John 5:39

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Testimonies for the Church Volume Five
Page 746

If there was ever a people in need of constantly increasing light from heaven, it is the people that, in this time of peril, God has called to be the depositaries of His holy law and to vindicate His character before the world. Those to whom has been committed a trust so sacred must be spiritualized, elevated, vitalized, by the truths they profess to believe.

The Desire of Ages
Page 671

The very image of God is to be reproduced in humanity. The honor of God, the honor of Christ, is involved in the perfection of the character of His people.

---end of quotes---

My prayer for all of us is that we let nothing come between us and eternal life. If we do it will be of our own choosing as nothing can come between us and receiving the gift of eternal life except by our own doing. Our Saviour died on the cross so we could gain eternal life...what a price He paid, and all we have to pay is nothing. Just give our life to Him and follow where He leads without question no matter where it might be.

In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

[This message has been edited by Avalee Lohman (edited April 05, 2001).]

2-For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

3-For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Testimonies for the Church Volume Four
Page 394

There are more souls longing to understand how they may come to Christ than we imagine. Many listen to popular sermons from the pulpit and know no better than before they listened how to find Jesus and the peace and rest which their souls desire. Ministers who preach the last message of mercy to the world should bear in mind that Christ is to be exalted as the sinner's refuge. Many ministers think that it is not necessary to preach repentance and faith, with a heart all subdued by the love of God; they take it for granted that their hearers are perfectly acquainted with the gospel, and that matters of a different nature must be presented in order to hold their attention. If their hearers are interested, they take it as evidence of success. The people are more ignorant in regard to the plan of salvation and need more instruction upon this all-important subject than upon any other.

---end of quotes---

In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

8- For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9- Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10- For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Selected Messages Book 1
Page 363-364

Genuine faith appropriates the righteousness of Christ, and the sinner is made an overcomer with Christ; for he is made a partaker of the divine nature, and thus divinity and humanity are combined.

He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law, is attempting an impossibility. Man cannot be saved without obedience, but his works should not be of himself; Christ should work in him to will and to do of His good pleasure.

---end of quotes---

In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

About that time, I had drifted away from the Saviour through a neglect of my Quiet Time with Jesus. One morning, I woke up feeling stressed with all I had to do and quickly jumped into my day without sitting at Jesus' feet. Well, one day soon led to another until before I realized what had happened, I was totally disconnected and back at square 1--that is, back to the place where I had been before I had ever heard of Jesus. For me that meant--no control and no patience. Screaming and yelling became common sounds in our home. Every Sunday was a battle ground with my sweetheart over the stupidest things...until one day he came to me with tears streaming down his cheeks, saying, "Honey, I don't like being married to you anymore!" I ran away from him in tears--but not blaming him. For who could love a screaming, bossy woman?

That's about when the Lord sent Frances Prins into my life. The first time I met Frances, she said with the gentlest smile, "Isn't it wonderful how the Lord gives us victory over our tempers?" Believe me, I just looked at her when she said that! How could she know what's going on in my life? I wondered. She just met me!

Well, eventually she gave me a copy of your wonderful book, HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE GOSPEL (What Shall I Do To Inherit Eternal Life is actually an abridged version of Margaret's 3 books; the first is How To Experience the Gospel). And I couldn't put it down. Every chance I got, I was in that book. And bit by bir, the Spirit opened my blind eyes to who I had become (you see--all this time, I thought I was OK, incredible as that may seem!).

When I read, "Harshness, roughness in words or manner, evilspeaking, passionate words cannot exist in the soul that is looking to Jesus," I heard the shouting and nagging coming out of my mouth. And realized, with a shock, that I didn't know Jesus. Not anymore.

As I learned, "how you conduct yourself in your home life, you are registered in the books of heaven," I came back to Jesus. For not only did this book awaken me to my true condition, but it provided me with the way back to the arms of Christ. As a result, I looked forward to spending time with Jesus. How I saturated myself in His presence! I often lifted my heart to Him in prayer--while I was washing the dishes, driving in the car, or walking down the trails in our woods. And through it all, I was experiencing victory every day! Oh, my children still tested me. My husband and I didn't always agree. But now I knew the Way Out. I would call on Jesus saying, "Lord, I'm your child. Flood me with Your power." And even though I couldn't see Him, I knew Jesus was with me. And He gave me resurrection power to say no to every temptation and sin.

And now, ten years later, I can still say, Jesus is the dearest Friend in all the world to me. I just can't get enough of Him! Like it says in MB 20, "The continual cry of the heart is "More of Thee," and ever the Spirit's answer is, "Much more." Romans 5:9,10. " Now,I just want to share with everyone what He is still doing in my life, how I am experiencing the presence of His life-changing love day by day. Words aren't enough to say how much I love my Saviour and all He has done for me!

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY WITH JESUS,
Sue

Sue I did not know that there are 3 other books..I only have this one. I will have to check into the others.

In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

16 -For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17 -For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

The Ministry of Healing
Page 143

And while the world is filled with these evils, the gospel is too often presented in so indifferent a manner as to make but little impression upon the consciences or the lives of men. Everywhere there are hearts crying out for something which they have not. They long for a power that will give them mastery over sin, a power that will deliver them from the bondage of evil, a power that will give health and life and peace. Many who once knew the power of God's word have dwelt where there is no recognition of God, and they long for the divine presence.

The Desire of Ages
Page 391

By looking constantly to Jesus with the eye of faith, we shall be strengthened. God will make the most precious revelations to His hungering, thirsting people. They will find that Christ is a personal Saviour. As they feed upon His word, they find that it is spirit and life. The word destroys the natural, earthly nature, and imparts a new life in Christ Jesus.

Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers
Page 385

We are living in times full of importance to each one. Light is shining in clear, steady rays around us. If this light is rightly received and appreciated, it will be a blessing to us and to others; but if we trust in our own wisdom and strength, or in the wisdom and strength of our fellowmen, it will be turned into a poison. In the struggle for eternal life, we cannot lean upon one another. The bread of life must be eaten by each one. Individually we must partake of it, that soul, body, and mind may be revived and strengthened by its transforming power, thus becoming assimilated to the mind and character of Jesus Christ. God must be made first and last and best in everything.

---End of Quotes---

In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

[This message has been edited by Avalee Lohman (edited April 04, 2001).]

I appreciated your testimony also.

Maybe you could tell us more in the Testimonial forum.

------------------
In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl Fawcett :)

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints

Evangelism
Page 152

I wish you to distinctly understand this point, that souls are kept from obeying the truth by a confusion of ideas, and also because they do not know how to surrender their wills and their minds to Jesus. They want special instruction how to become Christians.

2 Cor. 13:5

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Our High Calling
Page 336

Many are sensible of their great deficiency, and they read, and pray, and resolve, and yet make no progress. They seem to be powerless to resist temptation. The reason is, they do not go deep enough. They do not seek for a thorough conversion of the soul, that the streams which issue from it may be pure, and the deportment may testify that Christ reigns within. All defects of character originate in the heart. Pride, vanity, evil temper, and covetousness proceed from the carnal heart unrenewed by the grace of Christ. If the heart is refined, softened, and ennobled, the words and actions will testify to the fact. When the soul has been entirely surrendered to God, there will be a firm reliance upon His promises, and earnest prayer and determined effort to control the words and actions.

Selected Messages Book 1
Page 171

Do not allow anything to draw your attention from the question, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 10:25). This is a life and death question, which we must each settle for eternity.

Col. 4:12

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

---end of quotes---

In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Matthew 19:17-22

17 -And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 -He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 -Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 -The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 -Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 -But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Christ's Object Lessons
Page 391

His conception of the law was external and superficial. Judged by a human standard, he had preserved an unblemished character. To a great degree his outward life had been free from guilt; he verily thought that his obedience had been without a flaw. Yet he had a secret fear that all was not right between his soul and God. This prompted the question, "What lack I yet?"

The Desire of Ages
Page 519

Christ read the ruler's heart. Only one thing he lacked, but that was a vital principle. He needed the love of God in the soul.

---end of quotes---

What does it mean to you to have the Love of God in the soul?

In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

2 Cor 5:14

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead

Christ's Object Lessons
Page 158

We may be active, we may do much work; but without love, such love as dwelt in the heart of Christ, we can never be numbered with the family of heaven.

Christ's Object Lessons
Page 384

Love is the basis of godliness. Whatever the profession, no man has pure love to God unless he has unselfish love for his brother. But we can never come into possession of this spirit by trying to love others. What is needed is the love of Christ in the heart. When self is merged in Christ, love springs forth spontaneously. The completeness of Christian character is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within-- when the sunshine of heaven fills the heart and is revealed in the countenance.

Eph. 3:14-19

14 -For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 -Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 -That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 -That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 -May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 -And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

---End of quotes---

In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

8- If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

9- But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

10- For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Phil. 2:3-4

3- Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

4- Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Romans 13:9-10

9- For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

10- Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Our High Calling
Page 235

Christ treats anger as murder. . . . Passionate words are a savor of death unto death. He who utters them is not cooperating with God to save his fellow man. In heaven this wicked railing is placed in the same list as common swearing. While hatred is cherished in the soul there is not one iota of the love of God there.

1 John 4:12

12- No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Jude 21

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

---end of quotes---

In The Blessed Hope
Avalee

quote:

---

Originally posted by Avalee Lohman:

Our High Calling
Page 235

Christ treats anger as murder. . . . Passionate words are a savor of death unto death. He who utters them is not cooperating with God to save his fellow man. In heaven this wicked railing is placed in the same list as common swearing. While hatred is cherished in the soul there is not one iota of the love of God there.

---

The above quote is a really heavy one and one we need to be really cautious about.

In other words, we should definitely make sure our anger is truly righteous anger.

To play it safe we really should never get angry.

I think we all have work to do in this area in MSDAOL and elsewhere.

-----------
In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

In The Blessed Hope
Avalee

------------------
The Lord is the strength of my life and my portion forever.

Proverbs 14:2
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

The Desire of Ages
Page 172

He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law is attempting an impossibility. There is no safety for one who has merely a legal religion, a form of godliness. The Christian's life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit.

S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 6
Page 1075

Many Buried Alive.--The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ (MS 148, 1897).

S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 6
Page 1101

Grace Not Inherited.--The old nature, born of blood and the will of the flesh, cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The old ways, the hereditary tendencies, the former habits, must be given up; for grace is not inherited. The new birth consists in having new motives, new tastes, new tendencies. Those who are begotten unto a new life by the Holy Spirit, have become partakers of the divine nature, and in all their habits and practices they will give evidence of their relationship to Christ.

2 Cor. 5:17-18
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation

---end of quotes---

In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

Matthew 5:20
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing
Page 54
Chapter Title: The Spirituality of the Law

While the law is holy, the Jews could not attain righteousness by their own efforts to keep the law. The disciples of Christ must obtain righteousness of a different character from that of the Pharisees, if they would enter the kingdom of heaven. God offered them, in His Son, the perfect righteousness of the law. If they would open their hearts fully to receive Christ, then the very life of God, His love, would dwell in them, transforming them into His own likeness; and thus through God's free gift they would possess the righteousness which the law requires. But the Pharisees rejected Christ; "being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness" (Romans 10:3), they would not submit themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Jesus proceeded to show His hearers what it means to keep the commandments of God--that it is a reproduction in themselves of the character of Christ. For in Him, God was daily made manifest before them.

Eph. 2:8-10
8-For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9-Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10-For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Phil. 3:8-9
8-Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9-And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith

---end of quotes---

In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

Christ's Object Lessons
Page 406

As Christ sat looking upon the party that waited for the bridegroom, He told His disciples the story of the ten virgins, by their experience illustrating the experience of the church that shall live just before His second coming.

The two classes of watchers represent the two classes who profess to be waiting for their Lord. They are called virgins because they profess a pure faith. By the lamps is represented the word of God. The psalmist says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto may path." Ps. 119:105. The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.

In the parable, all the ten virgins went out to meet the bridegroom. All had lamps and vessels for oil. For a time there was seen no difference between them. So with the church that lives just before Christ's second coming. All have a knowledge of the Scriptures. All have heard the message of Christ's near approach, and confidently expect His appearing. But as in the parable, so it is now. A time of waiting intervenes, faith is tried; and when the cry is heard, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him," many are unready. They have no oil in their vessels with their lamps. They are destitute of the Holy Spirit.

1 John 4:13
Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

Romans 8:9
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Christ's Object Lessons
Page 411

The class represented by the foolish virgins are not hypocrites. They have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the truth, they are attracted to those who believe the truth; but they have not yielded themselves to the Holy Spirit's working. They have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and permitted their old nature to be broken up. This class are represented also by the stony-ground hearers. They receive the word with readiness, but they fail of assimilating its principles. Its influence is not abiding. The Spirit works upon man's heart, according to his desire and consent implanting in him a new nature; but the class represented the foolish virgins have been content with a superficial work. They do not know God.

Eph. 3:16-19
16- That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

17- That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18- May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19- And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

---end of quotes---

In The Blessed Hope
Avalee

[This message has been edited by Avalee Lohman (edited April 05, 2001).]

2- The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son...11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

12- And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

13- Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

14- For many are called, but few are chosen.

Christ's Object Lessons
Page 317
Chapter Title: Without a Wedding Garment

In the parable, when the king inquired, "How camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?" the man was speechless. So it will be in the great judgment day. Men may now excuse their defects of character, but in that day they will offer no excuse.

Proverbs 14:12

12 -There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Christ's Object Lessons
Page 307
Chapter Title: Without a Wedding Garment

The parable of the wedding garment opens before us a lesson of the highest consequence. By the marriage is represented the union of humanity with divinity; the wedding garment represents the character which all must possess who shall be accounted fit guests for the wedding.

Rev. 19:7-8

7- Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

8- And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

---end of Quotes---

In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

[This message has been edited by Avalee Lohman (edited April 05, 2001).]

The wedding garment in truth isn't clothing at all as what you quoted points out.

It isn't what we wear physically that counts.

It is what we wear spiritually that truly counts.

__________________________
In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

Christ's Object Lessons
Page 310
Chapter Title: Without a Wedding Garment

...It is the righteousness of Christ, His own unblemished character, that through faith is imparted to all who receive Him as their personal Saviour.

(This whole chapter is beautiful)

Christ's Object Lessons
Page 311-312
Chapter Title: Without a Wedding Garment

This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising. Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us. "All our righteousness are as filthy rags." Isa. 64:6. Everything that we of ourselves can do is defiled by sin. But the Son of God "was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin" 1 John 3:5. Sin is defined to be "the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4. But Christ was obedient to every requirement of the law. He said of Himself, "I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart." Ps. 40:8. When on earth, He said to His disciples, "I have kept My Father's commandments." John 15:10. 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.

---end of quotes---

In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

[This message has been edited by Avalee Lohman (edited April 05, 2001).]

Testimonies for the Church Volume Five Page 220
Chapter Title: An Appeal

God has made ample provision that we may stand perfect in His grace, wanting in nothing, waiting for the appearing of our Lord. Are you ready? Have you the wedding garment on? That garment will never cover deceit, impurity, corruption, or hypocrisy. The eye of God is upon you. It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. We may conceal our sins from the eyes of men, but we can hide nothing from our Maker.

Jeremiah 16:17
For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.

Christ's Object Lessons
Page 312
Chapter Title: Without a Wedding Garment

The guests at the marriage feast were inspected by the king. Only those were accepted who had obeyed his requirements and put on the wedding garment. So it is with the guests at the gospel feast. All must pass the scrutiny of the great King, and only those are received who have put on the robe of Christ's righteousness

Righteousness is right doing, and it is by their deeds that all will be judged. Our characters are revealed by what we do. The works show whether the faith is genuine.

---end of quotes---

In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

------------------
And the second is like it . . .

The Desire of Ages
Page 555-556
No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation. The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed and unforsaken sin; it is a principle of life that transforms the character and controls the conduct. Holiness is wholeness for God; it is the entire surrender of heart and life to the indwelling of the principles of heaven.

Testimonies for the Church Vol.5
Page 310
Sinfulness of Repining
You should keep off from Satan's enchanted ground and not allow your minds to be swayed from allegiance to God. Through Christ you may and should be happy and should acquire habits of self-control. Even your thoughts must be brought into subjection to the will of God and your feelings under the control of reason and religion. Your imagination was not given you to be allowed to run riot and have its own way without any effort at restraint or discipline. If the thoughts are wrong the feelings will be wrong, and the thoughts and feelings combined make up the moral character.

Christ's Object Lessons
Page 332
A character formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from this world to the next.

---end of quotes---

(Since it is only our character that we are taking to Heaven this seems to be pretty important to our salvation.)

In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

[This message has been edited by Avalee Lohman (edited April 05, 2001).]

quote:

---

Revelation 22:14-15
14 - Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 - For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Christ's Object Lessons
Page 315
Chapter Title: Without a Wedding Garment

God requires perfection of His children. His law is a transcript of His own character, and it is the standard of all character. This infinite standard is presented to all that there may be no mistake in regard to the kind of people whom God will have to compose His kingdom. The life of Christ on earth was a perfect expression of God's law, and when those who claim to be children of God become Christlike in character, they will be obedient to God's commandments. Then the Lord can trust them to be of the number who shall compose the family of heaven. Clothed in the glorious apparel of Christ's righteousness, they have a place at the King's feast. They have a right to join the blood-washed throng.

Isaiah 1:16-17
16 - Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

1 Cor. 6:9-10
9 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

2 Peter 3:14
14 - Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

---

In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

[This message has been edited by Avalee Lohman (edited April 21, 2001).]

I have been reading from this book by Margaret Davis everyday for the last 4 years. It is indeed a fabulous compilation. And as a pastor I have used it for prayer meeting and special classes, and have passed out dozens of copies. If anyone would like to buy it just call: 250-546-8918 (PST).

quote:

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Revelation 3:14-16
14 - And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 - I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Testimonies for the Church Volume Three
Page 252
Chapter Title: The Laodicean Church

What greater deception can come upon human minds than a confidence that they are right when they are all wrong! The message of the True Witness finds the people of God in a sad deception, yet honest in that deception. They know not that their condition is deplorable in the sight of God. While those addressed are flattering themselves that they are in an exalted spiritual condition, the message of the True Witness breaks their security by the startling denunciation of their true condition of spiritual blindness, poverty, and wretchedness. The testimony, so cutting and severe, cannot be a mistake, for it is the True Witness who speaks, and His testimony must be correct.

Revelation 3:17
17 - Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked

Selected Messages Book 1
Page 357

We thank the Lord with all the heart that we have precious light to present before the people, and we rejoice that we have a message for this time which is present truth. The tidings that Christ is our righteousness has brought relief to many, many souls, and God says to His people, "Go forward." The message to the Laodicean church is applicable to our condition. How plainly is pictured the position of those who think they have all the truth, who take pride in their knowledge of the Word of God, while its sanctifying power has not been felt in their lives. The fervor of the love of God is wanting in their hearts, but it is this very fervor of love that makes God's people the light of the world.

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In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

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The Desire of Ages
Page 466

In the work of redemption there is no compulsion. No external force is employed. Under the influence of the Spirit of God, man is left free to choose whom he will serve. In the change that takes place when the soul surrenders to Christ, there is the highest sense of freedom. The expulsion of sin is the act of the soul itself. True, we have no power to free ourselves from Satan's control; but when we desire to be set free from sin, and in our great need cry out for a power out of and above ourselves, the powers of the soul are imbued with the divine energy of the Holy Spirit, and they obey the dictates of the will in fulfilling the will of God.

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2 Cor. 7:1
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.

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Gospel Workers 1915
Page 287

When one is fully emptied of self, when every false god is cast out of the soul, the vacuum is filled by the inflowing of the Spirit of Christ. Such a one has the faith that purifies the soul from defilement. He is conformed to the Spirit, and he minds the things of the Spirit. He has no confidence in self. Christ is all and in all. He receives with meekness the truth that is constantly being unfolded, and gives the Lord all the glory, saying, "God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit." "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." 1 Cor. 2:10, 12

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In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

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Revelation 3:18
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Christ's Object Lessons
Page 158

The gold tried in the fire is faith that works by love. Only this can bring us into harmony with God. We may be active, we may do much work; but without love, such love as dwelt in the heart of Christ, we can never be numbered with the family of heaven.

Gal. 5:6
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Selected Messages Book 1
Page 375
Perfect Obedience Through Christ

The Redeemer of the world clothed His divinity with humanity, that He might reach humanity; for it took the divine and the human to bring into the world the salvation that was needed by fallen man. Divinity needed humanity that humanity might afford a channel of communication between God and man. Man needs a power out of and above himself to restore him to the likeness of God; but because he needs divine aid, it does not make human activity unessential. Faith on the part of man is required; for faith works by love and purifies the soul.

S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 7
Page 965

The white raiment is the righteousness of Christ that may be wrought into the character. Purity of heart, purity of motive, will characterize every one who is washing his robe, and making it white in the blood of the Lamb (RH July 24, 1888).

Christ's Object Lessons
Page 319
Without a Wedding Garment

There will be no future probation in which to prepare for eternity. It is in this life that we are to put on the robe of Christ's righteousness. This is our only opportunity to form characters for the home which Christ has made ready for those who obey His commandments.

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In The Blessed Hope

Avalee

[This message has been edited by Avalee Lohman (edited May 26, 2001).]