EGW WritingsColossians 3

Manuscript Releases, vol. 19 [Nos. 1360-1419]

MR No. 1370—Results of Studying Harmful Textbooks; Teach the Lessons Christ Taught

19MR 76.2

These are the lessons which children should learn in school. If the inward life is perfect, a noble experience will be seen; and we shall see beyond the present narrow compass of time and sense. Is the world becoming more dead to the teachers in our day schools and Sabbath schools? Are they seeking those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God [Colossians 3:1]? The religion of Jesus Christ is from above, and can have nothing in common with the show and illusion of the world.—Manuscript 5, 1890.

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth.”—Matthew 6:19.

MB 91.1

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1.

There Is Help in God

There Is Help in God

PH105 7.1

Those who have fallen by sin and iniquity may receive the pardoning love of God. By repentance and faith, the transgressors of His law may come to God through Christ. And when we have come to Christ, and have taken the steps requisite in conversion, we are to “seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1. When we are burdened with care and sorrow, why do we not go to our Saviour, and claim His promises, and find Him a very present help in every time of trouble? We are not left to be the sport of Satan’s temptations. God has given us precious promises, by which we are to become partakers of the divine nature. 2 Peter 1:4. In Christ is our help. When we come with repentance and faith, however polluted and sinful we may be, we shall find Him the sinner’s Saviour. He has said, “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” The sinner may carry his load to Calvary, and lay it down at the foot of the cross. It is the privilege of every one to leave sin and transgression, and to become a loyal subject of the God of heaven. We may be clothed with the righteousness of Christ, but His righteousness will not be a covering for the least iniquity. “Wash you, make you clean;” for there has been a fountain opened for Judah and Jerusalem, and every stain may be cleansed away. Isaiah 1:16-18.

Sermons and Talks, vol. 2

Manuscript 144, 1901

2SAT 167.3

We are buried with Christ in baptism as an emblem of His death. We are raised from the water as an emblem of His resurrection. We are to live as newborn souls, that we may be raised at the last great day. You are pledged to live in newness of life; for you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” [Colossians 3:1]. This is where you are to place your treasure. Finite man cannot do your believing. Come to the great source of power for your strength.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)

Ms 2, 1874

2LtMs, Ms 2, 1874, par. 5

We attended meeting at Santa Rosa. My husband spoke one hour. I spoke one hour. From these words, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1. We both had freedom in speaking.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)

Lt 23, 1873

2LtMs, Lt 23, 1873, par. 4

Remember the words of the inspired apostle, “Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price.” [1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.] You are bought, children, even if you perish. The Lord wants His own property. When we have given to God soul, body, and spirit; when we have kept appetite under the control of enlightened conscience, and wrestled against every lust, showing that we consider each organ as God’s property, intended for His service; when all our affections move in harmony with the Lord’s mind, fastening on objects “which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” [Colossians 3:1]—then we have given the Lord His own. O God, “all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” [1 Chronicles 29:14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Lt 55, 1886

4LtMs, Lt 55, 1886, par. 27

I want to speak to the ears of our people in America in every church. Awake from the dead, and Christ will give you life. Souls are perishing for the light of truth as it is in Jesus. We are standing upon the very borders of the eternal world. Fair-weather Christians will not be wanted for this work. The sentimental and tasteful religion is not needed for this time. There must be intensity brought into our faith and in the proclamation of truth. I tell you, a new life is proceeding from satanic agencies to work with a power we have not hitherto realized. And shall not a new power from above take possession of God’s people? The truth, sanctifying in its influence, must be urged upon the people. There must be earnest supplications offered to God, agonizing prayer to Him, that our hopes as a people may not be founded on suppositions, but on eternal realities. We must know for ourselves, by the evidence of God’s Word, whether we are in the faith, going to heaven or not. The moral standard of character is God’s law. Do we meet its requirements? Are the Lord’s people bringing their property, their time, their talents, and all their influence into the work for this time? Let us arouse. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” [Colossians 3:1].

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Lt 5a, 1890

6LtMs, Lt 5a, 1890, par. 5

I was carried back to chapters of [your] experience in the past. You have things to make right. Please do not delay for the end is near and you would not want to meet the record in the judgment as it now stands. You have been planning to do the work devolving upon a superintendent, and Dr. Burke thinks you can be a great help to him, but his confidence in you is misplaced. God sees your weakness; Dr. Burke does not discern it; he cannot read your heart. If he leans on you, it will be leaning on a broken reed. You need a great work done for you. Yourself and others were baptized under the labors of Eld. Daniels. I was sorry when I heard this, but I hoped that it was a good work and that the reformation that I had been shown must take place in you had been done. But from the light [in which] your case has been presented to me from the Lord, I have not confidence that the genuine work of the Spirit of God was felt upon your heart. “If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are from above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.] If you have a new heart, you have new motives of actions. Your course of conduct would be such that believers and unbelievers would have an example of a Christ-like character.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 21, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 21, 1890, par. 19

Have the church members any real sense of what this means? Do you feel yourselves under no obligations to be a strength in the world, acting a part in the church, and according to your baptismal vows becoming dead to the world and having your life hid with Christ in God? Says the apostle, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Lt 5, 1890

6LtMs, Lt 5, 1890, par. 6

You have been planning to do the work devolving upon a superintendent, and Dr. Burke thinks you can be a great help to him; but his confidence in you is misplaced. God sees your weakness; Dr. Burke does not discern it; he cannot read your heart. If he leans on you, he will be leaning on a broken reed. You need a great work done for you. You, with others, were baptized under the labors of Elder Daniels. I was very sorry when I heard this, yet I hoped it was a good work and that the reformation had taken place. But the Lord has presented your case before me, and I have no confidence that it was the genuine work of the Spirit of the Lord which you felt in your heart. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.] Had you a new heart, your motives, actions, and course of conduct would be such that both believers and unbelievers might have an example of a Christlike character. I have seen your case as God sees it, and I now present it to you. Better, far better, would it have been had you disconnected from the Health Retreat some months ago.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Lt 7, 1892

7LtMs, Lt 7, 1892, par. 18

Temptations will assail, cares and darkness will oppress. When heart and flesh are ready to fail, who throws around us His everlasting arms? Who supplies the precious promise? Who brings to our remembrance words of assurance and hope? Whose grace is given in rich measure to those who ask it in sincerity and in truth? Who is it imputes to us His righteousness and saves us from sin? Whose light rolls back the fog and mist and brings us into the sunshine of His presence? O who but Jesus? Then love Him, then praise Him. “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” [Philippians 4:4.] Is Jesus today a living Saviour? Then, “If ye ... be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.] We are risen with Christ. Christ is our life. Through His mercy and gracious love we are declared to be chosen, adopted, pardoned and justified. Then let us magnify the Lord.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 23, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 23, 1895, par. 1

We received your letters and were glad to hear from you. Last Sunday I was invited to attend a baptism at Ashfield. The ordinance was to be administered in a nice little lake of pure, flowing water. We turned off the road to the left just before we came to the campground. We drove through the grounds of the gentleman who owns the land in which is the lake, one mile from the main road. May drove Jessie and Maggie. O how much more restful to me to go right along without the urging that is necessary when one horse has to draw the phaeton. Brother McCullagh met us, and guided us through the paddocks to the water. More than two hundred persons were gathered at the lake-side. After several hymns were sung, prayer was offered by Bro. Hare, then I spoke for about forty minutes, and the Lord helped me. I spoke from the words, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.] Nineteen precious souls were baptized. Everything was done decently and in order; there was not the least confusion or struggling.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 88, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 88, 1895, par. 5

During the camp meeting and since its close, about sixty have been baptized. Sixteen were baptized during the camp meeting, and within eight weeks of its close, seventeen more were baptized. The baptism took place in the Baptist church, but after that the baptistry was refused to Seventh-day Adventists because some of their own members were re-baptized. This made it necessary to search for a place where a lake or stream would afford us a baptistry. The brethren found a very beautiful lake, and on the occasion of the baptism, I was invited to speak. I spoke to two hundred people from the text, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above.” [Colossians 3:1.] Twenty were baptized on this occasion, and two weeks ago thirteen more were baptized, and still others are waiting for baptism.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 27a, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 27a, 1900, par. 8

Those who are baptized in the threefold name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, at the very entrance of their Christian life declare publicly that they have accepted the invitation, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, ... and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” [2 Corinthians 6:17, 18.] “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and of the Spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord.” [2 Corinthians 7:1.] “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 156, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 156, 1900, par. 16

“Let us not be weary in well doing.” [Verse 9.] Why should we, with such helpers to co-operate with us in fighting the battle of life? At our baptism we were pledged to the service of God. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we received the holy rite. The pledge was a life-pledge on the part of heaven if we will comply with the conditions: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things that are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.] “In due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” [Galatians 6:9, 10.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 144, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 144, 1901, par. 17

Have you thought of what this means to us; that in this prayer is included every son and daughter of Adam who will believe in Christ as a personal Saviour, and take the requisite steps, repentance, conversion, faith, and baptism? We are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and these three great, infinite powers are unitedly pledged to work in our behalf if we will co-operate with them. We are buried with Christ in baptism as an emblem of His death. We are raised from the water as an emblem of His resurrection. We are to live as newborn souls, that we may be raised at the last great day. When you are pledged to live in newness of life, you are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.] This is where you are to place your treasure. Finite man cannot do your believing. Come to the great source of power for your strength.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 12 [Nos. 921-999]

MR No. 994—An Appeal to Live the Truth and Share It

12MR 328.1

I want to speak to the ears of our people in America in every church. Awake from the dead, and Christ will give you life. Souls are perishing for the light of truth as it is in Jesus. We are standing upon the very borders of the eternal world. Fair-weather Christians will not be wanted for this work. The sentimental and tasteful religion is not needed for this time. There must be intensity brought into our faith and in the proclamation of truth. I tell you, a new life is proceeding from satanic agencies to work with a power we have not hitherto realized. And shall not a new power from above take possession of God’s people? The truth, sanctifying in its influence, must be urged upon the people. There must be earnest supplications offered to God, agonizing prayer to Him, that our hopes as a people may not be founded on suppositions, but on eternal realities. We must know for ourselves, by the evidence of God’s Word, whether we are in the faith, going to heaven or not. The moral standard of character is God’s law. Do we meet its requirements? Are the Lord’s people bringing their property, their time, their talents, and all their influence into the work for this time? Let us arouse. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” [Colossians 3:1].—Letter 55, 1886. (Written from Basel, Switzerland, to G. I. Butler and S. N. Haskell, December 8, 1886.).

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 118, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 118, 1902, par. 5

As men and women thus enter into covenant relation with God, they take the name of Christian. From henceforth they are to live the life of Christ. They have been buried with him, and with Him raised to newness of life, and they are to “seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Ms 106, 1904

19LtMs, Ms 106, 1904, par. 15

When we submit to the solemn rite of baptism, we testify to angels and to men that we are purged from our old sins, and that henceforth, having died to the world, we will “seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.] Let us not forget our baptismal vow. In the presence of the three highest powers of heaven—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—we have pledged ourselves to do the will of Him who, over the rent sepulcher of Joseph, declared, “I am the resurrection and the life.” [John 11:25.] Christ forgives every penitent sinner, and as the forgiven one, at the time of baptism, rises from the watery grave, he is declared a new creature, whose life is hid with Christ in God. Let us ever remember that it is our high privilege to be purged from our old sins.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Ms 45, 1904

19LtMs, Ms 45, 1904, par. 18

The three great and glorious heavenly characters are present on the occasion of baptism. All the human capabilities are to be henceforth consecrated powers to do service for God in representing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost upon whom they depend. All heaven is represented by these three in covenant relation with the new life. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things that are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Ms 108, 1904

19LtMs, Ms 108, 1904, par. 26

It is at the time of baptism that we testify to angels and to men that we are purged from our old sins, and that henceforth, having died to the world, we will “seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.] Let us not forget our baptismal vow. In the presence of the three highest powers of heaven—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—we have pledged ourselves to do the will of Him who, at the rent sepulcher of Joseph, declared, “I am the resurrection and the life.” [John 11:25.] Christ forgives every penitent sinner; and as the forgiven one arises from the watery grave at the time of his baptism, he is declared a new creature, whose life is hid with Christ in God. Let us ever remember that it is our high privilege to be purged from our old sins.

Our High Calling

Three Mighty Helpers, May 31

OHC 157.4

When we submit to the solemn rite of baptism, we testify to angels and to men that we are purged from our old sins, and that henceforth, having died to the world, we will “seek those things which are above....” (Colossians 3:1). Let us not forget our baptismal vow. In the presence of the three highest powers of heaven—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—we have pledged ourselves to do the will of Him who ... declared, “I am the resurrection, and the life.: John 11:25. Christ forgives every penitent sinner, and as the forgiven one, at the time of baptism, rises from the watery grave, he is declared a new creature, whose life is hid with Christ in God. Let us ever remember that it is our high privilege to be purged from our old sins.65The Review and Herald, May 26, 1904.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Ms 54, 1905

20LtMs, Ms 54, 1905, par. 34

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.] What were the words spoken as you took part in the solemn rite of baptism?—“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” [Matthew 28:19.] You were buried with Christ in baptism and raised to newness of life. And the three great powers of heaven pledged themselves to co-operate with you in your efforts to live the new life in Christ. Then should we not praise Him with every breath.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Ms 192, 1905

20LtMs, Ms 192, 1905, par. 15

Now when they rise up out of the water, they represent Christ rising up out of the sepulcher to proclaim over the rent sepulcher of Joseph, “I am the resurrection and the life.” [John 11:25.] Thank God! Thank His holy name! We will praise Him that there is a resurrection, and as we are raised up out of the water, what do we profess? We are dead unto the world. “If ye then be risen with Christ ... hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.] And you can bring light, and you can give Him power, and you can bring holiness and purity and love, if you will only do just as God tells you to do.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Ms 186, 1907

22LtMs, Ms 186, 1907, par. 38

What we want is to see the glory of God revealed. And, O, this beautiful place! I feel thankful to have the privilege now and then of coming in and speaking a few words of encouragement to them. And I want to say to every one of you, There is a heaven to win and a hell to shun. And we have our privilege of choice. We are not forced to go to heaven, but if we will accept of the infinite sacrifice that was made in our behalf by Jesus Christ, if we will accept it, as we claim many to have done by baptism, we come up out of the water, and then what is said? Ye are dead; buried with Christ in baptism, risen with Christ from the grave as you arise out of the water. Then “seek those things that are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.] And He will take you and let His blessing rest upon you. Now I am going to read a few words, then I will stop. Daniel 1:3-8. “Purposed in his heart.” Christ wants every man to purpose in his heart that he will not soil his brain power on any account whatever, but cherish it, that he may do the work of the Lord.

Selected Messages Book 2

Learned Lessons from the Months of Suffering

2SM 245.1

Temptations will assail, cares and darkness will oppress. When heart and flesh are ready to fail, who throws around us His everlasting arms? Who applies the precious promise? Who brings to our remembrance words of assurance and hope? Whose grace is given in rich measure to those who ask it in sincerity and truth? Who is it imputes to us His righteousness and saves us from sin? Whose light rolls back the fog and mist and brings us into the sunshine of His presence? O who but Jesus? Then love Him, then praise Him. “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). Is Jesus today a living Saviour? “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1). We are risen with Christ. Christ is our life. Through His mercy and gracious love we are declared to be chosen, adopted, pardoned, and justified. Then let us magnify the Lord.—Letter 7, 1892.

Selected Messages Book 2

Chapter 48—A Work of Purification Needed

2SM 382.3

I want to speak to the ears of our people in America in every church. Awake from the dead, and Christ will give you life. Souls are perishing for the light of truth as it is in Jesus. We are standing upon the very borders of the eternal world. Fair-weather Christians will not be wanted for this work. The sentimental and tasteful religion is not needed for this time. There must be intensity brought into our faith and in the proclamation of truth. I tell you, a new life is proceeding from satanic agencies to work with a power we have not hitherto realized. And shall not a new power from above take possession of God’s people? The truth, sanctifying in its influence, must be urged upon the people. There must be earnest supplications offered to God, agonizing prayer to Him, that our hopes as a people may not be founded on suppositions, but on eternal realities. We must know for ourselves, by the evidence of God’s Word, whether we are in the faith, going to heaven or not. The moral standard of character is God’s law. Do we meet its requirements? Are the Lord’s people bringing their property, their time, their talents, and all their influence into the work for this time? Let us arouse. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1).—Letter 55, 1886.

The Faith I Live By

Walking in His Steps, May 21

FLB 147.1

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1.

This Day With God

How to Be a Success, December 24

TDG 367.4

Remember the words of the inspired apostle, “Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). You are bought, ... even if you perish. The Lord wants His own property. When we have given to God soul, body, and spirit; when we have kept appetite under the control of enlightened conscience, and wrestled against every lust, showing that we consider each organ as God’s property, intended for His service; when all our affections move in harmony with the Lord’s mind, fastening on objects “which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1)—then we have given the Lord His own. O God, “all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee” (1 Chronicles 29:14)....

In Heavenly Places

Where Are Your Affections? October 27

HP 307.1

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1, 2.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 33, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 33, 1905, par. 13

“Keep thy heart with all diligence.” [Proverbs 4:23.] The affections must be sanctified. “If ye then be risen with Christ, set your affection on things above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.” [See Colossians 3:1, 2.] Shall we now see that the doctor has come to his senses, and that you, a nurse, realize that you are sin-sick and need healing from the great Physician?

Lift Him Up

Seek for the Living Bread, April 24

LHU 128.1

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1, 2.

Our High Calling

Charmed With Christ’s Love, November 30

OHC 340.1

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1, 2.

That I May Know Him

Where Are You Pitching Your Tent? October 28

TMK 307.1

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1, 2.

The Faith I Live By

Our Lord’s Example, May 17

FLB 143.4

Those who have been buried with Christ in baptism, and been raised in the likeness of His resurrection, have pledged themselves to live in newness of life. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1, 2.58Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 258.

This Day With God

Separating From Sin, March 26

TDG 94.1

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1, 2.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 2

God Looks upon the Character

2TT 208.1

“If ye then,” says the apostle, “be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1, 2. The heart is the citadel of the man. From it are the issues of life or death. Until the heart is purified, a person is unfit to have any part in the fellowship of the saints. Does not the Heart Searcher know who are lingering in sin, regardless of their souls? Has there not been a witness to the most secret things in the life of everyone? I was compelled to hear the words spoken by some men to women and girls—words of flattery, words that would deceive and infatuate. Satan uses all these means to destroy souls. Some of you may thus have been his agents; and if so, you will have to meet these things in the judgment. The angel said of this class: “Their hearts have never been given to God. Christ is not in them. Truth is not there. Its place is occupied by sin, deception, and falsehood. The word of God is not believed and acted upon.”

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Lt 53, 1887

5LtMs, Lt 53, 1887, par. 9

“If ye then,” says the apostle, “be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on the things on the earth.” [Colossians 3:1, 2.] The heart is the citadel of the man. From it are the issues of life or death. Until the heart be purified, a person is unfit to have any part in the fellowship of the saints. Does not the Heartsearcher know who are lingering in sin regardless of their souls? Has there not been a witness to the most secret things in the life of every one?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Ms 77, 1893

8LtMs, Ms 77, 1893, par. 24

I spoke to those assembled in the home of Father Hare. I had a very plain testimony for parents and children. I sought to present the true love for Jesus in contrast with sentimentalism and the cheap love that goes out for courtship and marriage. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1, 2.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 92, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 92, 1901, par. 26

Christ said, “I am that bread of life. ... This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. ... Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” [John 6:48, 50, 54.] Their life is precious in God’s sight; for it is hid with Christ in God—with Him “who hath brought life and immortality to light.” [2 Timothy 1:10.] Over the rent sepulcher of Joseph, Christ proclaimed, “I am the resurrection and the life.” [John 11:25.] He broke the fetters of the tomb that every one of us might rise to newness of life. Die to the world, be buried with your Lord in baptism, and rise as a new creature in Christ Jesus. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ... For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” [Colossians 3:1, 3.] The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the three holy dignitaries of heaven, have declared that they will strengthen men to overcome the powers of darkness. All the facilities of heaven are pledged to those who by their baptismal vows have entered into a covenant with God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 91, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 91, 1904, par. 8

Those who cherish and flatter self, fostering pride and vanity, giving to dress and appearance the time and attention that ought to be given to the Master’s work, are incurring a fearful loss. Many who are clothed in beautiful outward garments know nothing of the inward adorning that is in the sight of God of great price. Their fine clothing covers a heart that is sinful and diseased, full of vanity and pride. They know not what it means to “seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.]

19LtMs, Lt 91, 1904, par. 14

I awoke with the picture of their agonized countenances stamped on my mind. I cannot efface the impression. I wish I could describe the scene as it was presented to me. Oh, how sad was the disappointment of those who had not learned by experience the meaning of the words, “Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” [Colossians 3:3.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Ms 188, 1905

20LtMs, Ms 188, 1905, par. 11

Now, we want you to go from this meeting with a consecration to God that you never have had before. We want all evil speaking put away. We want everything like the old man to be crucified. “Ye are dead,” says the apostle, “and your life is hid with Christ in God.” There is where our life is. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things that are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:3, 1.]

20LtMs, Ms 188, 1905, par. 36

[Revelation 2] Verse 5. Chapter 3:1. I can only touch a point here and there. There are a good many who have a name to live, but they are dead. Why? Because the life-giving power is not in them. They are not connected with the Life-giver. When the life-giving power comes to us we are not dead. “If ye then be risen with Christ, by baptism, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Ms 145, 1906

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 12

When you went down into the water and were baptized in the name of the three great Worthies in heaven, you professed to be dead unto the world. As a solemn token of your profession of faith, you were laid under the water, in the sight of the heavenly universe, and were baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. At that time, the apostle declares, “Ye are dead, and your life is hid”—where?—“with Christ in God.” [Colossians 3:3.] He who chooses to have a living connection with our Saviour will have a living connection with our God; and he will exemplify the spirit of Christ in life and character.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 54

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.] Enter not into the frivolities of the world. Enter rather upon the suffering part of religion, if need be. You need not make yourselves sufferers unnecessarily. You need not place yourselves where you are not called upon to stand; for then you are not in reality partaking of Christ’s sufferings. But wherever you are, be prepared to look unto Jesus, who is the Author and the Finisher of your faith. Realize that there is a mighty working agency in the heavenly courts, and that Christ is presenting your cases before the Father.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 24 (1909)

Ms 109, 1909

24LtMs, Ms 109, 1909, par. 49

Those who cherish and flatter self, fostering pride and vanity, giving to dress and to their appearance the time and attention that ought to be given to the Master’s work, are incurring a fearful loss. Many who are clothed in beautiful outward garments know nothing of the inward adorning that is in the sight of God of great price. Their fine clothing covers a heart that is sinful and diseased, full of vanity and pride. They know not what it means to “seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.]

24LtMs, Ms 109, 1909, par. 61

I awoke with the picture of the agonized faces of these poor, deluded souls stamped on my mind, and I cannot efface that impression. I wish I could describe the scene as it was presented to me. O how sad was the disappointment of those who had not learned by experience the meaning of the words, “Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” [Colossians 3:3.]

Selected Messages Book 1

Chapter 6—The Loving Watchcare of Jesus

1SM 79.3

Those who cherish and flatter self, fostering pride and vanity, giving to dress and appearance the time and attention that ought to be given to the Master’s work, are incurring a fearful loss. Many who are clothed in beautiful outward garments know nothing of the inward adorning that is in the sight of God of great price. Their fine clothing covers a heart that is sinful and diseased, full of vanity and pride. They know not what it means to “seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1).

1SM 81.3

I awoke with the picture of their agonized countenances stamped on my mind. I cannot efface the impression. I wish I could describe the scene as it was presented to me. Oh, how sad was the disappointment of those who had not learned by experience the meaning of the words, “Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

Manuscript Releases, vol. 1 [Nos. 19-96]

MR No. 70—Sermon Material for Seminary Use

1MR 312.2

Those who claim to be Christ’s followers pledge themselves to obedience at the time of their baptism. When they go down into the water, they pledge themselves in the presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost that they will henceforth be dead unto the world and its temptations, and that they will arise from the watery grave to walk, in newness of life, even a life of obedience to God’s requirements. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, reminded them of their baptismal pledge, and wrote: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3). How much better it is to seek those things which are above, than to seek the things of this world, and to form our characters after a worldly similitude!

Manuscript Releases, vol. 13 [Nos. 1000-1080]

MR No. 1007—Working Harmoniously with Others to Teach and Apply the Principles of Health Reform, Especially in Health-Care Institutions

13MR 38.1

The apostle Paul says: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” [Colossians 3:1-3].

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Ms 26, 1891

7LtMs, Ms 26, 1891, par. 13

The heart is ever inclined to the concerns and objects of the world; but we must hear and obey the voice of God. “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” [2 Corinthians 6:17, 18.] “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” [1 John 2:15.] “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ... For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” [Colossians 3:1-3.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 80, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 80, 1903, par. 4

Those who claim to be Christ’s followers pledge themselves to obedience at the time of their baptism. When they go down into the water, they pledge themselves in the presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost that they will henceforth be dead unto the world and its temptations, and that they will arise from the watery grave to walk in newness of life, even a life of obedience to God’s requirements. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, reminded them of their baptismal pledge, and wrote: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” [Colossians 3:1-3.] How much better it is to seek those things which are above, than to seek the things of this world, and to form our characters after a worldly similitude!

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 45, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 45, 1903, par. 4

The apostle Paul says: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” [Colossians 3:1-3.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Lt 338, 1907

22LtMs, Lt 338, 1907, par. 7

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth; for ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” [Colossians 3:1-3.] If this is your experience, then when Christ who is your life shall appear, then shall you also appear with Him in glory.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 150, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 150, 1899, par. 36

When the heart is cleansed from sin, Christ is placed on the throne which self-indulgence and love of earthly treasure once occupied. The image of Christ is seen in the expression of the countenance. Sanctification through the Spirit is carried forward in the soul. Self-righteousness is banished. There is seen the putting on of the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.]

14LtMs, Ms 150, 1899, par. 37

The note of warning has been given, “Set your affection on things above, and not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory.” [Verses 2-4.] God accepts no divided service. Not one jot of the claims of the law can be abated to meet man in his fallen condition. Man must reach the highest standard. He must show a desire for perfection of character proportionate to the value of the object of which he is in pursuit.

Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students

A Caution

CT 258.2

The Lord’s covenant is with His saints. Everyone is to discern his weak points of character and guard against them with vigor. Those who have been buried with Christ in baptism, and been raised in the likeness of His resurrection, have pledged themselves to live in newness of life. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Ms 76, 1893

8LtMs, Ms 76, 1893, par. 40

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ... For ye are dead,” dead to the world, to its fashions, to its pride, to its pomp and ambition for notoriety. You are a partaker of His divine nature, “and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Ms 60, 1895

10LtMs, Ms 60, 1895, par. 5

Sunday, [March] 3, two hundred people gathered about the lake. I spoke about forty minutes. My text was Colossians 3:1-4. The Lord strengthened me to lift up Jesus, the One in whom our hope of eternal life is centered. May the Lord bless the seed sown. Brother McCullagh then buried with Christ in baptism twenty willing souls. The ordinance was free from all excitement and was a very beautiful sight.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 18, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 18, 1898, par. 1

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things that are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” [Colossians 3:1-4.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 58a, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 58a, 1898, par. 2

My sister, you are to be connected with Jesus Christ. Our Saviour, in His example, has led the way which every sinner who turns from sin must follow. By taking the requisite steps—in conversion, in repentance, in faith, and baptism—he is to fulfill all righteousness. Christ has shown that repentance, faith, and baptism are the steps that all must take if they would follow His example. All who in obedience to Christ’s command follow in this ordinance, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, signify that they are dead to the world. They are buried in the likeness of Christ’s death, and raised again from the water in the likeness of His resurrection. Says the apostle Paul: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things that are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” [Colossians 3:1-4.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 109, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 109, 1899, par. 19

High intellectual culture and refinement of sentiments and manners follow a transformation of character after the divine similitude. Worldly culture and artifice are of little consequence. The Holy Spirit will remove from every one who makes Christ his personal Saviour the hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil. Beholding Christ, he will become like Him. Listen to the words of Paul to the church in Colosse, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” [Colossians 3:1-4.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 73, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 73, 1901, par. 11

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” [Colossians 3:1-4.]

16LtMs, Lt 73, 1901, par. 13

Let those who have been baptized be true to the vow they have made. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things that are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.] “You cannot serve God and mammon.” [Matthew 6:24.] “If God be God, follow Him; if Baal, then follow him.” [1 Kings 18:21.] No one is compelled to serve God. The full results of a man’s choice rest upon himself; for he chooses of his own free will. Let him remember that if he chooses the principles of God, respecting and maintaining them, they become a part of his life, moulding him according to the divine similitude. They are “in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 188, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 188, 1901, par. 15

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” [Colossians 3:1-4.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 85, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 85, 1903, par. 4

I took for my text the words: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” [Colossians 3:1-4.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Ms 173, 1905

20LtMs, Ms 173, 1905, par. 8

I praise the Lord this morning I slept until four o’clock. There was not the usual awakening through the night. This is a great blessing to me, for which I am thankful. I have been carrying a heavy burden so long as I consider the spiritual condition of the people of God, moving so far below their privilege. I lie awake pleading with my heavenly Saviour to come to our help and raise up messengers that shall bear a message decidedly to the point. “Thy word is truth.” [John 17:17.] I long for physical strength and power, that out of the abundance of the heart moved by the Holy Spirit, the mouth may speak. Oft in the vision of the night, I am speaking to large companies; and in strong appeals I am repeatedly urging upon the companies before me: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” [Colossians 3:1-4.]

20LtMs, Ms 173, 1905, par. 9

What a rich promise is this presented to us! Let us then show that we appreciate these promises and work to the point to be fully in earnest and to be thankful for such assurance. It is for our good and the good of all with whom we shall associate in all our public labors that we shall reveal that we are seeking those things that are above; that we answer to the figure, “for ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” [Verse 3.] Oh, let this be our purpose, to be wide-awake to heed the counsel Christ has given to the Laodicean church! [Revelation 3:18-21 quoted.]

Manuscript Releases, vol. 11 [Nos. 851-920]

MR No. 909—Attending and Acting in Theatrical Performances

11MR 334.2

My sister, you are to be connected with Jesus Christ. Our Saviour, in His example, has led the way which every sinner who turns from sin must follow. By taking the requisite steps—in conversion, in repentance, in faith, and baptism—he is to fulfill all righteousness. Christ has shown that repentance, faith, and baptism are the steps that all must take if they would follow His example. All who in obedience to Christ’s command follow in this ordinance, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, signify that they are dead to the world. They are buried in the likeness of Christ’s death, and raised again from the water in the likeness of His resurrection. Says the apostle Paul: [Colossians 3:1-4 quoted].

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Ms 162, 1905

20LtMs, Ms 162, 1905, par. 33

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” [Colossians 3:1-4.] This is our privilege—to secure the blessings that come to all who receive Christ by faith. They live the new life; and through the power He bestows on them, they become sons and daughters of God. They live in holy union with Christ, justified and sanctified.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Ms 162, 1907

22LtMs, Ms 162, 1907, par. 1

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4. “Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:12.

22LtMs, Ms 162, 1907, par. 8

Christ has redeemed the body as verily as the soul. This spiritual union must be sacredly preserved. If we control our spiritual sacred union, we will become spiritual, [preserve] sacred our body in eating and in dressing. Christ has paid the price of redeeming the body, and this union has not been thoroughly considered in the indulgence of appetite. “What! Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” [Verses 19, 20.] We are Christ’s property. “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:4. Read this whole chapter, and then study its claims.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Ms 85, 1907

22LtMs, Ms 85, 1907, par. 4

“If ye then be risen with Christ,” the Holy Spirit through Paul declares, “seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth; for ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” [Colossians 3:1-4.] What an inducement to faithful service these words hold out before us!

Manuscript Releases, vol. 19 [Nos. 1360-1419]

MR No. 1411—The Ladder to Heaven

19MR 351.2

Says the apostle, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are (through the baptismal vows) dead (to the world, dead to its customs, its ambition, its pride, its pursuits), and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory: (Colossians 3:1-4).

Manuscript Releases, vol. 13 [Nos. 1000-1080]

MR No. 1030—A Challenge to Consecrate, Decentralize, and Evangelize

13MR 218.2

[Colossians 3:1-4, quoted.] Jesus, the Son of God, our Sin-bearer, the Giver of eternal life, speaks to His disciples. Hear what He says; “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” He understands every temptation. He can turn the cross into a means of eternal happiness. We must live His life. We must be co-laborers with Him. He calls upon His followers to tread in His footsteps of self-denial and self-sacrifice. The character of the Christian is to be a reproduction of Christ. The same love, the same grace, the same unselfish benevolence that characterized the life of the Redeemer is to characterize the lives of His followers.

13MR 219.1

Let those who have been baptized be true to the vow they have made. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” [Colossians 3:1]. You cannot serve God and mammon. If God be God, follow Him; if Baal, then follow him. No one is compelled to serve God. The full results of a man’s choice rest upon himself, for he chooses of his own free will. Let him remember that if he chooses the principles of God, respecting and maintaining them, they become a part of his life, molding him according to the divine similitude. They are in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.

This Day With God

Appreciating the Promises, January 7

TDG 15.4

Oft in the vision of the night I am speaking to large companies and in strong appeals I am repeatedly urging upon the companies before me, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4).

The Signs of the Times

October 22, 1885

ST October 22, 1885, par. 1

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Ms 13, 1884

4LtMs, Ms 13, 1884, par. 45

Says the apostle, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things that are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are (through the baptismal vows) dead (to the world, dead to its customs, its ambition, its pride, its pursuits), and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 23, 1889

6LtMs, Ms 23, 1889, par. 30

I spoke in the Tabernacle to a house well filled. What a solemn position to have before me about one thousand people, and I a weak child of God! Oh, that God would give me words to speak that shall reach hearts is my constant prayer. I spoke from Colossians 3:1-4. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things that are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Ms 60, 1886

4LtMs, Ms 60, 1886, par. 17

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:1-5.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Lt 6a, 1890

6LtMs, Lt 6a, 1890, par. 77

God calls upon all who claim to be Christians to elevate the standard of righteousness and to purify themselves even as He is pure. “Be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” [1 Peter 1:15.] “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth; for ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness which is idolatry, for which things sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.” [Colossians 3:1-6.]

6LtMs, Lt 6a, 1890, par. 92

Christians are to “seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.] All the warnings given, all the appeals made, do not seem to alarm those who indulge perverted appetite. They go on in sinful indulgence, and the conscience is seared as with a hot iron. They will put their own interpretation on the sinful course of action, saying, “I have done no moral wrong.” Clear discernment is needed, the spiritual eyesalve which we may obtain only by becoming partakers of the divine nature.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Ms 75, 1895

10LtMs, Ms 75, 1895, par. 5

But to abide in Christ means to forsake all and follow in his footsteps. The lawyer came to Christ and asked, “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” This was a pointed, definite question, and Jesus answered him by referring him to the law of God. He said, “What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou has answered right: this do and thou shalt live. But he willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?” [Luke 10:25-29.] Then Jesus gave him a lesson that revealed to him the fact that every needy soul is our neighbor. To accept the gospel message means to love God with all the heart and our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus cannot accept a divided heart. The heart that is absolved in and controlled by earthly affections, cannot be given up to God. No adequate excuse can be framed for refusing to love God supremely, and our neighbors as ourselves. This comprehends the whole duty of man. The Lord Jesus who has paid the ransom price for humanity, demands a willing service from his purchased possession. “Ye are not your own,” “ye are bought with a price,” even with the precious blood of the Son of God. [1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.] The new life that comes to the soul through conversion, comes through communion with God, and produces God-likeness in the character. Love, peace, joy, faith, gratitude and hope spring up in the renewed soul. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, (to the love of the world, and to self-serving,) and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry, for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.” [Colossians 3:1-6.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 74, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 74, 1896, par. 40

God calls upon all who claim to be Christians to elevate the standard of righteousness, and to purify themselves even as Christ is pure. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things that are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on the things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.” [Colossians 3:1-6.]

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

MR No. 1314—Christ Our Example in Every Line of Work; Counsel on Medical Missionary Work

18MR 104.2

In the third of Colossians we read: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory” [Colossians 3:1-4].

18MR 104.3

This whole chapter should be carefully studied. What is the charge given us? “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now [after pledging yourself to serve Christ in truth and verify] ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth” [verses 5-8].

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)

Ms 2, 1875

2LtMs, Ms 2, 1875, par. 9

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: in the which ye also walked sometime, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with the deeds: and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him.” [Colossians 3:1-10.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 35, 1889

6LtMs, Ms 35, 1889, par. 2

(Colossians 3:1-10 quoted). We are now called, in the words I have [just] read, to take away our minds from the world—also our affections—our hearts, minds, and intellect, to flow in another channel. This brings us into position where we can grasp hold of things of God. This is the work that is expected of us in the high calling in Christ Jesus.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 174, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 174, 1897, par. 100

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. ... Put on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering.” Colossians 3:1-4, 12.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 87, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 87, 1902, par. 35

“Seek those things which are above.” [Colossians 3:1.]

17LtMs, Ms 87, 1902, par. 36

We took our baptismal vows in the presence of the three highest authorities of the heavenly courts—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. We solemnly pledged ourselves before all Heaven to die to sin and to walk in newness of life. Have we been working out our own salvation with fear and trembling? or have we been living a worldly life, indulging in sin? The apostle’s instruction is: “Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” [Verses 1-4.]

17LtMs, Ms 87, 1902, par. 42

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.” [Colossians 3:5, 6.] If you have been obedient since taking your baptismal vows, none of these sins is clinging to you; for you pledged yourself before God to die to sin. After your burial in the water in the likeness of Christ’s death, you arose in the likeness of His resurrection. Over the rent sepulcher of Joseph He declared, “I am the resurrection and the life.” [John 11:25.] He will keep His pledge, if you keep yours to remain dead to the world and alive in Him. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above. ... Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” [Colossians 3:1, 12-14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 229, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 229, 1902, par. 7

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above.” “Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.] Now here is where we must have our contemplation, where we must have our thoughts, and where we must “seek those things.” “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”

17LtMs, Ms 229, 1902, par. 23

And if we follow on to know the Lord after our baptism, if we do just as it is told us to do, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.]—now this is what the Lord wants every one of us to do, to claim the power of the Highest. Make it your first business. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” [Matthew 6:33.] The necessary things of temporal life, He was talking about.

17LtMs, Ms 229, 1902, par. 40

The apostle Paul states, “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” [Colossians 3:15.] Let it into your soul. It is all waiting to take possession of the heart. The threefold powers in heaven are waiting to lift up for you a standard against the enemy, as you draw nigh to God in humble prayer, and let your petition take right hold of the Mighty One.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 320, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 320, 1905, par. 29

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. ... Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” [Colossians 3:1-4, 12-15.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Ms 78, 1905

20LtMs, Ms 78, 1905, par. 9

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. ... Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” [Colossians 3:1-4, 12-15.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 125, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 125, 1900, par. 6

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin; but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” [Verses 12, 13.] “If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.]

15LtMs, Lt 125, 1900, par. 7

This Scripture is given for the instruction of every soul who receives baptism. The apostle continues, “Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead (thus you are to view yourselves) and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” [Verses 2-4, 12-16.]

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

MR No. 1333—Diary Fragment—February to May, 1902; The Spirit of Thanksgiving; Importance of Unity

18MR 215.5

St. Helena, April 19, 1902—Spoke in the sanitarium chapel. Colossians 3:1-16; 4. [This entry from Journal No. 24, p. 206.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 221, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 221, 1902, par. 20

Spoke in the Sanitarium chapel. Colossians 3:1-16; 4

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Ms 6, 1893

8LtMs, Ms 6, 1893, par. 8

There is work to be carried on right here in our world. It is important that the standard of truth be elevated which calls souls under its banner. Now the work that we have to do is to search the Scriptures. Precious Bible! Special directions are given. Colossians 3:1-3. If you have been buried with Him by baptism, you no longer live in sin. “Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” What a precious refuge. We are not to talk of ourselves, our words, nor our actions. By abiding in Christ we reveal to a sinful world what Christ can do for us. Verses 4-8. You will not cling to one darling sin even if it is as closely allied to you as the right arm; you will die to it. Verse 9. Have you considered that your criticisms have been as splitting of hairs and <yet you thought > that you must ventilate it? And carry on such work where you invite the presence of angels, in the sight of the whole universe of heaven. Consider this matter.

8LtMs, Ms 6, 1893, par. 10

Measure the cord, if you can, that has been let down <from heaven> to lift man up. The only estimate we can give you of <the length of> that chain is to point you to Calvary. Do not seek to oppress one another. God has not put the measuring tape in our hands. You want to love one another as Christ has loved you. When one once gives place to an angry <spirit>, he is just as much intoxicated as the man who has put the glass to his lips. Learn the eloquence of silence, and know that God respects the purchase of the blood of Christ. Educate yourselves: we must learn every day. We must come up higher and higher and closer to God. Clear the rubbish away from the King’s highway. Make a way that the King may walk in our midst. Put away filthy communications out of your mouth. See Colossians 3:8.

8LtMs, Ms 6, 1893, par. 12

(Related [the] story of [the] German lady [who] when eighty years old learned to read History of Sabbath and the English Bible by comparing [a] passage of German Scripture with one of English.) She reached her second childhood and began to work anew as a child would <to read the truth.> Now let us do what we can, and God will help us. Colossians 3:12. If you are the elect of God, do not make Him ashamed of you. Represent Him to the world. You are a new man in Christ Jesus. “Bowels of mercies, kindness.” Now that is what we want to act. We want to manifest this kindness in our homes before our children. If we humble ourselves God will exalt us. Here is the recipe to heal dissension which grieves God and Christ and the heavenly intelligences. Verse 13. What a powerful argument. If Christ should have no more forbearance <than the human agent does,> we should be extinguished. We do not sense it.

8LtMs, Ms 6, 1893, par. 14

Talk of the country to which you are going. You are pilgrims and strangers here. We have to live in hired houses here. Do we show to the world that we are rich in faith and heirs according to the promise? Talk of heaven and heavenly things. Love the precious and the eternal. Away with your self-esteem. Learn lessons at the foot of Calvary’s cross. Communicate to whoever is around you. Now, your atmosphere is a heavenly or satanic one. I will hail the heavenly atmosphere. I will talk of the preciousness of truth. I will talk of His power, and by beholding, reflect light and become channels of light to others. Verse 14. Stand complete in Christ Jesus.

8LtMs, Ms 6, 1893, par. 15

You are bound by the golden chain of love to Jesus Christ. Verse 16. Express it in clear distinct tones. Know what the Scriptures say. You are to cultivate your knowledge that you may be sharp to discern in the garden of God. Not to relate any mournful stories. We are not Catholic priests. You are to go to Jesus Christ and tell Him; He understands your case fully. Matthew 11:28. “Here am I.” Will you live to that receipt? Here I am, ready to [do Your will.] Suppose that instead of passionate words we begin to use mild words.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 151, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 151, 1903, par. 23

“And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses. ... If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ... When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” [Colossians 2:13; 3:1, 4.]

18LtMs, Lt 151, 1903, par. 24

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” [Verses 12-17.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)

Lt 172, 1908

23LtMs, Lt 172, 1908, par. 6

The Lord’s mercy and love are misrepresented by a policy that would hinder the message of His grace from going to any part of the world. Is man to be a dictator to his fellow man? Is he to take the responsibility of saying, You shall not go to such a place? Let us rather say to those who desire to labor: It is your privilege to work for souls on every occasion and to make earnest request to God in their behalf. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” [Colossians 3:17.] “Put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which ye are also called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” [Verses 14-16.] The Holy Spirit is working upon human minds. Those upon whom the Spirit lays the burden of labor, and who are of good report in the church, encourage them to enter new fields. Let the work of the Lord go forward with power. Let the people be encouraged to prepare the way of the Lord and to make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

23LtMs, Lt 172, 1908, par. 9

If our leaders realized the time of night, they could not leave our cities unwarned and be willing to do so little to change the present condition of things in the world. God requires that every soul who believes in Christ shall go forth and bear much fruit. He requires that they be in earnest in doing missionary work, faithful in their home life, in their student life, true to their church duties. Those who have pledged themselves by baptism to follow Christ, who have professed to put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness, are to consider the words of the apostle Paul, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” [Verse 1.]

Manuscript Releases, vol. 19 [Nos. 1360-1419]

MR No. 1399—Wake Up, and Live for Christ; Forgive, and Love One Another; Work Unitedly

19MR 235.4

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him” [Colossians 3:1-10].

19MR 236.1

Great responsibility comes to those who have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Strive to understand the meaning of the words, “Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” In the new life upon which you have entered, you are pledged to represent the life of Christ. Having put on the new man, “which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him,” “put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” [verses 12-15].

19MR 236.2

The old sinful life is dead, the new life entered into with Christ by the pledge of baptism. Practice the virtues of the Saviour’s character. Let His word “dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him” [verses 16, 17].

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Lt 32, 1907

22LtMs, Lt 32, 1907, par. 8

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affections, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry. For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience; in which ye also walked sometime, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, evil communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him.” [Colossians 3:1-10.]

22LtMs, Lt 32, 1907, par. 9

Great responsibility comes to those who have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Strive to understand the meaning of the words, “Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” [Verse 3.] In the new life upon which you have entered, you are pledged to represent the life of Christ. Having put on the new man, “which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him,” “put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” [Verses 10, 12-15.]

22LtMs, Lt 32, 1907, par. 10

The old sinful life is dead; the new life entered into with Christ by the pledge of baptism. Practice the virtues of the Saviour’s character. Let His wisdom “dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” [Verses 16, 17.]

22LtMs, Lt 32, 1907, par. 11

These things are to be presented in the churches. Love, compassion, and tenderness are to be revealed amongst us. Put on, as the elect of God, mercy and kindness. The sins that were practiced before conversion are to be put off with the old man. With the new man Christ Jesus are to be put on “kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.” [Verse 12.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Ms 141, 1907

22LtMs, Ms 141, 1907, par. 10

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience. In the which ye also walked sometime, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him: where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” [Colossians 3:1-13.]

22LtMs, Ms 141, 1907, par. 11

“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” [Verses 14-17.]

22LtMs, Ms 141, 1907, par. 13

In the eighth and ninth verses are presented the fruits that must not appear in the lives of those who have entered into this covenant relation with God. These are the fruits of the unregenerate heart; and they must not appear; for “ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” [Verse 3.] The fruits of righteousness appear when the soul lives to fulfil his solemn vow to God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Ms 43, 1891

7LtMs, Ms 43, 1891, par. 24

I awoke at four a.m. and feel indeed grateful to my heavenly Father for the precious night’s rest I have enjoyed. I attended the half past five morning meeting and spoke to a goodly company assembled under the tent. Colossians 3:1-17. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth,” etc. The Lord gave me much freedom. I spoke about one hour and I am thankful that the word was not in vain. I felt the burden of the people and the necessity of the transforming power of the grace of Christ affecting heart and character.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 26, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 26, 1902, par. 49

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created Him: where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” [Colossians 3:1-17.]

17LtMs, Ms 26, 1902, par. 53

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” [Colossians 3:15-17.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)

Ms 81, 1908

23LtMs, Ms 81, 1908, par. 31

“Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” [Colossians 3:1-17.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 30, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 30, 1902, par. 11

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.” [Colossians 3:1, 2.] Let not the spirit which many look upon as necessary to keenness and sharpness in business be woven into the religious life. It turns the soul into an abiding place for Satan, in which he works out his schemes. Bring into your stewardship the spirit of truth, of strict honesty, of liberality. Give a fair, just equivalent for the work done. Put away all sharp scheming to get work done for the lowest possible figure. Do not make it your aim to give the impression that you are a sharp financier. Follow this policy, and what do you gain?—nothing that you will wish to meet in the day of judgment.

17LtMs, Ms 30, 1902, par. 12

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” [Verse 3.] “Ye are dead.” Your natural temperament was buried in a watery grave when at your baptism you consecrated yourself body, soul, and spirit to God’s service. As you thus pledged yourself to walk in the light of truth, to represent in your life the character of Christ, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit pledged themselves to work in your behalf, helping you to live the new life of righteousness. “Ye are dead”—dead to your former life, and you have risen to live the life of Christ in union with Christ. The three great powers of heaven work in you and for you, that in you may be revealed the divine life, in contrast with the life of worldliness, selfishness, and covetousness that you lived before your conversion.

17LtMs, Ms 30, 1902, par. 14

“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also”—who in this life of probation have followed the principles of heaven—“appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Covetousness is more to be dreaded than the most contagious disease. “For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience; in the which ye also walked sometimes, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing ye have put off the old man with his deeds.” [Colossians 3:4-9.]

17LtMs, Ms 30, 1902, par. 16

Christians are to be light-bearers in the world, shining amid the darkness of sin and crime. In the kingdom of this world, the principalities and powers that take Satan as their leader must constantly be met. Following Christ’s example of cross-bearing and self-denial makes those who receive Christ children of God. “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” [John 1:12.] They are victors in the battle of life; for they have put on the new man, “which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him; where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond, nor free; but Christ is all and in all. Put on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” [Colossians 3:10-13.]

17LtMs, Ms 30, 1902, par. 17

“And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness, and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” [Verses 14-17.]

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6

After Baptism

6T 99.2

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3.

6T 99.3

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.... And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” Verses 12-17.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 2

After Baptism

2TT 397.1

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3.

2TT 397.2

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. ... And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” Verses 12-17.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 1, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 1, 1905, par. 2

There is a special and important work for you to accomplish. Clear directions are given in the Word of God regarding the part that you are to act. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” [Colossians 3:1-3.]

20LtMs, Lt 1, 1905, par. 3

“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. ... Put on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another and forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching, and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” [Verses 4, 12-17.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 70, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 70, 1900, par. 6

The baptismal vows which we take embrace much. After we have been buried with Christ in baptism, we are to live no longer a careless, indifferent life. We have made a covenant with God. We have died to the world. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we have been buried in the likeness of Christ’s death and raised in the likeness of His resurrection, and we are to live a new life. Our life is to be bound up with the life of Christ. The apostle says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things in the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” [Colossians 3:1-4.]

15LtMs, Ms 70, 1900, par. 7

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” [Verses 12-17.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 22, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 22, 1901, par. 6

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. ... Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the Word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” [Colossians 3:1-4, 12-17.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 39, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 39, 1901, par. 1

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. ... Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” [Colossians 3:1-4, 12-16.]

16LtMs, Ms 39, 1901, par. 3

“And whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” [Verse 17.] Let us not forget that our time here is short. We shall pass through this world but once, and as we pass along, let us make the most we can of ourselves. This we may do by cultivating the graces of the Spirit, which make us as a savor of life unto life to those with whom we come in contact. There are many in this world who are in sorrow and trouble. Speak words of sympathy to them. This will make their burden lighter.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 102, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 102, 1903, par. 4

I know that you will often be disappointed. But you must not become discouraged. Commit the keeping of your souls to God, as unto a faithful Creator. This means much more than many realize. Show that you realize that at your baptism, in the presence of the heavenly universe, you pledged yourselves to be separate from the world, separate from its theories, customs, and practices. You have been “buried with Him in baptism wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.” [Colossians 2:12.] You were baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. These three great powers are pledged to be your efficiency, if you will continue to present yourself as an offering to God. “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all your trespasses.” [Verse 13.] “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. ... Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” [Colossians 3:1-4, 12-17.] Will you not make earnest efforts to obey this instruction? We must seek the Lord daily if we would become the excellent of the earth.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 211, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 211, 1905, par. 16

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” [Colossians 3:1-4.]

20LtMs, Lt 211, 1905, par. 17

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful. Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” [Verses 12-17.]

20LtMs, Lt 211, 1905, par. 18

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, and covetousness, which is idolatry, for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience; in the which ye also walked sometime, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communications out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him; where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond, nor free; but Christ is all and in all.” [Verses 5-11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 225, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 225, 1905, par. 10

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” [Colossians 3:1-4.]

20LtMs, Lt 225, 1905, par. 11

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, and covetousness, which is idolatry, for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience; in the which ye also walked sometime, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him; where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free; but Christ is all and in all.” [Verses 5-11.]

20LtMs, Lt 225, 1905, par. 12

“Put on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful. Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” [Verses 12-17.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 7, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 7, 1905, par. 6

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” [Colossians 3:1-4.]

20LtMs, Lt 7, 1905, par. 7

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” [Verses 12-17.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Lt 318, 1907

22LtMs, Lt 318, 1907, par. 14

“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful. Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs; singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” [Colossians 3:1-4, 12-17.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Lt 332, 1907

22LtMs, Lt 332, 1907, par. 6

From that time, Paul was a truly converted man. God gave him a special work to do for the cause of Christianity. His instruction in his letters to the churches of his day is instruction for the church of God to the end of time. He writes: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear; then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” [Colossians 3:1-4.]

22LtMs, Lt 332, 1907, par. 7

The apostle enumerates the evils that must be put away from the life of those who have risen to walk in newness of life: “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry; for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: in the which ye also walked sometime, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him.” [Verses 5-10.]

22LtMs, Lt 332, 1907, par. 11

“And whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” [Verses 12-17.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 57, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 57, 1902, par. 1

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him: where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God (we decide our own election), holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” [Colossians 3:1-13.]

17LtMs, Ms 57, 1902, par. 3

“And above all these things put on charity (love), which is the bond of perfectness.” [Verse 14.] Are we cherishing and cultivating the precious grace of love?

17LtMs, Ms 57, 1902, par. 13

“Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.” If the affections are set on earthly things, the life is tainted and corrupted. “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” [Colossians 3:2-4.] Precious promise!

17LtMs, Ms 57, 1902, par. 24

The sixth of Romans is closely related in thought to the third of Colossians, where we read: “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above.” [Verses 3, 1.] In Romans we read: “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. ... But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” [Romans 5:12, 20, 21; 6:1, 2.] Brethren and sisters, can you answer this? How can a man dead to sin live the life of a sinner?

The Acts of the Apostles

Chapter 45—Written From Rome

AA 469.1

The apostle Paul early in his Christian experience was given special opportunities to learn the will of God concerning the followers of Jesus. He was “caught up to the third heaven,” “into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” He himself acknowledged that many “visions and revelations” had been given him “of the Lord.” His understanding of the principles of gospel truth was equal to that of “the very chiefest apostles.” 2 Corinthians 12:2, 4, 1, 11. He had a clear, full comprehension of “the breadth, and length, and depth, and height” of “the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge.” Ephesians 3:18, 19.

AA 469.2

Paul could not tell all that he had seen in vision; for among his hearers were some who would have misapplied his words. But that which was revealed to him enabled him to labor as a leader and a wise teacher, and also molded the messages that he in later years sent to the churches. The impression that he received when in vision was ever with him, enabling him to give a correct representation of Christian character. By word of mouth and by letter he bore a message that ever since has brought help and strength to the church of God. To believers today this message speaks plainly of the dangers that will threaten the church, and the false doctrines that they will have to meet.

AA 470.1

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 470.2

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 471.1

In his letter to “the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse,” written while he was a prisoner in Rome, Paul makes mention of his joy over their steadfastness in the faith, tidings of which had been brought him by Epaphras, who, the apostle wrote, “declared unto us your love in the Spirit. For this cause,” he continued, “we also, since the day we heard it, do not 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.”

AA 471.2

Thus Paul put into words his desire for the Colossian believers. How high the ideal that these words hold before the follower of Christ! They show the wonderful possibilities of the Christian life and make it plain that there is no limit to the blessings that the children of God may receive. Constantly increasing in a knowledge of God, they may go on from strength to strength, from height to height in Christian experience, until by “His glorious power” they are made “meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.”

AA 471.3

The apostle exalted Christ before his brethren as the One by whom God had created all things and by whom He had wrought out their redemption. He declared that the hand that sustains the worlds in space, and holds in their orderly arrangements and tireless activity all things throughout the universe of God, is the hand that was nailed to the cross for them. “By Him were all things created,” Paul wrote, “that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.” “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in His sight.”

AA 472.1

The Son of God stooped to uplift the fallen. For this He left the sinless worlds on high, the ninety and nine that loved Him, and came to this earth to be “wounded for our transgressions” and “bruised for our iniquities.” Isaiah 53:5. He was in all things made like unto His brethren. He became flesh, even as we are. He knew what it meant to be hungry and thirsty and weary. He was sustained by food and refreshed by sleep. He was a stranger and a sojourner on the earth—in the world, but not of the world; tempted and tried as men and women of today are tempted and tried, yet living a life free from sin. Tender, compassionate, sympathetic, ever considerate of others, He represented the character of God. “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, ... full of grace and truth.” John 1:14.

AA 473.1

Surrounded by the practices and influences of heathenism, the Colossian believers were in danger of being drawn away from the simplicity of the gospel, and Paul, in warning them against this, pointed them to Christ as the only safe guide. “I would that ye knew,” he wrote, “what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

AA 473.2

“And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.... As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power.”

AA 473.3

Christ had foretold that deceivers would arise, through whose influence “iniquity” should “abound,” and “the love of many” should “wax cold.” Matthew 24:12. He had warned the disciples that the church would be in more danger from this evil than from the persecution of her enemies. Again and again Paul warned the believers against these false teachers. This peril, above all others, they must guard against; for by receiving false teachers, they would open the door to errors by which the enemy would dim the spiritual perceptions and shake the confidence of those newly come to the faith of the gospel. Christ was the standard by which they were to test the doctrines presented. All that was not in harmony with His teachings they were to reject. Christ crucified for sin, Christ risen from the dead, Christ ascended on high—this was the science of salvation that they were to learn and teach.

AA 474.1

The warnings of the word of God regarding the perils surrounding the Christian church belong to us today. As in the days of the apostles men tried by tradition and philosophy to destroy faith in the Scriptures, so today, by the pleasing sentiments of higher criticism, evolution, spiritualism, theosophy, and pantheism, the enemy of righteousness is seeking to lead souls into forbidden paths. To many the Bible is as a lamp without oil, because they have turned their minds into channels of speculative belief that bring misunderstanding and confusion. The work of higher criticism, in dissecting, conjecturing, reconstructing, is destroying faith in the Bible as a divine revelation. It is robbing God’s word of power to control, uplift, and inspire human lives. By spiritualism, multitudes are taught to believe that desire is the highest law, that license is liberty, and that man is accountable only to himself.

AA 474.2

The follower of Christ will meet with the “enticing words” against which the apostle warned the Colossian believers. He will meet with spiritualistic interpretations of the Scriptures, but he is not to accept them. His voice is to be heard in clear affirmation of the eternal truths of the Scriptures. Keeping his eyes fixed on Christ, he is to move steadily forward in the path marked out, discarding all ideas that are not in harmony with His teaching. The truth of God is to be the subject for his contemplation and meditation. He is to regard the Bible as the voice of God speaking directly to him. Thus he will find the wisdom which is divine.

AA 475.1

The knowledge of God as revealed in Christ is the knowledge that all who are saved must have. This is the knowledge that works transformation of character. Received into the life, it will re-create the soul in the image of Christ. This is the knowledge that God invites His children to receive, beside which all else is vanity and nothingness.

AA 475.2

In every generation and in every land the true foundation for character building has been the same—the principles contained in the word of God. The only safe and sure rule is to do what God says. “The statutes of the Lord are right,” and “he that doeth these things shall never be moved.” Psalms 19:8; 15:5. It was with the word of God that the apostles met the false theories of their day, saying, “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid.” 1 Corinthians 3:11.

AA 475.3

At the time of their conversion and baptism the Colossian believers pledged themselves to put away beliefs and practices that had hitherto been a part of their lives, and to be true to their allegiance to Christ. In his letter, Paul reminded them of this, and entreated them not to forget that in order to keep their pledge they must put forth constant effort against the evils that would seek for mastery over them. “If ye then be risen with Christ,” he said, “seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

AA 476.1

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. Through the power of Christ, men and women have broken the chains of sinful habit. They have renounced selfishness. The profane have become reverent, the drunken sober, the profligate pure. Souls that have borne the likeness of Satan have become transformed into the image of God. This change is in itself the miracle of miracles. A change wrought by the Word, it is one of the deepest mysteries of the Word. We cannot understand it; we can only believe, as declared by the Scriptures, it is “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

AA 476.2

When the Spirit of God controls mind and heart, the converted soul breaks forth into a new song; for he realizes that in his experience the promise of God has been fulfilled, that his transgression has been forgiven, his sin covered. He has exercised repentance toward God for the violation of the divine law, and faith toward Christ, who died for man’s justification. “Being justified by faith,” he has “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1.

AA 476.3

But because this experience is his, the Christian is not therefore to fold his hands, content with that which has been accomplished for him. He who has determined to enter the spiritual kingdom will find that all the powers and passions of unregenerate nature, backed by the forces of the kingdom of darkness, are arrayed against him. Each day he must renew his consecration, each day do battle with evil. Old habits, hereditary tendencies to wrong, will strive for the mastery, and against these he is to be ever on guard, striving in Christ’s strength for victory.

AA 477.1

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth,” Paul wrote to the Colossians; “in the which ye also walked sometime, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.... Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

AA 477.2

The letter to the Colossians is filled with lessons of highest value to all who are engaged in the service of Christ, lessons that show the singleness of purpose and the loftiness of aim which will be seen in the life of him who rightly represents the Saviour. Renouncing all that would hinder him from making progress in the upward way or that would turn the feet of another from the narrow path, the believer will reveal in his daily life mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, forbearance, and the love of Christ.

AA 478.1

The power of a higher, purer, nobler life is our great need. The world has too much of our thought, and the kingdom of heaven too little.

AA 478.2

In his efforts to reach God’s ideal for him, the Christian is to despair of nothing. Moral and spiritual perfection, through the grace and power of Christ, is promised to all. Jesus is the source of power, the fountain of life. He brings us to His word, and from the tree of life presents to us leaves for the healing of sin-sick souls. He leads us to the throne of God, and puts into our mouth a prayer through which we are brought into close contact with Himself. In our behalf He sets in operation the all-powerful agencies of heaven. At every step we touch His living power.

AA 478.3

God fixes no limit to the advancement of those who desire to be “filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” Through prayer, through watchfulness, through growth in knowledge and understanding, they are to be “strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power.” Thus they are prepared to work for others. It is the Saviour’s purpose that human beings, purified and sanctified, shall be His helping hand. For this great privilege let us give thanks to Him who “hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.”

AA 479.1

Paul’s letter to the Philippians, like the one to the Colossians, was written while he was a prisoner at Rome. The church at Philippi had sent gifts to Paul by the hand of Epaphroditus, whom Paul calls “my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.” While in Rome, Epaphroditus was sick, “nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him,” Paul wrote, “and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” Hearing of the sickness of Epaphroditus, the believers at Philippi were filled with anxiety regarding him, and he decided to return to them. “He longed after you all,” Paul wrote, “and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.... I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.”

AA 479.2

By Epaphroditus, Paul sent the Philippian believers a letter, in which he thanked them for their gifts to him. Of all the churches, that of Philippi had been the most liberal in supplying Paul’s wants. “Now ye Philippians know also,” the apostle said in his letter, “that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.”

AA 480.1

“Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all.... And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

AA 480.2

The grace of God sustained Paul in his imprisonment, enabling him to rejoice in tribulation. With faith and assurance he wrote to his Philippian brethren that his imprisonment had resulted in the furtherance of the gospel. “I would ye should understand, brethren,” he declared, “that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds with Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

AA 481.1

There is a lesson for us in this experience of Paul’s, for it reveals God’s way of working. The Lord can bring victory out of that which may seem to us discomfiture and defeat. We are in danger of forgetting God, of looking at the things which are seen, instead of beholding by the eye of faith the things which are unseen. When misfortune or calamity comes, we are ready to charge God with neglect or cruelty. If He sees fit to cut off our usefulness in some line, we mourn, not stopping to think that thus God may be working for our good. We need to learn that chastisement is a part of His great plan and that under the rod of affliction the Christian may sometimes do more for the Master than when engaged in active service.

AA 481.2

As their example in the Christian life, Paul pointed the Philippians to Christ, who, “being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in a fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

AA 481.3

“Wherefore, my beloved,” he continued, “as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do His good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.”

AA 482.1

These words were recorded for the help of every striving soul. Paul holds up the standard of perfection and shows how it may be reached. “Work out your own salvation,” he says, “for it is God which worketh in you.”

AA 482.2

The work of gaining salvation is one of copartnership, a joint operation. There is to be co-operation between God and the repentant sinner. This is necessary for the formation of right principles in the character. Man is to make earnest efforts to overcome that which hinders him from attaining to perfection. But he is wholly dependent upon God for success. Human effort of itself is not sufficient. Without the aid of divine power it avails nothing. God works and man works. Resistance of temptation must come from man, who must draw his power from God. On the one side there is infinite wisdom, compassion, and power; on the other, weakness, sinfulness, absolute helplessness.

AA 482.3

God wishes us to have the mastery over ourselves. But He cannot help us without our consent and co-operation. The divine Spirit works through the powers and faculties given to man. Of ourselves, we are not able to bring the purposes and desires and inclinations into harmony with the will of God; but if we are “willing to be made willing,” the Saviour will accomplish this for us, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5.

AA 483.1

He who would build up a strong, symmetrical character, he who would be a well-balanced Christian, must give all and do all for Christ; for the Redeemer will not accept divided service. Daily he must learn the meaning of self-surrender. He must study the word of God, learning its meaning and obeying its precepts. Thus he may reach the standard of Christian excellence. Day by day God works with him, perfecting the character that is to stand in the time of final test. And day by day the believer is working out before men and angels a sublime experiment, showing what the gospel can do for fallen human beings.

AA 483.2

“I count not myself to have apprehended,” Paul wrote; “but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

AA 483.3

Paul did many things. From the time that he gave his allegiance to Christ, his life was filled with untiring service. From city to city, from country to country, he journeyed, telling the story of the cross, winning converts to the gospel, and establishing churches. For these churches he had a constant care, and he wrote many letters of instruction to them. At times he worked at his trade to earn his daily bread. But in all the busy activities of his life, Paul never lost sight of one great purpose—to press toward the prize of his calling. One aim he kept steadfastly before him—to be faithful to the One who at the gate of Damascus had revealed Himself to him. From this aim nothing had power to turn him aside. To exalt the cross of Calvary—this was the all-absorbing motive that inspired his words and acts.

AA 484.1

The great purpose that constrained Paul to press forward in the face of hardship and difficulty should lead every Christian worker to consecrate himself wholly to God’s service. Worldly attractions will be presented to draw his attentions from the Saviour, but he is to press on toward the goal, showing to the world, to angels, and to men that the hope of seeing the face of God is worth all the effort and sacrifice that the attainment of this hope demands.

AA 484.2

Though he was a prisoner, Paul was not discouraged. Instead, a note of triumph rings through the letters that he wrote from Rome to the churches. “Rejoice in the Lord alway,” he wrote to the Philippians, “and again I say, Rejoice.... Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

AA 484.3

“My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.... The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”

From Trials to Triumph

Chapter 45—The Letters Paul Wrote From Rome

TT 248.1

Paul acknowledged that many “visions and revelations” had been given him “of the Lord.” His understanding of the gospel was equal to that of “the very chiefest apostles.” 2 Corinthians 12:1, 11. He had a clear comprehension of “the breadth, and length, and depth, and height” of “the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge.” Ephesians 3:18, 19.

TT 248.2

Paul could not tell all that he had seen in vision; some hearers would have misapplied his words. But that which was revealed to him molded the messages that he in later years sent to the churches. He bore a message that ever since has brought strength to the church of God. To believers today this message speaks plainly of dangers that will threaten the church.

TT 248.3

The apostle’s desire for those to whom he addressed his letters was that they should “be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine,” but that they should 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.” Ephesians 4:14, 13. Christ, who “loved the church, and gave Himself for it,” would “present it to Himself ... not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing”—a church “holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25, 27.

TT 248.4

In these messages, written with a power not of man but of God, principles are laid down that should be followed in every church, and the way that leads to life eternal is made plain.

TT 249.1

In his letter to “the saints” at Colosse, written while he was a prisoner in Rome, Paul mentions his joy over their steadfastness: “From the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

TT 249.2

There is no limit to the blessings that the children of God may receive. They may go on from strength to strength until they are made “meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” KJV.

TT 249.3

The apostle exalted Christ as the One by whom God created all things. The hand that sustains the world in space is the hand that was nailed to the cross: “For in Him were all things created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, ... all things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

TT 249.4

The Son of God came to this earth to be “wounded for our transgressions” and “bruised for our iniquities.” Isaiah 53:5. He was in all things made like unto His brethren. He became flesh, even as we are. He knew what it meant to be hungry, thirsty, and weary. He was sustained by food and refreshed by sleep. He was tempted and tried as men and women of today are tempted and tried, yet lived a life free from sin.

TT 249.5

Surrounded by the influences of heathenism, the Colossian believers were in danger of being drawn away from the simplicity of the gospel. Paul pointed them to Christ as the only safe guide: “I say this in order that no one may delude you with beguiling speech... . As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught... . See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ.”

TT 250.1

Christ had foretold that deceivers would arise, through whose influence “iniquity” should “abound,” and “the love of many” should “wax cold.” Matthew 24:12. The church would be in more danger from this evil than from the persecution of her enemies. By receiving false teachers, they would open the door to errors by which the enemy would shake the confidence of those newly come to the faith. All that was not in harmony with Christ’s teachings they were to reject.

TT 250.2

As men tried in the days of the apostles by philosophy to destroy faith in the Scriptures, so today, by higher criticism, evolution, spiritualism, theosophy, and pantheism, the enemy of righteousness is seeking to lead souls into forbidden paths. To many the Bible is as a lamp without oil, because they have turned their minds into channels of speculative belief that bring confusion. The work of higher criticism, in dissecting, conjecturing, and reconstructing, is destroying faith, robbing God’s Word of power to control and inspire human lives. Spiritualism teaches that desire is the highest law, that license is liberty, and that man is accountable only to himself.

TT 250.3

The follower of Christ will meet with spiritualistic interpretations of the Scriptures, but he is not to accept them. He is to discard all ideas that are not in harmony with Christ’s teaching. He is to regard the Bible as the voice of God speaking directly to him. The knowledge of God as revealed in Christ is the knowledge that all who are saved must have. This knowledge works transformation of character. This is the knowledge beside which all else is vanity and nothingness.

TT 250.4

In every generation and in every land, the true foundation for character building has been the same—the principles contained in the Word of God. With the Word the apostles met the false theories of their day, saying, “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid.” 1 Corinthians 3:11.

TT 251.1

In his letter, Paul entreated the Colossian believers not to forget that they must put forth constant effort: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

TT 251.2

Through the power of Christ, men and women have broken the chains of sinful habit. They have renounced selfishness. The profane have become reverent, the drunken sober, the profligate pure. This change is the miracle of miracles—“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

TT 251.3

When the Spirit of God controls mind and heart, the converted soul breaks forth into a new song; the promise of God has been fulfilled, and the sinner’s transgression has been forgiven. He has exercised repentance toward God for the violation of the divine law and faith toward Christ, who died for man’s justification.

TT 251.4

But the Christian is not to fold his hands, content with that which has been accomplished for him. He will find that all the powers and passions of unregenerate nature are arrayed against him. Each day he must renew his consecration. Old habits, hereditary tendencies to wrong, will strive for the mastery, and against these he is to strive in Christ’s strength.

TT 251.5

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

TT 251.6

The power of a higher, purer life is our great need. The world has too much of our thought, and the kingdom of heaven too little. To reach God’s ideal, the Christian is to despair of nothing. Moral and spiritual perfection through the grace of Christ is promised to all. Jesus is the source of power. He brings us to His Word. He puts into our mouth a prayer through which we are brought into close contact with Himself. In our behalf He sets in operation the all-powerful agencies of heaven. At every step we touch His living power.

TT 252.1

The church at Philippi had sent gifts to Paul by Epaphroditus, whom Paul calls “my brother and fellow worker.” While in Rome, Epaphroditus was sick, “near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” The believers at Philippi were filled with anxiety regarding Epaphroditus, and he decided to return to them. “He has been longing for you all,” Paul wrote, “and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill, ... for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete your service to me.”

TT 252.2

Paul sent the Philippian believers a letter by him. Of all the churches, Philippi had been the most liberal in supplying Paul’s wants. “Not that I seek the gift; but I seek the fruit which increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more; I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.”

TT 252.3

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ... . And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, ... so that you may ... be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”

TT 252.4

Paul’s imprisonment had resulted in the furtherance of the gospel. “What has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to all the rest.”

TT 253.1

There is a lesson for us in this experience. The Lord can bring victory out of what may seem to us defeat. When misfortune or calamity comes, we are ready to charge God with neglect or cruelty. If He sees fit to cut off our usefulness in some line, we mourn, not stopping to think that He may be working for our good. Chastisement is a part of His great plan. Under the rod of affliction the Christian may sometimes do more for the Master than when engaged in active service.

TT 253.2

Paul pointed the Philippians to Christ, who, “though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.”

TT 253.3

“Therefore, my beloved,” Paul continued, “God is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.”

TT 253.4

Paul holds up the standard of perfection and shows how it may be reached: “Work out your own salvation; ... for God is at work in you.” The work of gaining salvation is a joint operation between God and the repentant sinner. Man is to make earnest efforts to overcome, but he is wholly dependent on God for success. Without the aid of divine power human effort avails nothing. God works and man works. Resistance of temptation must come from man, who must draw his power from God.

TT 253.5

God wishes us to have self-mastery, but He cannot help us without our consent and cooperation. The divine Spirit works through the faculties given to man. Of ourselves we are not able to bring the desires and inclinations into harmony with the will of God; but if we are “willing to be made willing,” the Saviour will accomplish this for us, “casting down imaginations, ... and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5.

TT 254.1

He who would be a well-balanced Christian must give all and do all for Christ. Daily he must learn the meaning of self-surrender. He must study the Word of God, obeying its precepts. Day by day God works with him, perfecting the character that is to stand in the final test. And day by day the believer works out before men and angels a sublime experiment, showing what the gospel can do for fallen human beings.

TT 254.2

“I do not consider that I have made it my own,” Paul wrote, “but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

TT 254.3

In all the busy activities of his life, Paul never lost sight of one great purpose—to press toward the prize of his high calling. To exalt the cross—this was his all-absorbing motive that inspired his words and acts.

TT 254.4

Though he was a prisoner, Paul was not discouraged. A note of triumph rings through the letters that he wrote from Rome. “Rejoice,” he wrote. “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

TT 254.5

“My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”