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EGW WritingsJohn 15

Ellen G. White · Page 7 of 9

Read John 15 in the Bible

John 15:7

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 97, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 97, 1895, par. 51

We desire to be Christians, then let us sit at the feet of Jesus and learn of Him. He will give us strength to overcome every defect in our character, and to oppose to these hereditary or cultivated defects the virtues of Jesus Christ. We must push our way through the deceptive darkness to the divine light. Jesus says, “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” [John 15:7.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 30, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 30, 1896, par. 17

My brother, my sister, Christ demands more than you have given Him. He asks the entire heart, the undivided allegiance of every soul that names His name. The Lord will work with you if you will co-operate with Him. But, my dear brother, your faith must go deeper. It must lay hold of the promise, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” [John 15:7.] Your faith must be continually exercised. If you do not win the crown of life, it will be because you have not striven lawfully. United with Christ, all the power you require will be given you. Abiding in Him, you can fight manfully.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 99, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 99, 1900, par. 5

Let every church arouse and do to the very utmost of their power. Let every family and every individual consecrate themselves to God, putting the leaven of evil out of their hearts, out of their homes, and out of the church. Let children act a part. Let all work together. Just now let not the opportunity be lost. Let us do our best at this time to render to God our offering, to carry out His specified will, and thus make this an occasion for witnessing for Him and His truth in a world of darkness. Let all make this an opportunity to place themselves where they will be sure to receive the opportunity to place themselves where they will be sure to receive the answer to their prayers; for Christ says, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” [John 15:7.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 141, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 141, 1900, par. 13

It is the design of God that we should all glorify Him, regarding His service as the chief end of our existence. The work that God calls you to do He will make a blessing to you. Your heart will be more tender, your thoughts more spiritual, your service more Christlike. “If ye abide in me,” Jesus said, “and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” [John 15:7.] In considering these things, my spirit rejoices in God.

Early Writings

Prayer and Faith

EW 72.2

True faith lays hold of and claims the promised blessing before it is realized and felt. We must send up our petitions in faith within the second veil and let our faith take hold of the promised blessing and claim it as ours. We are then to believe that we receive the blessing, because our faith has hold of it, and according to the Word it is ours. “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24. Here is faith, naked faith, to believe that we receive the blessing, even before we realize it. When the promised blessing is realized and enjoyed, faith is swallowed up. But many suppose they have much faith when sharing largely of the Holy Spirit and that they cannot have faith unless they feel the power of the Spirit. Such confound faith with the blessing that comes through faith. The very time to exercise faith is when we feel destitute of the Spirit. When thick clouds of darkness seem to hover over the mind, then is the time to let living faith pierce the darkness and scatter the clouds. True faith rests on the promises contained in the Word of God, and those only who obey that Word can claim its glorious promises. “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7. “Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” 1 John 3:22.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 100, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 100, 1902, par. 14

The Lord withholds from us no good thing. He declares, “Ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” [John 15:7.] He does not tell us to restrict our asking to certain things, but assures us that He will bless us according to the riches of His grace. He is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him, than parents are to give good gifts to their children. To show His willingness, He refers to the tender relationship that a father sustains to his son. “What man is there of you,” He says, “whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good gifts to them that ask Him?” [Matthew 7:9-11.]

Gospel Workers (1892/1893 ed.)

Labor in New Fields

GW92 52.1

It will be difficult to overcome prejudice, and to convince the unbelieving that our efforts to help them are disinterested. But this should not hinder our labor. There is no precept in the word of God that tells us to do good to those only who appreciate and respond to our efforts, and to benefit those only who will thank us for it. God has sent us to work in his vineyard. It is our business to do all we can. “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that.” [Ecclesiastes 11:6.] We have too little faith. We limit the Holy One of Israel. We should be grateful that God condescends to use any of us as his instruments. For every earnest prayer put up in faith for anything, answers will be returned. They may not come just as we have expected; but they will come—not perhaps as we have desired, but at the very time when we most need them. But O, how sinful is our unbelief! “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” [John 15:7.]

Life Sketches of Ellen G. White

Spiritual Magnetism

LS 80.4

Elder White suggested that there were conditions attached to this promise. “‘If ye abide in Me,’ Christ said, ‘and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.’ John 15:7. Your theory of faith,” he continued, “must have a foundation.”

Life Sketches of Ellen G. White

Chapter 33—Missionary Work

LS 207.2

We have too little faith. We limit the Holy One of Israel. We should be grateful that God condescends to use any of us as His instruments. For every earnest prayer put up in faith for anything, answers will be returned. They may not come just as we have expected; but they will come—not perhaps as we have devised, but at the very time when we most need them. But, oh, how sinful is our unbelief! “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7.

My Life Today

Examples of Prayer Life, January 16

ML 20.1

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7.

John 15:7-8

A Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White

Texts of Scripture Referred to on Page 8

ExV 40.14

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. Chap. 15:7, 8.

Early Writings

Texts Referred to on Preceding Page

EW 29.4

If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples. John 15:7, 8.

The Signs of the Times

April 22, 1880

ST April 22, 1880, par. 1

April 10 and 11 I spent with the church at St. Helena. There was a good representation of our brethren and sisters at the Sabbath meeting. I had freedom in speaking from the words of our Saviour found in John 15:7, 8. Following the discourse we had a very profitable social meeting, nearly all present taking part, after which the ordinances of the Lord’s house were celebrated. Bro. Wood was present and conducted this service.

John 15:7-10

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Ms 84, 1905

20LtMs, Ms 84, 1905, par. 3

Those who are obedient to His Word can receive this evidence—the assurance of the truth as it is in Jesus. If we will accustom our minds to dwell upon the facts of faith that have been given us, we may endure the seeing of Him who is invisible. Those who walk with Jesus may rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples. As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you; continue ye in My love; If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” [John 15:7-10.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 12, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 12, 1894, par. 7

And Christ says, “If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you.” [John 15:7.] Then it is plainly expressed what His will and work are, in the 14th chapter of John and the twelfth verse. It is believing on Jesus Christ who is able to save you to the utmost. He came to this world to bring fallen man moral power, that he might keep the commandments of God and be a partaker in the divine nature, overcoming the corruption that is in the world through lust. It is the privilege of every one of us. When God has done so much for us in giving His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life, we are persons of hope.

9LtMs, Ms 12, 1894, par. 8

We may everyone lay hold on the hope that is set before us. “He that believeth on me the works that I do shall he do also,” and He says, “I kept My Father’s commandments.” [John 14:12; 15:10.] The Pharisees said when the disciples rubbed the ears of corn as they went through the wheat fields, “He has broken the Sabbath.” [Matthew 12:2.] Could they have fastened that upon Him, then what? They would not have had to get false witnesses to speak against Him. They would have condemned Him as a Sabbath-breaker. But He said, “Ye do not know what this means, I will have mercy and not sacrifice,” or ye would not have condemned the guiltless. [Verse 7.]

John 15:7-11

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 11, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 11, 1897, par. 16

The law of God is the great moral standard of righteousness. This the apostle declares is holy, just, and good. [Romans 7:12.] David says, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” [Psalm 19:7.] Christ says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” [John 14:15.] “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” [John 15:7.] “He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” [John 14:21.] This is most assuredly the witness of the Spirit. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be by disciples.” “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments (from the heart), ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” [John 15:8-10.]

12LtMs, Lt 11, 1897, par. 17

Those who are obedient to the will of God will not have a hard and miserable time in this life. Hear again the words of Christ, “These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” [John 15:11.] This is the witness which it is the privilege of all to have—the joy of Christ in the soul through appropriating the Word of God, eating it as the bread of life, believing the Word, and bringing the requirements of Christ into the practical life. There is full assurance of hope in believing every word of Christ, believing in Him, being united to Him by living faith. When this is his experience, the human being is no longer under the law, for the law no longer condemns his course of action.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Lt 68, 1886

4LtMs, Lt 68, 1886, par. 4

I feel deeply the need of our workers cultivating personal piety, having their spirit, their thoughts and words under subjection to Christ. There should be no shirking responsibilities, no laboring for supremacy, but a most devoted zeal to do each one his very best. And the Lord will not be pleased to have one carry the heavy load and another go lightloaded. He would not have one eased and another burdened. It is your privilege, my brother, to unload and to seek to be rested that you may gather back vigor that has been lost through overwork and overanxiety. Christ says, My peace I give unto you [John 14:27]; this is the element you want to come in to your life, the peace and rest that is in Jesus. You want to repose in God, reap the comforts derived from the trustful faith in Jesus. Now, my dear brother, may the Lord imbue you with His Spirit. May the atmosphere around your soul be heavenly and your meditations of Jesus’ love and mercy, purity and excellence, be strength to your soul, vigor to your faith and wisdom, sanctification, and righteousness. O then how precious will be your experience. “If ye abide in Me and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples. As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you. Continue ye in My love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” [John 15:7-11.] Then let not a restless, confused spirit be cherished.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 28, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 28, 1900, par. 11

“If ye love me, keep my commandments. ... He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” [John 14:15, 21.] “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” [John 15:7-11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 112, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 112, 1894, par. 7

“If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: And the word that ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.” [Verses 22-24.] Bear in mind, every human being, you are making your decisions now, in the probation granted you, for time and for eternity. All your works are brought in a review before God. “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7.

9LtMs, Ms 112, 1894, par. 8

Who will link up with Christ? Who will choose to link up with the world? When the heart is prepared for the heavenly guest, that human agent loves the Lord Jesus and is a partaker of His divine nature. His petitions come up before God in complete conformity with the will and mind of God. He will not ask to follow his own selfish indulgence but will ask that he might be fitted to glorify God. Jesus, the precious Saviour, is his love, his treasure, his exceeding great reward. “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit (in obedience and good works); and so shall ye be My disciples. As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you; continue ye (by obedience) in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and your joy might be full.” [Verses 8-11.] Precious words!

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 12, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 12, 1901, par. 16

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me, and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. ... If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” [John 14:21, 23.] “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” [John 15:10, 11.]

16LtMs, Ms 12, 1901, par. 20

Search, search the Bible with a heart hungry for spiritual food. Dig into the Word as the miner digs into the earth to find the veins of gold. Do not give up your search till you have ascertained your relation to God and His will concerning you. Christ says to you, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” “If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.” [John 14:13; 15:7; 14:14.]

John 15:7-12

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Ms 55, 1895

10LtMs, Ms 55, 1895, par. 15

These communications are for all who live in these last days. Just before the crucifixion of Christ, He gave His disciples most solemn instruction. John 14. In verses 1-3 He comforts the hearts of those who believe on Him with the promise of His second appearing. Verses 12-14. “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Verse 15. In verses 21, 23, and 24 are the true marks of those who love God. John 15:7-11, 12, Revelation 13. All who read carefully, prayerfully will understand. Revelation 14:8-10; 12:17.

10LtMs, Ms 55, 1895, par. 21

It is evident what power and spirit stirs up the people to such intense bitterness against the holy law of God. Certainly it is not the spirit of Jesus who declared Himself to be the Lord of the Sabbath day. It certainly could not be the representative of the Lord Jesus who declared, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” John 15:10; 1 John 3:4, 5, 7.

John 15:7-13

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 14, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 14, 1900, par. 22

On the side of obedience Christ stands, giving to all the invitation, “He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” [Luke 9:23.] “If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” [John 15:7, 8.] All those who are true and loyal to God bear fruit, not the fruit of transgression, but the fruit of a glad, willing obedience. They are filled with thankfulness that they are not numbered with those who have chosen the wide gate and broad road as more convenient than the road cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in.

15LtMs, Ms 14, 1900, par. 24

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love.” [John 15:9.] How can we continue in Christ’s love? By copying disobedience to God’s law, which is so widespread? No, no. By showing to the world that we choose to be among the loyal people of God. “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” [Verses 10-13.]

15LtMs, Ms 14, 1900, par. 25

We are to come out from the world and be separate, and our works are to be in accordance with the influence and works of Christ. He declares, “I have kept my Father’s commandments.” [Verse 10.] On whose side are you? On Christ’s side, obeying God’s commands, or on Satan’s side, warring against the commandments of God?

John 15:7-14

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

MR No. 863—Christian Unity

11MR 49.3

We see that which the Lord requires of us. Shall we not put our pride and our dignity where it shall not be so easily bruised and wounded? Shall we not lay it all at the feet of Christ? Shall we not allow our minds to be sharpened by the Holy Spirit, that we may not act like children in our association with one another, but as Christ’s brave soldiers, going without the camp and bearing the reproach for His sake? “A new commandment I give unto you,” Christ says, “That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34, 35). Shall we not, at the beginning of the year 1897, covenant with God that we will not be like the children of the wicked one, pettish, envious, jealous, and full of evil surmisings, but like the tree that is known by its good fruit? Then by our unity and love for one another all men will understand that we are Christians. Shall we not cherish love, rather than strife and malice and hatred? [John 15:7-14 and Ephesians 2:1-8 quoted.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Ms 39, 1896

11LtMs, Ms 39, 1896, par. 13

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you, continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” [John 15:7-14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 164, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 164, 1902, par. 10

The lesson to be drawn from this record is more precious than any earthly treasure. He who led Solomon’s mind as he made this prayer will today teach His servants how to pray for what they need. The same One who appeared to Solomon said to the twelve: “Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it.” [John 14:13, 14.] As they asked in His name, their prayers would be as acceptable as the prayer of Solomon. “If ye love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever. ... I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more; but ye see Me, because I live, ye shall live also. ... He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.” [Verses 15, 16, 18, 19, 21.] “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” [John 15:7.]

17LtMs, Ms 164, 1902, par. 11

“Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples. As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you; continue ye in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” “This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” [Verses 8-14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 111a, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 111a, 1904, par. 16

“If ye abide in me, ... whatsoever I command you.” [John 15:7, 14.] This is the science of salvation. May God help us to make it a part of our lives, that we may grow in grace and in a knowledge of the truth.

John 15:7-15

Manuscript Releases, vol. 20 [Nos. 1420-1500]

MR No. 1427—Reflections While Crossing the Pacific

20MR 24.2

We who are on our way to another country need the presence of God, and those whom we have left behind also need to inquire constantly at the throne of grace, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” Those who live in close fellowship with Christ will be promoted by him to positions of trust. The servant who does the best he can for his master is admitted to familiar intercourse with the One whose commands he loves to obey. In the faithful discharge of duty we may become one with Christ. The one who talks most familiarly with his divine Leader has the most exalted conception of His greatness, and is the most obedient to His commands. [John 15:7-15; Proverbs 3:5; James 1:5-7, quoted.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 82, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 82, 1900, par. 3

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, That a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” [John 15:7-15.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 96, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 96, 1900, par. 3

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, That a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” [John 15:7-15.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)

Ms 5, 1873

2LtMs, Ms 5, 1873, par. 10

The wind has blown very hard all night. It is a very blustering day. We rested very well last night. We had a precious season of prayer. I spoke to the people assembled in the meetinghouse. I spoke from these words, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you,” etc., John fifteen, seventh verse and onward. I had freedom in speaking to the people. The congregation was large and there was deep feeling in the meeting. My husband spoke in the afternoon.

John 15:7-16

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 50a, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 50a, 1897, par. 23

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you.” [John 15:11-16.]

12LtMs, Lt 50a, 1897, par. 27

We have no real moral power if severed from Christ. United to Him, we have all the wisdom and sufficiency and power we need. “If ye abide in me”—if you continue to exercise faith in Me—“and my words abide in you”—if you are obedient doers of the Word, eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God, the Word sinks deep into the soul, fastening itself upon the memory, directing the actions, inspiring the motives, controlling the judgment, filling the heart with love to God and your fellow men. “Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” [John 15:7.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 50, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 50, 1897, par. 22

“These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth, but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go forth and bring forth fruit, that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” [John 15:11-16.]

12LtMs, Lt 50, 1897, par. 26

We have no real moral power if severed from Christ. United to Him, we have all the wisdom and sufficiency and power we need. “If ye abide in me”—if you continue to exercise faith in Me—“and my words abide in you”—if ye are obedient doers of the Word, eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God, the Word sinks deep into the soul, fastening itself upon the memory, directing the actions, inspiring the motives, controlling the judgment, filling the heart with love to God and your fellow men. “Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” [John 15:7.]

John 15:7-17

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Lt 23, 1899

14LtMs, Lt 23, 1899, par. 3

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love: even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” [John 15:7-11.]

14LtMs, Lt 23, 1899, par. 5

What a pleasure and blessing this was to us who were witnesses for Christ, and what joy was brought to the heart of Christ as He saw these souls turning from darkness to light, from error to truth. He declares, “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of my Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you that ye love one another.” [John 15:12-17.]

John 15:7-19

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)

Lt 9, 1873

2LtMs, Lt 9, 1873, par. 3

The character and course of the Christian is in marked contrast to that of worldlings. The Christian cannot find pleasure in the amusements and in the varied scenes of gaiety of the world. Higher and holier attractions engage the affections. Christians will show that they are the friends of God by their obedience. “Ye are my friends,” says Christ, “if ye do whatsoever I command you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he may give it you. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” John 15:14-19.

2LtMs, Lt 9, 1873, par. 5

Great is the mystery of godliness. But that which may appear dark and mysterious to the lovers of pleasure, is clearly discerned by the faithful, trusting Christian. Our will and our way should be submitted wholly to God. Then we may ask what we will and the promise is sure, “Ye shall receive.” [John 15:7; 16:24.]

John 15:7-21

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 114, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 114, 1903, par. 6

“If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” [John 15:7.] When you pray, present this promise. It is our privilege to come to Him with holy boldness. As in sincerity we ask Him to let His light shine upon us, He will hear and answer us. But we must live in harmony with our prayers. They are of no avail if we walk contrary to them. I have seen a father who, after reading a portion of Scripture and offering prayer, would often, almost as soon as he had risen from his knees, begin to scold his children. How could God answer the prayer he had offered? And if after scolding his children a father offers prayer, does that prayer benefit the children? No; not unless it is a prayer of confession to God.

18LtMs, Ms 114, 1903, par. 7

“Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples. As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you; continue ye in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you”—that you may be unbelieving, sad, and unhappy? No—“that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” [Verses 8-11.] God wants us to be joyful. He is not pleased when we murmur and complain.

18LtMs, Ms 114, 1903, par. 8

“This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you.” [Verses 12-16.] Does Christ here refer to ministers only? No. God has ordained all who believe in His name—ordained them to be His children, to communicate His grace to those with whom they associate. He will help and strengthen those who seek to represent Christ to the world.

18LtMs, Ms 114, 1903, par. 9

“Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you.” [Verse 16.]

18LtMs, Ms 114, 1903, par. 10

“These things I command you that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you.” [Verses 17, 18.] If you are the children of God, and work the works of God, you must expect to be hated by the world. “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for My name’s sake, because they know not Him that sent Me.” [Verses 19-21.]

John 15:7-25

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Ms 30, 1886

4LtMs, Ms 30, 1886, par. 1

“If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples. As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you; continue ye in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” [John 15:7-10.] God holds up before us a high standard—perfect obedience to His law. Only through obedience, and faith in the Saviour, can we gain eternal life. Christ pitied the fallen race, and gave His life for them, that, through His grace, they might be overcomers, and at last enter the city of God. Should we not show our appreciation for the great sacrifice made in our behalf? Should not our hearts be filled with gratitude to God for the gift of His Son? Should not the love shown for us awaken in us an earnest desire to bring our lives into conformity to the will of God?

4LtMs, Ms 30, 1886, par. 5

When Christ was upon this earth, the people flocked to hear Him. So simple and plain were His words that the most unlearned among the people could understand Him, and His hearers listened as if spellbound. This enraged the scribes and Pharisees. They were filled with envy because the people listened so attentively to the words of this new teacher. They determined to break His hold upon the multitudes. They began by attacking His character, saying that He was born in sin, and that He cast out devils through the prince of the devils. Thus were fulfilled the words, “They hated Me without a cause.” [John 15:25.] The Jewish leaders maligned and persecuted the One who is chiefest among ten thousand and altogether lovely.

John 15:7-27

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 30, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 30, 1900, par. 15

We have a most important work to do—the work of obeying Christ and bearing witness of Him. He said to His disciples, “And ye also shall bear witness of me, because ye have been with me from the beginning.” [John 15:27.] The disciples were to be honored by bearing witness concerning Christ’s mission. They had been with Him constantly and had gained a most valuable knowledge to impart to others. We cannot be with Christ in person, as were His first disciples, but He has sent His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, and through this power we too can bear witness for the Saviour.

15LtMs, Ms 30, 1900, par. 16

The union of the branch to the vine is no more essential to the life and fruitfulness of the branch than a union with Christ is essential to the life and fruitfulness of the believer. Receiving Him by faith and trusting in Him, true believers become partakers of the divine nature. They not only bear testimony for Him with their lips, they witness for Him by their works. “If ye abide in me, and I in you,” He says, “ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. ... If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” [Verses 7, 10-12.]

15LtMs, Ms 30, 1900, par. 17

“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” [Verse 14.] No one is to work evil to his brother’s interest with the excuse that it is to help in a certain line of the work of God. In doing that certain work he places his brethren in a position where they are hindered from doing the work the Lord would have them do in behalf of truth and righteousness. The Lord will not accept such an offering. It is gained by robbery, and He says, “I hate robbery for burnt offering.” [Isaiah 61:8.]

John 15:8

Christ’s Object Lessons

Chapter 23—The Lord’s Vineyard

COL 301.2

All who receive Christ as a personal Saviour are to demonstrate the truth of the gospel and its saving power upon the life. God makes no requirement without making provision for its fulfillment. Through the grace of Christ we may accomplish everything that God requires. All the riches of heaven are to be revealed through God’s people. “Herein is My Father glorified,” Christ says, “that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.” John 15:8.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8

Chapter 39—Lay Members to Go Forth

8T 246.1

Christ declares: “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” John 15:8. God has endowed us with faculties and has entrusted us with talents in order that we may use them for Him. To every man is given his work—not merely work in his fields of corn and wheat, but earnest, persevering work for the salvation of souls. Every stone in God’s temple must be a living stone, a stone that shines, reflecting light to the world. Let the laymen do all that they can; and as they use the talents they already have, God will give them more grace and increased ability. Many of our missionary enterprises are crippled because there are so many who refuse to enter the doors of usefulness that are opened before them. Let all who believe the truth begin to work. Do the work that lies nearest you; do anything, however humble, rather than be, like the men of Meroz, do-nothings.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6

Preparation of Heart

6T 42.3

“Herein is My Father glorified,” Christ says, “that ye bear much fruit.” John 15:8. If there was ever a place where the believers should bear much fruit, it is at our camp meetings. At these meetings our acts, our words, our spirit, are marked, and our influence is as far-reaching as eternity.

That I May Know Him

Growth and Fruit Bearing, June 7

TMK 164.2

It is the Lord’s desire that His followers shall grow in grace, that their love shall abound more and more, that they shall be filled with the fruits of righteousness.... Where there is life, there will be growth and fruit bearing; but unless we grow in grace, our spirituality will be dwarfed, sickly, fruitless. It is only by growing, by bearing fruit, that we can fulfill God’s purpose for us. “Herein is my Father glorified,” Christ said, “that ye bear much fruit” (John 15:8). in order to bear much fruit, we must make the most of our privileges. We must use every opportunity granted us for obtaining strength.

The Sanctified Life

Union With Christ Our Privilege

SL 83.3

It is not only the privilege but the duty of every Christian to maintain a close union with Christ and to have a rich experience in the things of God. Then his life will be fruitful in good works. Said Christ, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit” (John 15:8). When we read the lives of men who have been eminent for their piety we often regard their experiences and attainments as far beyond our reach. But this is not the case. Christ died for all; and we are assured in His word that He is more willing to give His Holy Spirit to them that ask Him than are earthly parents to give good gifts to their children. The prophets and apostles did not perfect Christian character by a miracle. They used the means which God had placed within their reach; and all who will put forth the same effort will secure the same results.

This Day With God

Work in Christ’s Lines, December 27

TDG 370.2

Our work is incomplete if we do not educate others to be laborers together with God, visiting and praying with families, showing to the world what Jesus has done for us. God’s Word declares, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). These words are spoken to every follower of Christ. Not only the minister, but every soul connected with Him, is to be a worker in His vineyard. “Herein is my Father glorified,” Christ said, “that ye bear much fruit” (John 15:8). By His own life Christ has paid for your earnest, hearty cooperation. If you do not work as faithful missionaries, you are untrue to your trust, and you disappoint your Saviour....

Ye Shall Receive Power

Unity, March 18

YRP 86.3

Little differences dwelt upon lead to actions that destroy Christian fellowship. Let us not allow the enemy thus to gain the advantage over us. Let us keep drawing nearer to God and to one another. Then we shall be as trees of righteousness, planted by the Lord, and watered by the river of life. And how fruitful we shall be! Did not Christ say: “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit” (John 15:8)?

Ye Shall Receive Power

Removing Every Hindrance, October 19

YRP 301.5

“Herein is my Father glorified,” Christ says, “that ye bear much fruit” (John 15:8). If there was ever a place where the believers should bear much fruit, it is at our camp meetings. At these meetings our acts, our words, our spirit, are marked, and our influence is as far-reaching as eternity.—Testimonies for the Church 6:42.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 2

Steady Spiritual Leadership

2TT 80.1

Teachers of the truth, missionaries, officers in the church, can do a good work for the Master if they will but purify their own souls by obeying the truth. Every living Christian will be a disinterested worker for God. The Lord has given us a knowledge of His will that we may become channels of light to others. If Christ is abiding in us, we cannot help working for Him. It is impossible to retain the favor of God and enjoy the blessing of a Saviour’s love, and yet be indifferent to the danger of those who are perishing in their sins. “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” John 15:8.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 2

Leave Results with God

2TT 117.2

There is work for you to do in the church and out of the church. “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” John 15:8. The fruit we bear is the only test of the character of the tree before the world. This is the proof of our discipleship. If our works are of such a character that as branches of the living Vine we bear rich clusters of precious fruit, then we wear before the world God’s own badge as His sons and daughters. We are living epistles, known and read of all men.

Counsels for the Church

Harmony and Union Is Our Strongest Witness

CCh 45.1

Little differences dwelt upon lead to actions that destroy Christian fellowship. Let us not allow the enemy thus to gain the advantage over us. Let us keep drawing nearer to God and to one another. Then we shall be as trees of righteousness, planted by the Lord, and watered by the river of life. And how fruitful we shall be! Did not Christ say: “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit”? John 15:8.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 2

Preparation of Heart

2TT 381.3

“Herein is My Father glorified,” Christ says, “that ye bear much fruit.” John 15:8. If there was ever a place where the believers should bear much fruit, it is at our camp meetings. At these meetings our acts, our words, our spirit, are marked, and our influence is as far-reaching as eternity.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 3

Unity Our Strongest Witness

3TT 246.3

Little differences dwelt upon lead to actions that destroy Christian fellowship. Let us not allow the enemy thus to gain the advantage over us. Let us keep drawing nearer to God and to one another. Then we shall be as trees of righteousness, planted by the Lord, and watered by the river of life. And how fruitful we shall be! Did not Christ say: “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit”? John 15:8.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 3

To Every Man His Work

3TT 250.1

Christ declares: “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” John 15:8. God has endowed us with faculties, and has entrusted us with talents in order that we may use them for Him. To every man is given his work—not merely work in his fields of corn and wheat, but earnest, persevering work for the salvation of souls. Every stone in God’s temple must be a living stone, a stone that shines, reflecting light to the world. Let the laymen do all that they can; and as they use the talents they already have, God will give them more grace and increased ability. Many of our missionary enterprises are crippled because there are so many who refuse to enter the doors of usefulness that are opened before them. Let all who believe the truth begin to work. Do the work that lies nearest you; do anything, however humble, rather than be, like the men of Meroz, do-nothings.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Lt 47a, 1887

5LtMs, Lt 47a, 1887, par. 4

I view your case as a very dangerous one, because you do not in your very heart love purity and holiness and do not distinguish between the sacred and the common. Should your life close as it is, you would never be an inhabitant of heaven, because you have not clean hands and a pure heart. You do not use your powers and capabilities as God has given you light. You are not united with the living Vine and are not bearing fruit to the glory of God. Said Christ, “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” [John 15:8.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Lt 47, 1887

5LtMs, Lt 47, 1887, par. 6

I view your case as a very dangerous one for the reason that you do not in your very heart love purity and holiness, and do not distinguish between the common and the sacred. You would not, should your life close as it is, ever be an inhabitant of heaven, because you have not clean hands and a pure heart. You do not set your powers and capabilities to work, to live and walk in the light God has given you. You are not united to the Living Vine. You are not bearing fruit to the glory of God. Said Christ, “It is My Father’s good pleasure that ye bear much fruit.” [John 15:8.] While you remain in the condition you have been in, the Spirit of God cannot abide in your heart, and you are not in harmony with God. “Come out from among them and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean and I will receive you,” saith the Lord, “and I will be a father unto you.” [2 Corinthians 6:17, 18.]

God’s Amazing Grace

Conditions of Christian Growth, October 4

AG 285.2

Where there is life, there will be growth and fruit-bearing; but unless we grow in grace, our spirituality will be dwarfed, sickly, fruitless. It is only by growing, by bearing fruit, that we can fulfill God’s purpose for us. “Herein is my Father glorified,” Christ said, “that ye bear much fruit” (John 15:8). In order to bear much fruit, we must make the most of our privileges. We must use every opportunity granted us for obtaining strength.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Lt 52, 1892

7LtMs, Lt 52, 1892, par. 35

If we feed on Christ, we shall impart to others in words and actions that which composes our spiritual life. All jesting and joking and trifling, all childish ways, will be seen and felt to be a savor unto death. Oh, is it not time your lamp was trimmed and burning? Is it not time that it shine to all that are in the house? [Ask yourself], What hath Jesus done for me that I might have the gift of eternal life? What can I do for Jesus? Believe on Him as your personal Saviour. Then you will, through His derived virtue, be a laborer together with God. Oh wondrous thought! You can win souls to Christ, and from the labors in humility and faith in seeking to save them that are lost, you may bring joy to the heavenly host. He who loves the broken and contrite spirit will work with your efforts. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” [John 15:8.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Ms 98, 1893

8LtMs, Ms 98, 1893, par. 28

How are the world to know God and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent? through His Word and through His human agents. We are to be His representatives. Through us the world will form their opinion of God and of the religion of Christ. Therefore Jesus said, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” [John 15:8.] “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” [Matthew 5:16.] When men see, they glorify God. Great dishonor is brought upon the cause of God because those who profess Christ do not possess His Holy Spirit, but walk in their own ways. What a terrible misrepresentation of God, His ways, His character, are the selfishness of life and hardness of heart of His professed followers. A profession of piety is not enough; if religion is not brought into practical service, and does not produce good works, it is valueless. If we do not live to bless others, we are unfaithful stewards, and we shall never receive the heavenly benediction, “Well done.” [Matthew 25:21.] But God will have a peculiar people, of whom it is written that Christ is not ashamed to call them brethren. They bear His likeness. They are a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 48, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 48, 1899, par. 10

The work of the minister is incomplete if he does not educate the souls newly come to the faith to be laborers together with God, visiting and praying with families, showing to the world what Jesus has done for them. God’s Word declares, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” [James 1:27.] These words are addressed not only to the minister, but to every follower of Christ. There are sluggards all through our churches, who frame excuses for their idleness. God calls not only on the minister, but on every soul connected with him, to be a worker in His vineyard. “Herein is my Father glorified,” Christ says, “that ye bear much fruit.” [John 15:8.] By His own life Jesus has paid for your earnest, hearty co-operation. He expects you to work, every one who has passed from death unto life. If you do not work as faithful missionaries, you are untrue to your trust, and you disappoint your Saviour.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 134, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 134, 1899, par. 32

“Herein is my Father glorified,” Christ said, “that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” [John 15:8.] We are to seek to point souls to the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. Thus we render to God the fruits of His vineyard.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 88, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 88, 1900, par. 10

The fallen nature of man is like the vine’s tendrils grasping the stubble and rubbish. But Christ is represented as coming down from heaven and taking the nature of man, thus making it possible for the human arm of Christ to encircle fallen man, while with His divine arm He reaches to the very throne of God so that He can place man on vantage ground with God. The Lord sees that man is too much inclined to grasp the rubbish of the earth; his tendrils clasp objectionable things. These tendrils were formed to clasp and [to] hold the Vine upright, climbing heavenward in the place of twining around weeds and bushes, and having no strength to rise, but, fruitless and corrupt, binding themselves up and mingling with the base things of the earth. The Lord Jesus, the true Vine, can support His branches, and the tendrils must entwine about Christ Jesus to be upheld and to bear the “much fruit” which God designed they should bear. [John 15:8.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 80, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 80, 1901, par. 7

The Lord would have His word received. He desires men to appreciate the work He has been doing to unify His people. He calls upon those connected with His institutions to be soundly converted. It is Christ’s desire that men shall receive Him, and work in perfect harmony, serving God with heart and soul and strength, not only for a hope of heaven, but that in unselfishness, purity, and holiness they may be a blessing to others. We are not merely to be trees of righteousness. Christ said, “It is my Father’s good pleasure that ye bear much fruit.” [John 15:8.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 58, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 58, 1901, par. 16

Men may talk of the love of Jesus, but do they live this love? Do they bring His grace into their lives? “It is my Father’s good pleasure that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” [John 15:8.] Those who are constrained by the love of Christ go forth among their fellow men weighted with the influence of sanctifying truth. They hold communion with Christ, and His love abounds in them. They are divested of selfishness and are filled with the spirit of benevolence.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 35, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 35, 1901, par. 17

There are many in the ministry who are consumers and not producers. All have been bought with a price, and all should use in God’s service the energy which they have received from Him. Christ says, “It is my Father’s good pleasure that ye bear much fruit.” [John 15:8.]

Our Father Cares

Conditions of Christian Growth, August 24

OFC 248.2

Where there is life, there will be growth and fruit-bearing; but unless we grow in grace, our spirituality will be dwarfed, sickly, fruitless. It is only by growing, by bearing fruit, that we can fulfill God’s purpose for us. “Herein is my Father glorified,” Christ said, “that ye bear much fruit” (John 15:8). In order to bear much fruit, we must make the most of our privileges. We must use every opportunity granted us for obtaining strength.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 107, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 107, 1902, par. 7

“Faith without works is dead, being alone.” [James 2:17.] When the Lord created trees, He commanded them to bear fruit. And Christ said to us, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” [John 15:8.] Those who receive the truth into good and honest hearts will bear fruit to the glory of God. They will reveal the faith that works by love and purifies the soul.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 141, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 141, 1902, par. 9

Little differences, dwelt upon, lead to actions that destroy Christian fellowship. But this is not profitable. Let us keep drawing near to God, and He will draw near to us. Then, as one, we shall reach upward to Him. The churches will be as gardens of the Lord, under His cultivation. God’s people will be trees of righteousness, planted by the Lord, and watered with the river of life. And how fruitful they may be! Did not Christ say, “It is my Father’s good pleasure that ye bear much fruit”? [See John 15:8.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 143, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 143, 1903, par. 13

Little differences, dwelt upon, lead to actions that destroy Christian fellowship. Let us not allow the enemy thus to gain the advantage over us. Let us keep drawing nearer to God and to one another. Then we shall be as trees of righteousness, planted by the Lord and watered with the river of life. And how fruitful we shall be. Did not Christ say, Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit? [John 15:8.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 117, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 117, 1903, par. 4

Christ came to this earth and lived for us the life that every one must live who is granted entrance into the city of God. He says, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24.] “So shall he be My disciple.” [John 15:8.] Your failure to obey this word is the great hindrance to your success in God’s work. I dare not say to the workers at the Sanitarium that it would be advisable for you to connect with the Sanitarium. Should you do this, you would, unless you are greatly changed, exert an influence that is counter to the influence that the Lord would have exerted in the institution.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 149, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 149, 1903, par. 16

Little differences dwelt upon lead to actions that destroy Christian fellowship. Let us not allow the enemy thus to gain the advantage over us. Let us keep drawing nearer to God and to one another. Then we shall be as trees of righteousness, planted by the Lord, and watered by the river of life. And how fruitful we shall be! Did not Christ say, “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit”? [John 15:8.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 271, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 271, 1904, par. 19

It does not make a man a Christian to have his name on the church books. Christ says of His people, “Ye are the light of the world.” [Matthew 5:14.] But the light does not originate with themselves. Their light comes from heaven. “God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” [2 Corinthians 4:6.] This light is a heavenly principle, to be carried out in every phase of the religious experience. Love for God is definite and positive in its action and puts into the heart of men an unselfish love for his fellow beings. It leads him to set a noble, Christlike example. It is a heavenly gift, and is always at work, leading its possessor to pattern after Christ. This love is shown in discipleship. “If any man will come after Me,” said Jesus, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24.] “So shall he be My disciple.” [See John 15:8.] Christ’s love was enduring. It came from God and enabled Him to endure sacrifice and privation that God might be glorified.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 249, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 249, 1904, par. 4

Every true Christian will follow Christ. Clear and distinct the Saviour’s voice is heard, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24.] “So shall he be My disciple.” [See John 15:8.] The natural appetites and inclinations crave earthly pleasures. But those who love Jesus will bring these appetites and inclinations into harmony with His will. They have chosen to be on the Lord’s side, and their lives are to stand out in vivid contrast to the self-seeking of worldlings. The tempter will come to them with his blandishments and bribes, saying, “All this will I give thee if thou wilt worship me.” [Matthew 4:9.] But they know that he has nothing worth receiving, and they refuse to yield to his temptations. Through the grace of God, they are enabled to keep their purity of principle unsullied. Holy angels are close beside them, and Christ is revealed in their steadfast adherence to the truth. They are Christ’s minute men, bearing, as true witnesses, a decided testimony in favor of His truth. They show that there is a spiritual power that can enable men not to swerve an inch from truth and justice for all the gifts men can bestow.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Ms 50, 1904

19LtMs, Ms 50, 1904, par. 26

These words apply to halfhearted Christians who are not willing to follow Christ, but desire to follow the fashions of the world. The Saviour says, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24.] “So shall he be My disciple.” [See John 15:8.] Deny yourself. Take up the cross that hinders you from perfecting a Christian character. Look to Him whose life was one of constant self-denial and self-sacrifice.

Our Father Cares

Sanctified by Faith and Obedience, November 8

OFC 324.1

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 251, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 251, 1904, par. 12

My sisters, remember that Christ clothed His divinity with humanity and came to this world to uplift fallen human beings, that they might stand on vantage ground, thus escaping the corruption that is in the world through lust. He gave His all to the work that He came to do, and His word to us is, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24.] “So shall he be My disciple.” [See John 15:8.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 85, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 85, 1904, par. 10

Sister Rousseau and Sister Tuxford have been long in the truth, and they ought to have learned the lessons of self-denial, which is so essential for all. They ought to have heeded the warnings and directions of God’s Word and obtained the garment which all who are saved must have—the robe of Christ’s righteousness. “If any man will come after Me,” Christ says, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24.] “So shall he be my disciple.” [See John 15:8.] Let the work of purification begin in the heart and extend outward till the whole being is sanctified, cleansed, and refined.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 53, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 53, 1904, par. 22

Their glory in the world to come is the result of their self-denial and sacrifice in this life. Here they obeyed the word, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24.] “So shall he be My disciple.” [See John 15:8.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 21, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 21, 1904, par. 2

My brother, I ask you to remember that Christ is our Leader. The beings that He has purchased with His blood are to study the life that He lived in this world, in order to learn what path they are to follow. His voice is heard, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24.] “So shall he be My disciple.” [See John 15:8.] He who supposes, like Nebuchadnezzar, that he can lift up or cast down, will find that he is reckoning without God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 408, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 408, 1904, par. 1

I have awakened at half-past eleven o’clock and tried to sleep but cannot. There are many things that are presented to me. The Lord has a message for me to bear to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas City, and to Nebraska and Iowa. We have a great work before us, and these States need to be worked by the Spirit of God as they have not been in many years to meet the situation that exists in many of their churches. The Lord has given you already more than your faith and your heritage and your works have warranted you to receive. Words were spoken, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” [John 15:8.] The profession is nothing unless the fruit appears. The Lord calls upon all who have been on the background to come up now, bearing in mind that we have received messages from God according to His Word. “Stand on the foundation.”

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Ms 143, 1905

20LtMs, Ms 143, 1905, par. 29

I have a message for the believers in Nashville: Let your hearts be refined, purified, ennobled, and then your influence for good will be far-reaching. Men will take knowledge of you that you have been with Christ, that you have the faith which works by love and purifies the soul. I tell you in the name of the Lord that this faith is wanting among you. You need to seek the Lord Jesus, and do His will, else you will enter into temptation. The love of self will crowd out the love of Jesus; and working on selfish plans, you will form selfish characters. Heed the words of the Saviour, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24.] “So shall he be My disciple.” [See John 15:8.] Keep the great Example ever before you. Confess your own sins, but do not think that you have to confess the sins of your brethren and sisters. You have in your possession a divine directory, containing truths of eternal interest. Study this book. Follow on to know the Lord. By constantly beholding Christ, you will be changed into His image from glory to glory. God says to each one of you, “Walk before Me, and be thou perfect.” [Genesis 17:1.] The true Christian will walk in the path that God has marked out. The self-righteous follow in a path of their own choosing. Following a wrong pattern, they see many deformities in others, when in reality far more objectionable deformities exist in their own character.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Ms 88a, 1905

20LtMs, Ms 88a, 1905, par. 11

My sisters, do not dress fashionably. Christ is your Pattern. He could have come to our world clothed in His royal robes, but He came in poverty and humiliation. Do not try to make a display in dress. “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24.] “So shall he be My disciple.” [See John 15:8.] Self-indulgence and conformity to the world are always at variance with the principles of the gospel of Christ. Save your pennies, and your dimes, and you will have something to give to the Lord. Do not spend money to make a display in dress; for it is needed in the Lord’s work.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Ms 56, 1905

20LtMs, Ms 56, 1905, par. 19

If we desire to see the King in His beauty, we must behave worthily. We must outgrow our childishness. When provocation comes, let us be silent. There are times when silence is eloquence. We are to reveal the patience and kindness and forbearance that will make us worthy to be called sons and daughters of God. We are to trust and believe Him and rely upon Him. We are to follow in Christ’s steps. “If any man will come after Me,” He says, “Let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24.] “So shall he be My disciple.” [See John 15:8.] It may be a heavy cross to keep silent when you ought to. It may be a painful discipline; but let me assure you that silence does much more to overcome evil than a storm of angry words.

Reflecting Christ

Sanctified by Faith and Obedience, March 24

RC 97.1

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 226, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 226, 1905, par. 8

My sisters, Christ is your pattern. He could have come to our world clothed in His royal robes, but He came in poverty and humiliation. Christians will never try to make a display in dress. “If any man will come after Me,” the Saviour said, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24.] “So shall he be My disciple.” [See John 15:8.] Self-indulgence and conformity to the world are always at variance with the principles of the gospel of Christ. Save your pennies and your dimes, and you will have something to give to the Lord.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 217, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 217, 1905, par. 5

Following Christ means self-sacrifice at every step. I greatly desire that you shall place yourself in the hands of God, to do His bidding. Christ has given His life for you. You must now do His bidding or stand in opposition to Him. “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24.] “So shall he be My disciple.” [See John 15:8.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Ms 108, 1905

20LtMs, Ms 108, 1905, par. 22

Shall this wealth of grace and power for service continue to be unappreciated and turned from without relish or appetite? Shall we not heed the words of our great Leader, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24.] “So shall he be My disciple.” [See John 15:8.] The privilege of becoming one with Christ is worth more than the treasures of the whole world. God calls upon His subjects to give the world evidence of their thorough loyalty to Him.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Ms 46, 1905

20LtMs, Ms 46, 1905, par. 13

We are entering upon troublous times, but let us not take our eyes off our Leader. “He that will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Mark 8:34.] “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.” [John 15:8.] Let us walk as Christ has given us example. As we see people in the darkness of error, let us seek to draw their minds to Christ.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Lt 395, 1906

21LtMs, Lt 395, 1906, par. 7

“He that will come after me,” Christ says, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me; so shall he be My disciple.” [See Mark 8:34; John 15:8.] Christ wants you to consider every step you take. Lay your plans before your brethren; counsel with them, and counsel with God, and you will make no mistakes. Then it will never be said of you that you followed your own way and will to the injury of the work.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Ms 113, 1907

22LtMs, Ms 113, 1907, par. 10

God never intended that in His work the mind of one man should control the mind of another. Those who are trying to carry out their personal plans should carefully consider whether they are following the example of Him who said, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me; so shall he be My disciple.” [See Matthew 16:24; John 15:8.] Those who follow in the footsteps of Christ will not act the part of an accuser, passing judgment on those whom they suppose make mistakes.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Lt 44, 1907

22LtMs, Lt 44, 1907, par. 23

“If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24.] “So shall he be My disciple.” [See John 15:8.] The Lord Jesus is to be your pattern. No man is to please himself. I want you to know what the grace of Christ can do for you. I want you to speak sound words, with true, eloquent utterance. Serve the Lord Jesus Christ with the whole heart. God expects you to purify your soul from all defilement. True conversion means a radical change of heart.

Sons and Daughters of God

We Bear the Fruit of Brotherly Love, October 13

SD 293.1

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8.

Jesus, Name Above All Names

Personal Saviour, December 22

JNN 374.3

All who receive Christ as a personal Saviour are to demonstrate the truth of the gospel and its saving power upon the life. God makes no requirement without making provision for its fulfillment. Through the grace of Christ we may accomplish everything that God requires. All the riches of heaven are to be revealed through God’s people. “Herein is My Father glorified,” Christ says, “that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples” (John 15:8).

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8

Chapter 38—One with Christ in God

8T 243.1

Little differences dwelt upon lead to actions that destroy Christian fellowship. Let us not allow the enemy thus to gain the advantage over us. Let us keep drawing nearer to God and to one another. Then we shall be as trees of righteousness, planted by the Lord, and watered by the river of life. And how fruitful we shall be! Did not Christ say: “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit”? John 15:8.

John 15:8-11

Manuscript Releases, vol. 21 [Nos. 1501-1598]

MR No. 1506—Stay Away From Political Strife; The Fruit of True Conversion

21MR 22.5

“He that hath My commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him” [John 14:21]. This is most assuredly the witness of the Spirit. “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.” “As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. If ye keep My commandments [from the heart], ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love” [John 15:8-10].

21MR 23.1

Those who are obedient to the will of God will not have a hard and miserable time in this life. Hear again the words of Christ: “These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” [verse 11]. This is the witness which it is the privilege of all to have—the joy of Christ in the soul through appropriating the Word of God, eating it as the bread of life, believing the Word, and bringing the requirements of Christ into the practical life. There is full assurance of hope in believing every word of Christ, believing in Him, being united to Him by living faith. When this is his experience, the human being is no longer under the law, for the law no longer condemns his course of action.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 29, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 29, 1900, par. 9

“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” [John 15:8-11.] “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you. ... At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” [John 14:15-18, 20, 21.]

15LtMs, Lt 29, 1900, par. 13

“No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath called him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for the mastery, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” [2 Timothy 2:4, 5.] He must be yoked up with Christ, who declares, “I have kept my Father’s commandments.” [John 15:10.] Christ does not receive into His firm anyone who disregards the principles found in the first four and the last six commandments, which enjoins love to God and man. We show supreme love for God by loving our neighbor as ourselves, and by giving Him the light and influence of a perfect conformity to the will of God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 85, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 85, 1902, par. 40

“Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples. ... If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” [John 15:8, 10, 11.] Into every department of God’s work there is to be brought hope and courage and joy—the joy of Christ. Then spiritual things will be spiritually discerned. The joy of the Lord is as far above every other joy as holiness is above unholiness. It gives strength to the physical, mental, and spiritual powers.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Ms 60, 1904

19LtMs, Ms 60, 1904, par. 22

I feel so grateful that we have this farm on which to carry on our school work. I am so glad that it is land which will produce. But it cannot be expected to produce fruit if it is left uncultivated. From this we may learn a spiritual lesson. “It is My Father’s good pleasure,” Christ says to His disciples, “that ye bear much fruit.” [John 15:8.] But you cannot bear much fruit unless you take out of your lives the weeds of evil; and let the word of truth dwell in you richly, that your lives may produce the fruits of righteousness and holiness. If you will do this, you will see in the kingdom of God the result of what you have learned on this school farm. Pull up the weeds, and plant the seeds of truth.

19LtMs, Ms 60, 1904, par. 31

We are preparing to enter the holy city. Keep this thought in mind all the time. There is a heaven of bliss before us. Keep thinking of this. And there is a joy that we may have in Christ even in this world. To those who keep His commandments He says, “My joy shall be in you, and your joy shall be full.” [Verses 10, 11.] Keep His commandments and live, and His law as the apple of thine eye. May God bless you all. If I never see you again on this earth, I hope that I shall see you in the kingdom of God.

John 15:8-12

Manuscript Releases, vol. 16 [Nos. 1186-1235]

MR No. 1213—Each Follower of Christ is Called to Work; All are to Copy Christ, the Pattern; Harmony to Prevail

16MR 191.2

“Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples. As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” [John 15:8-12].

Manuscript Releases, vol. 16 [Nos. 1186-1235]

MR No. 1231—The Vineyard

16MR 330.2

“If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love,” Christ says. God looks for the fruit of obedience. “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples. As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and bide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” [John 15:8-12]. Who among us realize these things, and cultivate love one for another?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 123, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 123, 1899, par. 8

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love,” Christ says. [John 15:10.] God looks for the fruit of obedience. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you.” [Verses 8-12.] Who among us realize these things, and cultivate love one for another?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 130, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 130, 1901, par. 10

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” [John 13:34.] The Lord our Redeemer had not yet demonstrated fully that love to its completeness. After His condemnation in the judgment hall, His crucifixion on the cross, when He cried out in clear, loud voice, “It is finished,” that love stands forth as an exhibition of a new love—“as I have loved you”—is demonstrated. [John 19:30.] Can the human mind take this in? Can we obey the commandment given? Christ requires nothing of any soul that it is not possible for him to do. “By this (revealing of unity and love one for the other) shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” [John 13:35.] “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” [John 14:15.] “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. ... If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:21, 23. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” [John 15:8-12.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 28, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 28, 1893, par. 3

The laborers that have been put forth here will certainly open some eyes and will break down a large amount of this unreasonable, cruel prejudice. The Lord has made every provision on His part that we should have strong faith, growing in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. He would have us be fruitbearing branches of the living Vine. Christ said, “Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit.” “These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.” [John 15:8, 11, 12.]

John 15:8-14

Sermons and Talks, vol. 2

Manuscript 82, 1898

2SAT 119.1

The religion of Jesus Christ can only bless when it works and influences as the leaven works the meal. Says the apostle: [Philippians 2:1-5; Colossians 3:12-16; Romans 12:3-10; 15:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Romans 12:16; Galatians 5:22-26, quoted]. The apostle James in writing of this, says: [James 3:13-18, quoted]. And Christ declares: [John 15:8-14; 13:34, 35, quoted].

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 96, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 96, 1898, par. 15

“Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” (Love of self is not My love. Love for the highest place is not My meekness, My lowliness of heart.) “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love: even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” “This is my commandment, that ye love one another. ... Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” [John 15:8-14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 82, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 82, 1898, par. 25

And Christ declares: “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I love you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love: even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another.” [John 15:8-14; 13:34, 35.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 50, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 50, 1894, par. 19

Now here is a little cluster of people, only a few believing the truth in our world, and shall we with these form a hollow square, and turn the weapons of our warfare right against those who are vessels unto God to bear His truth and His message? Shall we do it? God forbid. No, we want every one of us to be where our weapons of warfare are turned right against the mighty foe, for we wrestle not against flesh and blood but principalities, and powers, and against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Now brethren and sisters, God places us upon our honor; He has given us His Word, and He has given us Himself; He says that if we will do this—if we will represent Him—why, then what will He do? Let us see what He will do. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” [John 15:8.] What is it? The character of God. Why do we misrepresent the character of God? Why are we so distrustful? Why are we so infidel in regard to one another? Why is it that we are thus? God is not pleased with it.

9LtMs, Ms 50, 1894, par. 20

“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be may disciples.” “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love. ... These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” [Verses 8, 9, 11.] Well now, only think of it, our joy be full! Why should it not? We stand here the representatives of God; we stand here with a message entrusted to us, and responsibility to give to the world the light that is to shine amidst the moral darkness of the world, and do not let a living soul intercept that light by anything you may do or anything you may say. Stand out of the way, and let God’s light shine to the world. “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” [Verses 12-14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Lt 356, 1906

21LtMs, Lt 356, 1906, par. 7

Our duty is to heed well the words of Christ, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24.] “So shall he be My disciple.” [See John 15:8.] I am charged with a solemn message to the churches in Oakland and San Francisco. I am instructed to tell them that they must present themselves before God, not boastingly, but with confession of sin and humiliation of heart. Many who have desires that lead them into wrong paths exalt their own supposed righteousness, while at the same time they seek to disparage some of their brethren and sisters. The work of unkind criticism is an effort of the enemy to thwart the efforts of the servants of God. The Lord will certainly judge for the sowing of seeds of suspicion and evil surmising. Such seeds will bring forth a harvest of wickedness.

21LtMs, Lt 356, 1906, par. 13

Jesus said to His disciples, “Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” [John 15:14.] My greatest desire is that our people may reach a higher plane of Christian character. Let our ministers read the Word, talk of the Word, and practice the Word. Every weakness of character is the result of Satan’s efforts. We need men who are humble, yet who bear themselves with sacred dignity. Manners that are odd or uncouth should be overcome. We need refinement of manner. We are to represent Christ in deportment, in attitude, in gesture, in word.

John 15:8-24

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 51, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 51, 1890, par. 41

These duties performed are not the means of salvation, not a way to earn justification, not the price we pay for heaven; they are the fruits that appear on the branch connected with the living Vine, the natural result of abiding in the Vine. None of these graces is it possible to produce ourselves. We are to be fruit-bearing branches. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit” (John 15:8), said Jesus.

6LtMs, Ms 51, 1890, par. 51

Said Christ, “If I had not come and spoken unto them (the words of truth), they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.” John 15:22. “He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen (the evidence of His divine power) and hated both me and my Father.” John 15:23, 24.

John 15:9

Jesus, Name Above All Names

Beloved of Heaven, July 17

JNN 211.1

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.”—John 15:9

John 15:9-10

With God at Dawn

Christ’s Love Is Like the Father’s Love, February 2

WGD 35.1

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” John 15:9, 10.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 105, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 105, 1894, par. 11

We belong to Christ, for he has bought both us and our children. But we may be unfaithful to our trust and educate our children to think more highly of earthly treasure than of heavenly things. If we give the world the advantage and permit it to hold the attention and to absorb the service, then we need not wonder that worldliness fills every space and there is no room left for the admittance of the light proceeding from Christ. Those who make up with the world, will be swayed by the principles of the world. The Spirit that works in the heart of the disobedient will work in the hearts of ourselves and our children. The Lord will have the whole heart or nothing. A certain lawyer came to Christ and said, “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 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 hast answered right; this do and thou shalt life.” [Luke 10:25-28.] God has plainly revealed the way of salvation, and shall you or I venture to seek to find some other way whereby we may obtain the precious boon of eternal life? God has given to us the opportunity of obtaining light and knowledge, and shall we refuse the message sent from heaven? Shall we refuse the truth because we see that its acceptance would cause us to be separated from those who will not hear the truth or believe in the message of heaven? Shall we make a concession to the world and bind ourselves up with its bundles for the fires of the last days? They have pulled away the shoulder because they would not take the yoke of Christ and refused to lift his burden. They would not follow in his footsteps. Christ says, “I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” [John 15:10.] Those who turn away from the truth, stop their ears lest they shall hear, and turn into fables. They act like disobedient, stubborn children, and then they lay the blame and accusations upon those who are truth-loving and obedient, declaring that they create disunion among neighbors and bring about dissension among families. Christ was accused of creating division in families; he himself said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on the earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man’s foes shall be those of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” [Matthew 10:34-38.]

9LtMs, Ms 105, 1894, par. 21

We are sorry that there are some who shrink from obeying the truth because they feel dependent upon their neighbors for agreeable companionship, and do not wish to displease them. But in so doing, you bind your light so that it shall not shine forth in good works that others may see you are in harmony with God, and obedient to his commandments. Unless you obey the commandments of God, you constitute yourself a stumbling block to your neighbors, and they stumble over your disregard of God’s law, taking license from your disobedience in following their own pernicious way. You profess to be a Christian but unless you obey God’s commandments you are far from being a representative of Christ. There is no excuse that can avail. The question is why do you not walk in the way of God’s commandments with a perfect heart? Why do you seek to excuse yourself saying, what will my neighbors say? We are not to ask what our neighbors shall say of us. They may feel surprised because we seek to understand the terms of eternal life, and to comply with the conditions of salvation. You should say to them, “I cannot lose the presence, the power, the love of God out of my soul for the sake of being at peace with my neighbor.” Peace at such a cost is too dearly purchased. The question to be settled by you and I is “Am I on the Lord’s side? Am I on the side of Christ and the holy angels? Am I choosing the best company? Am I a son or a daughter of the Lord Jesus Christ? What does my Father, whose property I am, think of me?” We are each one required to lift the cross of Christ, not looking to men for their good opinion, but to our heavenly Father. With the approval of God we are to move forward with a heaven-born spirit of independence, not fearing to stand alone and without human support. When we live in obedience to God, we are never alone. Christ says, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” [John 15:9, 10.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Ms 9, 1896

11LtMs, Ms 9, 1896, par. 7

In the past, Christ had been approached through forms and ceremonies, but now He was upon the earth, calling attention directly to Himself, presenting a spiritual priesthood, and placing the sinful human agent at the footstool of mercy. “Ask, and it shall be given you,” He promised; “seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” [Matthew 7:7.] “If ye ask anything in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments.” “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me ... and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” [John 14:14, 15, 21.] “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” [John 15:9, 10.]

11LtMs, Ms 9, 1896, par. 14

Always kind, courteous, ever taking the part, of the oppressed, whether Jew or Gentile, Christ was beloved by all. By His perfect life and character He answered the question asked in the 15th Psalm: “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.” [Verses 1, 2.] In childhood and youth His course was such that when engaged in work as a teacher, He could say to His disciples, “If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” [John 15:10.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Ms 69a, 1896

11LtMs, Ms 69a, 1896, par. 20

The Lord will have the whole heart or nothing. The lawyer asked of Jesus, “What shall I do that I may have eternal life?” The Lord Jesus answered, “What saith the Scriptures? how readest thou?” The lawyer answered, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy mind, with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and thy neighbor as thyself.” Christ responded, “Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.” [Luke 10:25-28.] How are we treating this question? The law of God is plainly revealed. Will you or I venture to find some other way whereby we shall obtain the precious boon of eternal life? Will we, to whom God has given the opportunity to obtain light and knowledge, refuse to receive the message sent from heaven? Shall we refuse the light because in accepting the truth we see it will cause a separation from those who will not hear, who will not believe? Shall there be concession made with you or me to bind up in bundles with the world? They have “pulled away the shoulder” [Zechariah 7:11], because the yoke of Christ they would not take, and refused to lift His burden. Christ says, “I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” [John 15:10.]

11LtMs, Ms 69a, 1896, par. 32

The question for you and me to settle today, while it is called today, is: Whose side am I on—the side of God and Jesus Christ and angels? [I am] in the very best of company, for I am a son, a daughter, of the Lord Jesus. My Father, whose property I am, what does He think of me? The work of lifting the cross of Christ is resting upon us personally. We are not to look to men for their good opinion but to our heavenly Father, and then, approved of God, move forward in the ranks with a heaven-born spirit of independence that will not fear to be alone or stand alone, for in obedience to God you are never alone. Hear the words of Christ: “As the Father loveth Me, so have I loved you. Continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” [John 15:9, 10.]

11LtMs, Ms 69a, 1896, par. 45

Choosing to be in conformity to the will of God is choosing to obey His commandments and abide in His love, “as I,” said Christ, “have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” [John 15:10.] Brethren, you are in the valley of decision. You are making your choice for eternity, not only for yourselves as parents but for your children who are the property of God, bought with the blood of Jesus Christ. Your sentiments, your example, the manner in which you treat the plain injunctions of the Word of God, the character of your influence, are deciding their future eternal destiny. And if you lead in false paths and your children learn through this association to regard the great moral standard of character as lightly as you give them [example of] in your life and by your association and practice, what will you do in rendering up your account to God when the judgment shall sit, and the books be opened, and every man shall be judged out of those things that are written in the books?

John 15:9-11

The Bible Echo

June 10, 1895

BEcho June 10, 1895, par. 4

“As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you; continue ye in My love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:9-11.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 1, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 1, 1895, par. 6

(John 15:9-11): “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full.” It is our privilege when the law of God is universally disregarded and made void, to say with David “It is time, O God, for thee to work, for they have made void thy law.” “Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect to all thy commandments.” [Psalm 119:126, 6.]

10LtMs, Lt 1, 1895, par. 8

We must exert all the powers God has given us to walk in the path of humble obedience. Every stumbling block placed in our way, let us seek the Lord that it shall be made a new errand to the throne of grace, that we may have divine wisdom to walk in perfect obedience to a “thus saith the Lord,” that we may co-operate with Jesus Christ and the heavenly angels in leading souls to obedience to God’s commandments, which are not grievous. We are to study the lessons of Jesus Christ, and do His way, and follow His example. Christ said, “I have kept my Father’s commandments.” [John 15:10.] Shall we keep the Father’s commandments, or shall we keep the commandments of men?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 155, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 155, 1899, par. 18

God has shown the interest He has in the human family. He “so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16.] Shall we, then, show no interest in keeping our bodies free from disease, when by thoughtfulness, self-denial, and intelligence we could do this? Wherein lies our strength? In being connected with Christ. He declares, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” [John 15:9-11.] “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep.” [John 10:14, 15.]

John 15:9-12

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Ms 33, 1887

5LtMs, Ms 33, 1887, par. 13

It is another beautiful morning. I have not rested well through the night, but I feel stronger today. Have been sick, even leaving a sickbed to come upon this journey in great feebleness. Have spoken six times in three different places, and the Lord has blessed me and sustained me. Sunday filled my appointment at 3 P.M. We had an intelligent audience, and I spoke with much freedom from John 15:9-12. The Word was received in many hearts, evidenced by the tearful eye, the softened heart.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 32, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 32, 1894, par. 4

The Lord does not desire us to be sad and disconsolate. Jesus says, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” [John 15:9-12.] If we ask Him, the Lord will give us the Holy Spirit to cleanse the habitation of the soul, for every room of the temple of God must be entered and purified. We need to compare our life and character with the great moral standard—the ten commandments. We have enlisted in the service of Jesus Christ, and under the banner of the Prince of Life, we are to exercise every spiritual and physical power.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 66, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 66, 1898, par. 14

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” [John 15:9, 10.] This is the yoke which Christ invites us to wear—the yoke of obedience. “Learn of me,” He says, “and ye shall find rest unto your souls; for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [Matthew 11:29, 30.] “These things have I spoken unto you, that [through your perfect obedience] my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another as I have loved you.” [John 15:11, 12.] The conscience bears its testimony of approval to the sincerity and simplicity of true godliness. We will walk not in the sparks of human devising, in human wisdom, but in the footsteps of Christ.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 43a, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 43a, 1898, par. 22

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” [John 15:9-12.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 70, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 70, 1898, par. 6

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, ... and thy neighbor as thyself.” [Luke 10:27.] This is God’s command. Jesus has given an additional requirement, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” [John 13:34.] We are not merely to love our neighbor as ourselves; we are to love one another as Christ has loved us. “As my Father hath loved me, so have I loved you,” He declared, “continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you.” [John 15:9-12.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 146, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 146, 1899, par. 14

“A new commandment I give unto you,” Christ says, “That ye love one another: as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love for one another.” [John 13:34, 35.] “As the Father hath love me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” [John 15:9-12.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 127, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 127, 1901, par. 35

“As my Father hath loved me, so have I loved you, continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.” [John 15:9-12.]

John 15:9-16

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 6, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 6, 1903, par. 10

Continuing His instruction, He said: “As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” A wonderful statement is this! What can exceed the infinite love that Christ has shown toward the fallen race? “These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” [John 15:9-14.] Obedience is the evidence of man’s friendship with God.

18LtMs, Lt 6, 1903, par. 11

“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you.” [Verses 15, 16.] Christ’s love for those who obey His commandments is unchangeable, unparalleled.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 67, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 67, 1893, par. 6

The Lord God of heaven has made ample provision that all who believe in Him shall have rest of soul. “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” “As the Father hath loved me so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” [John 15:11, 9.] As long as doubt and uncertainty shall remain in the mind, there can be no rest. Therefore the promises of God are ample and complete, and to distrust is to doubt the Lord “Who so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16.] Where is there room to doubt? There is no rest of soul until the Day Star arise in the heart, and Christ is formed within the hope of glory, and then how spontaneously the cry comes from the depths of the soul, “Abba, Father.” [Romans 8:15.]

8LtMs, Lt 67, 1893, par. 11

Let us try to take this thought with us. He will come again. He will not leave you comfortless. Then be cheered and encouraged and strengthened. “We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” [Hebrews 4:15.] He pours out His tenderest feelings in the channel of sympathy. It is His sheep who are thus privileged. He says, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he may give it you.” [John 15:16.]

John 15:9-17

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 167, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 167, 1898, par. 24

The law of God will maintain its exalted character as long as the throne of Jehovah endures. This law is the expression of God’s character. Christ came to live this law, and He declared, “I have kept my Father’s commandments.” [John 15:10.] Types and shadows, offerings and sacrifices, had no virtue after Christ’s death on the cross; but God’s law was not crucified with Christ. Had it been, Satan would have gained all that he attempted to gain in heaven. For this attempt he was expelled from the heavenly courts. He fell, taking with him the angels he had deceived. And today he is deceiving human beings in regard to the law of God.

13LtMs, Ms 167, 1898, par. 31

The Lord can do very little for us while we live in transgression, breaking the first four, and the last six commandments. All who love God supremely will love their neighbor as themselves. The keeping of the new commandment is to the believer a step heavenward. The one thing that will give God’s people the supremacy is obedience to Christ’s word, “These things I command you that you love one another.” [John 15:17.] “Neither pray I for these alone,” He said, “but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” [John 17:20-23.]

13LtMs, Ms 167, 1898, par. 32

Christ’s words should be appreciated, and they will be when His professed followers have that repentance that needeth not to be repented of. “As the Father hath loved me,” He declared, “So have I loved you; continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. ... These things I command you, that ye love one another.” [John 15:9-14, 17.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 9, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 9, 1899, par. 6

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call ye not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.” [John 15:9-17.]

John 15:9-27

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 89, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 89, 1897, par. 17

“Ye are my friends,” Christ said, “if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you.” [John 15:14, 15.] For what purpose? That they might make it known to others. “When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me; and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.” [Verses 26, 27.]

12LtMs, Ms 89, 1897, par. 21

“He that loveth me not, keepeth not my sayings; and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.” [Verse 24.] “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love.” Shall we not continue in God’s love by obeying implicitly all His commandments? “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” [John 15:9-11.] Full and entire obedience brings joy, not mourning, doubt, and uncertainty.

John 15:10

Christian Education

Chapter 14—The Book of Books

CE 112.2

We can see in the cross of Calvary what it has cost the Son of God to bring salvation to a fallen race. As the sacrifice in behalf of man was complete, so the restoration of man from the defilement of sin must be thorough and complete. The law of God has been given to us, that we may have rules to govern our conduct. There is no act of wickedness that the law will excuse; there is no unrighteousness that will escape its condemnation. The life of Christ is a perfect fulfillment of every precept of this law. He says, “I have kept my Father’s commandments.” [John 15:10.] The knowledge of the law would condemn the sinner, and crush hope from his breast, if he did not see Jesus as his substitute and surety, ready to pardon his transgression, and to forgive his sin. When, through faith in Jesus Christ, man does according to the very best of his ability, and seeks to keep the way of the Lord by obedience to the ten commandments, the perfection of Christ is imputed to cover the transgression of the repentant and obedient soul.

Maranatha

Proof Against Every Temptation, March 24

Mar 91.3

The infinite value of the sacrifice required for our redemption reveals the fact that sin is a tremendous evil. Through sin the whole human organism is deranged, the mind is perverted, the imagination corrupted. Sin has degraded the faculties of the soul. Temptations from without find an answering chord within the heart, and the feet turn imperceptibly toward evil. As the sacrifice in our behalf was complete, so our restoration from the defilement of sin is to be complete. There is no act of wickedness that the law will excuse; there is no unrighteousness that will escape its condemnation. The life of Christ was a perfect fulfillment of every precept of the law. He said; “I have kept my Father’s commandments.” John 15:10. His life is our standard of obedience and service.48Testimonies for the Church 8:312.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 28, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 28, 1899, par. 10

Every human being will be tested as were Adam and Eve, to see whether they will be obedient. Our loyalty or disloyalty decides our future destiny. Since the fall of Adam men in every age have excused themselves, charging God with their sin, saying that they cannot keep His commandments. This is the insinuation Satan cast at God in heaven. But the plea, “I cannot obey the commandment” need never be presented to God, for before Him stands the Saviour, the marks of the crucifixion upon His body, a living witness that the law can be kept. It is not that we cannot keep the law, but we will not yield up our stubborn wills. See John 15:10; 14:15, 21, 23, 24.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 59, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 59, 1899, par. 1

There are many who inquire, What is the standard I must reach? I answer, The law of God is the only true standard of moral perfection. In the life of Christ you have the law practically carried into action, and this is your example. Nothing short of this will meet the requirement of the Word of God. Christ could say, “I have kept my Father’s commandments,” and the disciple John declares, “He that abideth in him ought himself also so to walk even as he walked.” [John 15:10; 1 John 2:6.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 150, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 150, 1899, par. 17

True religion is human nature brought to the perfection of the character of Christ. “I have kept my Father’s commandments,” Christ declared. [John 15:10.] Outward show, expensive churches, a multiplicity of ceremonies and traditions, is not religion. Purity of heart and lowliness of life alone bear the signature of heaven. A certain lawyer came to Christ with the question, “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Christ placed the answering of the question upon the lawyer himself. “What is written in the law?” He asked. “How readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God will all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” Christ said, “Thou hast answered right; this do, and thou shalt live.” But the lawyer, willing to justify himself, said, “And who is my neighbor?” Then by the parable of the good Samaritan Christ showed who is our neighbor. [Luke 10:25-37.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 162, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 162, 1899, par. 16

Christ declared, “I have kept my Father’s commandments.” [John 15:10.] “Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” [Matthew 5:17, 18.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 165, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 165, 1899, par. 6

In the councils of heaven the cross was ordained as the means of atonement. This was to be God’s means of winning men to Him. Christ came to this earth to show that in humanity He could keep the holy law of God. “I have kept my Father’s commandments,” He declared. [John 15:10.] The Saviour proposed to reestablish the principles of human dependence upon God and co-operation between God and man. He purposed to unite God and man by the golden chain of love.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Lt 231, 1899

14LtMs, Lt 231, 1899, par. 11

I cannot get this people off my mind. I fear so much that our faith will not be as strong as it should be. Every soul is of such value in God’s sight that we must entreat men and women to receive the truth as it is in Jesus. We must watch, we must pray, we must believe, and never must our efforts relax. Life and death are before those for whom we are working, and if we can only arouse them to realize the danger of their true condition, as they trample upon the Sabbath of the Lord and exalt an institution of the Papacy, they will certainly take hold of the hope set before them in the gospel. Men may claim to be Christians, but are they Christians if they do not follow on to know the Lord? Christ says, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” [John 15:10.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 27, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 27, 1900, par. 30

There is a right side—the side of Him who declared, “I have kept my Father’s commandments.” [John 15:10.] “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” [Psalm 19:7.]

Maranatha

In Harmony With His Law, August 11

Mar 231.4

True sanctification is a Bible doctrine. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonian church, declares: “This is the will of God, even your sanctification.” And he prays: “The very God of peace sanctify you wholly” (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23). The Bible clearly teaches what sanctification is and how it is to be attained. The Saviour prayed for His disciples: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17, 19). And Paul teaches that believers are to be “sanctified by the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:16). What is the work of the Holy Spirit? Jesus told His disciples: “When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). And the psalmist says: “Thy law is the truth.” By the Word and the Spirit of God are opened to men the great principles of righteousness embodied in His law. And since the law of God is “holy, and just, and good,” a transcript of the divine perfection, it follows that a character formed by obedience to that law will be holy. Christ is a perfect example of such a character. He says: “I have kept my Father’s commandments.” “I do always those things that please him” (John 15:10; 8:29). The followers of Christ are to become like Him—by the grace of God to form characters in harmony with the principles of His holy law. This is Bible sanctification.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 23, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 23, 1900, par. 22

To the churches of today we are to give the startling message given by John the Baptist to the Jews, “Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” [Matthew 3:2.] As John prepared the way for the first advent of Christ, so we are to prepare the way for the second advent of the Saviour. We are to ask men and women the question, Are you following the great apostate, disobeying the law of God? or are you following Jesus, who declared, “I have kept my Father’s commandments”? [John 15:10.] This is the line of demarcation between the true church and the world.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 11, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 11, 1900, par. 27

Next morning we found that the workers there were very much pleased that we had come, for a baptismal service had been appointed for Sunday afternoon. On Sabbath I spoke to the people from the third chapter of First John. All seemed to be intensely interested. One or two who were present were keeping their first Sabbath. I spent Sunday morning writing. In the afternoon we drove to a beautiful paddock, in which the baptism was to take place. W. C. White offered prayer. Brother Colcord then spoke for a short time, and I followed, dwelling upon the love of God and the importance of knowing on whose side we are standing, the side of the adversary or the side of Him who declared, “I have kept my Father’s commandments.” [John 15:10.] I had freedom in speaking, and those who had been laboring for the people were very much pleased with the impression made. Seven candidates then went forward for baptism.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 157, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 157, 1901, par. 9

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” [John 15:10.] This is the great test of character for us all. All who in heart and life become Christ’s disciples, shall be one in Him.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 1, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 1, 1902, par. 10

God will certainly bless whole-hearted workers. If the Lord chooses your feet to do His work, give your feet to Him. With the feet you may hunt for souls. Christ says, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” [John 15:10.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 99, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 99, 1903, par. 15

Christ, the second Adam, came in the likeness of sinful flesh. In man’s behalf, He became subject to sorrow, to weariness, to hunger, and to thirst. He was subject to temptation, but He yielded not to sin. No taint of sin was upon Him. He declared, “I have kept My Father’s commandments (in My earthly life).” [John 15:10.] He had infinite power only because He was perfectly obedient to His Father’s will. The second Adam stood the test of trial and temptation that He might become the Owner of all humanity.

Reflecting Christ

The Revelation of God’s Love in the Cross, January 19

RC 33.8

Of His own life the Saviour said, “I have kept my Father’s commandments” (John 15:10). “The Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him” (chap. 8:29). As Jesus was in human nature, so God means His followers to be. In His strength we are to live the life of purity and nobility which the Saviour lived.—The Ministry of Healing, 423-426.

Reflecting Christ

God’s Law Is the Standard of Character, February 3

RC 48.5

Christ is a perfect example of such a character. He says: “I have kept my Father’s commandments.” “I do always those things that please him” (John 15:10; 8:29). The followers of Christ are to become like Him—by the grace of God to form characters in harmony with the principles of His holy law. This is Bible sanctification.

Reflecting Christ

Obedience, the Fruit of Faith, September 17

RC 274.4

The so-called faith in Christ which professes to release men from the obligation of obedience to God is not faith, but presumption. “By grace are ye saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). But “faith, if it hath not works, is dead” (James 2:17). Jesus said of Himself before He came to earth, “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8). And just before He ascended again to heaven, He declared, “I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (John 15:10). The Scriptures says, “Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3)....

Reflecting Christ

God Alone Can Renew the Heart, October 4

RC 291.4

As the sacrifice in our behalf was complete, so our restoration from the defilement of sin is to be complete. There is no act of wickedness that the law will excuse; there is no unrighteousness that will escape its condemnation. The life of Christ was a perfect fulfillment of every precept of the law. He said, “I have kept my Father’s commandments” (John 15:10). His life is our standard of obedience and service.

Selected Messages Book 1

Chapter 47—The Truth as It Is in Jesus

1SM 314.1

This miracle, instead of convincing the Pharisees that Jesus was the Son of God, filled them with rage, because many who witnessed the miracle glorified God. Jesus declared that His work of mercy was lawful on the Sabbath day. The Pharisees declared that it was not lawful. Which shall we believe? Christ said, “I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (John 15:10). Then it is certainly safe for us to follow the way of Christ, and keep the commandments. God has given us faculties which should be constantly exercised in cooperating with Jesus, in working out our own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in us to will and to do of His good pleasure.

Selected Messages Book 2

When the Miracle Worker Disregards God’s Law

2SM 49.4

Nor can we trust impressions. The voice or spirit that says to a man, You are under no obligation to obey the law of God; you are holy and sinless, while he is trampling on the divine law, is not the voice of Jesus; for He declares: “I have kept my Father’s commandments” (John 15:10). And John testifies: “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4).

Selected Messages Book 3

Real Meaning of the Incarnation

3SM 141.5

In the Likeness of Sinful Flesh—Christ, the second Adam, came in the likeness of sinful flesh. In man’s behalf, he became subject to sorrow, to weariness, to hunger, and to thirst. He was subject to temptation, but he yielded not to sin. No taint of sin was upon Him. He declared, “I have kept my Father’s commandments [in My earthly life]” (John 15:10). He had infinite power only because he was perfectly obedient to his Father’s will. The second Adam stood the test of trial and temptation that he might become the Owner of all humanity.—Manuscript 99, 1903.

Christ’s Object Lessons

Chapter 22—Saying and Doing

COL 283.3

There are only two classes in the world today, and only two classes will be recognized in the judgment—those who violate God’s law and those who obey it. Christ gives the test by which to prove our loyalty or disloyalty. “If ye love Me,” He says, “keep My commandments.... He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me. And he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.... He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings; and the word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father’s which sent Me.” “If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” John 14:15-24; 15:10.

Sons and Daughters of God

In Keeping His Father’s Commandments, May 10

SD 137.1

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. John 15:10.

EGW Writings — Ellen G. White. Ellen G. White Estate · all rights reserved