Manuscript Releases, vol. 18 [Nos. 1301-1359]

MR No. 1349—A Perfect Saviour; God's Love for Us; A New Commandment; Working with the W.C.T.U.; The Opportunities of Youth; Developing True Christian Character; Rejection of Inspired Counsel; Resisting Temptation; Justice and Grace

January 2, 1890—Praising God. Have we tasted and seen that the Lord is good? Then let us tell of His goodness. Let praise to God come from human lips. We owe it to God to reflect the light given us. Let no thought of complaint be entertained. Today is mine. How shall I conduct myself today? This is the question that each one must settle for himself. 18MR 331.1

“This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou has sent.” [John 17:23-26, quoted.] 18MR 331.2

What breadth and depth and height these words reveal. Christ came to this earth to reveal the Father, to place Him in a correct light before men. Satan had aroused the enmity and prejudice of the race against God. He had pointed to Him as exacting, overbearing, and condemnatory, the author of suffering, misery, and death. He charged upon God the attributes of his own character. Jesus came to declare the name of God, to reveal Him to the world. To Moses God had revealed the meaning of His name. [Exodus 34:5-9; Deuteronomy 7:6-9, quoted.] - 18MR 331.3

January 3, 1890—A Perfect Saviour. Christ unites in His person the fullness and perfection of the Godhead and the fullness and perfection of sinless humanity. He met all the temptations by which Adam was assailed, and overcame these temptations, because in His humanity He relied upon divine power. This subject demands far more contemplation than it receives. Christians strike too low. They are content with a superficial spiritual experience, and therefore they have only the glimmerings of light, when they might have far greater knowledge, when they might discern more clearly the wonderful perfection of Christ's humanity, which rises far above all human greatness, all human power. Christ's life is a revelation of what fallen human beings may become through union and fellowship with the divine nature. The more deeply we study the life and character of our Redeemer, the more clearly shall we see the Father as He is, full of goodness and mercy, love and truth. 18MR 331.4

Men and women frame many excuses for their proneness to sin. Sin is represented as a necessity, an evil that cannot be overcome. But sin is not a necessity. Christ lived in this world from infancy to manhood, and during that time He met and resisted all the temptations by which man is beset. He is a perfect pattern of childhood, of youth, of manhood. 18MR 332.1

God's Love For Us—[John 17:15-23, quoted.] It seems almost too good to believe that the Father can and does love any member of the human family as He loves His Son. But we have the assurance that He does, and this assurance should bring joy to every heart, awakening the highest reverence, and calling forth unspeakable gratitude. God's love is not uncertain and unreal, but a living reality. 18MR 332.2

Jesus says, “I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me.” How did He do this? By His spotless perfection of character and a life of unselfish service for an unchanging companion. “Therefore doth My Father love Me,” He declares, “because I lay down My life for the sheep.” My Father loves you with a love so great that He loves Me the more for dying for you. 18MR 332.3

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June 3, 1888—Faith—What Is It? In regard to the matter of prayer for the sick, many confusing ideas are advanced. One says, “He who has been prayed for must walk out in faith, giving God the glory, and making use of no remedies. If he is at a health institute, he should leave it at once.” 18MR 333.1

I know that these ideas are wrong, and that if accepted they would lead to many evils. 18MR 333.2

On the other hand, I do not wish to say anything that might be interpreted to mean a lack of belief in the efficacy of prayer. 18MR 333.3

The path of faith lies close beside the path of presumption. Satan is ever seeking to lead us into false paths. He sees that a misunderstanding of what constitutes faith will confuse and disappoint. He is pleased when he can persuade men and women to reason from false premises. 18MR 333.4

I can pray for the sick only in one way—“Lord, if it be in accordance with Thy will, for Thy glory and the good of the one who is sick, heal the sufferer, we pray. Not our will, but Thine be done.” 18MR 333.5

Nehemiah did not regard his duty as done when he had mourned and wept and prayed before the Lord. He did not only pray, he worked, mingling petition and endeavor. 18MR 333.6

It is no denial of faith to use rational remedies judiciously. Water, air, and sunshine, these are God's healing agents. The use of certain herbs that the Lord has made to grow for the good of man, is in harmony with the exercise of faith. 18MR 333.7

The Power of the Gospel—Human knowledge, human philosophy, cannot transform character. But the Lord can take fallen man, and by grace transform him. He says, “I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir”—fitted, like Enoch, to walk with God, to be the companion of angels. In Christianity there is a wonder-working power. 18MR 334.1

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September 1, 1899. A New Commandment—Christ says, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” Paul says, “If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” 18MR 334.2

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” 18MR 334.3

These words are the injunctions of heaven, and they are to be brought into the daily practice. If one is at fault, instead of telling someone else of this, go to the one you think to be in error, and tenderly and respectfully, as you would wish to be treated were you in his place, tell him of his mistake. If he is not told of his fault, but instead there are surmisings among others, and no effort is made to save the erring one by telling him of his danger, how will God look upon those who do this cruel work? 18MR 334.4

God declares, “There is none righteousness, no, not one” [Romans 3:10]. All have the same sinful nature. All are liable to make mistakes. No one is perfect. The Lord Jesus died for the erring, that they might be forgiven. It is not our work to condemn. Christ did not come to condemn, but to save. 18MR 334.5

“Above all things,” the apostle writes, “have fervent charity among yourselves.” Do not listen to reports against a brother or a sister. Be very cautious how you take up a reproach against your neighbor. Ask the one who brings the accusation if he has obeyed the word of God in regard to this matter. Christ has left explicit directions as to what should be done. Go to your brother, and tell him his fault between him and you alone. Do not excuse yourself from this, saying, There is no personal grievance between the one who is accused and myself. The rules given by Christ are so definite, so explicit, that this excuse is not valid. Whether or not the grievance is between you and the one accused, the injunction of Christ is the same. Your brother needs help. Tell him, not someone else, that reports are being circulated about him. Give him opportunity to explain. It is possible that the reports are false, and that the difficulties may be adjusted by some simple explanation. This treatment is due everyone supposed to be in error. 18MR 335.1

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September 12, 1891—God's Love for Us. “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Jesus took the sinner's place. He became “sin for us, who knew no sin.” The God of justice did not spare His Son. In the secret place of the Most High a voice was heard: “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts.” The whole debt for the transgressor of God's law was demanded from our Mediator. A full atonement was required. How appropriate are the words of Isaiah, “It pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief.” His soul was made “an offering for sin.” “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities.” 18MR 335.2

Jesus suffered the extreme penalty of the law for our transgressions, and justice was fully satisfied. The law is not abrogated; it has lost not one jot of its force. Instead, it stands forth in holy dignity, Christ's death on the cross testifying to its immutability. Its demands have been met, its authority maintained. God spared not His only begotten Son. To show the depth of His love for man, He delivered Him up for us all. “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Behold Him dying on the cross. Behold Him who was equal with God, mocked and derided by the mob. Behold Him in Gethsemane, bowed under the burden of the sins of the whole world. 18MR 336.1

Was the penalty remitted because He was the Son of God? Were the vials of wrath withheld from Him who was made sin for us? Without abatement the penalty fell upon our divine-human Substitute. 18MR 336.2

Hear His cry, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” He was treated as a sinner that we might be treated as righteous, that God might be just and yet the justifier of the sinner. 18MR 336.3

I ask the impenitent, What greater evidence do you want that God is a God of justice? If the sword of justice woke in its might against the Fellow of the Almighty, and was not sheathed until bathed in the blood of God's only begotten Son, what will be the punishment of those who refuse to accept the atoning sacrifice? When the Son of God interposed in man's behalf, and humbled Himself on Calvary, angels drew back in amazement. Can those for whom this great sacrifice was made escape the wrath of God if they are indifferent to this great salvation? Those who choose to continue in sin will be without a shadow of excuse. Calvary is the only argument that will be used against them. 18MR 336.4

The love existing between the Father and His Son cannot be portrayed. It is measureless. In Christ God saw the beauty and perfection of excellence that dwells in Himself. Wonder, O heavens, and be astonished. O earth, for God spared not His own Son, but gave Him up to be made sin for us, that those who believe may be made the righteousness of God in Him. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” 18MR 337.1

Language is too feeble for us to attempt to portray the love of God. We believe it, we rejoice in it, but we cannot comprehend it. 18MR 337.2

Giving Christ, God has given everything. Nothing greater, nothing more costly, could He bestow. In giving His Son, He gave all heaven, not because of any goodness or righteousness that we possess, but because He loved us. 18MR 337.3

Faithfulness in the Christian Life—Many are included in the Saviour's message to the church at Laodicea. No man should keep his foot on the brake to hinder the advancement of the Lord's work. The time has come for the people of God to take their light from under the bushel, and place it where it will shine forth in clear, distinct rays. Let the Lord's workers go forward, and let those who would hinder, stand out of the way. 18MR 337.4

In our social relations with one another, we are to work on Christ's principles. Honesty, true courtesy, kindness, and gentleness are to be seen in our dealings with one another. But there is more than this. We are to exhort one another daily, while it is called today. True faith is not narrow or selfish. We need to be actuated by a strong, living piety, which draws us to God and leads us to work earnestly to correct our errors. 18MR 337.5

Let all Christians take Christ's yoke upon them. The wearing of this yoke means the doing of the duties that Christ has enjoined. If we refuse to perform these duties, we are not Christians. 18MR 337.6

The Work Before Us—There is a great work to be done in our cities, towns, and villages. Some earnest work has been done, and this has been blessed by God. But there is a higher, broader work to be carried on under the Holy Spirit's guidance. And in the doing of this work we are to live the lessons that the Lord has given us in His Word. 18MR 338.1

The Lord's workers in the home and in the foreign field are to remember that they are to exercise good judgment and ever seek counsel from God. There is to be thoughtful planning, and life is not to be imperiled by working without taking time to rest and recuperate. 18MR 338.2

When those who are preaching the truth practice the truth in every deed, heavenly messengers will be in the assemblies that they address, impressing on the hearts of the hearers the words spoken. The shadow that Satan throws across the pathway to eclipse the light of heaven will be pierced by the bright shining of the Sun of Righteousness. How sad it is that the faith of ministers and church members falls so far short of what it might be. If their eyes could be opened, they would see light from heaven shining, the clouds of doubt dispersing, and truth finding entrance to hearts. 18MR 338.3

Prayer is the key that unlocks the storehouse of heaven. The churches have been losing their power. We must have faith in God. We must have a firmer dependence on Him who is the Owner of the universe. The cause of God needs consecrated workers, and it needs money. What shall we do? Pray in faith, believing that as we advance, the means and the workers will come. Let us lay the whole situation before God, because He alone can supply that which we must have in order to enter new fields. He says, Advance, and we are not to wait till the money is in sight. There is to be no failure on our part. 18MR 338.4

A Willingness to Yield—In the married life, men and women sometimes act like undisciplined, perverse children. The husband wants his way, and the wife wants her way, and neither is willing to yield. Such a condition of things can bring only the greatest unhappiness. Both husband and wife should be willing to yield his or her way or opinion. There is no possibility of happiness while they both persist in doing as they please. 18MR 339.1

Working With the W. C. T. U.—The question has been asked me, When asked by the W.C.T.U. to speak in their meetings, shall we accept the invitation? 18MR 339.2

In answer I reply, When asked to speak in such meetings, never refuse. This is the rule that I have always followed. When asked to speak on temperance, I have never hesitated. Among those who are working for the spread of temperance, the Lord has souls to whom the truth for this time is to be presented. We are to bear a message to the W.C.T.U. 18MR 339.3

Christ's one purpose when upon this earth was to reflect the light of His righteousness to those in darkness. The W.C.T.U. workers have not the whole truth on all points, but they are doing a good work. From those who are Sabbathkeepers the light of truth shines forth to them. 18MR 339.4

Christ's work on this earth was a continual campaign against evil. A man of sorrows and the Friend of sinners, it was His work to point men and women to the Father. He allowed nothing to turn Him aside from the fulfilling of His Heaven-appointed task. 18MR 339.5

The Opportunities of Youth—Those who do not improve the golden opportunities of youth, those who do not when young lay the foundation for a well-balanced, symmetrical character, allow opportunities to pass by that they can never recover. It is in youth that the mind is most expansive, the memory most retentive, habits most easily formed. 18MR 339.6

Developing True Christian Character—The virtue in the character of the true Christian will help those for whom he labors. His acts of kindness and mercy will write their lessons on many minds. 18MR 340.1

Those who are engaged in the work of God will not become rich in houses and/or lands, but they may be assured that godliness has the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come. 18MR 340.2

The work of God needs men and women who have learned of Christ. The moment God's workmen see Him as He is, that moment they will see themselves as they are, and will ask Him to make them what they ought to be. Selfishness makes men hindrances instead of helps. In God's light we can see our defects, and in His strength we can remedy them. 18MR 340.3

Rejection of Inspired Counsel—For the past twenty years the work of God has been bound about. Had God's directions been followed, its spread might have been a hundred greater than it has been. 18MR 340.4

Men have passed judgment on the messages I have borne, as if they were appointed by God to make of no effect the words given me by the Lord to give to His people. Some have felt at liberty to say which part of the message was from the Lord, and which part was merely the judgment of Sister White. They have done this till they have put out their own spiritual eyesight. They are blinded and deceived by the enemy. 18MR 340.5

The Lord has truth for His people, grand, beautiful, harmonious truth. How long will men and women think that they can measure the Scriptures and the messages sent them to perfect their experience, by their own finite ideas? 18MR 340.6

Christ the Light—Christ is the light of the world. Those who follow Him shall not walk in darkness. He has satisfied the claims of the law, has borne the curse for us, has made His life an offering for us, and has brought in everlasting righteousness. Walking in the light as Christ is in the light means to trust in Him, to hold fast to Him by faith. 18MR 340.7

The spiritual life of those who make Jesus their example will be a help to those about them. The love, the forbearance, the patience, the longsuffering and self-denial of the Saviour characterize their experience. 18MR 341.1

He who seeks to get to heaven by his own righteousness is forever doing, but never making progress. But he who follows where Christ leads the way, goes from strength to strength, from light to greater light. Walking in the path of faith and obedience, he wins others to the new and living way, which is consecrated by the blood of Christ. The light of truth illuminates his footsteps, and the thought of Christ's life inspires his efforts, enabling him to go on from strength to strength, gaining continually in grace and the knowledge of Christ, until at last he is complete in Him, not having his own righteousness, but the righteousness of Christ. 18MR 341.2

Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. His life stands out in contrast with and in opposition to all error. From this great source of light all truth radiates, and all truth that goes forth from Him returns to Him again in increased splendor. 18MR 341.3

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December 10, 1889—Resisting Temptation. “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, ... might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” “Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” 18MR 341.4

The temptations that assail the children of God are to be regarded as the outworking of the wrath of Satan against Christ, who gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins, and redeemed us by His blood. Satan is filled with wrath against Jesus. But he cannot hurt the Saviour except by conquering those for whom Christ died. He knows that when through his devices souls are ruined, the Saviour is wounded. 18MR 342.1

The heavenly universe is watching with the deepest interest the conflict between Christ in the person of His saints, and the great deceiver. Those who recognize and resist temptation are fighting the Lord's battles. To such are given the commendation, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation.” Endurance of temptation means the cultivation of patience. The tempted, harassed soul cannot trust in his own strength of purpose. Feeling his utter helplessness, he flees to the stronghold, saying, “My Saviour, I cast my helpless soul upon Thee.” The fiercer the temptation, the more strongly he clings to the Mighty One. 18MR 342.2

By faith he passes the temptation over to Christ, and leaves it there. Faith in the Saviour's strength makes him more than a conqueror. It is the miracle-working power of Jesus that arms the Christian with strength to overcome as Christ overcame. 18MR 342.3

Temptation is not sin unless it is cherished. Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, will fill the soul with peace and abiding trust. “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” 18MR 342.4

A few hours ago I listened to the complaint of a distressed soul. Satan came to her in an unexpected way. She thought that she had blasphemed the Saviour because the tempter kept putting into her mind the thought that Christ was only a man, no more than a good man. She thought that Satan's whisperings were the sentiments of her own heart, and this horrified her. She thought that she was denying Christ, and her soul was in an agony of distress. 18MR 342.5

I assured her that these suggestions of the enemy were not her own thoughts, that Christ understood and accepted her; that she must treat these suggestions as wholly from Satan, and that her courage must rise with the strength of the temptation. She must say, “I am a child of God. I commit myself, body and soul, to Jesus. I hate these vain thoughts.” I told her not to admit for a moment that they originated with her; not to allow Satan to wound Christ by plunging her into unbelief and discouragement. 18MR 343.1

To those who are tempted, I would say, Do not for a moment acknowledge Satan's temptations as being in harmony with your own mind. Turn from them as you would from the adversary himself. Satan's work is to discourage the soul. Christ's work is to inspire the heart with faith and hope. Satan seeks to unsettle our confidence. He tells us that our hopes are built upon false premises, rather than upon the sure, immutable word of Him who cannot lie. 18MR 343.2

The oldest, most experienced Christians have been assailed by Satan's temptations, but through trust in Jesus they have conquered. So may every soul who looks in faith to Christ. 18MR 343.3

A man cannot put his feet in the path of holiness without evil men and evil angels uniting against him. Evil angels will conspire with evil men to destroy the servants of God. Those who are rebuked for their evil thoughts will hate the reprover of sin and will try to wrench him from the service of Christ. The conflict may be long and painful, but we have the pledged word of the Eternal that Satan cannot conquer us unless we submit to his control. 18MR 343.4

Christ was crucified as a deceiver, yet He was the light and life of the world. He endured the contradiction of sinners against Himself. 18MR 344.1

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” 18MR 344.2

Can we measure the love of God? Paul declares that “it passeth knowledge.” Then shall we who have been made partakers of the heavenly gift be careless and indifferent, neglecting the great salvation wrought out for us? Shall we allow ourselves to be separated from Christ, and thus lose the eternal reward, the great gift of everlasting life? Shall we not accept the enmity which Christ has placed between man and the serpent? Shall we not eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God, which means to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God? Or shall we become earthly, eating the serpent's meat, which is selfishness, hypocrisy, evil-surmising, envy, and covetousness? We have a right to say, “In the strength of Jesus Christ I will be a conqueror. I will not be overcome by Satan's devices.” 18MR 344.3

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December 13, 1889—The Love of God. Christ came to this world to reveal the Father's love for fallen man. In the heavens above and in the earth beneath, in everything that is beautiful and lovely, in the lofty tree, the opening bud, the blossoming flower, we see an expression of the love of God. There is no measurement by which the love of God can be computed. 18MR 344.4

Standing before the cross of Calvary, we can gain some idea of the love of the heavenly Father. Behold Christ, the Son of the infinite God, dying on the cross for sinners. He clothed His divinity with humanity, that human beings might become partakers of the divine nature. In Christ we have a manifestation of the Father. 18MR 344.5

There is a narrowness in human comprehension that is dishonoring to God. Let not him who claims Christ as his Saviour entertain the thought that God's mercies are confined to him and to the few in whom he is interested. The love and mercy of God are for everyone. Let us gather up the divine tokens of His favor, and return praise and thanksgiving to Him for His goodness, which is bestowed upon us not to be hoarded but to be passed along to others. 18MR 345.1

We are altogether too selfish, too exclusive. The rays of light shining upon us we are to reflect to others. God expects everyone who enjoys His grace to diffuse this grace as freely as Christ bestows His mercies. As the sun shines upon the just and the unjust, so the Sun of Righteousness reflects light to the whole world. Why should those who have been made partakers of the heavenly gift be so exclusive? Why men should try to keep their light to themselves, instead of letting it shine forth to the world, is a marvel to the heavenly universe. 18MR 345.2

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December 19, 1889—Justice and Grace. Justice and grace are essentially different but they work in perfect harmony. Every man will receive justice from the hand of God. Every soul that God has created will eventually acknowledge that he has received a reward or punishment in accordance with his work. Man reaps what he has sown. 18MR 345.3

The grace of God is of priceless value. It is through the goodness and mercy of God that it is conferred. 18MR 345.4

The wonderful plan of redemption, which human beings cannot fully understand, shows that the Creator deals justly and loves mercy. Because He loved man, He gave His Son as a sacrifice for sin. The plan of salvation was laid open before the foundation of the world was formed. In counsel together, the Father and the Son determined that Satan should not be left unchecked to exercise his cruel power upon man. It is God's will that all shall be saved, that not one shall perish; but He does not compel obedience. He leaves all free to say whether or not they will take advantage of His offer of mercy. In giving Jesus, He poured out all heaven in one gift, making it possible for man to come into possession of eternal riches. 18MR 345.5

The love of God, as shown in the gift of His Son, should be talked of and dwelt upon. Why are our lips so silent? Why do we not praise the Lord? Every hour of our Saviour's life was spent in praising God.—Manuscript 31, 1911. 18MR 346.1

Ellen G. White Estate

Washington, D. C.,

January 22, 1988.

Entire Ms.