E. G. White References

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 71

The father’s presence encircled Christ, and nothing befell Him but that which infinite love permitted for the blessing of the world. Here was His source of comfort, and it is for us. He who is imbued with the Spirit of Christ abides in Christ. The blow that is aimed at him falls upon the Saviour, who surrounds him with His presence. Whatever comes to him comes from Christ. He has no need to resist evil, for Christ is his defense. Nothing can touch him except by our Lord’s permission, and “all things” that are permitted “work together for good to them that love God” Romans 8:28

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 10

The trials of life are God’s workmen, to remove the impurities and roughness from our character. Their hewing, squaring, and chiseling, their burnishing and polishing, is a painful process; it is hard to be pressed down to the grinding wheel. But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in the heavenly temple. Upon no useless material does the Master bestow such careful, thorough work. Only His precious stones are polished after the similitude of a palace.

2 Selected Messages, 243

We should daily dedicate ourselves to God and believe He accepts the sacrifice, without examining whether we have that degree of feeling that corresponds with our faith. Feeling and faith are distinct as the east is from the west. Faith is not dependent on feeling, and then live our prayers. Our assurance and evidence is God’s word, and after we have asked we must believe without doubting. I praise Thee, O God, I praise Thee. Thou has not failed me in the performance of Thy word. Thou hast revealed Thyself unto me and I am Thine to do Thy will.

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 143

The only hope for us if we would overcome is to unite our will to God’s will and work in co-operation with Him, hour by hour and day by day. We cannot retain self and yet enter the kingdom of God. If we ever attain unto holiness, it will be through the renunciation of self and the reception of the mind of Christ. Pride and self-sufficiency must be crucified. Are we willing to pay the price required of us? Are we willing to have our will brought into perfect conformity to the will of God? Until we are willing, the transforming grace of God cannot be manifest upon us.

2 Selected Messages, 224

Let no one seek to evade the cross. It is through the cross that we are enabled to overcome. It is through affliction and trial that divine agencies can carry on a work in our lives that will result in the love and peace and kindness of Christ.

7 Bible Commentary, 930

It was a difficult task for the Prince of life to carry out the plan which He had undertaken for the salvation of man, in clothing His divinity with humanity. He had received honor in the heavenly courts, and was familiar with absolute power. It was as difficult for Him to keep the level of humanity as for men to rise above the low level of their depraved nature, and be partakers of the divine nature.

2 Selected Messages, 930

To keep His glory veiled as the child of the fallen race, this was the most severe discipline on which the Prince of life could subject Himself.
 

Bible References

Romans 8:28

28 And we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.

Hebrews 13:5-6

5 Let your conversations be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Matthew 16:24

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

I Timothy 6:6

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Phillippians 2:5

5 Let this mind be in you, which is also in Christ Jesus:

Thought Questions

What does it mean to deny self?

What is that cross that Jesus tells us to take up?