p. 4 | Health Reform by M. M. MARTINSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 4, 1915

Health Reform

By M. M. MARTINSON

M. M. MARTINSON, M. D.

When the gospel of Christ reaches the heart, it works a reform there; and by this new order of things, our ways of living, as well as of thinking, are changed. Health reform is not a new thing that has sprung up in this age of the world. We find it in the early church. Peter speaks of it like this: “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries.” 1 Peter 4: 3. Here we find almost a complete list of that which the flesh takes delight in doing before the gospel reaches the heart and makes a change. In the next verse we see that the gospel did work a reform in that early church, and to such an extent that its members were evil spoken of by their former associates, who

were condemned by the gospel reform.

It is always the business of the adversary to make people believe that there is no need of overcoming the lusts of the natural heart; but let us remember that all uncleanness of the mind and of the body must be put away before we can enter the kingdom of heaven. Most of us realize that it takes more than human strength to overcome the lusts of the flesh; and when the Christian does gain that strength to overcome, he will not do anything that will lower the strength of his body, which is the temple of Christ. He will be a health reformer, not because he has to be, but because he sees that it is in harmony with Heaven’s principles.

From experience I have learned that people do not always receive the principles of health reform as a part of the gospel, as that, in most cases, would mean a change in eating and drinking and living. Worldly persons consider these matters as nobody’s business but their own, and many Seventh-day Adventists say the same thing by their indifference. It is not a popular doctrine to teach and preach; for a person cannot teach that which he does not live himself. For a long time I have felt that we have not given this subject so much thought and study as we ought.

I think we all agree that it is Satan’s delight to get us to act in such a way as to lower our strength, yes, even destroy our bodies. Our bodies should be in the best condition in order that we may speedily spread this gospel, and not for that reason only, but also so that we can endure the trials of the last days. However, instead of eating for strength, many are digging their own graves with their teeth.

“Our habits of eating and drinking show whether we are of the world or among the number whom the Lord by his mighty cleaver of truth has separated from the world. These are his peculiar people, zealous of good works. . . .

“Many are suffering, and many are going into the grave, because of the indulgence of appetite. They eat what suits their perverted taste, thus weakening the digestive organs and injuring their power to assimilate the food that is to sustain life. This brings on acute disease, and too often death follows. The delicate organism of the body is worn out by the suicidal practices of those who ought to know better.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, pages 372, 373.

We may have the light of truth, know what it teaches, and still lose eternal life because we cannot control our appetites and lust. We have come to a time in this world’s history when every person who will go through to the kingdom must have full strength of body and mind to combat this evil age. To do this he must follow Paul’s instruction, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10: 31. When we are willing to do this, we may ask for strength from above, and grace will be given. We can then overcome all temptations, and it need not be said of us, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4: 3.

There never was a time when there were so many inventions to cause us to go astray, yes, even to destroy us, as there are now. That is the reason why we have been given special instruction through the spirit of prophecy. We need this instruction to help us win the prize of eternal life in this race.

We are living in the time of Matt. 24: 48, 49, when many professed Christians are eating and drinking with the drunken. That prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes. Luke 21: 34, 35, warns us against surfeiting and drunkenness, lest that day come upon us unawares, as it will upon the whole world. We have been told of this danger; it has come; it is here now; and unless we heed the special instruction to watch and pray, we shall be ensnared. We need the Spirit of God so that we can see ourselves as Heaven sees us. Then there will be health reform in the home, and more medical missionaries in the church.