowledge of  Jesus Christ and His saving grace.... {CH 537.1}

I  saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came  with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they  brought him near before him. Daniel 7:13. {FLB 207.1}

After  His ascension, our Saviour began His work as our high priest. Says  Paul, “Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which  are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in  the presence of God for us.” Hebrews 9:24.... {FLB 207.2}

For  eighteen centuries this work of ministration continued in the first  apartment of the sanctuary. The blood of Christ, pleaded in behalf of  penitent believers, secured their pardon and acceptance with the Father,  yet their sins still remained upon the books of record. As in the  typical service there was a work of atonement at the close of the year,  so before Christ’s work for the redemption of men is completed, there is  a work of atonement for the removal of sin from the sanctuary. This is  the service which began when the 2300 days ended. At that time ... our  High Priest entered the most holy, to perform the last division of His  solemn work—to cleanse the sanctuary.... {FLB 207.3}

The coming of Christ as our high priest to the most holy place, for the cleansing of the sanctuary, brought to view in Daniel 8:14; the coming of the Son of man to the Ancient of days, as presented in Daniel 7:13;  and the coming of the Lord to His temple, foretold by Malachi, are  descriptions of the same event; and this is also represented by the  coming of the bridegroom to the marriage, described by Christ in the  parable of the ten virgins, of Matthew 25.53 {FLB 207.4}

The  cleansing of the sanctuary ... involves a work of investigation—a work  of judgment. This work must be performed prior to the coming of Christ  to redeem His people; for when He comes, His reward is with Him to give  to every man according to his works. {FLB 207.5}

In  the day of final reckoning, position, rank, or wealth will not alter by  a hair’s breadth the case of any one. By the all-seeing God, men will  be judged by what they are in purity, in nobility, in love for Christ. {FLB 207.6}

If men would use aright the wisdom God has given them, this world would  be a place resembling heaven. God has given them light, educating them  and endowing them with capabilities and with ability to choose the path  of holiness, the path of obedience to the divine requirements. But the  transgression of Adam and Eve has been perpetuated from generation to  generation. Men have chosen to follow the suggestions of Satan, instead  of the directions of God, and they have become active workers in the  enemy’s service, making void the law binding upon every member of the human family. They have exalted Satan’s  principles above the principles which rule in the heavens. By working  contrary to God’s commandments they have united with the great deceiver,  and have brought unrighteousness into the world. God has given men a  Sabbath, ordained and founded by Himself, but they have changed the  rest-day which God sanctified in Eden, which bears the mark of His  government, placing in its stead a spurious sabbath, which bears the  mark of the man of sin. {15MR 33.1}

Sin is the transgression of the law, and God has stated plainly the  penalty which must fall on those who abuse their freedom by choosing  Satan’s path of self-gratification. Is it not important that we know  whether we bear the mark of God’s government or the mark of the kingdom  of rebellion? By observing a superior rest-day, we acknowledge ourselves  subjects of the kingdom whose mark we bear. God’s word is before us,  and those who carefully study it will see that they have made a mistake in accepting the first day of the week as the Sabbath.  {15MR 33.2}