The Human Body by Flora E. Warren

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 14, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 27.

The Human Body

By Flora E. Warren

II. Glorifying God

By Flora E. Warren

God’s Physical Laws

God tells us His laws of life and health in His word, and He is ready to help all who seek His aid in obeying them. He desires to write His laws not only in each heart, but on every nerve and cell and fiber of the being. He can do this when all the being is yielded to Him. After a soul chooses the will of God and seeks to form the character of Jesus, our Example, Jesus will act through the organs and faculties. His Spirit will take possession of all the mental and physical powers of the body.

God made man’s mind to control his body. If the mind is yielded to God, He will control both the mind and the body. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2:5. But through disobedience, persisted in for six thousand years, the human race is fast passing away.

“We are living in the midst of an ‘epidemic of crime’ at which thoughtful, God-fearing men everywhere stand aghast. The corruption that prevails, it is beyond the power of the human pen to describe. Every day brings fresh revelations of political strife, bribery, and fraud. Every day brings its heart-sickening record of violence and lawlessness, of indifference to human-suffering, of brutal, fiendish destruction of human life. Every day testifies to the increase of insanity, murder, suicide. Who can doubt that Satanic agencies are at work among men with increasing activity to distract and corrupt the mind, and defile and destroy the body?”—Ministry of Healing, pp. 142, 143.

God in mercy seeks to teach souls the folly of sin that they may forsake evil and live. He does not desire the death of any soul. He says: “Why will ye die? . . . for I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” Eze. 18:31, 32. It is God who keeps the living machinery in action every moment, and it is our duty to study His laws which control the body, and obey them, that we may work in harmony with Him for our restoration. Physical law is a part of the law of God. Therefore, if we transgress physical law, we transgress the law of God. By studying the human organism we may learn to correct wrong habits, which if left uncorrected will bring the sure result—disease and suffering of various kinds, which make life a burden. If we form any habit which will weaken or destroy any part of the physical system, God is dishonored.

To His Glory

In 1 Cor. 10:31, God says: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” At this time in the world’s history, when many souls do not know of the great God who formed them, God gives a special work to those who know Him. He says to them: “Ye are My witnesses . . . that I am God.” Isa. 43:12. “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.” Rev. 14:7. There are many ways in which to give glory to Him, but our first duty to God, to ourselves, and to our fellow men is to know and obey the laws of God, which include the laws of health. These laws are a transcript, or writing out, of the character of God, and all who learn and obey them will know God and reveal His glory. “And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” John 17:3.

The Work of the Enemy

The same enemy who deceived our first parents in Eden still works “with all power and signs and lying wonders.” 2 Thess. 2:9. He has deceived many since the first

deception on this earth, and still seeks to deceive every soul. He knows he can still overcome souls, if he can control the will. He can do this by deceiving them, so they will work with him in transgressing the laws of nature, which is to transgress the law of God. It is his determined purpose to cause souls to work with him in making void the laws of God.

Satan taunts God with the poor way in which man represents his Maker. He seeks in every possible way to gain access to the soul-temple, to draw souls away from God. With many he has succeeded, and will still succeed. Our only safety is in yielding each moment to Him who formed us and bought us. Jesus has conquered the tempter, and endured temptation for us, that we might resist evil, and walk in the way of truth. “To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness.” Rom. 6:16.

The Way of Health

Jesus is our Saviour to-day. Those who bear the worst deformities of sin most need a Saviour. To such He comes with special healing. “He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.” Heb. 7:25. He it is “who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases.” Ps. 103:3. Health is the richest possession that mortals can have. With perfect health we may do a more perfect work, and better represent Him who formed us.

God is the same to-day as when He created man. His laws are the same. He says: “I am the Lord, I change not.” Mal. 3:6. God can not change His laws to meet the desires of men. Those who violate His unchanging laws must suffer the result. The Lord will not work a miracle to keep any one in health who will not learn all he can about the proper care of the body. If we transgress physical laws in any way, the body suffers more or less. If we learn obedience through this suffering, we escape greater suffering and death. Any abuse put upon the body, by disregarding God’s specific laws for the body, is a violation of God’s holy law. God has waited long for souls to learn His will, and perfect the character of Jesus. He still waits in mercy.

Preparing to Meet Christ

After Jesus arose from the tomb, He returned to His Father. His disciples watched Him as He ascended, and angels came and told them: “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11. God tells us of signs which will precede the return of the Saviour, showing when He is near. Matthew 24, and Luke 21. These signs are nearly all fulfilled. His coming marks the end of sin, and God will not allow sin to continue longer than is necessary. Very soon Jesus will come. There will be a people prepared to meet Him, and welcome Him with joy, saying: “This is the Lord; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isa. 25:9. This people have heard and obeyed God’s word: “Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” God will know them as “the people in whose heart is My law.” Isa. 51:7. His laws are written by Himself on every nerve, every muscle, and every faculty which He has placed in their care. These laws are the writing out of God’s character, which is love. “Love is the fulfilling [or filling full] of the law.” Rom. 13:10. The souls ready to meet Jesus will be filled with God’s love—filled full of His law. God will say of them: “They are without fault before the throne of God.” Rev. 14:5.

This ready people, who have obeyed the physical and spiritual laws of God, and formed the character of Jesus, are prepared for their last change, which takes place when Jesus appears. The bodies marred by sin will be restored to the likeness of God. “We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body.” Phil. 3:20, 21. 1 Cor. 15:51-53, 42-44, 49.

God purposed to reveal Himself in man, formed in His image. His purpose is still the same. God’s glory was revealed in Jesus, who came to save man from sin. In every sinner saved from sin through faith in the Son of God, God is glorified. He will be forever glorified in those restored to His likeness. All who enter the kingdom of God will have His character and bear His likeness. They are overcomers through Christ, and delight to do God’s will as Christ did. Read Ps. 40:8.

Jesus is the sinner’s perfect Saviour. By beholding perfection we become perfect. “We all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor. 3:18. Our Saviour longs to have every soul know the joyous liberty of the sons of God at this time, that they may rejoice in the day when the glory of God is more fully revealed in His children. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2.

’Tis almost here—the day of God’s revealing, The day for which the Son of God was sent; God’s everlasting purpose knows no failing: Shall WISDOM fail—’neath traitor’s vile intent?

HIS PURPOSE LIVES!

For even NOW we’re sons, tho not appearing; God only knows the battles fought and won: And all who choose the wisdom of the Father, In that glad day will hear from Him: “Well done.” THAT day the sons of God will stand revealed.