Manuscript Releases, vol. 4 [Nos. 210-259]

MR No. 218—Miscellaneous Requests

Unbelievers have inquired, “Why are not miracles wrought among those who claim to be God's people?” Brethren, the greatest miracle that can be wrought is the conversion of the human heart. We need to be reconverted, losing sight of self and human ideas, and beholding Christ, that we may be transformed into His likeness. When this the greatest of all miracles is wrought within our hearts, we shall see the workings of other miracles. 4MR 113.1

God cannot work through us miraculously while we are unconverted. It would spoil us; for we would take it as an evidence that we were perfect before Him. Our fist work is to become perfect in His sight, by living faith claiming His promise of forgiveness. “Ask what ye will,” Christ declared to His disciples, “and it shall be done unto you”.... “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” Those who see Christ by living faith, those who abide in Him, will have power to work miracles for His glory.—Manuscript 169, 1902, 14. (“The Work of the St. Helena Sanitarium,” July 14, 1902.) 4MR 113.2

Man can accomplish nothing without God, and God has arranged His plans so far as to accomplish nothing in the restoration of the human race without the cooperation of the human with the divine. The part man is required to sustain is immeasurably small, yet in the plan of God it is just that part that is needed to make the work a success. 4MR 113.3

We are laborers together with God. This is the Lord's own wise arrangement. The cooperation of the human will and endeavor with divine energy is the link that binds men up with one another and with God.—Manuscript 113, 1898, 1, 2. (“Present Your Bodies a Living Sacrifice,” typed September 8, 1898.) 4MR 114.1

Released December 17, 1968.