Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Ms 11, 1911

Talk/Conformity to Christ’s Example

Angwin, California

April 10, 1911

Portions of this manuscript are published in HP 278.

(Talk by Mrs. E. G. White, June 10, 1911, in the school chapel at Pacific Union College.) 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 1

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee: as Thou hast given Me power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 2

“I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work that Thou gavest Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own glory which I had with Thee before the world was.” [John 17:1-4.] 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 3

What a prayer is this. There was none who could offer this prayer but He whom the Father had appointed to come to give His life for men, that through His word men might come into possession of eternal life. How great was the sacrifice Christ made when He left the courts of heaven and the royal throne and came to our world where, as a man among men, He worked and taught. What wonderful condescension! Let none demerit the great sacrifice made in behalf of the fallen race. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 4

Christ came to the world to suffer reproach and shame. He bore all the insult and mockery that wicked men could heap upon Him. He came to feel the venom of the serpent through satanic agencies and to live as we must live in order to gain eternal life. It is our privilege, through the study of the Word, to make ourselves acquainted with Christ’s earthly experiences and to understand what are the terms of salvation. We cannot afford to be found lacking, for others will see our lack; and Christ gave us an example that was wanting in nothing. God gave His Son to our world, that through Him we might follow on to know the Lord. We should learn to appreciate every advantage that enables us to exalt the riches and the grace of God. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 5

Christ came to teach men the way of eternal life, that none might be left in ignorance. The way of salvation is so simple that a little child can understand it. We are to follow on to know the Lord; and as we daily follow His leadings, we shall learn that His goings forth are prepared as the morning. Christ did not come to earth to sit on a throne and rule the nations. He came as a humble man to be tempted and to overcome temptation and to follow on, as we must, to know the Lord. In a study of His life we shall see how much God through Christ has done for men. And we shall see that however great our sufferings and trials may be, they cannot exceed what Christ endured that we might know the way, the truth, and the life. We are to show our appreciation for God’s great sacrifice by a life of conformity to Christ’s example. Living thus, we shall not lose any of the benefits brought to the world through Him. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 6

I would say to these students, Never feel that you need not be particular in your Christian experience; for you can never enter the kingdom of heaven until you represent in your life the life of Christ, until you have learned the need of living every hour in and through Christ. Only then will your example and your influence upon others be such as God can fully commend. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 7

The Saviour watches with a deep interest over the human family. When He ascended to the Father, He did not leave His followers without help. In His earthly life He overcame in their behalf, and they are to overcome in His strength. All have trials to meet. There are the old natural temperaments to contend with; but these temperaments are to be brought into subjection to Jesus Christ, that we may stand on vantage ground with God. I am so thankful that none of us need disappoint Christ unless we choose to do so; and we cannot afford to do that. We want heaven; we want to see the King in His beauty; we want to have the crown of immortality placed on our brow; and when we come up to the city of God to have the gates thrown back on their glittering hinges, and to enter in, welcomed there by the Father and the Son. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 8

The crown of glory will be placed on the brow of all who have overcome temptation by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. This word of our testimony means a great deal. It is before all the heavenly universe and before the world. The soul who dishonors God by his words and works, who does not acknowledge Christ as his Saviour, places himself on the losing side. Satanic agencies gain the advantage, and the world does not have the advantage of the winning influence [that] that soul might have exerted had he sought to honor God in all his ways. We can afford to lose no advantage that will help us in living our life by the faith of the Son of God. It is possible for all to live this life because the Father sent His Son into the world to live a life after the heavenly order. Then let us appreciate the infinite sacrifice made for us. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 9

When I have thought of the possibility of my ever taking a course that would dishonor my Saviour, I have resolved anew that with Christ’s help I would not thus disappoint Him. All who will follow on day by day to practice the virtues of Christ will gain constant victories. The powers of darkness are continually gaining victory over those who do not serve God with full purpose of heart. Let us not do the work of Satan in a single instance. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 10

I am so thankful that this school is located here where you cannot see and hear the iniquity of the city. I am thankful that the Lord is helping you. I desire that these students shall be sons and daughters of God. My prayers ascend to God that every soul who shall have the benefits of this school shall learn to appreciate at what a cost the way of salvation has been secured to them. You have been bought with the infinite price of the Son of God. Consider His sufferings upon the cross of Calvary—the nails driven into His hands and feet, the mockery and abuse of those He came to save. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 11

As the Saviour was dying upon the cross, one of the thieves that were crucified with Him gave expression to his faith in Him as the Son of God. He stated his belief in a kingdom which it was his desire to have. “Lord, remember me,” he said, “when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.” And the Saviour replied, “Verily, verily I say unto thee today, Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.” [Luke 23:42, 43.] Those who were mocking the Son of God were arrested by those words. They remembered them afterwards when He whom they had crucified and sealed in the tomb was raised again from the dead. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 12

When after Christ had risen the Marys came to offer their service of anointing, they found the Saviour gone from the sepulcher. Great was their amazement. But soon He appeared before them and proclaimed Himself the resurrection and the life. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 13

When I thought this morning of coming to speak to you today, I felt that I could not do it. I feared that if I made the attempt I should fail. But then I thought, If I stay at home, I shall certainly fail. And the Lord is giving me strength to say a few words to you. Let me say: Jesus is your helper. No one understands so well as He your peculiarities of character. He is watching over you; and if you are willing to be taught, He will throw around you influences for good that will enable you to accomplish all His will for you. We are preparing for the future eternal life. Soon there is to be a grand review in which every soul who is seeking to perfect a Christian character must bear the test of God’s searching questions: Have you set an example that others were safe in following? Have you watched for souls as they that must give an account? The heavenly host are interested in the case of every student in the school, and they are intensely anxious that you should bear the test, and that to you shall be spoken the words of approval, “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” [Matthew 25:23.] You can have the joy of the Lord in this school—every one who will follow on to know the Lord, seeking Him earnestly in prayer. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 14

Letters come to me from different workers, telling of places where the truth is going and where schools should be established. We realize the needs and the perplexities of these workers; and we write to them not to be discouraged, but to establish their school by prayer and humility and self-sacrifice. The cause of God needs praying men and women who will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 15

I want to encourage our people to strive intelligently to become branches of the living Vine. When we do this, we are taking sides with the Lord, and heaven recognizes us as laborers together with God. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 16

We are to seek a preparation for the last great change; for we know not how long our lives will be spared. I was called to lay my husband in the grave because of overtoil. We laid the faithful soldier to rest till the morning of the resurrection, and I could say, “Write, Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord. ... They rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.” [Revelation 14:13.] 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 17

The students in this school may do a grand work if they will take their position to exalt the Saviour in their daily lives and conversation. Let them remember that they are here to build characters for eternity, and that God requires them to do their best. Let those older in the experience watch over the younger ones and, when they see them being tempted, take them aside with them and pray with and for them. Let them be examples to the younger ones. The Lord would have every one of us recognize the great sacrifice Christ has made for us by showing an interest in the salvation of those He came to save. If the students will seek for the grace of Christ, He will be with them to make their efforts effectual. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 18

The Lord looks with deepest interest upon each striving soul. He loves each one. Did He not, He never would have given His only begotten Son to die for us. By His amazing sacrifice He has made it possible for all who will to have that life that measures with the life of God. We shall appreciate more fully all that God has made possible for us if we will study more faithfully what great things heaven has already done. The blessed Christ who was crucified for us has shed His love through the heavenly courts in behalf of those who are seeking to overcome. We are called to reach perfection of character, and we can reach this only as we study the life of Christ and copy His perfect example. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 19

The Lord will help all who will do their best, walking humbly with God. Let us be encouraged in believing that we have a mighty arm to lean upon, and that so long as we rely upon Christ’s strength, we cannot dishonor God. We are on trial now, but under every test let us make it manifest to all around us that we are on the Lord’s side. We are on trial for our life, and it is eternal life. This will be ours if we will follow on to know the Lord, that we may know His going forth is prepared as the morning. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 20

I am thankful for the comfort we have in the Word of God. “Let not your heart be troubled,” the Saviour says, “ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” [John 14:1, 2.] 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 21

Christ is preparing a place for us. Shall we prepare a place for Him in our families, in our school, in our meetings together for worship? God help us to do this. “And if I go and prepare a place for you,” He says, “I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 22

“And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto Him, Lord, we know not whither Thou goest, and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye would have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 23

“Philip saith unto Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of Myself; but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the work. Believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the very works’ sake. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 24

“Verily, verily I say unto you, He that believeth in Me, the works that I do, shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go to My Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name He will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 25

“If ye love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him; but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 26

“I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more; but ye see Me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you. He that hath My commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father; and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.” [Verses 3-21.] 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 27

Many of us are only half converted. We give up under trial and let discouragement sap our spiritual strength. Let us change this manner of service. When we serve God with our entire affections, we shall see the salvation of God. Christ is living to make intercession for us. He wants to set His seal upon us and to fashion our character after the divine pattern. He wants to take from us everything that would stand in the way of our reaching perfection. He wants us to believe in Him and to turn away from our sins and to follow on to know the Lord. I ask you to think of these words that I have spoken to you at this time. 25LtMs, Ms 11, 1911, par. 28