6:201 Corinthians 6:20

You are bought with a price, so you are not your own but belong to God in body and spirit to be used wholly to glorify Him.6T 369.2+4
The price is Christ's precious blood and given life, His suffering and shameful death on the cross at Calvary to ransom people from eternal destruction.6T 479.2+2
The price was infinite and beyond computation, which no silver or gold, worldly wealth, human merit, or any other person could pay, showing the incomparable worth of the soul.Ms 1, 1888, par. 9–10+2
His claim is double, by creation and doubly by redemption, with redemption's claim above every other, and by His continual sustaining of life, breath and strength.Lt 16, 1899, par. 1+2
To glorify God is daily, entire and unreserved surrender of will, heart, mind, soul, strength and all faculties to His control, keeping the body as His holy temple in purity, temperance and obedience to His laws.CTBH 52.3–53.1+4

The price is Christ's precious blood and given life, His suffering and shameful death on the cross at Calvary to ransom people from eternal destruction.6T 479.2+4 The hands pierced with nails and feet fastened with spikes bore human sin in the body, and God found a ransom to deliver sinners from going down to perish eternally.6T 479.2+1 Through the gift of the Son to bear the world's sin the race was given into His hands and became His property.MWISDAP 50.1+1 The price was infinite, immeasurable, beyond computation, showing the incomparable worth of the soul.Ms 1, 1888, par. 9–10+4 No silver or gold, worldly wealth, human merit, or any other person could pay it, for only the virtue of His blood could redeem the condemned sinner lying under the curse of the law.4T 119.1–2+1 It was Christ redeeming body and soul with His own blood at infinite cost, giving His own flesh for the life of the world.Ms 1, 1888, par. 9–10+1

The price was paid by leaving heavenly glory, taking humanity, living in poverty, hardship and toil, bearing the world's guilt, and withstanding temptation without sin.3T 371.2–372.2+4 He was wounded for transgressions, bruised for iniquities, chastised and striped to bring healing and peace.3T 371.2–372.2+1 He redeemed from Satan and from the service of sin by taking guilt upon Himself through boundless love and the agony of Calvary.Ms 67, 1900, par. 4–6+1 The guiltless One suffered shame, humiliation and rejection as though guilty so the guilty might be pronounced guiltless.Ms 29, 1900, par. 6+4 The only sinless being endured suffering and shameful humiliation in behalf of sinners, bearing the load of shameful guilt.Ms 29, 1900, par. 6 Counted with transgressors on the cross, He released people held captive by sin and death, offering Himself without defect in man's stead to suffer the penalty of transgression so perishing sinners need not perish.Lt 100, 1900, par. 4–5+1

Christ in wonderful condescension volunteered to stand at the head of fallen human beings who were heirs of guilt, calling men brethren as elder brother.12MR 61.1–2+1 He humbled Himself, took humanity, and lived a perfect life on humanity's behalf so that through His righteousness clothing them they may reach the ideal of the law and be complete in Him.Ms 125, 1902, par. 3+1 Christ bought people back from slavery to Satan, sin and the tyrant's oppression, overcoming the strong man, taking His prey, breaking Satan's hold and opening a way of escape.Ms 3, 1897, par. 29+4 He Himself became man's ransom and liberator from the oppressive power whose slaves men were, giving Himself to buy them back from all iniquity to purify a peculiar people zealous of good works.Ms 139, 1899, par. 25+1 By His own power He overcomes the strong man armed, takes away his prey, and makes the man free from the slavery of sin.ST Jul 10, 1901+1

The purchase gives fallen humanity a second probation and new lease of life to form characters of perfect loyalty for immortal life, with pardon through faith and power to overcome.Ms 26, 1887, par. 4–5+4 The sacrifice restores people to God and places them on high vantage ground where they can be liberated from the bondage of sin wrought by Adam's fall into hopeless misery through indulgence of appetite.Ms 124, 1898, par. 28–30+2 God knew overcoming in human strength was impossible, so He provided help and opened a way of access with gates left ajar for light from the glory within to shine on those who will receive it.Ms 26, 1887, par. 4–5+1 Through obedience the purchased can win back what Adam lost, making all they can of themselves and reaching the standard set before them.Lt 304, 1908, par. 9–10+1 Redemption was for every person, chosen from the foundation, none needing to be lost, with power to become sons and daughters of God and receive everlasting life.Lt 53, 1904, par. 16–18+4 Whom God elects Christ redeems, and those receiving Him as personal Saviour receive what entitles them to eternal life, as when the serpent was lifted up so whoever believes should not perish.Lt 53, 1904, par. 16–18+2 His sacrificial life and death redeemed every member of the race, and through faith they receive new life as children whom He loves as His Son and for whom He stands as Advocate.SC 51.4+1

Christ wrestled in humanity with fierce temptations of appetite, presumption and worship of the world, leaving no excuse and giving the bought all the help and angelic aid He had.Lt 116, 1899, par. 10–11+4 He faced the very same apparently overwhelming temptations that assail men, to indulge appetite, to venture presumptuously where God has not led, and to worship the god of this world by sacrificing eternal bliss for fascinating pleasures.Lt 116, 1899, par. 10–11 Having become surety and substitute, laying aside royal position and entering depths of human suffering and temptation, He lifts the fallen so they may be more than conquerors and never tempted above ability to bear.Lt 116, 1899, par. 10–11+2 The cross stands as pledge that abundant help is provided, with angelic agencies ready for every tried soul and all heaven opened to every striving soul.Lt 116, 1899, par. 10–11+1 God gave His only-begotten Son at great cost to heaven, an expression of measureless love that secures an inheritance and excellent glory and will be the study and song through eternity.Ms 27, 1893, par. 12–13+4 The tangible proof without parallel gives every person value in God's sight, for body as well as soul, so the entire life belongs to Him for consecration and exercise of every faculty.Ms 27, 1893, par. 12–13+2

Refusing the purchase leaves one bound to the wicked one, dying in sin under sentence of eternal and second death, lost by neglect to improve entrusted gifts.Ms 12, 1868, par. 31–33+4 Without believing the atonement and knowing one is bought, one is assuredly bound up with the wicked one, left as sport of temptations, and loses the soul.Ms 12, 1868, par. 31–33+1 Unbelievers unable to appreciate His love die in sins and suffer the second death, and if one bought at such cost is lost it is by sinful neglect to improve gifts and cherish graces of the Spirit.12MR 61.1–2+1 Christ purchased Israel in delivering them from Egypt as His church, showing He rules the whole earth, with all they held in trust to benefit others.Ms 49, 1903, par. 14+2 By mighty wonders before Pharaoh He delivered the bondmen and made them His church as representation in all ages, and selfish misappropriation of talents was robbing Him.Ms 123, 1899, par. 3 Even temporal life is covered by the sacrifice, for air, water and bread sustaining life were secured as surely as the crown of life, since daily blessings cost the Son's life.Ms 49, 1903, par. 14+1

The verse is set against Corinth's reputation for sexual immorality and worship of Venus associated with prostitution, explaining its teaching about bodily conduct.HTL6 30.3–32.1 When one He bought follows deception and sin after He paid a great price, He is wounded, pierced afresh and put to open shame.Ms 182, 1903, par. 22–23+1 The Saviour paid a great price to make the wounded and bruised soul His own, and straying after being so bought grieves His Spirit afresh.Ms 182, 1903, par. 22–23+1 When loved ones resist Christ's claims and reject mercy purchased at infinite price, He is deeply grieved.Ms 161, 1897, par. 28–29+1

You are not your own, for you belong to God in body and spirit because Christ bought you with His suffering, blood, and life, and all you are and have is to be used wholly to glorify Him in consecration and service.6T 369.2+4 The body is to be kept in the best health as His temple and living sacrifice, not weakened, diseased, or corrupted, and violation of physical law is as truly sin as breaking the Ten Commandments.6T 369.2+2 Misuse through perverted appetite, indulgence, and neglect dishonors God and unfits for perfect service in family and society.6T 369.2+2

Ownership is double, by creation and doubly by redemption, with redemption's claim above every other claim, and by continual sustaining of life, breath, and strength.Lt 16, 1899, par. 1+4 The price was the life-blood of the Son of the infinite God, who came in infinite compassion and love, endured suffering, shameful humiliation and rejection as though guilty though guiltless, that the guilty might be pronounced guiltless.Ms 23, 1868, par. 8+2 Therefore heart, intellect, money, body, soul, energies and abilities are strictly His, to be surrendered and used to glorify Him, not kept back or sacrificed to lust and self.AA 566.1+2

The purchase claims the whole person — body and spirit, soul, mind, will, strength, affections, brain, bone, muscle, reasoning powers, and every future moment — so no other being has any claim on service.Ms 181, 1905, par. 18–19+4 No one may do as he pleases with the body, sell himself to what opposes God, make concessions to the enemy, or pervert the intellect to serve against Him.Ms 181, 1905, par. 18–19+2 All entrusted capabilities of means, ability, and intellect are to be improved for eternal interests, searching truth and winning souls, with obedience to the laws of life made personal duty and the body kept fit as the Holy Spirit's dwelling.Ms 86, 1897, par. 44+2

The purchase covers every person, believer and unbeliever, rich and poor, and ignoring God does not end ownership but leaves one an unfaithful steward accountable in judgment.Lt 80, 1897, par. 14+4 Even the poor, the erring, the neglected orphan, and the one who does not know God were bought by the blood and life of the Son of God and belong to Him.Lt 80, 1897, par. 14+3 Christians as His stewards must therefore care for them, warn the straying with kindness and love, keep soul and body clean and pure, and will be held accountable for neglect.Ms 26, 1899, par. 4–8+3

Being bought gives every person great value and dignity in God's sight, proving His love and forbidding scorning others or treating any as rubbish.Lt 98, 1896, par. 61–64+4 The infinite price paid establishes human worth and possibility unto eternal life, making each soul a sacred concern and precious property.Lt 98, 1896, par. 61–64+3 Worth is not measured by work done, and needy orphans are as precious as one's own children.6T 286.1+1

Christ redeemed the body as truly as the soul, making believers members of His body, of His flesh and bones, and one spirit with Him, to appear with Him in glory.Ms 162, 1907, par. 7–8+2 That sacred spiritual union must be preserved by keeping the body holy in eating and dressing and refusing appetite indulgence.Ms 162, 1907, par. 7–8 Those turned from sin to holiness become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King without distinction of race, rank, wealth or condition, and are to be treated with kindness, respect, and help toward health, courage, faith and hope, for injustice to them is counted as done to Christ Himself.8MR 336.2+4

The living body is God's property by creation and redemption with moment-by-moment dependence on Him who keeps pulse, heart, brain, circulation, and all living machinery in motion.HL 11.6–12.1+4 Life comes from God only, and His unceasing guardian care and protection from Satan continue while people eat and sleep, calling for gratitude and for learning to treat mind, soul, and body by His laws.20MR 115.3–4+2 To cripple the body by decaying habits robs God of honor and makes perfect, healthful service impossible, while those who surrender wholly to Christ may draw on His tender sympathies and be relieved of worry.HL 11.6–12.1+2

Humanity as God's crowning work made in His image to represent Him stands highest among His works and is highly valued whether acknowledged or not.Lt 103, 1897, par. 10+4 Life is a talent entrusted to be dedicated to the Lord and lived in Christ, with every power, organ, sinew, muscle, influence, and intellectual and moral capacity appreciated, preserved, and used for Him.Lt 103, 1897, par. 10+1 Safety lies in accepting the purchased redemption through Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, with individuality and identity kept as God's workmanship to be molded after the divine likeness, and no human having jurisdiction over another's conscience.19MR 213.3–4+2

The purchase stands even if people perish, so devoting God's time, talents, and strength to self-service and the world robs God.Lt 23, 1873, par. 3–4+4 Nothing can be merited from God and nothing given Him that is not already His, for all is held only by permission to test obedience, and failure to use all capabilities in His service will be recorded in judgment as despising His mercy.Lt 23, 1873, par. 3–4+2 Pure thoughts, affections, moment-by-moment time, and intellect must be returned as His own, with appetite under enlightened conscience, every lust wrestled against, and every organ treated as His property.Lt 23, 1873, par. 3–4+2

Believing and knowing this purchase is necessary to avoid being left as sport of Satan's temptations and losing the soul.ST Dec 3, 1912+4 Without it one remains bound to the wicked one, while holding it against Satan's claim broadens views beyond self, shuts heart and eyes to doubt and unbelief, and brings into full assurance of understanding in God and Christ.ST Dec 3, 1912+3 There is no reason to put the enemy's suggestions ahead of Christ's assurances.Ms 71, 1912, par. 9

Ownership is also by choice, drawing believers into closer union with God.Lt 97, 1898, par. 24+4 Purchased when sinful and spiritually destitute with nothing to offer, believers become God's property in a peculiar sense, drawn into union closer than angels enter, as His consecrated temple for the Spirit's indwelling.Lt 55, 1897, par. 40–42+2 Solid conversion therefore renounces self, rejects the world's methods, returns heart, mind, soul, body, time, money, property and talents to Him, and represents Him faithfully in character and conduct.17MR 360.3–361.2+3

Christ's infinite purchase binds believers in a claim higher than children and family, constraining open acknowledgment by life and a mother's obedient example, while refusal is ingratitude and contempt for covenant blood.Lt 8, 1873, par. 22–24+4 Love of such magnitude constrains confessing Christ not only with mouth but with fruitful life, holding to prayer, religious duties, and the cross-bearing life, with full and immediate surrender trusting His merits alone.Lt 8, 1873, par. 22–24+1 Minds absorbed in temporal goods above the eternal, making trifling excuses and caring for money more than the Giver who cannot be bought to grant one day of existence, prove failure to realize what His purchase claims.ST Jun 10, 1913+2

Because body, soul, and spirit are owned, no fanciful teaching about God's personality may be taught, and nature must not be represented as God though it reveals the Creator.Lt 240, 1903, par. 13–14+2 He alone determines what should be taught, and only what He has said in His Word and works is to be taught, not invented sophistries occupying mind and attention.Lt 240, 1903, par. 13–14+2 Nature as His handiwork reveals His character, power, and love as Creator, but His works are not God Himself, and those who do not live the Scriptures do not know God or Christ whom He sent.Lt 240, 1903, par. 13–14+1

To glorify God in body and spirit is to yield without reserve, daily and hourly, will, heart, mind, soul, strength and every faculty to His control in living faith, prayer and Christlikeness, recognizing every-hour dependence on Him who supplies life, breath, strength and blessing and who claims entire service by right of creation and by matchless love in redemption.Ms 70, 1896, par. 12–15+4 It is complete consecration with nothing kept back, giving up everything with undivided affections, doing each one's appointed work from which none can be excused, refusing party bindings and making God alone fear, dread, confidence, strength and exceeding great reward.Ms 122, 1905, par. 11+2 It means being all that the name Christian signifies, Christlike in word and deed, brain, bone, muscle and tongue set apart for His service with no hasty words, taking His name as a pledge to do as He would do in that place.Lt 196, 1901, par. 22+1 It means answering His entire sacrifice of body, soul and spirit with willing obedience that does His will and thereby knows His doctrine by experience, built up in faith, strengthening weak powers, seizing neglected gifts by living faith, reaching a higher standard, faithfully representing the Redeemer and refusing a worldly spirit.Ms 100, 1901, par. 6–8+1 It means living in continual obedience in small as well as great, thinking no thought, speaking no word and doing no deed that could not be done in conscious presence of God, listening for Thus saith the Lord and proving love by keeping His commandments, yielding the will, resisting sin and the enemy, trusting His promises and showing faith by works even under reproach.Lt 93, 1897, par. 8–10+1

Glorifying God is whole-life thanksgiving, not fruit of the lips only, in continual praise, holiness of heart and conduct, and renewal in knowledge and true holiness.Lt 253a, 1903, par. 14–16+3 It gives all glory to God rather than to human agencies, exalts Him and humbles frail erring men before Him, reverences and knows Him as a personal God ruling heaven and controlling all in heaven and earth, praises Him from child to mature for beauties placed even in a sin-corrupted earth, and lets His works in nature lead from nature to nature's God instead of finding God in flower and leaf and tree.Lt 253a, 1903, par. 14–16+2 It is politeness to God from morning till night, thanking Him for gifts and favors when the light of His countenance shines, offering willing service in gratitude for rich undeserved mercy with physical, mental and spiritual powers, and giving Him the individual life itself, not a cheap partial offering like Cain's fruits of the ground, acknowledging entire dependence for life and every outward blessing and connecting them with gratitude for the gift of Jesus.Ms 80, 1903, par. 7–8+2 It flows forth continually and increases in the earth as personally knowing the cleansing of Christ's blood from all unrighteousness, receiving and enjoying the great promises for renewal in knowledge and holiness in all conduct rather than rejecting them so He did not die in vain.21MR 200.3–4

Full surrender renews the heart, converts the conscience, sanctifies the affections, purifies the thoughts and brings all powers and motives into captivity to Christ, making men stewards of lent talents of money, reason, intellect and influence and co-laborers with Christ dispensing His gifts and representing His character in tenderness, compassion, love and purity.Ms 70, 1896, par. 12–15+2 When surrender is made Christ sets the mind at rest and consecrates heart and hands to His service, giving spiritual life and wisdom to manifest love to God and one another, sanctifying through His blood, presenting believers spotless, purging dead works by taking possession of the sanctified soul to renew, sustain, guide and vitalize every impulse and make them temples for the Holy Spirit.Ms 68, 1898, par. 22+2 Though full surrender is not easy at first, all difficulties are overcome by contemplating what Christ is and has done, which increases love, and by praying, believing the Lord hears, and practicing prayer.Lt 93, 1897, par. 8–10+1

Being bought calls for transformation so the principles of truth change the character, requiring professed Christians to live as seeing Him who is invisible and in every place to act as representatives of Jesus, knowing an influence goes forth from them affecting others.Lt 19, 1892, par. 12+3 It calls for wholehearted trust and lives revealing His will through which the Holy Spirit works to make men channels of light, guarding the heart, submitting to God's work, giving self to God in obedient service and bringing mind into harmony with His will unto heaven's light, peace and joy.Lt 80, 1908, par. 8+2 It employs every faculty of mind, soul and body to honor Him, maintained by intimate conscious connection with the pure sacred springs of vital force, lived out in life and character before others so transforming grace converts them, penetrating deeper than habit, opinion, authority or virtuous habits and producing an atmosphere instinct with peace, grace, truth, righteousness and the tender pitying love of Jesus.Lt 118, 1896, par. 7–9+1

No neutrality or indecision is safe, for withholding undivided affection dishonors Christ, opens the soul to temptation and Satan's use, and puts one on Satan's platform.Ms 88, 1900, par. 14+2 Therefore every jot and tittle of influence must be brought under Christ and every thread withdrawn from Satan's side, refusing to unite talents of influence with the accuser of the brethren, refusing to mix light with darkness or Christ with Belial, and using every gift for God rather than robbing Him by living to please inclination or prostituting His gifts to spiritual harm.Ms 88, 1900, par. 14+1 This requires giving God the whole heart, connecting with His keeping power through humble prayer and watchfulness, relying on Him to save to the uttermost and guard from assault, following fully, cutting entangling ties and separating from company confirming others in skepticism, infidelity and apostasy, since how influence weighs for or against souls will be revealed in the day of God.Lt 17, 1893, par. 9–12+2 He asks for all and accepts no divided service and will not be trifled with, so nothing is to be withheld but all yielded as willing offering in heart and life, not giving means while withholding self, but cheerfully making sacrifices involving care and doing any work however humble in self-denial pressing on for the immortal reward.FE 461.2–462.1+1 God will bring a person over the ground again and again until with humble subdued mind he bears the test wholly sanctified, putting faith for doubts and confidence for distrust, becoming a fully developed man in Christ and winning immortal life, whereas living for self leaves a spiritual dwarf gaining no victories and losing heaven, and continued resistance grieves the Spirit and may end His striving.4T 214.1+1

Glorifying God requires hearkening to His Word, obeying it perfectly, committing the soul to Him as faithful Creator and depending humbly on Him, consulting the Lord in all affairs because He knows what is best.Lt 90, 1907, par. 1+2 It forbids consulting own inclination, loving the world, its friendship, practices, display and opinions, or selling self to the enemy, since consulting self makes one ever more inefficient, throws away the soul Christ died to save, injures others and rejects sanctified influence watched by the heavenly universe.Lt 124, 1900, par. 6–8+1 It requires gaining clearer understanding of His will daily, improving talents to the fullest by given light, giving Him the heart with personal service together with children's service to sit with Him on His throne at last, refusing which is unthankfulness and disobedience.Lt 180, 1902, par. 16–17+1 It requires taking the Bible, reading and searching as for hidden treasure, clinging to the Word, praying and watching for clear sanctified perception, having holy determination to seek the Lord while He may be found, forsaking wicked ways and thoughts for abundant pardon, coming out and being separate and touching not the unclean, consecrating self fully as Friend and Refuge before destiny is fixed while the case is pending in heaven's courts.Lt 26, 1899, par. 18+1

Glorifying God means doing every task faithfully and thoroughly, working with Christ, laying aside hindrance and following wholeheartedly.Lt 147a, 1897, par. 12–14+3 Whatever the hand finds to do is to be done with might, interest, fidelity and expedition, whether tilling soil, felling trees, clearing land, planting, sowing or harvesting, for time is golden and God is not pleased with indolence, negligence, poor cheap work or dragged-along dilatory unwilling movements.Lt 147a, 1897, par. 12–14+1 It means becoming more useful by expanding in knowledge and understanding, working with hands and studying with mind in balanced exercise of mental and physical powers, keeping Jesus ever before the mind to refine, ennoble, purify and uplift the affections in copying His industry, growing in strength of thought and purpose with keen discernment by sanctifying truth.Ms 117a, 1901, par. 16+1 God has right to use body and spirit to the fullest ability for His honor, calling for acceptance without complaint of allowed hardships and suffering in tender persistent care for sufferers from illness and sin, disciplining self to order and thoroughness with exactitude whether by hand or head in partnership with Christ as Christ with the Father.CH 415.1–2+2

Honoring God brings assurance of pardon, joy with Christ within, and living connection through feeding on Him and partaking His divine nature, escaping worldly corruption through lust and refusing inconsistent earthly sensual lives that reproach Christ.Lt 67, 1904, par. 3+2 It brings assurance of sins pardoned testifying His love, full joy when Christ abides within, and living connection through feeding on Christ the bread from heaven and believing His Word in faith and prayer before the heavenly host by taking Him at His word.Lt 15, 1905, par. 18–19+1 It calls for giving the heart to Christ to lead in safe paths and accepting rich blessings before which earthly objects fade, counting eternal blessedness the greatest good with blessings now and eternal riches by and by, gaining constantly increasing experience, trusting Him for strength to resist temptation and maintaining integrity rather than following the enemy, with humble teachable service and firm grasp on sanctifying truth even if faithfulness costs life.Lt 111, 1902, par. 4+4

Surrender must be meek, humble and daily renewed with joy, receiving and reflecting light, not lip service or self-exaltation.Ms 65, 1903, par. 7+3 It serves with meekness and humility yet joyfulness witnessing to grace renewed day by day, receiving beams from the Sun of Righteousness to be enlightened, warned and renovated and reflecting them to others, forbidding lip service while the heart is far, carrying out selfish ideas for self-exaltation, or leaving Christ's path for own plans, which denies Him and gives no satisfaction.Ms 65, 1903, par. 7+1 Self with all scheming to magnify self and all whims must be hidden in Christ and given up, walking humbly, constantly submitting to His will, placed wholly under His control as His hand to dispense His gifts in oneness with Him, so opposition becomes as summer threshingfloor chaff and God does His will in and through the person manifesting His power instead of seeming unfaithful.Ms 70, 1900, par. 9–11+1 So believers as purchased property keep devotion, consecration and hunger for righteousness with promise of great things, living as God's little children willing to be instructed daily and remembering a love high as heaven and broad as eternity that gave His own life at price beyond computation.Lt 50, 1906, par. 4–5+1

The verse defines believers' relation to God and His to them, requiring correct ideas, high estimate of life and sacred responsibility, with those of experience teaching beginners so that drawn to God they draw others.Lt 1, 1902, par. 21+2 It joins self-reliance and self-respect with holding convictions firmly as God's truth in imparted strength, reinforced daily by humble prayer and reading of the Word, for forms without Christ who is Alpha and Omega avail nothing and His truth alone covers the soul.Lt 127, 1896, par. 14+1 Since identity is connected with God by creation and redemption, body, influence, usefulness, intellectual and moral powers with all capabilities for knowledge belong to Him, ideas are to be made more heavenly, endowments devoted and improved as free moral agents, and beholding Jesus chiefest among ten thousand altogether lovely gives higher clearer views of heaven, while wasting opportunity or misusing faculties robs God and every youth and child has work in keeping with revealed will.Lt 90, 1896, par. 9–12+1 Because they belong by purchase at Calvary's infinite price unto everlasting life through faith, they are safe committing to Him the mind's inmost working and soul's keeping and trusting Him as Counselor rather than men, praying much, watching unto prayer, speaking no unadvised words, making no hasty decisions, constantly drawing nigh, and looking to God rather than dwelling on mistakes as He holds the hand to lead from apostasy.Lt 289, 1904, par. 13–14+1

Glorifying God in body and spirit means letting the Spirit of Christ take possession of the organs of speech and of the mental, physical and moral powers, honoring Him in how life is lived, hiding self in Christ and controlling feeling rather than replying sharply when provoked.HL 11.5+2 For parents this means consistent deportment at home and abroad especially in speech, the voice helping, encouraging and strengthening others with words well chosen, sound, pure and edifying, free from sickly sentimentalism and cheapness, since life is a valuable trust to be used for God.Lt 21, 1898, par. 14–16+1

Glorifying God requires daily hourly consecration of lips, voice and ears, speaking no evil and closing ears to gossip and fault-finding.Lt 7a, 1886, par. 5+3 All plans, time and self are given to God with no way of one's own, constantly reaching for strength and grace, consecrating lips and voice so no evil word escapes and nothing offends Jesus and dishonors Him, and consecrating ears by closing them to evil and refusing to listen, turning evil speaking aside by calling to prayer.Lt 7a, 1886, par. 5+1 Listening itself is sin and makes the speaker sin, but consecrated ears prevent much evil speaking by stopping it beforehand with prayer for enlightenment of both minds as to true relation to one another and to God, removing danger in service and putting gratitude into life, words and works, including keeping lips from words harming or troubling others.21MR 307.2–3+1 So ears being the Lord's property must not go where they hear the enemy's subtle reasoning, eyes must close to frivolous sinful things, voice must be subject to no will uninfluenced by God's Spirit, and precious moments must not be spent profitlessly as on novels and cheap storybooks but devoted to His service, which fathers and mothers must teach children with the whole family studying together.Ms 119, 1901, par. 10–11

Belonging to God requires complete surrender of will and possessions, even what is as dear as Isaac, laying all, influence, talents and entire being at His feet to work for His glory instead of putting self-interest first, seeking purity of heart and holiness of life in allegiance to the best Friend as servants of the heavenly King in diligent preparation for eternal life.Lt 136a, 1898, par. 18–20+1 Corrupting the ways dishonors God the Maker and presents a marred representation of Him.HL 25.4–26.1+1 Glorifying Him in the body means not benumbing God-given faculties by intemperate habits, touching not, tasting not, handling not spirituous liquors, rejecting manufactured perverted appetites, and keeping His simple natural laws in the frame, for His law embraces the whole being whose every nerve, fiber and muscle He arranged to minister happiness, so every departure is departure from God's law and sin against the body, enfeebling, crippling and diseasing organs and powers and giving Satan occasion to taunt God over what Christ bought.Ms 3, 1897, par. 37–38

Lips, voice and ears belong to Jesus and must be daily consecrated, with ears closed to gossip since listening is sin.21MR 307.2–3 Those bought with a price can trust Christ's sympathy and succor when prayer seems unanswered, for having purchased them with His own blood He has made them His children and Himself theirs, mindful of them, afflicted in their afflictions, touched with their infirmities and knowing how to succor the tempted.Ms 19, 1892, par. 86–88 So when earnest prayer for restoration seems unanswered and the spirit almost faints, trusting the Purchaser nourishes the soul with the divine presence, lifts it out of self into God's presence, dispels mist and darkness with bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and gives happiness in Christ and assurance to remain where God places without retreat.Ms 19, 1892, par. 86–88 Bodies and spirits bought with a price must not be used for self-glorification, but every member, faculty, time and strength laid on the altar as consecrated gift in trust to be employed in His service, honoring His authority as supreme with no higher authority and refusing to prevaricate for selfish ends, while means entrusted are used to win souls and support His cause.Lt 14, 1888, par. 14–15+1 When through lack of watchfulness one falls under temptation he is filled with remorse, shame, true sorrow and indignation for offending God, becoming more humble and vigilant and desiring constantly to imitate Jesus in every phase of life.Lt 14, 1888, par. 14–15

The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, a member of Christ and the habitation God desires for His Spirit, not for immorality but for the Lord.CTBH 52.3–53.1+4 Because believers are bought with a price, body and spirit are God's and must glorify Him by being kept in the best condition of health as a fit dwelling for His Spirit.CTBH 52.3–53.1+4 The body is to be rendered as a living sacrifice, not dead or dying with disease and corruption, just as ancient offerings had to be without blemish, in order to render perfect service and do duty in family and society.CTBH 52.3–53.1 To violate physical law is as truly sin as to break the Ten Commandments, and transgressing physical law leads to violating the law spoken from Sinai, while enslavement to harmful habits and squandering entrusted property on needless destructive indulgences dishonors such a temple.CTBH 52.3–53.1+1 Keeping the body pure includes refusing sexual immorality and refusing the temptations of appetite and anything that defiles or mars the body, with conscientious care of health and instruction in caring for the sick expressing appreciation for the price paid.Lt 106a, 1896, par. 25+2

The human body is a wonderful house, building and living habitation prepared by God for the mind, fearfully and wonderfully made and curiously wrought as His workmanship.20MR 345.3–4+3 It contains vital forces, nerves, fibers, muscles, and chambers of mind and heart, a casket for the treasure of the mind which controls the whole man, worships God, allies to heavenly beings, and originates all actions good or bad.STE 37.1 Every part belongs to Him and must not be neglected, but each member is to serve as an instrument of righteousness, with reverence for the body as His handiwork and obedience to health laws to fulfill the Creator's plan.ST Jan 11, 1916+2 Mothers should teach children to understand their own bodies, their construction and use of muscles given by the kind Heavenly Father, since many live without intelligence about the body, and workers must therefore be refined and courteous rather than coarse and rough, as the human temple is sacred like the tabernacle built with divinely given skill.20MR 345.3–4+1 Stewardship requires becoming intelligent about organized life, causes of disease, bodily needs, and preservation from harm, exposure, strain and defilement, keeping every action in harmony with God's laws.MH 271.1+1

The body is God's building, workmanship and temple of the living God, a dwelling fitted up by the Creator over which each person is a responsible steward for this life and the life to come.CH 419.2+4 It requires close, vigilant, watchful guardianship and preservation, that it may be revealed to the heavenly universe and the fallen race, with perfection of character as the fitting up of the whole being for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.Ms 130, 1899, par. 58–59+1 The Lord must have the service of the entire human machinery with all parts brought into action, for if only certain parts are used the service is deficient.Ms 130, 1899, par. 58–59 Christ bought humanity with His own life to restore God's moral image and give probation to work out salvation by pure holy life as partakers of the divine nature escaped from corruption through lust, so no power is for selfish gratification but all for His glory.RH Jan 21, 1902 Breaking physical life's laws breaks God's laws and brings sickness, ruined constitutions and even death now, with future settlement and punishment, and honoring the house lived in requires intelligent knowledge of physical organization and temperance in all things for present happiness and eternal good, more valuable than drilling in Greek or Latin.RH Jan 21, 1902+1

Sin defiled humanity and turned the heart from being God's temple, but through Christ's incarnation and saving grace the heart becomes His temple again, fulfilling God's purpose that created beings be temples for the Creator.RH Dec 31, 1908+1 The body and heart are to be temples for the divine Spirit, yet sin defiles them, and Christ alone can cleanse the soul-temple from earthly desires, selfish lusts, evil habits and defilement.RH Dec 31, 1908+1 He does not force entrance but cleanses and sanctifies those who welcome Him, purifying through grace, transforming character and revealing God's image in the soul.RH Dec 31, 1908+1 Through His sacrifice believers are made a living temple not of the world but of the heavenly Father and are not their own, which warns against choices severing relationship with God and calls to turn back to Him, with the Holy Spirit in hearts and homes and faithfulness in health practices.Lt 15, 1898, par. 1–5+2

Belonging to God by purchase is connected with becoming holy and forming a character like a spiritual temple.Ms 133, 1902, par. 35+1 Glorifying God in body and spirit means obeying that the body is the temple of the Holy Ghost and that body and spirit are God's, since the Son gave Himself to buy back from all iniquity to purify a peculiar people zealous of good works.Ms 139, 1899, par. 25 Obeying this gives strength and security and should have far greater influence on minds and characters.Ms 139, 1899, par. 25 The wonderfully made soul-temple must be dedicated in individual consecration, dealt with very carefully and not defiled by harmful eating and drinking, from personal conviction and dignity before God rather than making any human the criterion, for whoever defiles God's temple will be destroyed.Ms 43c, 1901, par. 13–14 Such care guards the citadel of the soul's best interest, requiring special precautions to protect health such as guarding against cold, drafts when perspiring, wet feet and keeping feet warm, as essential to keep religious experience and spiritual character healthy and strong, with cleansing of the soul temple by banishing selfish thoughts, confession and seeking pardon.ST Apr 26, 1883+1

Body, soul and spirit as purchased possession must be wholly consecrated, guarded and kept in healthy harmonious action.CH 297.2+4 Body and mind are to be made holy as God's possession and temple fit for the Holy Spirit, with the redeemed body and purified affections given back in devoted service and self-sacrifice for sanctification and holiness.CH 297.2+1 Every power and talent must be used intelligently to fullest extent in most useful employment for God's glory, keeping every organ in health so body and mind, sinew and muscle work harmoniously.Lt 103, 1897, par. 14 Any abuse shortens the time a life can be used for Him, while right use prolongs and preserves life as a talent for best and most precious service, since misusing physical and mental powers by wrong habits ruins the body for this life and the life to come.COL 108.2+1 Body, brain power and will belong to Jesus and must be cherished as His purchased possession by His blood, sanctified as a vessel unto honor with every organ preserved as an instrument of righteousness and put every moment on God's side, bringing freedom from Satan's slavery, victory and triumphant overcoming with life hid with Christ in God in a pure holy atmosphere.Lt 31, 1893, par. 16–18+1

Glorifying God in body and spirit requires the discipline that develops complete Christian character.CH 320.1–2+4 Because the bought belong to God and are not their own, they are servants learning to live accordingly, which rules out treating service as a bargain for higher wages.CH 320.1–2+1 This lesson of belonging in body and spirit calls for discipline that develops and completes character.STB 812.3–4+2

Honoring God with body and spirit means showing love by meeting His requirements and giving self fully to Him, after which He can use believers so others discern truth and rejoice in it.RH Mar 18, 1902 Ownership calls to let God shape character and to cooperate in obedience and growing sanctification with the whole life, including body and spirit.RH Jan 14, 1904 God is to be glorified by sanctification of body, soul and spirit sought by working together with Him, restoring God's moral image and improving physical, mental and moral capabilities by obeying God's laws and putting nothing defiling into the body, which brings great changes in the physical system.Ms 39, 1907, par. 4 This does not mean perfection of the flesh, which cannot be claimed, but Christian perfection of the soul can be attained, living holy in heart, life and conversation, renewed in knowledge and true holiness, escaping corruption through lust, partaking the divine nature, receiving the promises with gratitude and continual praise, each knowing the blood cleanses from all unrighteousness so Christ did not die in vain.Ms 39, 1907, par. 4+1

Body and spirit must both glorify Him in order to be saved.TDR 1.1 Redeemed people as God's property must be pure, virtuous and holy in body and spirit, cleansing the soul-temple from every trace of pollution and being healthy Christians physically and spiritually.Ms 62, 1901, par. 13+1 This purity and holiness amid last-days corruption is how to escape the plagues permitted as judgment nears, requiring the Spirit to control every action with earnest work begun without delay as preparation for immortality.Ms 62, 1901, par. 13+2 Treating the body as one's own to defile is grave sin, revealed in seriousness when truth is enthroned to drive lust and defilement from the heart.Lt 106a, 1896, par. 8 The body and inner life are God's soul-temple where Christ should dwell, so the mind must stay open for His Word to enter, while frivolous reading, trifling conversation, worldly pleasure, worldliness, frivolity and pride that fill the mind, shut out the Word and take Christ's place desecrate the temple and leave professors Christians only in name with no advance in knowledge and piety.MYP 66.2

The flesh in which the soul lives and through which it acts is the Lord's because bought at a price.HL 10.1 The body is the house lived in and belongs to God, so true religion and proper self-denial require careful care by right eating and drinking and proper food to make a healthful current of blood, receiving counsel from those who love best instead of holding perverted mistaken ideas that turn blessing into curse, since failure brings disappointment and suffering on connected others.Lt 204, 1900, par. 3 Glorifying God in the body means being sound on every point of health reform without extremes, not making diet a strained test causing loss of confidence nor tying to meager diet that misrepresents reform, but devoting whole life to God, taking proper care and setting right example.12MR 175.3–4 Body and faculties with ears and voice are His property for His service, calling for choosing godly influences and turning from frivolous or sinful things and the enemy's reasoning.16MR 146.1–2

Glorifying God in the body requires conviction of the sinfulness of abusing and degrading God-given powers to serve passion and lust.Lt 34, 1892, par. 4–5 It requires using every faculty of mind, gaining knowledge of the human system and how to keep it in health, learning from the organism to change practices bringing disease and suffering, since God will not miracle health for those refusing effort to obtain reachable knowledge about this habitation, and sincerity of prayer is proved only by vigorous endeavor to obey His commandments.Lt 34, 1892, par. 4–5 It requires placing the will on the Lord's side, renouncing all evil practices and associations through strenuous effort in Christ's grace, observing temperance in all things, seeking repentance for the past and forgiveness through the atoning sacrifice, maintaining strict watchfulness and unwearied entreaty for Christ to bring every thought into captivity and give renovating power, so that as accountable beings men present bodies a living sacrifice holy and acceptable.Lt 34, 1892, par. 4–5

To glorify God in body and spirit means to give intelligent, conscientious care to the body rather than neglecting it in ignorance, for the body and spirit belong to God by purchase and are not free to be used as one pleases.6T 369.2+4 It means learning the laws that govern the body and preserve health, carrying them out, and refusing appetite or any habit that defiles, mars, weakens, diseases or cripples an organ or power, since such misuse enfeebles the body and dishonors God.6T 369.2+4 Such careful study of nature's laws as God's laws and conformity to them shows appreciation for the price paid, while ignorance in these things is sin and treating the body as if its laws carry no penalty corrupts human ways and makes man an unsightly representation of his Maker.Ms 8, 1905, par. 11–12+2 To violate physical law is as truly sin as to break the Ten Commandments, for neither can be done without breaking God's law, and transgression of physical law leads to violation of the law spoken from Sinai.CTBH 52.3–53.1+4 That honoring requires obedience both to the moral law of ten precepts and to the physical laws implanted in human nature, which are closely joined, while disobedience through perverted appetite, immoral practice and violation of the laws of life destroys health and happiness and spreads suffering, disease and weakness to future generations.CTBH 52.3–53.1+2

The body is to be rendered to God as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, not as a dead or dying sacrifice debilitated and filled with impurity, disease and corruption by one's own course.CTBH 52.3–53.1+4 As the offerings of ancient Hebrews had to be without blemish, so the body is to be kept in the best condition of health as the temple of the Holy Spirit and a fit habitation for His Spirit, in order to render perfect service to God and do duty in family and society.CTBH 52.3–53.1+2 This requires presenting mind, soul, body and strength to answer the purpose of creation, eating and drinking intelligently according to light, keeping the body under subjection, being temperate, and being transformed by renewing of the mind instead of being conformed to the world.Ms 86, 1897, par. 14–17+2 Wasting vitality, weakening the body or clouding the mind and intellect prevents giving God best service and fails to glorify Him in body and spirit.CH 43.1–3+4 Any course that expends vitality, decreases strength, beclouds intellect, shortens time for service, weakens the mind or lessens ability to do God-given work is sin against God, a great wrong in His sight, and deprives both God and others of good that could have been done.Ms 188, 1903, par. 46+3

God continually sustains bodily functions, keeping pulse beating and heart, brain and circulation in motion, and caring for the body requires cooperation with Him.STB 643.1–4+4 That cooperation means keeping the system healthy by correct habits of eating and drinking that keep blood pure so the brain as organ of mind is nourished and controls the whole body well, by maintaining harmonious action and free circulation especially to limbs and parts remote from the heart, and by having the heart filled with love, faith, hope and joy essential to life and health.STB 643.1–4+2 Obedience to the laws of life must be made a matter of personal duty and earnest study, with each person answering to God for habits and practices and suffering the ills that follow broken law.Ms 86, 1897, par. 44+4 Each must bring eating and drinking into conformity to nature's laws, strictly guard and control habits, abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul, and ask not what the world does or says but how to treat God's habitation for highest temporal and spiritual good.Ms 86, 1897, par. 44+3 Belonging to God places a solemn obligation to honor Him through healthful living, to avoid disease, to keep mind, soul and body as His purchased possession in the most healthful condition, and to prevent disease by wise action.Lt 218, 1908, par. 16+4

Glorifying God means living in harmony with health laws and practicing true temperance, preserving body and mind as God's temple for acceptable service.CH 223.4+4 This includes obeying nature's laws in eating, drinking and dressing, using life in intelligent faithful service without needlessly exhausting what makes one unfit for His work, overcoming temptation on appetite, exercising God-given capabilities with self-denial, and keeping every organ, nerve, muscle and sinew in perfect health.CH 223.4+3 The New Testament does not relax requirements but draws lines closer, so even eating and drinking must honor God, and having one's own way brings loss of soul while having God's way brings purposeful life now and everlasting life to come.Ms 155, 1899, par. 15–17+2 Proper care includes obeying simplest laws of life and practical precautions, such as keeping feet warm because cold feet frequently cause illness and neglect has often brought disease and death, and God will not work a miracle to preserve health for those who neglect these laws.Ms 95, 1901, par. 8+3 Care also requires not straining endurance by constant severe labor, resting after eating, allowing longer time to eat without haste, thoroughly masticating food and mixing it with saliva, getting fresh air and useful exercise, avoiding tight clothing that crowds organs, guarding against cold, drafts when perspiring and wet feet, and giving vital organs full room to work.7MR 224.4–225.3+3

Care of the body is the personal duty of the truly converted, cooperating with God in sickness as well as health even with a weary suffering body.Lt 267, 1903, par. 14–16+4 It includes not preaching too long, changing diet, taking light exercise in open air, abstaining from all known injury, laying sickness before Christ the great Physician in trust, casting the helpless soul upon Him, seeking to live and improve in health to help family, placing oneself where able to work, and trusting Jesus to care for the body as present help in need.Lt 267, 1903, par. 14–16+3 Glorifying God in the body requires practical knowledge of human life, so physiology should be taught first and take highest place among studies chosen for children.HL 13.3+2 Students must get education without injuring the body, considering physical necessities, avoiding sinful practice, not taking too many studies or studying at unsuitable hours, not overtaxing mind, not leaving physical powers unemployed until enfeebled, combining book study with household labor and open-air exercise with pure air and sunlight, and following healthful habits in eating, drinking, dressing, exercise and sleep.Lt 47, 1895, par. 48–50+2 Overdevotion to indoor study that ruins physically, mentally and morally is intemperance dishonoring God, while right study preserves integrity and keeps life inspired by the Holy Spirit.Lt 47, 1895, par. 48–50+1

God wills His purchased people to be healthy, happy and useful, which requires placing human will on the side of His will and working in co-partnership with Him.Lt 274, 1908, par. 12+2 Keeping the body healthy as individual responsibility and sacred trust can preserve peace of mind and keep the brain clear to understand truth and pursue eternal life.Lt 274, 1908, par. 12+1 Seeking health and strength enables even the diseased and suffering to glorify God in body and spirit, supporting tender care for the sick and having a healing institution under their own control for those desiring restoration for that purpose.1T 492.1–493.2+2 God does not require rigid economy that harms health, nor making crosses and manufacturing duties to distress the body to cause humility, and the temple must not be weakened or injured beyond the duties already given in His word.CTBH 151.3+1 Worry and fear that sacrifice health fail to glorify God in either body or spirit.1T 697.1–698.1

Living on bread and water with strict cleanliness of body, clothing, mind, thoughts and words and honest labor with hands to supply need and give to others is preparation for translation, but God does not now require living on bread and water, though stern necessity in coming trouble will compel it when labor is impossible and suffering is mental and God provides food.Ms 2, 1858, par. 11–13 Glorifying God requires keeping thoughts under control of reason, obliging oneself to be cheerful and happy, cultivating rest and quietude in God, cherishing hope, and refusing despondency and dwelling on affliction, since cheerfulness and calm resignation benefit health and make others happy while grief, sadness and disagreeable talk injure digestion, nutrition and circulation and unfit mind and body for healthful thinking and work.Lt 1, 1883, par. 12–15 The body as God's temple must be given good faithful care with health prized above money, strength nourished especially in old age, health never exposed to save means, and means never allowed to hinder assembling with saints where faith and attraction to heaven grow stronger.Lt 4, 1859, par. 11 Clothing that needlessly injures health fails the duty to preserve God's body, while dress should be modest, comfortable and in harmony with natural law rather than governed by ever-changing fashion for display, which brings disease, transgresses God's law and serves death.CH 650.2–3+2

People are built up from what they eat, so to glorify God in the body bought with His own blood at infinite cost means not exciting and strengthening animal passions by what is placed in the stomach.Ms 1, 1888, par. 9–10+2 The lower passions seated in the body must not rule the whole being, but all animal propensities are to be subjected to the higher powers of the soul, with the love of God reigning supreme and Christ occupying an undivided throne.Ms 1, 1888, par. 9–10+1 This requires keeping the body under subjection, exercising control over appetite, and practicing temperance in all things with self-denial and abstemiousness in order to preserve all physical and mental powers in strength for service.4T 454.2–3+1 Indulging taste at the expense of health, overeating, gluttony and intemperance rob God of strength due Him, cloud the brain and make thought sluggish so less is accomplished for Him, while allowing animal propensities to control reason breaks accountability and forfeits Christian character.4T 454.2–3 Crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts means not inflicting pain on the body but putting to death temptation to sin, expelling corrupt thought, bringing every thought into captivity to Christ, and making the members of the purchased possession into instruments of righteousness.Ms 1, 1888, par. 9–10

Eating and drinking must be done intelligently according to light and instruction, nourishing the body and giving it strength so God is honored, with the body kept under subjection and temperate because harmful habits weaken physical, mental and moral powers and hinder sanctification.ST Oct 5, 1882+3 Because people belong to God in body and spirit by creation and redemption, they must honor Him by obedience in appetite and every practice, turning from the world's standard, bringing habits into conformity to the will and mind of Christ, starving sensual passions rather than stimulating them, and rejecting meat indulgence because it fosters animalism.Lt 3, 1884, par. 21–24 Temperance in eating, drinking, sleeping and dressing is a grand principle of religious life, with truth in the soul guiding treatment of the body and nothing concerning health regarded with indifference, since eternal welfare depends on the use made of time, strength and influence.Lt 175, 1896, par. 1–6 Christ did not die for people to remain slaves to evil habits but to make them sons and daughters of God serving Him with every power, so they must not deny Him by even one act of intemperance for which He holds them accountable.20MR 82.4–7

Glorifying God requires temperance in quantity as well as quality, since overeating burdens the body and harms health and morals, burdens the stomach, draws power from the brain and lets animal nature govern.Ms 26, 1887, par. 4–5+2 The price paid on Calvary places the bought on high vantage ground where they can be liberated from bondage of sin wrought by Adam's indulgence of appetite, granting a second probation and way of escape, revealing the value of the soul and calling for resisting intemperance, overcoming indulged appetite, and fighting the battle against sin to victory through Christ.Ms 26, 1887, par. 4–5 Violating the laws of being is as much sin as breaking one of the Ten Commandments, for neither can be done without breaking God's law, and loving appetites more than the Lord lessens strength to glorify Him and hold on life needed in preparing for immortality.2T 70.1 Belonging by purchase must be taught to children from infancy as a life of constant self-denial and self-control with purity in thought and heart and act.CTBH 145.2+1

Indulgence of perverted appetite by unhealthful mixtures, sweet cakes, pastries, pies, meat and great variety at one meal clogs and enfeebles the system, clouds the brain, destroys resistance to disease, and defrauds body and soul of their due for time and eternity.Lt 10, 1891, par. 6–12+1 Spending money for nuts, candies and hurtful things and eating between meals gratifies taste to injury of the stomach, causing headaches, jaundice and loss of weeks of time, beclouding the sensitive nerves of the brain so perfect service becomes impossible.Lt 5, 1868, par. 6–7 Bodies are a habitation God has given with no right to destroy them through forbidden indulgence and selfish gratification of lust, but to preserve them for best service in harmony with the laws of being.ST Jul 29, 1889+1 Eating improper food that ruins health and drinking intoxicating liquor violates the laws of life and health and destroys the temple, and continuing binds the person until appetite holds him in chains with no strength to break free or resist Satan.Ms 155, 1899, par. 21+1

Honoring God requires refusing poisonous stimulants and cleansing from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, specifically tea, coffee, snuff, swine's flesh, tobacco, opium, wine, beer, liquor and drugs that steadily undermine the constitution, tear down the system, benumb the fine nerves of the brain and make it impossible to discern sacred things, value the atonement and see need for purity.Ms 7, 1866, par. 1–2+4 No one has right to form habits that lessen healthful action or pervert God-given powers, for willfully degrading soul and body by excitement, sports and horse-racing, the liquor curse, tea-drinking and drugs debases life, degrades senses to minister to the carnal mind, and causes powers to wither and decay.RH Nov 6, 1900+1 The drunkard reverses the purchase by selling himself for a cup of poison, giving Satan control of reason, affections and conscience, and those who continue such use will not be restored to soundness by miracle.RH Nov 6, 1900 Self-indulgence including addiction to alcohol or stimulating drinks violates responsibility to keep the body healthy and intellect clear and active, requiring full abstinence and reliance on grace.Lt 73, 1896, par. 11–13

Tobacco in any form makes glorifying God impossible, as a slow poison and defiling narcotic injuring constitution, dulling sensibilities, beclouding the mind so sacred things cannot be discerned, mastering the user as an idol between soul and duty and keeping him from fitness for fellowship until in faith he discards it.4SP 302.2–304.1+4 To be enslaved by such pernicious habit defiles the temple, contaminates breath and person, forces poison on others, and squanders entrusted capital on useless hurtful indulgence while robbing God in tithes and offerings and leaving souls perishing.MH 329.4–330.2+2 True sanctification keeps temperance, self-denial and self-sacrifice, turning means from destroying lust to the treasury for relieving the poor and supporting the gospel.GC 474.2–475.1+1

Indulgence in alcohol and stimulating drinks is both moral sin and physical disease that confuses reason, destroys self-control, weakens the body, dulls conscience to sin, hardens toward iniquity and erases difference between sacred and common so the divine standard cannot be met.PP 362.1+2 The cure is not moderation but total abstinence through full cooperation, aroused moral powers, and looking to Jesus and trusting His grace to overcome unnatural craving, with intellect kept clear to think candidly and control all powers.20MR 106.2–107.1+2 Christians as a royal priesthood carry the obligation once laid on priests to keep every power in best condition for acceptable service through all habits including eating and drinking, requiring sobriety and temperance and taking nothing that clouds senses, acts on nerves to degrade character or unfits for usefulness, lest defiling the holy temple bring destruction.PP 362.1+3

Treating God's habitation with drug medication while harmful causes remain sows death, for introducing drugs sows seeds of death that keep destroying power through life, ruins the delicate machinery, causes suffering and offends God who paid too high a price for such ruthless treatment.Lt 73, 1896, par. 57+2 Using drugs while continuing hurtful indulgences such as tea, coffee, tobacco, opium, wine, beer and other stimulants gives nature false support, leaves cause untouched and dishonors God by dishonoring the body He made, with ignorance no excuse and a terrible account to be rendered.HL 247.1+3 Understanding physiology in its truest sense leads to using fewer drugs and finally ceasing to deal them out, treating the sick without drugs by hygienic methods and nature's provisions, eating temperately of wholesome food and discarding narcotics, tea, coffee, fermented wines, stimulants and flesh of dead animals.HL 246.3+1

Glorifying God in the body requires adopting health reform from principle and duty without turning back, breaking at once from harmful food and overeating, reducing to simple plain nourishing diet free from spices, flesh meats and grease, refusing to let taste govern and enduring hunger until the stomach accepts wholesome food.Ms 53, 1896, par. 20+4 God restricts appetite and commands restraint of unnatural appetite while providing rich varied bounties, with natural appetite preserving health and prolonging life, but creating perverted appetite violates laws of being, abuses the body and brings disease.CTBH 150.4 Such self-denial removes bad breath, bad taste, faintness and disease, gives sweet health and strength, fits for heavy labor in service, saves the family suffering and grief, and lets God come with special blessing.2T 45.1+1 Touching not, tasting not, handling not spirituous liquors and rejecting manufactured appetites honors the Author of being whose law embraces the entire being, for every departure enfeebles organs, makes the purchased an unsightly representation and gives Satan occasion to taunt God.Ms 3, 1897, par. 37–38

Caring for the body calls for strengthening nourishing food to keep it fit for service, since neglect or abuse, intemperance in eating or drinking, wastes energy, weakens moral power and leaves sickly bodies and impaired minds unable to glorify God.CH 155.3+2 That care includes regulating labor without straining endurance, resting after eating, allowing much longer time to eat, eating slowly instead of hurrying, thoroughly masticating food and mixing it with saliva for right digestion, with fresh air, exercise and avoiding tight clothing.Lt 85, 1888, par. 34–40+2 Those accepting health reform light should follow it, and sanitariums should uphold its principles rather than compromise to attract patronage, serving as places where Christ's healing influence restores soul and body through right habits, prayer and teaching how to live well.Lt 30, 1903, par. 7–8+2 Professional men entrusted with lives must honor God with body and spirit by obeying physical laws and staying free from enslaving appetites and passions, living out knowledge rather than choosing present gratification over soundness of mind and body.CH 326.2

Glorifying God in body and in spirit forbids sexual immorality, fornication, lust and perversion, because the body is not one's own but bought with a price and belonging to God, a member of Christ and temple of the Holy Spirit to be kept pure for His service.Lt 106a, 1896, par. 25+4 Impurity injures physically and morally, debases the mind, weakens brain and vital forces, corrupts physical, mental and moral power, diseases the whole being, and makes acceptable sacrifice and manifestation of the Spirit impossible.2T 564.3+1 Such debasement of body and affections violates ownership, is recorded with even secret things, and will be met in judgment according to deeds done in the body.2T 564.3 Keeping the verse brings vigor and purity of mind and heart, holiness without guilt, harmony of soul and body with God, fitness for communion and indwelling of the Spirit, with pardon and restoration through Christ for the unholy.Lt 139, 1898, par. 34–42

Obedience requires preserving the body holy in purity of conduct and sanctified mind, in holiness and honor, with decency and strict purity in conversation and every action.Ms 185, 1899, par. 46–48+4 Licentiousness corrupts the soul and defiles God's soul-temple, a terrible offense even when done by professing Christians who do not know what sin is.Ms 35, 1891, par. 46 No impure act or degrading thought is secret, being done before the Father, Christ and sinless angels, and defiling oneself spreads corrupting influence that helps defile the church and harms many others.RH Nov 6, 1900+1 Resisting fleshly desire and remaining faithful even at great cost is possible through religious principle, earnest watching, prayer, meditation, and close examination of motives, feelings and acts.4T 570.2+1 Care of God's property and temple also requires reverent speech about the human structure and orderly, respectful facilities and boundaries, with women caring only for women and men only for men in treatments such as massage and packs.Ms 185, 1899, par. 46–48+1

God has first and highest claim on a wife's entire being, body and spirit, for which she is accountable in the great day, so she must not debase her body by yielding to sexual excess that injures health and life to gratify animal propensities.2T 475.3+2 With true love and wisdom she is humbly and affectionately to refuse, even at risk of her husband's displeasure, tenderly reminding him of God's claim and seeking to divert his mind to high spiritual themes.2T 475.3 Neither marriage vow nor command to submit sanctions abuse, degradation and enfeebling of the body or gives a husband unlimited control to indulge passion.Ms 152, 1899, par. 4–5 Shortening a wife's life by overburdening and wearing her down robs her of strength to glorify God in body and spirit and lays guilt on the one who does it.2T 96.1+1

Marriage does not destroy individuality, because individuality belongs to God by creation and by redemption at the cost of Christ's life, and is not surrendered to another person.7T 45.5–46.1+2 Husband and wife blend as one without losing individuality, with love for what is human secondary to love for God and the greatest outflow of affection to Him who died.Lt 57, 1902, par. 1–3+1 When love for God comes first, love of husband and wife for each other follows heaven's order, each ministering to the other's happiness as God's will, and at the beginning of married life both are to reconsecrate themselves with Christ abiding in the home.Ms 70, 1903, par. 19–21+1 Each must maintain personal individuality under Christ's leading and not follow a spouse who leads away from God, but look to the Lord for strength to serve with full purpose of heart.Lt 18, 1902, par. 12–13

Christ having bought the believer with His blood, God has claims higher than any earthly claim, so a wife must not yield will, convictions and conscience to a godless overbearing husband nor deprive herself of meetings and service to please him.2T 99.3+2 She is to put entire trust in God and flee to Him as shelter for strength and blessing, keep conscience unviolated and judgment true to what is right and Christlike, and meanwhile make the best of her marriage by treating her husband tenderly and making him as happy as possible without violating conscience.2T 99.3+1 Her body, soul, thoughts and purposes are to be kept pure and holy with Christ's claims supreme, considering whether marriage will allow that supremacy and preserve individuality, judgment and conscience.MYP 439.2–440.1+1 A husband must not treat such a purchased child of God cruelly or unjustly, dictate conscience, or bring her into bondage to his will.Lt 109, 1893, par. 39–43+1

Marriage does not cancel stewardship, destroy identity, or transfer God's claims to a husband, for a wife has direct duties to God her husband cannot meet and must not interfere with.2T 99.3+1 She keeps personal stewardship of means entrusted in God's providence, not to be yielded to husband or any other nor submerged in him.Lt 4, 1870, par. 16 Husband and wife alike belong to Jesus by creation and redemption and are accountable for improving entrusted talents by walking in harmony with the Spirit rather than serving the enemy.Lt 18, 1902, par. 12–13 Honoring God requires restraint of baser passions and care for physical and mental health even in married life, governing the passions as a religious duty.Lt 3, 1870, par. 5+1 Indulging low sensual love abuses the body, weakens health of body and mind, drags the mind to a sensual level, enervates the system, wastes vital energy, and prevents God from accepting efforts to obey truth.Lt 3, 1870, par. 5+1

Idolatrous, sensual, sentimental love between husband and wife that indulges lower passions and sacrifices health breaks the requirement to honor God with body and spirit and brings guilt.Lt 3, 1870, par. 5+1 Such self-caused ill health makes honoring Him impossible, keeps the mind low and unfit for truth, and shows affections centered on self and each other in mutual worship instead of conversion and earnest love to God.Lt 3, 1870, par. 6 A sentimental absorbing human love fed and given vent consumes what belongs to God and prevents His being glorified, for time, strength and affections are not for selfish disposal.Lt 76, 1894, par. 6+1 God has purchased supreme affection and claims undivided, pure and unalloyed love first, so a husband must not be made an idol coming between the heart and God.Ms 47, 1892, par. 9–11

Belonging to God as property bought with Christ's blood requires obedient children to refuse a life-lasting marriage with an unbeliever that would draw heart and affections from God, if they expect to see Jesus as He is, be made like Him, and receive eternal life.Lt 1, 1887, par. 5–7+1 A believer acknowledging God's claims and controlled by His Spirit cannot join in marriage with one who does not acknowledge them and is not so controlled, even if otherwise worthy, and disregarding this brings peril to the soul.RH Mar 16, 1916 Life bought at infinite cost on Calvary is God's property to be used as His Word directs, glorifying Him in daily conduct, marrying only in the Lord, shunning irreverence, idleness, scoffing, profane speech and drink, and laboring with God to win souls.Lt 51, 1894, par. 12–19 Because body and spirit belong to God by Christ's life-sacrifice, Sabbath-keeping Adventists must not engage in life insurance, as commerce and union with the world departing from gospel simplicity, weakening faith, putting entrusted means into enemy ranks, and distrusting God's providential care for His purchased people.1T 549.2–550.2

Health and life are given by God to be used for His glory, so lightly disregarding them in marriage, harming a spouse's health and transmitting disease to children, is sin.HTL2 28.3+1 A wife has worth because purchased by Christ's blood, calling her to firm, noble, independent, reliable character as helper, comfort, blessing and safe counselor keeping her husband to honesty, purity and godliness.Lt 41, 1888, par. 14+1 She is not a toy for caressing and flattery, nor to be light, trifling, gossiping and frivolous, nor to tempt living beyond earnings for changing clothes, whims, sightseeing, rich food and fine dress, but to limit wants, practice honesty in every detail, and train girls and boys never to lie or deceive in the least.Lt 41a, 1888, par. 14–15 Oppression of such a wife, who is God's property, is charged as mistreatment of Christ in His saints.Lt 35, 1896, par. 20–23 A disciple bought with a price is not her own in body, soul, thoughts and purposes, which must be kept pure and holy with the Saviour's claims supreme in considering marriage.RH Mar 16, 1916 Jesus purchased husband and wife alike with His precious blood, so they are not their own but His by creation and redemption, owing true faithful service and study of their relation to Him.Lt 31, 1902, par. 4

Everything a person has — time, service, property, strength, talents, influence, intellect, possessions, heart, and whole being — is entrusted by God and not owned for personal use or selfish gratification, because the ransom of precious blood makes believers His property to be used wholly in His service with self-denial, patience and gentleness.RH Apr 16, 1901+4 This ownership stands even if the bought perish, so lending His time, talents and strength to the world and making self-service a business is robbery, and nothing can be given Him that is not already His, requiring pure thoughts, affections moment by moment, appetite under enlightened conscience, wrestling against lust, and every organ and affection moving in harmony with the Lord above.Lt 125, 1904, par. 8+2 Life itself is a service entrusted to fulfill His will, calling for consecrated channels whose faith works through love and whose abilities win people from sin to righteousness.9T 104.1+2

Time is not one's own to employ as chosen but is God's time to be used to do His will, with every moment invested with importance, none to be abused, wasted in selfish pleasure, frivolous excitement, amusement, excursions or pleasure-loving associations, and no idlers left but all called to labor while it is day before night comes.Ms 70, 1897, par. 6–7+4 Strength and time are not one's own but a blood-bought heritage for bearing the burden of the cause, requiring self-denial and sacrifice to possess the immortal inheritance, hiding the life with Christ in God, overcoming selfishness, being true as steel to all commandments, and growing in usefulness through balanced exercise of mental and physical powers with keen discernment.Ms 70, 1897, par. 6–7+2 Unreserved devotion joins believers firmly to Christ as the eternal Rock and chief cornerstone, replacing heartless ceremony with living practical influence.Ms 68, 1897, par. 28

Money is the Lord's own entrusted capital and wonderful talent to be invested only to glorify Him, forbidding putting means at interest in speculation in houses and lands and wasting property in outward show and buildings that testify nothing to His glory.Ms 204, 1903, par. 4–6 Trading on entrusted means is required to increase them for turning men from sin to righteousness, seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, cooperating with Christ from Alpha to Omega, sowing gospel seed, bringing the gospel to many souls, and producing a harvest that enlightens minds for the future eternal home.Ms 204, 1903, par. 4–6+1 Because redemption was paid not with corruptible silver or gold but with Christ's precious blood, believers are obligated to glorify God not only in body and spirit but also with means, returning entrusted gifts to save souls rather than clinging to earthly plans.RH Aug 25, 1874+3 Defiling His temple by covetous practices and selfishness that makes the lot of fellow men more trying makes one a co-partner with satanic agencies in robbing the poor.Ms 105, 1898, par. 18–21

Glorifying God in body and spirit means refusing to squander the Lord's money on harmful or selfish indulgence that weakens physical, mental and moral power, and instead practicing self-denial and self-sacrifice by abstaining, giving the money saved to His work such as gospel medical missionary work, and inviting companions to sign the same pledge of total abstinence and giving.Lt 218, 1903, par. 10–12 Time, strength, money, talents and property are His with no right to use them for selfish gratification, inclination or pleasure, and to appropriate them for self is robbery toward God, a claim of right as well as love learned when each individually recognizes His claims.Lt 81, 1898, par. 4–5+2 This requires disinterested benevolence rather than selfish confinement to self or even to one's own children, letting means go directly to the cause to save souls, spread light and glorify His name instead of improvident use or building up what He is not prospering.Lt 29, 1874, par. 6–7 The call is to use money for His purposes rather than investing for self, supporting meetinghouses, sanitariums for physical and spiritual healing, and schools that train youth and send workers throughout the world, with accountability for how every gift is employed according to His purposes.Lt 81, 1898, par. 4–5+2

Stingy service and robbery of God deny His ownership, since men and women are not their own and have no money of their own but hold all as the Lord's money entrusted to them, bound to enter the Redeemer's service, spend not one dollar in selfishness, and give account at the last great day for what was done with it to meet the need of unworked fields.Lt 127, 1897, par. 11+2 Selfishness and covetousness that withholds from God His own uses entrusted talents to build up a rival kingdom and takes sides with Satan, while standing with Christ means doing His work in His vineyard, overcoming Satan, receiving rich grace to impart to others, returning a portion of His bounty, and using earthly treasure to advance the kingdom, save suffering humanity, and adorn doctrine rather than living to please self or receive honor for riches.Lt 120, 1899, par. 21–22+2 Giving the entire being — intellect, ambition, activities and all capabilities — into His service within His will and way brings back tenfold more than was yielded and lays up treasure in heaven.Ms 61b, 1895, par. 48

Consecration makes nothing God's that was not already His but acknowledges His ownership by creation and redemption and shows accountability, giving the whole life in undivided service with words, voice, work and every entrusted talent devoted to Him.Lt 35, 1898, par. 12–13+2 Giving means back to help save others is willing response to redemption, not payment earning it, denying self, taking up the cross, reflecting His image, and trading with goods and dollars as His own lent talents to be used as He specifies for returns to Him.ST Oct 2, 1879+3 Even a small offering given in love is valuable beside the debt of gratitude, with abilities and influence dedicated in grateful response to freedom from sin by His blood.3T 396.3–4

The whole heart, intellect, money, body and soul are strictly His own and must be given, not kept back nor sacrificed to lust nor defiled, but used not to glorify self, with holy angels ready to cooperate so that affections worked by the Holy Spirit act harmoniously and return His own freely, while withholding brings ruin.Lt 4, 1899, par. 90–92 Every talent small or great is appointed to bless others, and how talents are used decides approval now and eternal interest to come, so neglect to improve entrusted ability, influence and means to bless others disappoints the Master who gave every man his work and brings retributive judgment on the slothful servant.Lt 150, 1900, par. 9–13+2 Glorifying Him requires continually progressing in knowledge and virtue, devoting powers few or many to doing good, training mind to right thoughts, tongue to right words, eye to right things, and heart cleansed as Christ's abiding place, since judgment comes not only for open sins but for neglected good left undone, with every excuse swept away in the reckoning day.Lt 12, 1893, par. 8–12+2 Using entrusted powers carelessly is robbery, while preparing them for clean, pure, unselfish, holy service glorifies Him.Lt 150, 1900, par. 9–13

All physical strength and possessions — gold and silver, houses and lands — belong to God marked as His property to be used to glorify His name and not trifled away on selfish gratification and amusement, with believers in His training school to receive Christ by faith, meet requirements for life, serve as representatives and faithful stewards, draw wisdom from Him, and bring every advantage into His work to advance it and win souls.Ms 102, 1898, par. 18–20 Unfaithful use to please the selfish heart greatly dishonors the Lord and perverts character to ruin, leaving one unblessed now and bankrupt for eternity because present character-building determines eternal salvation or ruin, while faithfulness reaches highest usefulness, everlasting life and membership in the royal family.Ms 102, 1898, par. 18–20 Being bought takes away the right to live for self, which cannot bring happiness, so both body and spirit must honor Him rather than follow unwise desires, refusing selfish use of means and returning entrusted goods to Him, giving the heart's best and holiest affections.Lt 81, 1902, par. 15+3 If business causes loss of love for the Saviour it must be given up, asking what He wants done, for He receives graciously, loves freely and pardons abundantly.MYP 70.1

To bind soul, body and spirit in money-making enterprises and business engagements even to get free from debt is to sell what is God's, rob Him of required service, and be allured from diligence by fascinating prospects for gain, so one must stop, refuse new entanglements, surrender without reservation, and do the appointed work of teaching and soul-winning instead of spending money and labor for what does not satisfy.Lt 36, 1892, par. 7–8 Haste to be rich that breaks commandments toward fellow men, overworks beyond strength, or violates health laws makes perfect service impossible, so wealth so gained comes at great cost through a sinful course and great sacrifice.HTL2 35.1+1 Time, talents and strength must not be mingled with worldly purposes or withheld, lest robbery lead to eternal ruin, and bodies and minds as His property must not be overworked or devoted to business so as to damage health or leave no time for worship and spiritual nourishment.5T 116.1+2 Talents must not be buried in the world where they bring no returns but improved with careful fidelity for humanity's good and God's glory, making the kingdom first and not putting all strength of brain, bone and muscle into worldly interests which imperils spiritual interests and loses eternal bliss.Ms 16, 1890, par. 2–3

The claim by redemption is the greatest of all claims and involves every other, added to the claim by creation, and tithes and offerings acknowledge it to keep it ever before the mind with the sacrifice made fresh to influence thoughts and plans with Christ as crucified, His hands pierced and feet fastened bearing sins to deliver sinners from perishing eternally.Ms 139, 1898, par. 86–87 Returns are expected in proportion to capital entrusted, with gifts to be developed and returned, faithfulness in promises, payment of vows, and no withholding of the portion He reserved, since the soul is valued above gold and silver by human agony and the blood of the Son.Lt 125, 1904, par. 10+2 This ownership gives a claim on all things and the whole world, requiring regular tithes and offerings to fill His treasure house and carry mercy and warning, with account to be given of stewardship, for if one bought at such cost is lost it is by sinful neglect to improve entrusted gifts and cherish the Spirit's graces.Lt 32, 1875, par. 6–8+1

No one has exclusive right to anything, not even to self, because all were bought with the Son's blood, so Christ has claim on every person and all property — capabilities, possessions, skill, tact, ability and wealth — since God gives breath and power to get wealth and man only collects what God originated.Lt 192, 1901, par. 2–4+2 All that comes into possession, including talents of influence such as voice and words and talents of money, are the Lord's goods held in trust under strict account, to be used not to please self but to please God in strict temperance with unimpaired intellect to counterwork the enemy.Lt 15, 1899, par. 19–20 The moment capabilities and possessions are forgotten as the Lord's, His goods are embezzled as by an unjust steward, provoking transfer to more faithful hands, as seen when health-food work claimed as exclusive property is declared God's originating for suffering humanity everywhere with inexpensive foods and work for the needy, not run like wealthy worldly men who corner supply and make the poor suffer.Lt 192, 1901, par. 2–4+1 Forgetting this leads to acting as if unbought, as if creating the world with right to use all solely for self-gratification in houses and acres, robbing Him while living in His house and misapplying means needed by His needy children.Ms 50, 1901, par. 1–3 Taking what belongs to God for worldly advantage, even in smallest details of work, is forbidden.RH Apr 27, 1905

Gifts and abilities are entrusted to be used for God alone with self-denial, not boasted in nor treated as one's own, with bodies, strength, mental abilities, purpose, influence, means and lives valued and faithfully cultivated and strengthened for His purposes.RH Jul 31, 1900+2 All of life is to be consecrated to keep His way and will instead of one's own to do justice and judgment, with soul, body and spirit sanctified by an indwelling Saviour, daily conversion, individual representation of Christ, and no excuse for failing to improve capabilities and increase influence for good in work suited to each.Lt 22, 1897, par. 20–21 Each purchased soul is to be valuable according to the price paid, refined, ennobled and sanctified under grace, with skill never excusing pride but calling for reverence toward the body as the Spirit's sacred temple, refinement and Christian courtesy.Lt 103, 1900, par. 23–24+1

Time, talents and energies belong to Him in consecration that subdues self and overcomes wicked tempers, since bitterness and wrath defile the soul, deny Christ and harm others.ST Dec 17, 1885 Stewardship will be examined and future welfare depends on faithful use of entrusted talents and opportunities for good including winning souls.18MR 269.1–3 The purchase requires willingness to make any sacrifice to relieve the afflicted and, for those with established institutions, the privilege and duty to help establish work where nothing gives character to it, with imparting that brings blessing.Ms 111, 1899, par. 15–17 Because each is God's purchased property with an identity not to be submerged in another, each person's interests must be carefully guarded without human assumption of governing authority, keeping supreme love to God in unselfish fellowship, seeing good in fellows, and never deceiving, a truth to be impressed on girls and boys for honesty in every part of life.20MR 326.2+1

Being bought lays every believer under obligation to live wholly for the Redeemer and to cooperate with Christ in rescuing perishing souls from deceptive power as His helping hand, placing truth before as many as possible and doing the work that needs to be done without drawing back from covenant by sacrifice.Lt 131, 1902, par. 24–29+2 This pledge is made at baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, testifying to death to the world in burial in the likeness of His death and resurrection in the likeness of His resurrection to labor for Christ in soul-saving, living by faith that works by love and purifies the soul, with the three greatest powers in heaven pledging sufficiency and keeping power to all who sincerely keep the vow.Lt 131, 1902, par. 24–29+4 Glorifying God therefore requires immediate reform and diligent work today, not idleness or waiting for direction, for the call to work comes with a father's tender compassion yet binds urgently as a command while souls decide for evil or good.Lt 47, 1895, par. 92–94+2

Glorifying God means putting every capability to practical service, especially winning people from sin to righteousness and helping others know and serve Him.Ms 41, 1909, par. 8–10+4 Time, strength, ability, tact, substance, influence, intellect, sympathy and affection belong to God as purchased at infinite price and are not to be spent on vanity, pride or selfish pleasure but used to share truth, save and bless others, impart received grace, return a portion of His bounty, and advance the work of warning a world in darkness, for at the last day account will be required of what was done for souls precious in His sight.Ms 39, 1901, par. 14+4 Putting on Christ means employing all powers in persevering, demanding labor for Him.CT 451.3+2

The same ownership calls persons of talent in the higher classes, noble men and women unaware of dependence on God for every temporal and spiritual favor, to give themselves to God and let truth be grandly displayed through them.Ms 117, 1899, par. 3–4 Students serve God by wisely caring for themselves, understanding what they can safely do and avoiding harmful habits in eating and work, improving intellect and every talent and opportunity conscientiously for the Creator's honor with no place for idleness, wasted time or trifling.Lt 116, 1898, par. 5–7+1 Kept as the most important lesson, this sense of responsibility makes the student labor and study as in full view of the sacrifice and for eternity, with patient taxing labor, perseverance, industry, gratitude, and love, making known to others what was made known to him, enlisting every faculty to cooperate with God in the work Christ left to do, studying as under God's eye with all heaven enlisted in his education, as with the four Hebrew youth in Babylon.Ms 25a, 1895, par. 6–7+3

God is fitting a people for everlasting life as His crown of rejoicing, putting a new song of thanksgiving on their lips with daily penitence, and requiring the service of the whole being with physical, mental and moral powers combined.Ms 49, 1898, par. 6–9+1 Every plan and method in work and business must be weighed whether it will most glorify God and bless souls for His name's glory and not merely keep busy, investing pursuits with sacredness, consecrating every action as occupying entrusted time, bringing the whole being into subjection and writing holiness unto the Lord on all actions.Ms 49, 1898, par. 6–9+2 No business corrupting to the senses or injuring heart, mind or influence is to be undertaken, secular and sacred duties are to be combined without hiding the spiritual, the eyes kept fixed on Jesus with single aim, and even the humblest honest work done in subjection is a blessing in God's household that may lead to higher work.Ms 49, 1898, par. 6–9+4

Working together with Christ means everything, cooperating as a farmer works the land with the rain, sunshine and showers God gives, appreciating His constant working, using what He gives to save the world instead of keeping all for self, laboring in humility, obeying perfectly, doing thorough practical work, daily increasing in knowledge of the divine will, faithfully improving entrusted talents to return increase, and losing self in dependence on Jesus as for eternity.Lt 196, 1903, par. 10–13+2 Those who accept Christ work out salvation with fear and trembling while God works in them to will and do His pleasure, laboring earnestly with heart, soul, pen and voice to point souls to the narrow path so He shall not have died in vain, sowing beside all waters, abiding in living union with knit souls for safety, and devoting all ability and skill to the work He calls them to do.STB 712.2+3

The invitation to go work today in the vineyard is a command requiring immediate, wise, active work for God and souls rather than idleness, waiting to be set to work, or counting on a long tomorrow, enlisting under Prince Immanuel's banner for earnest labor, sacred obligation, stern battle and active warfare against world, flesh and devil, instant in season and out of season, denying self, taking up the cross, running with persevering earnestness where every man is given his work, laboring not for perishing food but enduring life.Ms 10a, 1895, par. 103–105+3 Hearty, full, thorough devotion and religious duties at all times and under all circumstances are required, with no pettish reasons or discouragement excusing neglect of a single duty, and mercy in sparing from sickness and death and lengthening probation to overcome defects and redeem the past kindling thankful humility in obedient service.4T 215.3–216.1

Christ's sacrifice both redeems and sets the example, so a life of good works leads others to glorify God, with every new power entrusted to be used to glorify Him and serve others in pure speech and unselfish action, pledged to share His work and bear the cross.RH Feb 25, 1902+2 Because each perishing soul was purchased by death on Calvary which measures its value, and souls daily decide between eternal life and destruction, unreserved consecration as missionaries of the cross is required with every hand engaged at its post working heart and soul, instead of feeble contentment with trifling service, time given to trifles, and variance and striving.STGC 67.3+1 Understanding redemption and deeply appreciating Calvary subordinates every other interest to saving souls, looking ever to God to know what He wants done and doing what can be done even if little because it may result in great good, denying self, lifting the cross through evil and good report, wrestling in prayer to be imbued with the Spirit to win souls under the Holy Spirit's constraining power, and answering flattering human temptations that one is not his own.Lt 26, 1894, par. 7+4

That aim begins in the family, for children's souls as younger members of the Lord's family are exceedingly precious and must with patient untiring effort be placed on the Lord's side, refusing anything hindering the work and seeking with anxious solicitude those still in Satan's power, while indifference to others' danger in view of infinite cost is wrong.Ms 5, 1902, par. 34–35+1 Every individual church member with all powers and talents belongs to God under sacred vow by ransom blood and is owed to service for fellow beings perishing in sin, with indifference and idleness forbidden, for those folding hands and doing nothing are indolent servants and stumbling blocks.Lt 297, 1905, par. 5–7+2 Believers were not created for mere self-enjoyment but for willing service with self-denial and cross-bearing, following His footsteps conformed to His image, surrendering unreservedly and refusing any power, relation or society that would make them deny Christ, dishonor God or prove disloyal to His law, since every hour failing to acknowledge Him robs God.Lt 48, 1887, par. 14–17+2

Honoring God in body and spirit includes serving as canvassers and evangelists under God's direction, with youth called to house-to-house labor in places not yet hearing truth, wonderfully blessed as they go forth, answering for entrusted talents and keeping hands clean and hearts right so conduct does not dishonor truth.8T 229.2+4 Gospel ministers and medical missionaries must study and heed the lesson, with watchmen awake to give warning, take in the situation, be healed of sin and unbelief, refuse the prince of darkness, have Satan cast out, and come humbled to receive help.Lt 320, 1905, par. 21–24 Patients' diseased bodies are God's property by purchase, so physicians must glorify God as Restorer by true honest dealing, charging only simple price for simple work, never taking others' customs as standard, never exacting exorbitant fees, billing for unrendered services, or speaking a few words and doing nothing for large fee, for such is robbery, fraud and dishonesty, and medical practice including charges must follow God's law.Ms 169a, 1899, par. 7–10+4

The Christian physician is bought at infinite price and belongs to Christ to work for Him as a missionary in a trust as responsible as the minister's, requiring more than studying disease and treatment, even holy conversation without base thoughts, readiness to speak in season of the soul's value and perils out of Christ, sowing truth, daily practicing pure gospel principles as a savor of life, looking constantly to Jesus who imparts knowledge, wisdom, comfort, peace, hope and marvelous success, while recognizing Jesus in all work for the afflicted, letting Him preside as counselor over every department, and laboring to save soul as well as body without letting worldly enterprise crowd out healing ministry.HPMMW 7.2+2 Service to such a Master must not be treated as bargain for higher wages, so when men bid with large inducements the bought must not sell themselves but honor God in body and spirit by studying Christ's life and teachings, serving not from grudging, covetous, selfish motives but from comprehended humiliation and love that banishes selfishness.SSP 37.3–4+3

All words and actions of the blood-bought must honor the Redeemer, guarding influence as precious treasure used in His service, avoiding even appearance of evil that shipwrecks life, studying cause to effect at every step, restraining perverted inclination, speaking pure edifying cheerful courageous words that help, encourage and strengthen, never a wrathful word that may hurt a soul struggling for heaven's atmosphere, and shunning gossip, slander and contention that harm others and the church.RH Sep 1, 1904+4 As Christ's property engaged in His great blessed work of blessing humanity, believers are to move calmly trusting Jesus with firm abiding faith in the promises, unmoved by what any say or do or by perversity even of church members.MYP 68.1–2+1 As His purchased possession they should seek His guidance and ask what work He would have them do, giving themselves to the Lord under the willing Spirit, dealing honestly, depending on prayer, moving not without Him, willing for any sacrifice to relieve the afflicted, and where connected with established institutions counting it privilege and duty to help establish work where nothing gives character to it.JIOKP 5.3+2

Entrustment of sacred treasures to the church calls for holy conversation and circumspect deportment, with self-respect as partakers of divine nature and sons of the eternal God, cooperating with God for Creator, Preserver, Redeemer and Father in restoration of every faculty, while the Father gives the Spirit to work with the agent to make him complete in Christ.Ms 65, 1898, par. 14 Because life is solemn and not one's own, kept by God's power with Jesus desiring to live His life within to perfect character, the present is an opportunity that cannot be lost, calling ministers and workers to awake, act soberly after God's order, make the very most of opportunity, and free educational institutions from debt.Ms 99, 1900, par. 4

God requires those He bought with Christ's life to be sanctified in entire being, pure as Christ is pure and fully conformed to His will, with body and spirit honoring Him because both belong to Him and the soul's beauty comes from Christ's grace given to redeem from eternal death.Lt 207, 1904, par. 6+4 Belonging to God lays solemn far-reaching obligations to God and to others, calling Christians to live to meet God's mind, let Christ's life shape their own, present themselves as a living sacrifice, follow His holy humble unselfish example, put away earthliness and rise above sordid worldly influences.Lt 13a, 1879, par. 4–5+3 Christ's power keeps from evil those who meet His conditions and break free from sin to pursue holiness in the fear of the Lord.AA 306.2

Christ's sacrifice was meant not only to redeem but to impart power to stand on the platform of eternal truth, so lives are not their own for sinful indulgence but are to receive His power and live in partnership with Him.Ms 151, 1904, par. 15–17+1 The Lord requires sanctification of the whole being, with mind as well as body refined, elevated, ennobled and reasoning powers purified and brought to God, through earnest persevering work with prayerful contrition, searching the heart and penetrating daily acts to weed out defects and live as unto God.Lt 45, 1899, par. 3 Each must choose this for self, adopting principles after careful consideration until, if right, they become a living molding influence taking hold of the depths of nature as a well of water springing up to eternal life.Lt 45, 1899, par. 3 Those purifying souls by belief of the truth must stand bound up with Christ and refuse to lower the standard of truth to worldly policy and practice, which misrepresents God and bears false witness of Him, but instead elevate and ennoble all connected with them and reveal God in holiness and power as laborers together with Him, with assurance they will not perish through the archdeceiver's working.Ms 122, 1905, par. 12 Believers become co-workers with Christ because men cannot wash away one stain of sin and only the life given by the Sufferer makes salvation possible, and all must daily strive to form character for future immortal life while God tests worthiness to enter through the gates, with eyes fastened on Christ apart from sights, sounds and temptations.Ms 99, 1899, par. 18–20 As with Joshua's cleansing, God removes filthy garments, causes iniquity to pass, and clothes the repentant with Christ's righteousness, accepting them through Christ not worthiness, conditional on obedience and keeping His charge.RH Aug 20, 1901

Through Christ's imputed righteousness believers strive to keep God's commandments and glorify God in body and spirit, which keeps them from becoming fractious when displeased, enabling each church member to represent Christ.12MR 53.2+1 Mere knowledge of God's will or profession of obedience does not secure eternal life; what is required is subjection of heart, soul, mind and strength to Jesus Christ, with God's requirements taking in every phase of self-sacrifice.Lt 118, 1897, par. 34–36 Everything possessed comes from Him through purchase by Jesus Christ, so every man and woman carries responsibility and accountability to heaven to honor Him with body and inner life, and standing where that is realized brings divine blessing that all must be educated to understand.Ms 100, 1899, par. 16–18 Christ pleads for His blood-bought people and clothes them with His righteousness as they give God all He requires.ST Sep 9, 1889 Obedience to His commandments by keeping soul pure and holy is the test of discipleship and love to Christ, the way to keep His companionship, harmony and friendship with God and to show others what His law requires instead of pleasing neighbors who dishonor God.Ms 105, 1894, par. 20

The New Testament does not relax God's requirements but draws lines closer and defines duty more distinctly, so that even eating and drinking must honor God.Ms 60, 1894, par. 13 People are not their own to use as they please but are accountable to Christ and must live by the ten commandments, the standard of His kingdom, with God testing whether each will obey in the probation secured by Christ bearing sin's penalty.Ms 60, 1894, par. 13+1 Having one's own way with self brings loss of soul, while having God's way brings purposeful life here and everlasting life to come.Ms 60, 1894, par. 13

God weighs motives and reads thoughts and purposes, so glorifying Him means surrendering all, letting His will rule the heart, exercising living earnest unwavering faith with hope and love, overcoming selfishness, disciplining the soul, cultivating every virtue, and diligently training and using every power in harmony with God to become Christlike, noble-minded, generous, kind, courteous and efficient for the Master and salvation of souls, with heart and mind in perfect harmony.Ms 25a, 1895, par. 8–9 Thoughts, words, sight and heart are to be trained and purified for right use and for Christ to dwell within, with body, spirit, capabilities and abilities devoted to His service and each responsible to use God-given abilities for good.18MR 140.5–141.1 Every step must be weighed in light of purchase, becoming wiser through Christ's grace, taking the Lord as counselor, doing nothing to impair efficiency, dealing faithfully with self and painstakingly practicing self-discipline with Jesus' help at every step for the teachable.Lt 23, 1893, par. 6 Time belongs to God, not to selfish pleasure or frivolous excitement, and wasting it brings bitter regret on review, while He calls for a pure heart and meek quiet spirit.Lt 43, 1898, par. 22–23 Pondering the path, being swift to hear and slow to speak, feeling on holy ground, trusting God to make no miscarriage of life because the Saviour is full of grace and truth, enduring suspicion as God's school, and ever revealing Christ's meekness with fruit unto righteousness and true holiness is what ownership means.Lt 86, 1895, par. 19

Following Christ requires giving Him the whole person — heart, soul, strength and mind — and making God's kingdom first, with self-humiliation, self-denial, self-sacrifice and conflict with human passions, since divided commitment continuing in unrenewed ways is inconsistent with serving Him.Lt 96, 1898, par. 20–23 No one belongs to self, so moral and religious obligation and accountability subordinate every act and enterprise to obedience, asking what God wants done, keeping eyes heavenward for His approval, maintaining watching prayer, carrying burden for souls, and walking with God as Enoch did in constant realization of accountability.Ms 141, 1898, par. 5–6 Those bought by Christ's sacrifice to save a perishing world must be united with Him in separation from the world, not entering it by choice, not placing themselves in temptation's way, not educated in worldly lines, but choosing Christ's school to learn from the great Teacher.Ms 21, 1898, par. 35–38 Worldliness must daily be subdued, love for Jesus cultivated, influence placed wholly on His side, and refusal to live to please associates when it displeases God, with parents privileged as blood-bought co-workers to save their own souls and their children's, who are God's purchased heritage.Ms 69a, 1896, par. 8–10+1 That means making what pleases God first and neighbors secondary, never making neighbors' thought, word or deed the standard, teaching by example that God's law is the rule to be kept without transgression in every particular in active earnest sincere piety which decides destiny.Ms 105, 1894, par. 5 Believers must remain faithful to Christian duties and to God rather than turn from the path set for the redeemed.Lt 76, 1896, par. 10–11

Solid conversion means renunciation of self and honoring God rather than self with body and spirit, rejecting world's methods, customs and plans in labor, returning to the Lord what is His, living out consecration without waiting for special evidence, and preserving its sacredness by keeping heart, mind, soul and body free from contamination, pollution of thought and sight, and leaven of evil, in union with God closer than angels through Christ who took humanity as Elder Brother and Redeemer.Ms 7, 1900, par. 10–11 Yielding soul, body and spirit fully to Him is genuine conversion preparing for heaven, putting on Christ's righteousness, walking in light, and doing God's work without hesitation or delay, seeking Him day and night until found to the soul's joy.Lt 9, 1893, par. 17 One seeking pardon should acknowledge ownership and give self to Christ, asking cleansing from sin, His righteousness, and keeping from transgression of God's law.Lt 80, 1900, par. 16 Surrender must not be delayed nor rest on own strength, for Christ is willing and ready to help.Ms 84, 1886, par. 13 Eternal life is worth everything because precious blood paid the purchase for the soul, requiring being right with God in true unmistakable conversion and sanctification through truth, with beauty in soul instead of mere profession, and earnest soul-winning by clinging to Christ as the only victory amid last-day perils.1MR 380.2–3 Those blood-bought must separate from the world and glorify God in the body as His holy temple, constantly advancing, learning personal duty from God, taking decided stand, refusing impulse, temptation, self-indulgence and worldly fashion, dressing modestly, and bringing children under that same separation by the Word.Ms 3, 1884, par. 8

The claim of purchase breaks thralldom of sin, controls lower passions and appetites, turns from corrupt heathen practices to purity and holiness, perfects holiness in fear of the Lord, and keeps from evil and makes strong in the Mighty One when its conditions are met by those who dedicated their lives at conversion.ST Apr 14, 1914 Ownership subdues love of sin and self and leads to grateful daily service, for serving Christ is true freedom and delight in God's law strives toward its perfect standard.AAP 4.1 Whole conduct in deed and word must glorify God, with Christ's sacrifice continually shaping religious life and belonging shown by voluntary surrender to His service.Lt 296, 1904, par. 14 Conduct must honor God and the Redeemer, not indulge foolish behavior that grieves the Spirit, dishonors the Lord and weakens influence for righteousness, but be an example others can safely follow.Lt 32, 1912, par. 3–4 Doing evil grieves Christ and harms the soul of the one who belongs to Him.SCE 26.1+1

Because infinite price purchased all that persons are and possess, mercy and tenderness shown through life justly claim gratitude, reverence, love and obedience, meaning respect for His laws in every detail, given not to deprive of good but to guide into safe paths of peace and happiness.ST May 20, 1913 Immense sacrifice calls to gratitude, self-denial and faithful service under Christ's rule.Lt 78, 1908, par. 4 People are not free to live for self or worldly purposes but to give body, soul and spirit to God for service as He wills, bought with the life-blood of His only-begotten Son.Lt 303, 1904, par. 10 Willing obedience, love and service belong to Him by death at infinite price and should be given freely without reserve.Lt 10, 1881, par. 6 Redemption calls to willing surrender so He can guide, transform by grace, and use lives to honor His name.Ms 168, 1902, par. 24 Soul, body and spirit belong to Jesus Christ, to be humbly firmly acknowledged as Lord and served with whole heart, mind, might and strength.Lt 4a, 1880, par. 7

Life belongs to God not to the liver of it, for God sustains life and Christ desires to live in believers and perfect character, with abilities used as God's in His purpose so glorifying Him is life's chief end.RH Dec 11, 1900 Living is solemn because kept by God's power with Jesus desiring to live His life within to perfect character, making the present an unlosable opportunity calling for sober action after God's order and making most of opportunity.Ms 99, 1900, par. 4 Ownership calls for earnest care of soul and life free from dishonesty and falsehood, reflecting gospel purity and truth.Lt 188, 1905, par. 13–14 Loyalty and faithfulness stand firm in faith and make more than conquerors through Him, working as in heavenly intelligences' presence, copying Christ's pattern in faith, hope and love, letting light shine in good works, doing nothing that cannot be done to God's glory with His blessing asked, leaving no need for billiard table, theater, dancing hall or worldly diversion.5MR 127.2–3

Honoring God requires gentlemanly deportment even in private rooms as becomes Christian gentlemen and young men hearing solemn sacred truths, honoring God-given manhood, for failure brings God's rebuke while receiving and practicing truth on this principle brings great blessing.Lt 51a, 1897, par. 1–3 No word or act may obstruct another's way to Him, for persons are not their own property.Ms 178, 1907, par. 10 Belonging means being in Him by living faith and abiding to bear fruit; bearing none lets darkness possess mind, affections and service, leaving one of the world despite profession, neither safe nor pleasant and forfeiting privileged beauty, glory and satisfaction, while abiding receives His sweetness, fragrance and light shining in heart and face, and beholding His beauty changes into His image.Ms 85, 1901, par. 5 Body and spirit used to glorify Him is lived out in Christlike love and deeds through abiding and control by His grace and love.RH Apr 4, 1912 Everyone converted bears the Christian name under responsibility to put on Christ in spirit, word and conduct, receive mold from Him, copy His Spirit, reproduce tenderness, courtesy, love and solicitude for souls, and represent Him so others are transformed and become laborers lifting Christ to draw all.Lt 51b, 1894, par. 12–14 Deeper stronger truer union of abiding in Christ and His abiding within, with heart filled with grace and will controlled, moves by His love to suffer with sufferers, rejoice with rejoicers, feel tenderness for weakness, sorrow and distress, and ever reach to relieve need, reflecting Him whose heart was touched with pity, who died at Calvary to lift transgression's penalty, wept over sorrow, groaned for the tried, never failed nor discouraged but pressed forward to make eternal life possible, His earthly life perfectly reflecting divine law as life, hope and light, changing beholders from character to character.Lt 121, 1904, par. 22–24

Those bought in soul, body and spirit must leave interests in His hands instead of transferring them to self, attend meeting and bear testimony as His witness, refuse unlawful doubtful measures to disentangle from embarrassment, and endure pressure, submit to wrong, and bear suffering's part for Christ rather than sin to deliver self, even enduring evil name, false accusation and loss of temporal interests, overcoming evil with good in fellowship with His sufferings.Lt 32, 1894, par. 11–13 Strength from God resists every temptation to present the person to God as righteousness' instrument, pursuing only courses the Lord approves, associating Him with all done and said, imitating the true Pattern, faithful, sincere and upright so Jesus is not ashamed to call him son, thus qualified as co-laborer with Christ and angels.Lt 26, 1868, par. 2 Being bought means doing the Father's will even against inclination, including returning to hard labor and intense mental suffering if God says go.Lt 21, 1892, par. 26 Following unsanctified self-will and holding utmost confidence in own judgment counter to God's will spoils the record, so remembering purchase requires giving up self-will.Lt 50, 1907, par. 8–9

Being bought and marked by Christ's blood sets apart for His service to be wholly for God and like Christ, requiring Christian consistency with workers resolved through grace to work with God in deep humility.Lt 113, 1890, par. 16 Belonging because He gave life to cancel sins calls lives to honor the Redeemer through integrity and faithful choices as His property.SCE 27.1+1 Those He bought must love Him, fear God, keep conscience pure and sensitive, be true to His claims, look the tempter in face and say No, refusing to imperil soul for worldly attraction, riches, or love and favor of relatives, refusing to dishonor or disobey God, refusing Satan's and sin's service, living so example never excuses turning from duty but leaves bright heavenward track, saving own soul and hundreds by word for God and firm resistance.Lt 14, 1884, par. 15–17 The soul valued above gold and silver by human agony and Son's blood must treat the Lord faithfully, be exact in promises, pay vows, and not withhold God's reserved portion, looking carefully to these duties.Lt 33, 1888, par. 38–39 Christ's blood gives value making honesty in every part fitting, to be impressed on boys and girls never to deceive.13MR 235.3 People must deal honestly with God, ask what He wants done, depend on prayer and not move without Him, preparing for appointed work.Lt 177, 1899, par. 11

Those bought at infinite price who evade the cross deny Him who bought them and will be denied in judgment, with many denying and misrepresenting Christ by low Christianity, while true believers prove belonging by well-ordered life and godly conversation, working in His lines as adopted heaven-family members, in conflict with unbelievers as Christ was, sharing His sufferings and glory.Ms 90, 1897, par. 22 Lives must not disappoint the Giver but be lived as overcomers, for Christ made faith and obedience possible and His example and words guide that life.Lt 206, 1908, par. 10–11 Honoring the purchase upholds God's authority as supreme in a world despising it, taking His command as supreme with no higher authority and not prevaricating for selfish ends, laying all time, strength, tact, skill and talents on the altar as consecrated gift in trust for His service not self-exaltation, every member and faculty a consecrated offering.Lt 14, 1888, par. 14–15 When through unwatchedness falling under temptation, true sorrow, remorse, shame and indignation for offending God make more humble and vigilant against Satan with constant earnest desire to imitate Jesus in every phase.Lt 14, 1888, par. 14–15

Eternal life demands diligent preparation, showing allegiance to the best Friend by becoming the heavenly King's servants, seeking purity of heart and holiness, yielding best holiest affections and laying all — influence, talents, entire being — at His feet to work for His glory instead of self-interest first, since Christ died to ransom from Satan's claims showing high value.Lt 6, 1871, par. 9 Daily sanctification through truth must go on in mind and heart for those with light brought home, walking as Christ in light and rendering whole-life thanksgiving not lips only, cultivating the heart's garden and diligently uprooting weeds.Ms 71, 1898, par. 3 Infinite price makes persons His property and thereby gives opportunity to stand on His side rather than be compelled by Satan into his apostate army, calling them to honor Him in life.Ms 116, 1904, par. 19–20

The same blood that bought one brother bought every other brother, so all are brethren born of God by the same Spirit, members of the same body worked by the same Spirit and sustained from the same source by feeding on the flesh and blood of the Son of God, the Word which is spirit and life.Ms 105, 1900, par. 11+2 Because of that close bond it is no virtue to differ, and when the same vitalizing current flows through minds and hearts there will be harmony of action, while failure to live as one family denies the Source of all spiritual life.Ms 105, 1900, par. 11+2 That common purchase calls for forgiveness and help rather than hardness or refusal to assist, for each worker is God's property.Lt 6, 1901, par. 7–11+1 It requires respect and kindness and love to all who love God, pressing together in Christian fellowship though characters and expression differ, living in unity across differences of nationality and character and carrying out every duty to honor God in body and spirit.Ms 129, 1901, par. 20–23+1

Because fellow workers belong to Christ by purchase, every part of their being having been bought by His precious blood, they must be treated with respect and kindness and love and joined in fellowship even when they displease or fail to meet expectations.Ms 129b, 1901, par. 18–19+2 Putting away all evil thinking and evil speaking fulfills Christ's prayer that the oneness between Him and His Father exist among His followers, so the world may know God sent His Son to save sinners.Ms 129b, 1901, par. 18–19 Each soul purchased by Christ's blood is precious, laying binding obligations to God and to one another, so words and actions should honor God by courtesy, care, and responsibility.Lt 13a, 1879, par. 2–3 Being bought makes men and women members of Christ's body, and since man stands highest among God's works to represent Him, they are to give one another respect and love and kindness.3MR 334.4 Each person as God's purchased property is to reverence himself by obedience, exerting every faculty to become an example in word, spirit, and action in a work lasting as eternity, and to respect others as God's property especially in business by kindness, pity, courtesy and tenderness, with no overbearing and no stirring of passions by unadvised words, honoring Christ as sons and daughters of the King and showing forth His praises.Ms 40, 1896, par. 25 Remembering this ownership also supports self-control and restraint when irritated or tempted to answer sharply, calling for honor to God in how one lives.Ms 101, 1908, par. 17

Because people belong to God at infinite cost, no one has a right to destroy their influence or handle them harshly, and even those supposed to need correction from evil must be dealt with judiciously after Christ's manner with justice, mercy, and love.DA 487.4–488.1+2 Those redeemed by Christ's blood in body, soul, and spirit must not be made to suffer through religious bigotry, for harming them is offensive to God.DA 487.4–488.1 The infinite price of souls makes careful, patient treatment a serious duty, especially for ministers, teachers, and parents whose influence can help or harm.4T 419.1 Christians must be very careful in dealing with one another, especially with erring church members, having no right to surmise evil, to follow impulse and inclination, to express prejudice and plant evil thinking in other minds, or to pass unfavorable reports from member to member, since mistakes and injustice come from unwillingness to follow the Lord's directions for the erring.7T 260.2 Because God owns His heritage He deals with it in infinite tenderness and longsuffering love and is not a tyrant, so no person in any position has any right to be harsh, severe, and dictatorial or to bruise souls, and a contrary spirit shows loss of sight of Jesus and control by another spirit.19MR 214.1

No human agent is to lift up his soul to vanity, speak proudly and boastfully in a masterly manner, put himself where God should be, or trust in men, for no person belongs to himself but was bought even with the precious blood of the Son of God, and proud self-exaltation over God's property separates the soul from God and brings defeat.RCOC 105.4+1 Bodies and spirits being God's, allegiance must not be surrendered to human authority, and the Lord alone is to be exalted.RCOC 105.4 Every individual is directly accountable to God and must humble the heart before Him, leaving no place for unchristlike independence and no right for anyone to be mind and conscience and experience for another.Lt 412, 1907, par. 7 No man is to become substitute for another, since Christ bought believers, took them under His care, and stands as their substitute, and all mental, physical, and spiritual capacities from God are to be used for the Master in perfect service while holding fast to Jesus.Lt 43, 1899, par. 48 Glorifying God in body and spirit means being just and generous to one's own soul, refusing to become servants of men by consenting to have liberty in Christ restricted by men or councils, breaking every restricting band, staying open to more radiant light God has still to impart, and refusing human inventions that circumscribe thought and make merely mechanical Christians.ST Jul 5, 1910 People are God's heritage and property bought at a price beyond reckoning, so no person may presume to take charge of souls or control them as though entrusted to human authority.STB 78.1–2

Because each person belongs to God by creation and redemption, soul, body and spirit, bearing His stamp as His workmanship with individuality and identity to be molded after the divine likeness, no human has jurisdiction over another's conscience, no right to control another mind, judge for another, prescribe duty, take away individual rights in God's service, or dictate to fellow men, for God has given freedom to think and each must be a doer of the Word and follow impressions of duty.19MR 213.3–4 Every human being, white or black, in body and soul belongs to God alone because He made all and Christ died for the whole family, and God made man a free moral agent, so no human master has title to others' souls no matter what was paid for flesh.1T 358.1+1 Slavery is sin because it treats persons as cattle property, chains body and soul in degradation, and seizes over a fellow man a power God never granted and belonging to God alone.1T 358.1 The master who assumes God's place will be held accountable for power exercised and for the sins, ignorance, and vice of the slave, and those who degrade God's property will receive retribution when His wrath awakes.1T 358.1 No finite human can own another, claim to be mind and judgment for another, bind conscience, or exercise cruel power over faith, so slavery and religious oppression with imprisonments, tortures and bloodshed violate God's ownership.Lt 80a, 1895, par. 31–34 Treating people who belong to Christ cruelly is charged as treatment of Christ Himself, while helping those in need is counted as service to Him.4MR 7.3+1

Christ gave His life to redeem people of every race at the same price and by the same grace, with no color line and one heaven for all the saved.4MR 32.2–33.1+2 Everyone who believes in Christ as personal Saviour belongs to Him by redemption as well as creation, without distinction of knowledge, nationality, social position, wealth, or race, whether high or low, rich or poor, black or white, ignorant outcast, heathen, European, or slave.Lt 165, 1899, par. 16+1 There is no caste in heaven, and all the converted are usable in the Lord's service.Lt 165, 1899, par. 16 No color or birth can raise or lower standing before God, and worth is measured by the infinite price of Christ's blood, not by birth, race, position, wealth, or education, so none is to be treated as unimportant or excluded.STA 154.2+1 All who enter heaven do so through Christ's merits, not their own, and His sacrifice gives a probation to form characters for immortal life.Lt 304, 1908, par. 9–10+1

Those purchased without distinction, when turned from sin to holiness, become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, His brethren who will walk with Him in white.Lt 165, 1899, par. 16+1 Belonging to God is a privilege of adoption into the heavenly King's family, demanding willing undivided service, loving God supremely and neighbor as self, and forsaking earthly affections that control the heart in order to follow Him.Lt 68, 1899, par. 17–19+1 The new life through conversion and communion produces God-likeness in character.Ms 75, 1895, par. 5 Earthly lords will gladly associate in heaven with redeemed black believers whose robes are washed white in the blood of the Lamb.Lt 165, 1899, par. 16 The price was Christ Himself in condescension coming to stand at the head of fallen beings under sentence of eternal death, calling men brethren as elder brother and conferring divine sonship, bearing human guilt and God's wrath without which all must have perished, a price only faintly realized.12MR 61.1–2

This ownership applies equally to Black and white, so Black people must not be excluded from places of worship but received into membership together with white brethren, with every effort to wipe out the terrible wrong done to them.STA 159.2+1 Believers are to take their stand as God's property and are not to be treated as goods to be bought or sold.STB 364.1 Colored fatherless and motherless children are bought with a price by Christ's blood given to secure pardon for sinners of every land and color, their color unchangeable and not lessening their value, so they are to be brought up with kindness in word and action, with respect and without scolding, indifference, or extravagant display, and the Lord will cooperate to change character.8MR 129.1–2

Every person bought by God as His heritage has rights others must not violate for advantage, so Christian life requires justice and mercy, and God does not accept service marked by double dealing.STMW6 29.1–2+1 Every act of injustice against another is treated as against Christ who bought that person.SW 88.1 Men and women as members of Christ's body purchased even by the blood of the Son of God are to receive respect, love, kindness and thoughtful treatment and to resemble Him as firstfruits of His sacrifice, so no one is to weaken, depress, and discourage laboring servants, uproot influence by harsh unsanctified words, or wound and bruise souls till they perish and become faithless, for God looks at the heart and judges by words and actions.Lt 185, 1902, par. 13–16 Those in trust must deal with Christ's brethren bought with His blood with strict faithfulness and Christlike spirit, for every act causing sorrow and oppression is heard by God who hears the cry for justice, will not sanction decisions against His brethren nor be party to the least wrong, and will requite and punish unless grace is accepted in repentance.Lt 31a, 1894, par. 6–10 The least injustice to Christ's brethren, whether done directly or allowed by silence when protest could have prevented it, is registered as done to Christ Himself, and doer and silent knower alike bear guilt as unfaithful stewards.Lt 31a, 1894, par. 6–10 Harming or discouraging Christ's property dishonors the Purchaser; they are to be treated with kindness and helped toward health, courage, faith, and hope, remembering Christ was given and died for them so His death must not be in vain.Ms 54, 1904, par. 13–17+1

Because mind and body are God's property bought with a price, they must not be treated with indiscretion or presumption but kept in good condition, not loaded with heavy burdens and responsibilities nor with labor protracted till worn out and unable to pray and preserve spiritual health, for making spiritual prosperity secondary by undue devotion to business abuses God's property and defrauds the soul of sustenance from eternal life.STOM 47.1 Those responsible for workers must learn their spiritual and especially physical state, must not lay ruinous burdens making physical wrecks, must share heavy work rather than let strain fall on one, must employ strong help for heavy labor, and must give rest, consideration, tenderness and love to the unwell or breaking down.Lt 51, 1893, par. 1–3 Caring for bodies of God's children so needless suffering does not come through carelessness is as much duty as caring for souls, for when the body breaks down nerve power weakens.Lt 51, 1893, par. 1–3 Ownership also calls for generosity toward gospel and missionary workers rather than withholding support through covetousness, and for serving the poor and forsaken with humility, not dignity or superiority, denying self and doing His work for His sake rather than praise, honor, or glory.STB 793.1+2

Even bitter opponents are among those Christ bought at the cost of His precious blood, so they must be treated with courtesy and respect.RH Mar 17, 1903+1 Human beings as Christ's property must not be treated with disrespect because they do not follow lines marked out by men, since men err and set false standards while the Lord never mistakes, and those following His leading will never be disappointed.RH Mar 17, 1903 Love and tenderness are required, and Christ is grieved by lack of love, noting words and tones and harsh judgment passed on those He in infinite love presents to the Father, hearing every sigh of pain caused by human harshness with grief of Spirit.RH Mar 17, 1903 Those entrusted with responsibility dishonor Christ when they treat His life-blood purchase selfishly or harshly, failing to respect them and show His love and grace.Ms 136, 1902, par. 10–13 A person in God's service being God's property, others have no right to hinder or rule him but must treat him with care and respect, respecting social rights and claims as Christians with refinement and delicacy.RCOC 34.3–4+1 Those made free by Christ are God's property to stand as free men not to be bought or sold, serving as volunteers united with Christ the greatest Teacher, leaving all to follow Him as fishermen left nets and Matthew the receipt of customs, learning His methods for saving souls and bringing in none of their past practices.Ms 122, 1905, par. 8

Being bought forbids turning sarcasm even upon oneself, for the purchased person is of value in God's sight.Lt 29, 1897, par. 33–34 Christ has paid ransom for each soul, so each is His bought captive and should respect himself, to become His free son, a son of God and child of the heavenly King honored by the angelic universe upon believing and accepting Jesus as personal Saviour.Lt 137, 1898, par. 13 Jesus longs to do this for every coming soul, taking the humble and contrite into connection with the excellent of the earth, so that goodness and mercy follow all life's days and he dwells in the house of the Lord forever.Lt 137, 1898, par. 13 Being bought at the cost of His life makes the soul precious to Him, so it must not be sold or surrendered to human influence but stand with Him free in Christ, using influence for truth and righteousness whatever the consequences.Lt 249a, 1904, par. 15–19

Belonging to God because bought at a price, which is to be valued, calls for living in right relation to Him and helping the straying by words that may lead to salvation and everlasting life.Ms 75, 1909, par. 4+1 Christ's people are to reflect His mind by helping rather than discouraging those in need.RCOC 100.3 Trusting the Purchaser who is mindful, afflicted in all afflictions, touched with infirmities, and knowing how to succor the tempted, nourishes the soul with the divine presence, lifts it out of self into God's presence, and dispels mist and darkness with the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness even when prayer for restoration seems unanswered.Ms 19, 1892, par. 86–88 The purchased retain personal individuality as distinct individuals while living in oneness of nature with God as His children, conformed to the divine image to share His consciousness, blessedness, feelings and excellence.Lt 25a, 1895, par. 14–17 Applied to suspicion toward brethren, this calls purchased people to put away distrust, love and believe in fellow workers, and find rest and happiness among them, serving God not by bare obedience but by likeness to Him.Lt 25a, 1895, par. 14–17 Belonging to God gives responsibility to honor Him in how one lives, and belonging to the church and fellow believers creates high and holy ties, so conduct affecting the church gives it a right to speak when its welfare and influence are at stake.17MR 155.4

Children are the Lord's property because Jesus gave His life and died to save them, and the price was so great its full measure will be revealed only in eternity.Ms 71, 1900, par. 1–3+2 Being bought means they are not their own, so to glorify God in body and spirit is to give Him the whole being — heart, body, soul and spirit — first giving the heart, accepting Jesus as personal Saviour, and consecrating themselves as His children.Ms 71, 1900, par. 1–3+2 This self-giving is the most highly valued treasure and greatest gift they can make to Him, presented as a New Year's offering, to be cleansed from all sin, accepted as His child, used as a temple for His indwelling, helped to serve Him, and to do all they can for Him.Ms 71, 1900, par. 1–3+1 They are therefore to be prepared for a home in heaven, and faithful parents are responsible for caring for them in light of God's claim on them.Ms 87, 1902, par. 51–52+3

Children bought with the price glorify God by using right, polite words and being polite to God, thanking, praising and glorifying Him for blessings with grateful hearts at home.Ms 191, 1903, par. 13–14 Glorifying means speaking no unpleasant, cross or harsh words, speaking only to build up happiness in mind and heart, bowing in prayer and being committed to God, and valuing the angels of God who surround them, watch over every one of them, and serve God by caring for children.Ms 191, 1903, par. 13–14 Because they are bought as Christ's purchase at the price of His own life and His own blood so He could bring them into a position to take away their sins, children are to be taught to be faithful in little things so they will be faithful in larger things, to be truthful, to treat time as precious, and to have hopefulness and manifest happiness in speech and in the household.Ms 191, 1903, par. 11–12 For parents this means a consistent deportment at home and abroad, especially in speech: the voice is to help and encourage and strengthen others, with words well chosen, sound, pure and edifying, free from sickly sentimentalism and cheapness.10MR 188.4–189.3 Children should also learn to work for what they receive and give thoughtfully to Jesus, rather than offering money that costs them nothing.TEPD 50.2

Human beings are not their own because Jesus bought them with an infinite price by dying to save them and taking the punishment of their sins upon His divine soul, so body and spirit are God's and must glorify God.Ms 69a, 1896, par. 8–10+1 This means subduing the spirit of worldliness every day, cultivating love for Jesus, refusing to live to please associates and thereby displease God, and placing all influence on Christ's side.Ms 69a, 1896, par. 8–10+1 Parents in particular are privileged as those bought at such a price to be coworkers with Jesus Christ to save their own souls and the souls of their children, teaching their children to live for God, because children also are bought with a price and are the property of Jesus Christ and God's purchased heritage.Ms 69a, 1896, par. 8–10+2 That means teaching children they cannot live to please associates when it displeases God, making what pleases God first and what pleases neighbors secondary, never making what neighbors think or say or do the standard of character and conduct.Ms 105, 1894, par. 5 It means teaching by example that the law of God is the rule of life to be kept without transgression in every particular, and giving neighbors an example of practical obedience to all His requirements in active, earnest, sincere piety, which decides destiny for eternal life.Lt 90, 1911, par. 13–14+1

Yielding heart and mind to God's counsel and living by the Word's principles gives a Christian influence to others, and parents who model Christian dignity and teach their children these principles help them learn what it means to be Christians and build Christ's kingdom.Lt 90, 1911, par. 13–14+1 Children are to be taught that Christ died for them, so they should live and work in His service and not let His death be in vain, giving their understanding and affections to Him, and through knowing Him their lives are sanctified.RH Oct 5, 1911+1 Children, too, have been bought by Christ and redeemed from wrongdoing; parents should treat them as His own, cooperate in their salvation, and teach them to resist selfish desires rather than indulge them.RH Oct 5, 1911

The body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in believers and given by God, so believers are not their own but are bought with a price and belong to God in both body and spirit, and therefore must glorify God in body and in spirit.Lt 51a, 1895, par. 23–26 The verse means parents are accountable to God to properly train and educate their children, to live a self-denying Christian life, to seek the incorruptible ornament of a meek and quiet spirit rather than outward adorning and selfish indulgence, and to put solid acquirements into character-building on the foundation of Jesus Christ that will abide when every man's work is made manifest and tried by fire.Lt 51a, 1895, par. 23–26 Every child belongs to God because each has been bought at great cost; parents are responsible to God for their children and must guide them with kindness, tenderness, love, and obedience.Ms 65, 1908, par. 9+1 Children must be taught that they are thus bound to love the Lord Jesus, fear God, keep His commandments, and not love the world.Ms 67, 1909, par. 7–8

Children are the Lord's property because they were bought with an infinite price, so they are to be taught to respect themselves and parents are to treat family discipline as sacred.Ms 102, 1903, par. 24 They are to be trained for useful lives in His service and for eternal life; parents should consecrate every power to God as they carry out their responsibility to teach them.8MR 5.1 This truth should guide parents' work for their children, especially their efforts to secure their salvation and keep them from temptation through continual instruction in God's Word.RH Jun 2, 1910+3 People were not created merely to please themselves, but to serve God's noble purposes, and in Jesus they find strength to resist temptation, so they are to train their children from their earliest years in self-control and devotion to Him.CE 165.3–166.1 This applies to children as well as adults: they should be taught that all their bodily, mental, and spiritual powers belong to God through creation and redemption and are to be consecrated to Him, and trained for unselfish service, since sharing in helping others increases their happiness and usefulness.7T 63.1

Teachers must treat each child as God's property, with care and respect, knowing that their words and actions toward children will be reviewed before God.Ms 34, 1893, par. 7–9 This truth of belonging to God by purchase must be taught to children from their infancy, requiring a life of constant self-denial and self-control, practicing temperance and purity in thought and heart and act.CTBH 145.2 Its words are to be considered from childhood through adulthood, calling students to devote body, mind, and soul to glorifying God and to seek knowledge of Christ, who gave His life to make eternal life possible; parents who grasp it will live consecrated lives, follow Christ's example, and seek completeness in Him.Lt 222, 1908, par. 2 Ownership means that choices and conduct, including the customs and practices brought into school life, must be directed by God rather than accepted uncritically.8MR 284.3–285.1 Giving freewill offerings for God's work, including money to secure and furnish a school for youth, is therefore only giving God what is already His, and glorifying God in body and spirit when judgments are in the land and Christ is soon to come means humbling the heart, praying in faith, denying self, and giving generously to work for the salvation of souls and to show youth that the last message of warning is believed.1MR 329.1–330.1

Because believers are bought, it is the duty of each student and each individual to do all in his power to glorify God by presenting his body to Christ as a cleansed temple, physically perfect as well as morally free from defilement, a fit abode for God's indwelling presence.STE 40.2+1 When tempted to corrupt oneself one must remember one is not one's own because bought with a price, even the blood of the Majesty of heaven, the King of Glory, who came to this world to save those who had wandered from Him.Ms 73, 1895, par. 9 The verse must be taught to youth as truth that guards purity, and calls for schools and an education that prepares the faithful for the higher grade to which Christ will call them, where through the ages of eternity they will learn more about God and the mystery of His love to the world.Ms 73, 1895, par. 9 People belong to Christ because He purchased them with His blood, so their education and training should prepare them for immortal life, not be directed toward this short, uncertain life, nor trained to serve wealth, seek human praise or glory, or submit to the world.FE 470.2

The time, affections, strength, and service of youth belong to God because He redeemed them, not to Satan who claims youth as his property nor to the world which claims the heart.MYP 407.2 To give the heart's affections and service to the world and to pleasure-seeking is robbery of God because they are His own, and it brings no profit but fills the heart with care, sorrow, disappointed hopes, impurity, and corruption.MYP 407.2 Believers belong to the Lord because they were bought at the cost of the Son of God's suffering and agony, so their bodies and abilities are God's property and they should resist vice and folly rather than destroy what God entrusted to them.MYP 409.1 Youth belong to God by purchase and must honor Him with body and spirit in sober obedience, serving as coworkers with Christ.STE 40.2+2

Those bought with a price are not their own; body and spirit are God's and must glorify God.Lt 169, 1903, par. 3–5+2 For young men this forbids pledging two, three, four, five, or six years under any man's tuition or binding themselves to serve under the direction of any human beings, association, or institution.8MR 298.3–299.1 They are to be bound to God alone and leave Him opportunity to show them their duty and work upon their minds, holding themselves free to be called directly by Him as the fishermen were called of old and to be educated by Him.8MR 298.3–299.1 They should not bind themselves to serve under a human teacher's direction, but should be available for the Lord's missionary work and follow His call, entering immediate missionary work as canvassers and evangelists doing house-to-house labor in places that have not yet heard the truth, because time is short and the highways and byways are yet unworked.Lt 169, 1903, par. 3–5+2 No human being or institution may claim ownership of them or bind their service by contracts, because their service belongs to God, and they must not surrender their allegiance to human authority.Lt 192, 1903, par. 18–19+2

Human beings belong to God by creation and by redemption because a price was paid for them, so they are not their own.Lt 16, 1899, par. 1 A young person must not in self-confidence while under the training of the enemy separate himself from God, but must honor God in body and spirit because both are God's.Lt 16, 1899, par. 1 A young man is not the owner of himself because his heavenly Father is his Creator and gave Christ as his Redeemer, so he is of considerable consequence with God and his life is precious and of serious consequence to God because it is a life ransomed by a price that cannot be computed, and the Lord bears with his perversities.Lt 178, 1896, par. 1–4 Therefore to live self-indulgent, to follow evil influences and wrong habits and practices, and to please himself at pain to others, is to spoil his own ransomed life through mistaken notions, whatever his hereditary or cultivated tendencies may be.Lt 178, 1896, par. 1–4 Being bought calls him to give his heart to God fully, wholly, without reserve, to improve his entrusted talents by diligent service, to wear Christ's yoke and labor together with Christ, and to make his life in this world better for others through a faith connection with Jesus, placing himself on Christ's side by faith to have thoughts, motives, and practices changed, flowing in a new channel of grace.Lt 178, 1896, par. 1–4+1

Girls belong to God because they were bought with the precious blood of the Son of God.Lt 76a, 1898, par. 1–4 Giving themselves to God's service places them under His discipline and care as His children, and leads to life that lasts as long as God's own life.Lt 76a, 1898, par. 1–4 Their worth as those bought by Christ supports providing them a religious education and influences that help form a character God approves.Lt 76a, 1898, par. 1–4 Jesus Christ paid a dear price, His own blood, to purchase and redeem a person, so she is not her own to dispose of herself as she thinks best.Lt 1, 1887, par. 10–11 It requires trusting only the Word of God rather than human promises or the deceitful, desperately wicked heart, and using God-given powers according to plain directions in the Word, with serious reflection and decided action in temptation and trial to resist the enemy, avoid Satan's snares, place oneself where one will be drawn to Christ and heaven rather than earth and hell, and cling to Jesus with heart and soul and mind and strength, because each person must give a solemn account in the judgment for how those powers were appropriated.Lt 1, 1887, par. 10–11 This truth is to be impressed on girls and boys as they are taught never to deceive, since Christ's blood purchased believers, giving them value and making honesty in every part of life fitting.13MR 235.3

Every member of the family is God's purchased possession, bought with a price which is the precious blood of the Son of God who gave His life for them.Lt 133, 1897, par. 8–11 Being bought means belonging to God and standing in probationary time with opportunity still lingering to be reconciled to Him, bringing individual responsibility and accountability to God for time, privileges and opportunities for doing God service, to be laborers together with Him and place every thread of influence wholly on the Lord's side with no moments wasted in self-serving.Lt 133, 1897, par. 8–11 That purchase claims the whole life, beginning in home and family life, so religion must be a reality and not only a profession, expelling love of self and indulgence of self, hastiness and petulance of temper, sensitiveness and pride when truth is brought into the inner life.ST Aug 13, 1912 Everyone connected with in the family and the school is Christ's purchased possession, so parents, children, and teachers must learn to put on the robe of Christ's righteousness and be kind, courteous, and loving to one another, with hearts open to the beams of Christ's righteousness and a smile for those around them.Ms 19, 1887, par. 24–26 Consecration includes not only the person but also the family, household, property, and all possessions, which are to be devoted to God's service.4T 122.2–4

Parents are responsible for bringing children up in the Lord and must not treat their care as optional, because every child is precious and should not be lost.Ms 156, 1904, par. 52–53 Parents are accountable to God for how they care for and train their children, since the body and soul belong to God and must be kept from misuse, and indulgence in appetite harms the body and can foster corrupt passions.Lt 23, 1896, par. 13–15 The verse's call to honor God includes cleansing the thoughts and the soul's temple, practicing health reform, and bringing children to Jesus.Lt 23, 1896, par. 13–15

The Lord Jesus has purchased believers with His own blood, and they are His property, therefore they cannot dispose of themselves as they shall see fit, and must not follow impulse in the bestowal of affections or in entering marriage relations.Lt 23, 1893, par. 2–3 Following their own course in choosing companions corrupt in morals would prove their ruin, fasten them in Satan's snare, make them miserable in this life, and imperil the soul.Lt 23, 1893, par. 2–3 Romantic correspondence and promises of marriage must not be made in rash haste, but the whole matter must be submitted to God to learn His will, since body and spirit are His and must honor Him.Lt 21, 1867, par. 9 Every Christian has been purchased by Christ and is His property, so no one can surrender personal individuality and conscience to a husband or to any other mortal and remain a Christian.Lt 19a, 1891, par. 3 A wife still belongs to Christ and must keep her own judgment, staying true to what she believes to be right and just and Christlike instead of receiving all dictates of conscience through another person, and her identity is not submerged in her husband nor can she give her soul into her husband's keeping because body and spirit belong to God.Lt 19a, 1891, par. 3+1

If a husband refuses the light and hinders the wife, she must still walk in the light that shines on her pathway, lift the cross, and if need be forsake husband, wife, father, mother, sisters and brethren to practice religious principles, because to turn away from the wooings of the Holy Spirit to please husband or relatives or children brings spiritual loss and eternal consequences, and no earthly marriage can excuse separation from Christ who has taken the church as His bride.Ms 59, 1895, par. 63–65 She is the Lord's child and His purchased possession, so her husband must not treat her cruelly or unjustly.Lt 109, 1893, par. 39–43 Christ has purchased the believer and has a mind and standard for her life that claims her physical, mental, and moral powers for His service, forbidding resting content as a mere ornament, living for self-gratification and a worldly idea of ladyhood, which leaves the mind sick, diseased and unsatisfied.Lt 4a, 1902, par. 13–15 It calls for awaking to a higher life, helping in practical family duties, being a useful wife and mother, making life a blessing to those around, and being a true lady in God's sight by a life filled with good works.Lt 4a, 1902, par. 13–15

A person does not belong to himself because body and spirit have been bought and belong to God and must glorify Him.Lt 194, 1900, par. 1–5 That ownership requires carefulness in the course pursued over family separation and leaving the field of labor, refusing to take part with the enemy who works through a rebellious and disobedient son to ruin his parents, and refusing to be guided and controlled by that son, in order to be saved from graver perplexities.Lt 194, 1900, par. 1–5

Children are precious to Jesus and objects of His love, including children with inherited faults or difficult characters, whom Jesus regards with pity and understands how their traits arise from their causes, including the responsibility of parents who have not dealt with them wisely or tenderly.DA 517.5 They are not playthings to be indulged, but belong to Christ because He purchased them; parents should treat them as Christ's possession, teach them that they are to become children of God, and wisely use their abilities to help save them.CT 113.1 God has purchased every child's soul through the life of His Son; the redeemed life belongs to God and should be carefully formed after Christ's likeness, with Christ enthroned in the heart.8MR 365.3–367.1 Their great worth is a reason to guide them with care, patience, and Christlike self-discipline rather than sharp words and continual criticism, and to labor for their salvation and guide them away from temptation through steady instruction in God's Word.Ms 33, 1908, par. 6+1 When their influence is wholly on His side, they become His co-workers in helping others find the path of life.CE 239.1–240.2

The cross reveals Christ's love and the way mercy and justice meet, making reconciliation with God possible.TSSW 78.1 Remembering that Christ has dealt with us in love should soften our hearts and lead us to treat young people as members of His family, with mercy as well as justice.TSSW 78.1 Believers belong to God because they were bought at a price, so they are responsible for caring for their bodies and minds as God's property.Lt 41, 1890, par. 52–55 They must not overwork or devote themselves to business in ways that damage their physical or spiritual health or leave no time for worship and spiritual nourishment.Lt 41, 1890, par. 52–55 Neglecting spiritual life abuses what belongs to God and can also harm their family by leaving them unfit to guide and train their children.Lt 41, 1890, par. 52–55

Honoring ownership reaches into person, home, dress and rooms, keeping them clean, neat, orderly and pure so that appearance and surroundings teach cleanliness and order and join purity with holiness.CTBH 143.2–144.1 Simple, clean, well-fitting dress and tidy rooms honor God's ownership and make the dwelling fit for pure and holy heavenly guests and a likeness of the home above.CTBH 143.2–144.1 Glorifying God in the body includes frequent bathing, especially at night before retiring and in the morning on rising, and washing children and rubbing them until their bodies glow, which brings blood to the surface, relieves the brain and lessens inclination to impure practices.STBk 131.3 God is not pleased with unclean bodies and untidy, torn garments, but requires the body kept pure without and within so He may dwell with people.STBk 131.3 Sacrificing health and life to fashion and becoming lifelong invalids through unhealthful dress violates God's claim upon the body He formed, for every needless transgression of bodily law is virtually transgression of God's law and sin in heaven's sight.CTBH 87.2 God knew how to form the body beautiful and healthy without dressmakers' ideas of beauty, and modern improvements that deform His perfect work insult the Creator, so to glorify Him is to preserve health rather than destroy it for dress.CTBH 87.2 This duty applies to dress choices as modest, healthful and in harmony with God's law, with Christians more concerned that bodies are fit to honor God than that clothing follows fashion.RH Apr 14, 1868+1 For His sake believers must make the best of appearance, since dress is a talent, with good taste in appropriate colors, tidy well-fitting clothes, carefully arranged hair, and neatness, modesty and purity in every respect, refusing changes merely for fashion, worldly likeness, display and vanity, as shown by detailed directions for tabernacle garments and Aaron's symbolical robes proving God has preference about servants' dress.6MR 158.2

Belonging to God because bought at a price requires honoring Him with body and spirit by caring for physical life, taking needed rest and not carrying burdens in ways that endanger health.Lt 37, 1901, par. 23 This means preserving precious life by reforming from excessive burdens and overwork, taking periods of rest, and eating good nourishing food that sustains strength instead of injuring the body with a poverty-stricken diet.12MR 174.2 It requires not taking on every heavy responsibility and not getting under too many loads, but taking every step nearer heaven, growing in grace, self-reliance and self-control, and becoming daily more prepared to unite with the royal family in heavenly courts.Lt 8, 1902, par. 13 The body belongs to God by purchase, so strength must be preserved with good common sense, knowing the limit of endurance and stopping when far enough is reached instead of working too hard.Ms 193, 1905, par. 22–25 Nurses and sanitarium workers must not be allowed to fail through too few workers trying to save means, and ministers must not give themselves to overwork until no hope remains, since overwork can destroy life, while health enables a cheerful countenance and cheerful words in caring for the sick.Ms 193, 1905, par. 22–25 Neglecting health by extreme overwork and inadequate nourishment can lead to illness and death, and overworking until one cannot pray or take part in religious life misuses God's property and deprives the soul of nourishment needed for spiritual life by putting business and worldly concerns before spiritual growth.Lt 53, 1901, par. 2+1

No person owns himself, because sinful and spiritually destitute humanity had nothing to offer and demanded a sacrifice, and God paid the price by giving the great gift of Christ to save sinners.Ms 167, 1901, par. 12 Body and spirit therefore belong to God and must glorify Him by being merciful even as the Father in heaven is merciful and by using means provided to carry forward His work for others.Ms 167, 1901, par. 12+1 That gift of the Son is amazing, immeasurable proof of love given so believers should not perish but have everlasting life, and by creation and redemption honoring Him means letting gratitude flow in gifts and offerings and in loving, compassionate service as His helping hand to needy, perishing souls.RH May 28, 1901 All worldly possessions remain His, entrusted to test allegiance, so each day calls for remembering what God is, talking of His perfection and glory, making the most of self to have more capability to return to Him, imparting and receiving to impart, with willing and cheerful givers laying up treasure in heaven ending in eternal glory.RH May 28, 1901 This requires giving self to the Lord under the willing Spirit, with willingness to make any sacrifice to relieve the afflicted, and for those connected with established institutions the privilege and duty to help establish work where nothing gives character to it, with an imparting that brings blessing.Ms 111, 1899, par. 15–17

Those bought with a price are not their own, for body and spirit belong to God and Jesus Christ alone is Master to be obeyed, even under family opposition and every difficulty, by looking to Jesus, loving God, having faith and confidence in Him, putting trust in Him and resting in His divine presence.Lt 19, 1893, par. 22–26 The price is infinite and costly, the great sacrifice of the cross of Calvary, the everlasting expression of God's love toward sinners for redemption, whereby they may be uplifted, ennobled and sanctified.Lt 19, 1893, par. 22–26 Giving self to Him means always standing under His banner without shrinking or shame in showing colors, while the whole universe of heaven watches to see if the great sacrifice is appreciated and the infinite price estimated.Lt 19, 1893, par. 22–26 Christians must be firm and faithful and never sacrifice principle to meet the world's standard, for duty will not lead in smoothest paths, since the Redeemer did not walk in self-pleasing and self-indulgence nor live to please Himself but went without the camp bearing reproach, yet wherever providence places believers God gives strength to stand firm with nothing allowed between soul and God.20MR 61.2 Belonging as God's property purchased with His own blood means personality and self are safe only as lost in God in full surrender, loving God supremely and neighbor as self, identified as one with Christ in full love and willing obedience in which Christ's peace comes, including taking good care of His property by being still and waiting patiently to recover lost strength until strong rather than hurrying back to responsibilities.Lt 89b, 1897, par. 10–12 Lives and affections are to be given to God, obeying Him and following truth as conscience and Scripture reveal even when family oppose, treating minds and bodies as His property rather than injuring them through excessive effort and using powers wisely for lasting work.Lt 123, 1904, par. 30–31+1 He has first claim above closest family ties, so glorifying Him means staying loyal to holy precepts with whole heart, mind and soul even when husband or wife opposes and tempts to yield point after point for peace, for turning to follow human will enslaves to another's mind, breaks allegiance, separates from God as source of love, light, hope and blessing, leaves powerless against Satan, ruins pure affection and reaps alienation and wretchedness.Ms 75, 1895, par. 11–12

Being bought gives privilege of sitting together with Him in heavenly places, for Christ's love seeks the lost sheep, encircles them and brings them back to the fold.Ms 124, 1898, par. 35 When the Sun of Righteousness shines into the heart there is peace and joy in the Lord and praise to Him who is light of countenance and salvation, and that humans are bought and belong to God is the science and song of all the heavenly universe.Ms 124, 1898, par. 35 Because the ransom of precious blood was paid for eternal life, no man should discourage or come between the soul and Redeemer, and there must be no contention over who shall be greatest, but those bought should cling to the Mighty One, be true to Him, have faith and be uplifted and of good courage by Scripture words.Lt 50, 1908, par. 27–29 Heaven was purchased for them, and those who value it and bring its influence into life become fit to live in God's presence.Lt 99, 1901, par. 5 Because bought at such cost they can trust Him when earnest prayer for restoration seems unanswered and spirit almost faints, knowing He is mindful, afflicted in afflictions, touched with infirmities and knowing how to succor the tempted, nourishing the soul with divine presence, lifting it out of self into God's presence, dispelling mist and darkness with bright beams, giving happiness and assurance to remain where God places without retreat.Ms 19, 1892, par. 86–88 Their lives are to shine for Him and show His loveliness, while brightness of character comes from Christ the Sun of Righteousness.Ms 168, 1902, par. 17

A person is not his own and may not do as he chooses, because he is a member of Christ's body, bought with infinite price by which God redeemed fallen man from slavery of sin because He loved the fallen, corrupted, defiled world and gave His only begotten Son.Ms 35, 1902, par. 3–4 Therefore body and spirit must glorify God and every sinful, unholy, defiling practice is condemned, and natural and cultivated weaknesses dishonoring the Saviour cannot be excused by saying it is my way, for cherishing defects and pleasing self brings sure penalty of becoming strengthless and Christless, and unless followers give up their way for His way they waver like a wave of the sea.Ms 35, 1902, par. 3–4 Each must give account for thoughts, words, time and actions, and cannot serve God while keeping own way and will, but must decide to be servant of Christ or of the devil, for to serve Christ is to gather by representing Him in character and to keep own way is to scatter.Ms 13, 1897, par. 12 Men and women are not partially their own and have no right to take themselves into own hands to follow own judgment and carry out own ideas, and believing so comes from lax views and failure to reveal truth in daily life, producing inferior piety that enfeebles the church.Ms 128, 1903, par. 45 No one is even partly his own, and to claim that right puts him on Satan's platform, for there is no neutral influence and trying to stand neutral while showing no positive hostility is deception giving advantage to the foe, since the first act of selfishness opens the way for satanic agencies, while all talents belong to Christ as entrusted gifts to be put to best use as consecrated offerings with none of influence on Satan's side.Ms 128a, 1903, par. 33–34 Being bought means doing the Father's will even against inclination, including returning to hard labor and intense mental suffering if God says go, and learning self-denial, economy, putting away imaginary wants, living within means, doing duty with strictest integrity, learning right use of money and heeding God's voice about dangers to gain experience and begin anew.Lt 46a, 1874, par. 10–11+1

Believers are not their own because bought with a price, the body is temple of the Holy Ghost, and body and spirit are God's and must glorify Him, which requires recognizing Christ as Master and letting His mind work within.Ms 74, 1903, par. 15 Anyone who does not allows Satan to control the mind, prompt thoughts, shape character into his likeness and claim that person as subject.Ms 74, 1903, par. 15 The mind belongs to God by infinite purchase and must not be surrendered to enemy control or governed by impulse mistaken for heaven's guidance.RH Jul 9, 1908 Because Jesus died and bought each with blood, those bought must love Him, fear God, keep conscience pure and sensitive, be true to His claims, look the tempter in the face and say No, refusing to imperil the soul for worldly attraction, riches, or love and favor of relatives, refusing to be servants of Satan and sin, living so example never excuses turning from duty but leaves bright track heavenward, saving own soul and hundreds of others by a word for God and firm resistance.Lt 14, 1884, par. 15–17 Souls are precious by infinite price, so the bought must not give themselves into enemy power but stand with firm hold on Christ, discerning temptations, watching unto prayer, walking in humility, holding weapons of warfare and fighting day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute to overcome faults until accounted conquerors.Lt 34, 1891, par. 1–5

People do not belong to themselves because Christ bought them, which applies to rich and poor alike: possessions are a trust to be used as God directs for saving the lost and helping the suffering and poor.COL 393.3–394.4 Though attachment to earthly treasure makes this impossible by human effort, beholding Christ's love can melt selfishness, lead to counting nothing one's own, and make stewards of grace and servants of others.COL 393.3–394.4 People as God's property are of value with God, as seen in teaching needy people to till soil, cultivate crops, plant and care for orchards and painstakingly developing capabilities to awaken thought of worth to God.7T 228.3 The price is greater than gold, silver and precious stones, for God gave His life as ransom, so those bought are precious and are to live as His representatives, separate from the world and free from material wealth hindering spiritual growth.Lt 77, 1899, par. 8–9

Belonging by purchase means bodies and spirits are to glorify God, applied to young people called to serve as canvassers and evangelists, including house-to-house work where truth has not been proclaimed.CT 494.2 Christians must glorify God in body and spirit, so brethren must come to help of the Lord against the mighty and sisters stand by their side and help in the work.Ms 35, 1896, par. 25 This ownership grounds responsibility of church members, including young people, to take on work and responsibilities in the church.Lt 159, 1901, par. 8 The Christian pledged to God and not his own must watch for souls as one to give account, keep example of strictest integrity as servant of Christ, strive continually to do the Master's will, do work best adapted to perform guided by the Master, and use talents, influence and means to gain souls and glorify God.Ms 204, 1903, par. 11–13 Christ died to buy every soul, so none owns himself but belongs as purchased possession, requiring putting away selfishness, living in absolute dependence in humility, growing in knowledge and staying connected to draw nourishment while working in His moral vineyard.Ms 17, 1896, par. 14 No one pays his own price but is bought by Christ as His property in body, soul and spirit, every part to be treated as God's, not used to please and glorify self, with each believer at post like sentinel and in rank like soldier, doing earnest church work as instrument in God's hands.Lt 12, 1892, par. 6–8

People belong to God because bought at great cost, so body and spirit are devoted to glorify Him, and clearer sense of heaven's claims comes from fuller understanding of sacrifice for humanity.ST Oct 28, 1889 Belonging brings daily responsibilities calling for sacrifice, self-denial and active struggle against sin, through which Christ gives victory.3T 43.1 This requires not taking every heavy load but taking every step nearer heaven, growing in grace, self-reliance and self-control, becoming daily more prepared to unite with the royal family in heavenly courts.Lt 8, 1902, par. 13 Taking position as God's property purchased at infinite price to honor Him with body and spirit breaks Satan's effort to stop witness by keeping mind on saddening thoughts that destroy health; the person must rouse from helplessness, leave seclusion to talk with God, train mind on cheerful hopeful subjects, refuse to endanger soul and bring unhappiness to others, receiving the Holy Spirit whose working transforms character as testimony of grace and power.Lt 19, 1895, par. 29

Human life belongs to God because Christ gave Himself as complete sacrifice making everlasting life possible, so being bought means not our own with bodies and spirits to glorify Him, and life is service entrusted with time, intellect and whole being to fulfill God's will.RH Dec 11, 1900 The body and all its powers, every organ, muscle and faculty, are therefore to be valued, preserved and used to honor God.13MR 257.1 Life with endowments and privileges, mind, soul and strength, zeal, capabilities, energy, time, intellect, reason, money and means all belong to God whether given or not, giving full claim to ask for them; therefore first give self wholly in consecration, lay all at Christ's feet, deny self, never devote powers to self-serving, day by day return what He entrusted, count it privilege to cooperate by giving earthly possessions so those in darkness may hear truth, knowing each soul saved is worth more than a world and doubles talents invested, and ask in faith for temporal and spiritual gifts, doing His will to receive and impart rich blessings.ST Jan 2, 1901 Believers belong fully to Christ to devote every power to service allowing Him to use them as He sees fit, with soul, body, spirit, abilities and affections consecrated, governed by God's will rather than pleasure or desire for wealth under His authority.Lt 163, 1905, par. 7+1 Human beings owe lives in service and are accountable for time, influence, means and other gifts.Ms 158, 1902, par. 41–42

Keeping the verse brings vigor and purity of mind and heart, holiness without guilt or corruption, harmony of soul and body with God, fitness for communion and indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and proof of God's good and perfect will.Lt 139, 1898, par. 34–42 Glorifying God requires sexual purity and self-control, refusing fornication, lustful practices, baser passion and perversion of appetites, treating the body as His and presenting it a living sacrifice holy and acceptable, kept a fit temple by sanctification of body, soul and spirit, oneness with Christ and doing His Word in private life.Lt 139, 1898, par. 34–42 Indulgence debases mind, weakens brain and vital forces, corrupts physical, mental and moral power, diseases the whole being, loses power of God, makes instruments of unrighteousness unable to offer acceptable sacrifice and hinders manifestation of the Spirit in the church, while pardon, purification and salvation are provided through Christ the Restorer for unholy mind and body.Lt 139, 1898, par. 34–42 No one is his own because God paid ransom by giving His only begotten Son, so body, spirit, wealth, position and intellectual gifts are His requiring service, calling sinners to repent, return with full purpose and glorify Him by self-denial and using all abilities for Him rather than self, with failure being backsliding.Lt 21, 1894, par. 11–13 The precious blood gives perfect right to cherish self-respect, requiring hourly care to be unreservedly the Lord's in soul, body and spirit and to be in character what He would have, with jealousy, suspicion and uncontrolled thoughts defiling His soul temple, so every thought must be kept under control in captivity to Christ and outward adorning give place to inner man with ornament of meek and quiet spirit.Ms 47, 1892, par. 7–8 Those bought must not be careless in treating bodies but take special precautions to protect health, such as guarding against cold, avoiding drafts when in perspiration, avoiding wet feet and keeping feet warm, for caring for the fearfully and wonderfully made body with its wonderful machinery guards the citadel of the soul and keeps religious experience and spiritual character healthy and strong.Lt 4, 1902, par. 3–4 As His property God requires cherishing every divine inspiration and reaching higher, ever going on to what is not yet attained, with much to learn and unlearn at the great Teacher's feet, receiving fresh rays so character is transformed, welcoming Jesus to refine and mold, with religion becoming higher and holier with undiminished energy and increased usefulness, including caring for health through right habits taught in sanitariums to restore health.ST Jul 5, 1910+1

Believers belong to God and must glorify Him in bodies and spirits, with conduct honoring Christ and reflecting responsibility as representatives of heaven.RP 37.5–6 Foolish amusements dishonor the Redeemer, grieve the Spirit, weaken influence for righteousness and set an example others cannot safely follow.RP 37.5–6+1 Conduct giving place to foolish pleasures dishonors the Lord, weakens influence and sets unsafe example, for God's people are called to high standard.STB 864.1 Those bought are of royal extraction, children of the heavenly King with noble heritage the world cannot see, who can be in the world and not of it, therefore glorifying Him by speech and conduct representing Christ, putting away cheap common expressions, slang, jesting, joking, trifling and childish ways, for the truly converted feeding on Christ finds such food hateful and imparts Christ in words and actions, remembering what Jesus did to give eternal life, asking what can be done for Him, receiving derived virtue, keeping lamp trimmed to shine to all in the house, bearing much fruit and laboring to win souls bringing joy to heaven.Lt 52, 1892, par. 34–35 Because Christ purchased believers by loving and giving His life, they belong to God in loyalty, standing firm and more than conquerors, working as in presence of heavenly intelligences, copying His pattern in faith, hope and love, letting light shine in good works, doing nothing they cannot do to God's glory and ask His blessing upon, with no need for billiard table, theater, dancing hall or other worldly diversion.5MR 127.2–3

Glorifying God is daily duty in earthly life, meaning not living merely for personal amusement or pleasure but using life to benefit others and bless society, for amusements are not innocent if they leave one less fit to perform ordinary duties faithfully.RH May 31, 1870 Believers purchased by blood are not their own to please self, so glorifying Him means employing every power of body and mind for Him, sick or well, as daily duty and privilege to consecrate all to the Saviour.8MR 48.3–4 People belong to God through Christ's death, not their own, with strength, time and talents His, so chief purpose is to glorify God and do good to others.ST May 4, 1882 A person is God's both by creation and redemption, wholly His to do with as He sees good, to be taken and used for honor and glory, taking up the cross and doing work bidden instead of making life an affliction to self and others.Lt 19, 1895, par. 19 Christ's followers as purchase of His blood must take the world down from the throne where Satan set it as ruling power worshiped as god, put it in subordinate place as servant, let infinite grandeur of the future attract minds, and leave follies, vanities and tainting corruptions out of life.Ms 42, 1890, par. 40 Believers bought at cost of the Son's life must not live for own pleasure and convenience but glorify God by faithfully doing work and duties before them, using lives to serve and witness.ST Oct 21, 1889

Those who have been bought are not their own but are the Saviour's property under His charge, committing themselves without reserve into His care.12MR 106.2 Because the ransom price of Christ's precious blood has been paid for the soul that it might have eternal life, they lay all burdens at His feet and bring even temporal concerns to Him in prayer with the confidence of a child telling a father its needs.Lt 50, 1908, par. 27–29+1 They trust His infallible wisdom, almighty power, and infinite knowledge to give them the wisdom they need.12MR 106.2

They keep the mind stayed upon Him, tell Him all about their trials, arm themselves with His promises, and commit His words to memory.Lt 67, 1904, par. 5 Those so bought cling to the Mighty One, are true to Him who paid the ransom, have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and are uplifted and of good courage by His words in the Scriptures.Lt 50, 1908, par. 27–29 For this reason no one should let any man discourage him or come between him and his Redeemer, and there must be no contention over who shall be greatest.Lt 50, 1908, par. 27–29