GOD'S LIGHT FOR THE WORLD

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I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

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With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

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Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Manuscript 67, 1907

The Means of Unity Explained.

In the fourth chapter of Ephesians the plan of God is so plainly and simply revealed that all His children may lay hold upon the truth. Here the means which he has appointed to keep unity in His church, which its members may reveal to the world a healthy religious experience, is plainly declared.

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But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

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Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

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(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

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He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

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And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

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For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

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Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

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That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

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But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

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From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Signs of the Times June 5, 1893

What Is Grace?

The Lord saw our fallen condition; He saw our need of grace, and because He loved our souls, He has given us grace and peace. Grace means favor to one who is undeserving, to one who is lost. The fact that we are sinners, instead of shutting us away from the mercy and love of
God, makes the exercise of His love to us a positive necessity in order that we may be saved.

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This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

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Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

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Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Acts of the Apostles pg 470

The apostle's desire for those to whom he addressed his letters of counsel and admonition was that they should "be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine;" but that they should all come into "the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." He entreated those who were followers of Jesus in heathen communities not to walk "as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God . . . because of the blindness of their heart," but "circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time." Ephesians 4:14, 13, 17, 18; 5:15, 16. He encouraged the believers to look forward to the time when Christ, who "loved the church, and gave Himself for it," would "present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing"--a church "holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:25, 27. {AA 470.1}

     These messages, written with a power not of man but of God, contain lessons which should be studied by all and which may with profit be often repeated. In them practical godliness is outlined, principles are laid down that should be followed in every church, and the way that leads to life eternal is made plain. {AA 470.2}

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But ye have not so learned Christ;

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If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

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That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

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And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

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And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Signs of the Times Dec. 17, 1902

The Secret of Holiness.

No man receives holiness as a birthright, or as a gift from any other human being. Holiness is the gift of God through Christ. Those who receive the Saviour become sons of God. They are His spiritual children, born again, renewed in righteousness and true holiness. Their minds are changed. With clearer vision they behold eternal realities. They are adopted into God’s family, and they become conformed to His likeness, changed by His Spirit from glory to glory. From cherishing supreme love for self, they come to cherish supreme love for God and for Christ. . .

Accepting Christ as a personal Saviour, and following His example of self-denial—this is the secret of holiness.

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And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.

Manuscript 67, 1907

The Acceptable Offering.

The offering that is made to God without a spirit of reverence and gratitude. He does not accept. It is the humble, grateful, reverential heart that makes the offering as a sweet-smelling savor, acceptable to God. The children of Israel might have given all their substance, but given in a spirit of self-sufficiency or Pharisaism, as though God were indebted to them for their favors, their offerings would have been unaccepted, and utterly contemned by Him. It is our privilege, by diligently trading on our Lord’s goods, to increase our store, so that we may impart to those who have fallen into distress. Thus we become the Lord’s right hand to work out His benevolent purposes.

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For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

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(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth ;)

Manuscript 41, 1897

The Indwelling of the Spirit.

This influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul. We do not see Christ and speak to Him, but His Holy Spirit is just as near us in one place as in another. It works in and through every one who receives Christ. Those who know the indwelling of the Spirit reveal the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.

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And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

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Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

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Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

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Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

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Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

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Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

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For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

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Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

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Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

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And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

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Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

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And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Manuscript 95, 1903

Battling With Unseen Powers.

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. Those who are under God’s control and who are influenced by the heavenly angels will be able to discern the crafty workings of the unseen powers of darkness. Those who desire to be in harmony with the heavenly agencies should be intensely in earnest to do God’s will. They must give no place whatever to Satan and his angels.

But unless we are constantly on guard, we shall be overcome by the enemy. Although a solemn revelation of god’s will concerning us has been revealed to all, yet a knowledge of His will does not set aside the necessity of offering earnest supplications to Him for help, and of diligently seek9ing to cooperate with Him in answering the prayers offered. He accomplishes His purposes through human instrumentalities.

Manuscript 63,1908

Complete Armor Essential.

God wants everyone to stand with the whole armor on, ready for the great review.

Youth Instructor Sept 12, 1901

The Breastplate of Righteousness

We must put on every piece of the armor, and then stand firm. The Lord has honored us by choosing us as His soldiers. Let us fight bravely for Him, maintaining the right in every transaction. Rectitude in all things is essential to the welfare of the soul. As you strive for the victory over your own inclinations, He will help you by His Holy Spirit to be circumspect in every action, that you may give no occasion for the enemy to speak evil of the truth. Put on as your breastplate that divinely protected righteousness which It is the privilege of all to wear. This will protect your spiritual life.

Review and Herald May 25, 1905

Angels Near to Protect Us.

If we have on the heavenly armor, we shall find that the assaults of the enemy will not have power over us. Angels of God will be round about to protect us.

Manuscript 33, 1911

A Battle Against Principalities and Powers.

Could human beings know the number of the evil angels, could they know their devices and their activity, there would be far less pride and frivolity. Satan is the prince of demons. The evil angels over whom he rules do his bidding. Through them he multiplies his agencies throughout the world. He instigates all the evil that exists in our world.

But though the principalities and powers of darkness are both many in number and unceasing in activity, yet the Christian should never feel hopeless or discouraged. He may not hope to escape temptation through any lack of satanic efficiency. He who sent a legion to torture one human being cannot be repulsed by human wisdom or power alone.

Speaking of Satan, the Lord declares that he abode not in the truth. Once he was beautiful, radiant in light. But God’s Word declares of him, “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty.”

Satan instigated others to rebel, and after they were cast out of heaven he bound them together in a confederacy to do all the evil possible to man, as the only means of striking God. Excluded from heaven, he resolved to be avenged by injuring the workmanship of God. Around the standard of rebellion that he planted, evil workers of all generations have rallied. Evil angels have united with evil men in warfare against Christ’s kingdom.

Satan’s aim had been to reproduce his own character in human beings. No sooner was man created than Satan resolved to efface in him the image of God, and to place his stamp where God’s should be. And he has succeeded in instilling into the heart of man the spirit of envy, of hatred, of ambition. In this world he has set up a kingdom of darkness, of which he, the leader in guilt, is prince. He desired to usurp the throne of god. Failing in this, he has worked in darkness, in crookedness, in deception, to usurp his place in the hearts of men. He has set up his throne between God and man, to appropriate the adoration that belongs to God alone.

Manuscript 1, 1890

Under Whose Control?

I want you to consider what kind of a position we should be left in if we had not the ministry of holy angels. . . “We wrestle not against flesh and blood.” We meet the opposition of men, but there is someone behind that opposition. It is the prince of the powers of darkness with his evil angels that are constantly at work, and we want to consider, all of us, that our warfare is “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world.”

Who is it that is ruling the world today, and who is it that have chosen to stand under the banner of the prince of darkness? Why, it is nearly the whole world at large. All the world that have not accepted Jesus Christ have chosen for their leader the prince of darkness; and just as soon as they stand under his banner, they have connection with evil angels. Either the evil angels or the angels of God are controlling the minds of men. Our minds are given to the control of God, or to the control of the powers of darkness; and it will be well for us to inquire where we are standing today—whether under the bloodstained banner of Prince Emmanuel, or under the black banner of the powers of darkness.

We must make every preparation in our power in order to resist the enemy of souls. Every provision has been made; everything in God’s plan has be arranged so that man should not  be left to his own impulses, to his own finite powers, to carry on the warfare against the powers of darkness in his own finite strength; because he would certainly fail if he were thus left to himself.

Manuscript 8,1900

Faithful Sentinels on Guard.

There are good and evil angels. Satan is ever on the alert to deceive and mislead. He is using every enchantment to allure men into the broad road of disobedience. He is working to confuse the senses with erroneous sentiments, and remove the landmarks by placing his false inscription on the signposts which God has established to point the right way. It is because these evil agencies are striving to eclipse every ray of light from the soul that heavenly beings are appointed to do their work of ministry, to guide, guard, and control those who shall be heirs of salvation. None need despair because of the inherited tendencies to evil, but when the Spirit of God convict of sin, the wrongdoer must repent and confess and forsake the evil. Faithful sentinels are on guard to direct souls in right paths.

Manuscript 32,1900

Constant Warfare of the Angels.

If the curtain could be rolled back, and each one could discern the constant activities of the heavenly family to preserve the inhabitants of the earth form Satan’s seductive wiles, lest in their careless attitude they should be led astray through satanic strategy, they would lose a large degree of their self-confidence and self-assurance. They would see that the armies of heaven are in continual warfare with satanic agencies, to obtain victories in behalf of those who do not sense their danger, and who are passing on in unconscious indifference.

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Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

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And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

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For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Testimonies 5 pg 190

Some who profess to be spokesmen for God are in their daily life denying the faith. They present to the people important truths; but who are impressed by these truths? Who are convicted of sin? The hearers know that those who are preaching today will tomorrow be the first to join in pleasure, mirth, and frivolity. Their influence out of the pulpit soothes the conscience of the impenitent and causes the ministry to be despised. They are themselves asleep upon the very verge of the eternal world. The blood of souls is upon their garments. {5T 190.1}

     How are the faithful servants of Christ employed? "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit," praying in the closet, in the family, in the congregation, everywhere; "and watching thereunto with all perseverance." They feel that souls are in peril, and with earnest, humble faith they plead the promises of God in their behalf. The ransom paid by Christ--the atonement on the cross--is ever before them. They will have souls as seals of their ministry. {5T 190.2}

     The rebuke of the Lord is upon His people for their pride and unbelief. He will not restore unto them the joys of His salvation while they are departing from the instructions of His word and His Spirit. He will give grace to those who fear Him and walk in the truth, and He will withdraw His blessing from all that assimilate to the world. Mercy and truth are promised to the humble and penitent, and judgments are denounced against the rebellious. {5T 190.3}

     The church at Battle Creek might have stood free from idolatry, and her faithfulness would have been an example to other churches. But she is more willing to depart from God's commandments than to renounce the friendship of the world. She is joined to the idols which she has chosen; and because temporal prosperity and the favor of a wicked world are hers,
she believes herself to be rich toward God. This will prove to many a fatal delusion. Her divine character and spiritual strength have departed from her. {5T 190.4}

The Sanctified Life pg 84

Paul’s Prayer for the Church

In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul sets before them the “mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19), the “unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8), and then assures them of his earnest prayers for their spiritual prosperity:

“I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,. . .  that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:14-19).

He writes to his Corinthian brethren also, “to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus . . . : Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; that in everything ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinth. 1:2-7). These words are addressed not only to the church at Corinth but to all the people of God to the close of time. Every Christian may enjoy the blessing of sanctification.

The apostle continues in these words: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but the ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment” (verse 10). Paul would not have appealed to them to do that which was impossible. Unity is the sure result of Christian perfection.

In the Epistle to the Colossians also are set forth the glorious privileges vouchsafed to the children of God. “since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, . . .  we also , since the day we heard it, do no cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness” (Colossians 1:4-11).