5:172 Corinthians 5:17

To be in Christ is to be made a wholly new person by a complete transformation of nature, not merely improved or patched, with the old life dead and an entirely new life begun.Lt 51, 1899, par. 6+2 It means receiving Christ into the heart by faith and no longer living for self but living wholly for Him in harmony with God's will, which requires genuine conversion and new birth rather than outward profession or morality.GW92 364.2+4 This new creation is wrought by Christ's death and reconciling love through the mysterious, effectual work of the Holy Spirit and the Word received into character, entered by repentance toward God and faith toward Christ in surrender and obedience.AA 476.1+4 The old ambitions, selfishness, pride, and sinful habits pass away and are replaced by a new heart and spirit showing love, joy, peace, humility and purity, so that what was once loved is hated and Christ becomes the charm of life.ST Mar 6, 1884+4 The inward change is revealed outwardly in holy words, conduct and unselfish service, and it requires daily renewal and battle against old habits, for God has reconciled sinners to Himself in Christ and made them His righteousness to serve as ambassadors beseeching others to be reconciled.Ms 27, 1897, par. 21–22+4

To be in Christ is to receive Christ Himself and the truth as it is in Jesus into the heart by faith, where the Holy Spirit takes possession and establishes the kingdom of heaven within.GW92 364.2+3 The truth then works as living leaven, a life-giving principle by which divine power changes mind and heart, transforms the entire character into the character of Christ, subdues the whole being until even the thoughts are brought into captivity to Christ, and makes a new man and a new woman.Ms 27, 1897, par. 21–22+1 This inward work changes the whole character and life, breaking down old habits and customs and national pride and prejudice in the same way all over the world, and when the fruit of the Spirit abides in the soul there is unity of thought and action revealed outwardly in holy influence and consistency running through the whole life.GW92 364.2+1 It is more than intellectual agreement with biblical truth, for the truth must be received into the heart where the Spirit gives it power, shown in leaving the former life and sinful habits behind, striving to be like Him in character, and living in the light.Ms 52, 1899, par. 3+1 This new life comes only by trusting wholly the One who paid the infinite price for the soul and humbling the heart before God so He can bless abundantly, with no trust in man and no making flesh an arm, for outside Christ a person may make every pretension to religion yet not partake of the divine nature, since pretense and assumption are not pure godliness.Lt 107, 1897, par. 6–7 Receiving the whole truth as it is in Jesus in this way keeps the person safe from choices that become snares, and it lays great responsibility on everyone privileged to know the Word of God through the Bible and the ministry of the Word.Ms 52, 1899, par. 3+1

Being in Christ follows from Christ's death and resurrection, so that those who live no longer live for themselves but for Him, and no longer know others or Christ after the flesh.Ms 5, 1896, par. 5 Self is no longer made the supreme or chief object of love, and greatness, worldly honor, luxury, ease, and wealth are no longer sought, while Jesus takes first place in the affections and heart.Ms 5, 1896, par. 5+2 Love then extends to Christians as those who reflect Christ and to all people beyond family and friends, moving the person to do them good, and this Spirit-grown fruit is precious to God.ST Mar 6, 1884+1 To be in Christ is to become new in heart and life, crying to God to know His will and bringing life into conformity with it rather than yielding to every surrounding influence or gratifying self at the expense of principle.Lt 34, 1891, par. 34–35 The new creature has a consistent, meek, resolute, cheerful, devout character in which sin finds no sanction, walks in the light of Christ in a wise and perfect way with elevated demeanor, and shows a firm, courageous, trusting faith ruled by God's peace that the world cannot move.Lt 34, 1891, par. 34–35 Looking to Jesus in faith and hope, such a one remains painfully aware of personal deficiency rather than becoming self-confident, is humbled under God by the high standard of His Word, and by low views of self shows beholding of Jesus the Lord of glory.Lt 34, 1891, par. 34–35 In this new life all hopes and aspirations are directed toward doing good, with heart, purpose, and will bound up with Christ, and Christ's peace, joy, and fragrance shaping daily thoughts and practical conduct, while beholding Christ by faith changes the person into His character and attentive study and practice of Scripture with prayer and faith support growth.Ms 198, 1899, par. 18–20 The surrendered soul henceforth lives in complete harmony with God, the gates of Paradise being thrown open by the love of Christ, as the Holy Spirit takes the things of Christ and shows them with such transforming effect that the soul becomes a new creature.Ms 129, 1901, par. 20–23

This being in Christ requires genuine conversion and the new birth, for merely accepting the truth while keeping the same character is not the new creation.ST Sep 11, 1879 It includes true conviction of sin, sorrow for wrongdoing, death to self, and daily overcoming of character defects.ST Sep 11, 1879 Mere profession without change does not meet what the verse means, for if a professed believer still manifests fretfulness, peevishness, faultfinding, envy, evil surmisings, jealousy, and impure thoughts, he still has the same old character.Lt 6, 1880, par. 55–56 Every rough and uncomely trait reveals the satanic rather than the divine and shows that Satan still has power over the mind, the affections, and the character, whereas the verse means becoming like God by the transforming power of God in the renewing of the mind by the Holy Spirit and representing in life the life and character of Christ as the holy Pattern.Lt 6, 1880, par. 55–56 Man is utterly ruined and lost and requires a new nature and a new purpose which Christ alone gives, so mere sincerity, morality, correct outward conduct, or avoiding criminal acts cannot save, and trusting in personal goodness is a fatal mistake.Lt 10, 1883, par. 4–5 Becoming a new creature means taking a decided stand for Jesus, acknowledging Him openly as the only hope, coming to Him with repentance, and relying wholly on the merits of His blood as all-sufficient.Lt 10, 1883, par. 4–5 Joining the church does not make a person a Christian, and professing belief or joining the Christian faith while remaining unchanged in heart is not conversion.ST Mar 9, 1876+1 True conversion is a radical change in which the very drift of the mind and bent of the heart are turned and life becomes new again in Christ, leaving no neutral position where every influence either gathers with Jesus or scatters abroad for the enemy.ST Mar 9, 1876 The verse applies to children as well, who need thorough conversion because the whole character must be changed.1T 157.3

Becoming a new creature in Christ brings a new relation to God as a loyal subject of His everlasting kingdom.STE 26.1+2 Christ's ransom is sufficient to save all, but it benefits only those who become new creatures in Him, and His suffering will not shield an unrepentant, disloyal sinner from punishment.STE 26.1+2 This new life serves God's purpose of restoring His image in the soul through conversion bringing a new heart and life.FE 436.1 Becoming new is a choice each person must make, being ransomed for time and for eternity for a purpose, with an appointed place, to cooperate with the Redeemer and live always for His name's glory, not to live for show or personal pleasure, but to become a fitting agent for Christ's employ.Lt 100, 1900, par. 6–7 The one made new belongs wholly to Christ as His purchased possession, bought with a price even with His most precious blood, so that every part of the person with all God-given possessions and capabilities and time and every moment of existence belongs to the Master, and no other being in the universe has the shadow of a claim upon that possession beyond what the new Proprietor grants.Lt 100, 1900, par. 6–7 Being in Christ grafts a person into His life and character, as drawing near in faith meets God's act of adoption making him a son of God and joint heir with Christ, a partaker of the divine nature who has escaped the corruption in the world through lust.Lt 1e, 1890, par. 9–10 This ingrafting separates him from the world so he no longer loves vile and contaminating company, makes him dead indeed to sin and alive to God, and causes rich fruit in love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, and goodness, with new affections, new appetites, and new tastes as the former life ends and everything becomes new.Lt 1e, 1890, par. 9–10

The new creation follows from Christ's death and resurrection, for those who live are no longer to live for themselves but for Him who died and rose again.4T 624.4–625.1+2 It comes through His infinite sacrifice and intercession, His reconciling love, and His atoning blood, which breaks the heart hardened in sin and brings new and enduring light from the cross, filling the soul with love, thankfulness and humility.4T 624.4–625.1+2 Receiving Christ as Saviour in this way gives power to become sons of God and works a reformation of life that God accepts and rejoices in, as He rejoiced when He pronounced the newly finished world very good.Lt 117, 1903, par. 14–15+2 In Him sinners are reconciled to God and renewed after the image of the Creator, no longer knowing others or Christ after the flesh, with the rebel turned into a penitent obedient soul whose old life ends and whose life becomes wholly new.4T 624.4–625.1+3

This change is wrought only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit in the new birth, not by improvement, adjustment, or modification of the old life.HSP 18.5+2 By nature the heart is evil and unclean, sending forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness and blasphemies, and the carnal mind cannot be subject to God's law, so no human invention, mere legal religion, or form of godliness can remedy the sinning soul or give safety.4RED 12.3+2 The fountain of the heart must be purified before the streams can become pure, and this change from flesh to spirit, being born again of water and of the Spirit, purifies the life, ennobles the character, and creates a new being in God's image fitted for harmony with His holy kingdom.4RED 12.3+3 The Spirit's work is mysterious and invisible like the wind, taking possession of the mind as an unseen agent that produces tangible results, governing actions, putting away wicked thoughts and evil deeds, lifting the burden of sin, arousing a pure and lowly heart obedient and loving and firm in faith and service, and molding character after the divine similitude with love, peace, humility and joy in place of anger, envy, strife and sadness.4RED 12.3+2 Taking hold by faith of God's divine love in Christ, as those stung by fiery serpents looked upon the brazen serpent lifted by Moses in the wilderness and were healed, the world is overcome, human nature subdued, and Satan vanquished, opening the kingdom of God to man rescued from his lost condition.4RED 12.3+1

The change is the miracle of miracles, wrought by the Word and one of the deepest mysteries of the Word, which cannot be understood but can only be believed as Christ dwelling within as the hope of glory.AA 476.1+2 When the principles of God's Word become part of character by study and practical application, life is made new with constant growth in grace, holiness and sanctification, breaking chains of sinful habit, renouncing selfishness, and changing the whole character.ST Apr 25, 1906+3 Then old ambitions pass away and all becomes new in refinement and true godliness, so the profane become reverent, the drunken become sober, and the profligate become pure, with souls that bore Satan's likeness transformed into God's image.AA 476.1+3 This feeding on Christ is received by faith working by love to purify the soul, while dangerous erroneous theories that would hold the mind in bondage are guarded against and the mind is fed only with what strengthens experience.AA 476.1+4 It belongs to the present fitting-up time for heaven before the work is closed up, the sealing of God's people is finished, and the Spirit is poured out, and it walks in full obedience to all God's commandments, with selfishness purged and love, joy, peace, longsuffering and gentleness revealed in the life.19MR 37.1–2+2

The new experience comes when spiritual need is felt and earnest prayer is made for the holy anointing and for the Holy Spirit to overcome personal weakness and infirmity, to fill with the love of Christ, and to fit for saving others, which is the great need of every church.Lt 1c, 1890, par. 18–20+1 When the love of Jesus is shed abroad in the heart in answer to that prayer, what is faulty and objectionable in character is cleansed and purified from the soul, all selfishness is driven out and expelled, all envy and evil-speaking are rooted out, and a thorough and radical transformation of the heart is wrought.Lt 1c, 1890, par. 18–20+1 Through repentance toward God for breaking His law and faith toward Christ who died for justification, transgression is forgiven and covered, the sinner is justified by faith and has peace with God, and by faith taking hold of Christ becomes a new creature and a light to the world.AA 476.2+1 Becoming new in this way calls for beholding Jesus, surrender, diligent self-watch, cooperation with God who desires to save the soul, cutting away evil, overcoming every fault, and practical obedience to divine requirements, so that instead of weakening struggling souls by criticism the renewed person strengthens them with encouragement.GW 479.3+1

To be in Christ is to undergo transformation of nature and complete new creation, not mere improvement, adjustment, or repair of the old life.Lt 51, 1899, par. 6+4 The old character must be discarded entirely and replaced with one wholly new, for self and sin die and a wholly new life begins.Lt 105, 1893, par. 10–13+3 No patchwork religion is accepted in which the old life is patched with a little of Christ, with mostly self and a little of Him, or with selected good qualities added on.Lt 51, 1899, par. 6+4 Such a mixture of some self and some of Christ is of no value, for an effort to patch the old cloth only makes the rent larger, as the old garment of the religion of self is made of threads that fade and break under temptation and must be discarded entirely for a firm, enduring religion woven by Christ in whose life no selfishness found place.ST Jan 8, 1902 A pure and holy God accepts no compromise with sin, so genuine conversion radically changes the heart, the character, and every line of conduct, reshaping motives, conduct, and character by Christ's righteousness and requiring the whole heart with no place left for evil tendencies or selfishness.Lt 51, 1899, par. 6+3 Apparent good deeds without justice, mercy, and the love of God as abiding principles do not make a person new.Lt 31a, 1894, par. 42–47 This new life shines as light in the world in faith, purity, godliness and holiness, lives as a citizen of heaven where Christ sits at the right hand of God, and uses this present life as a training school for purification to be without spot or wrinkle and fit for the inheritance of the saints in light, beginning only when the heart is surrendered unconditionally so that blessing flows in and righteousness illuminates mind and soul unto sanctification wholly in body, soul, and spirit.Lt 51, 1899, par. 6+1

This transformation from Satan's likeness to God's image breaks the chains of sinful habit and ends selfishness, so that the profane become reverent, the drunken become sober, and the profligate become pure.AA 476.1+2 The old life of vanity, pride, selfish indulgence, and extravagance is gone and hereditary and cultivated tendencies are overcome, with a decisive change in its place by God's mercy.Lt 13, 1888, par. 3+1 It is wrought by the Word when its principles become part of character, and is described as Christ dwelling within and Christ living in the believer as the hope of glory.AA 476.1+3 This change is the miracle of miracles, wrought by the Word and one of the deepest mysteries of the Word, which cannot be understood but can only be believed.AA 476.1

Becoming new does not mean receiving new mental powers or faculties, but having the darkness that ignorance and sin have brought over the understanding removed.CT 452.2+2 The same man is renewed, not another man, with a decided change in the employment of the faculties, the mind and heart and soul changed.Lt 44, 1899, par. 1 No new conscience is given, but the will is submitted to a conscience renewed, whose dormant sensibilities are aroused by the working of the Holy Spirit.Lt 44, 1899, par. 1 To become a new creature is to receive a new heart, which is a new mind, bringing clear conviction of Christian duty and understanding of truth, clearer understanding, sound judgment, and enlargement of mind, as if turning to God lifts a person to a higher plane of intelligence through close, prayerful attention to Scripture.RH Dec 18, 1913+1 Through faith in Christ and His imputed righteousness the new birth overcomes inherited peculiarities, so that human traits do not determine character nor limit the work God calls a person to do, but Christ restores God's moral image and by grace gives fitness for that work in submission to His will learned through Christ's meekness and lowliness by following His example.Ms 78, 1893, par. 15–21+1

The change is radical and entire, reaching mind, judgment, speech, spirit, purpose, will, affections, motives, character, and every line of conduct.STB 397.1–398.1+1 True conversion turns the direction of the mind and the bent and desires of the heart, casting out old prejudices, selfishness, and natural inclinations and replacing them with the love of Christ.4T 16.4+2 The converted receive a new heart and spirit and become a new person created in righteousness and holiness, with new mind, new heart, new interests, new aims, new sentiments, new purposes and motives, and new moral tastes, the affections turned from the world to Christ.STB 66.3–67.1+2 It is shown by a changed life with daily, hourly dying to selfishness and pride, discarding former ideas and selfishness and seeking a Christlike character.Ms 106, 1902, par. 20+1 This new life comes through the Holy Spirit's work of new birth and conversion, enabling discernment of light from darkness, and when a person yields fully Christ's character is imputed to them, without which Christian unity and faithful service cannot be established.STB 397.1–398.1

To be in Christ is to become new, with the old life passed away and all things become new through study and practical application of the Word, which gives strength and constant growth in grace, holiness and sanctification and can change the whole character.19MR 37.1–2+2 The old things that pass away are old ambitions, old prejudices, old sinful habits and practices, the old life of indulgence, selfishness, pride, self-love, large self-valuation, willfulness, stubbornness, faultfinding, sourness, suspicion and irritability, with worldly honor, luxury, ease, wealth and temper, and every trait not in conformity with God's will.ST Mar 6, 1884+4 In view of appearing before the judgment seat of Christ, those old habits are not retained but are discarded, crucified, cleansed and sanctified away, so the person abides in Him without sin and does righteousness as a vessel unto honor, revealing the power of grace in daily life by feeding on Christ's Word, knowing God and walking with Jesus to a higher standard.Lt 151a, 1897, par. 15+2 The change is decisive throughout the whole character and life, as renewing grace turns away from evil in actions, feelings and thoughts, purifies what was good from selfishness and impurity, purges selfishness from the life, and replaces what is removed with its opposite.19MR 37.1–2+3

All becomes new in a new heart, new spirit and new lump purged from old leaven, shown in refinement and true godliness and in Christlike grace that strengthens fellow believers and in speech free of harsh or bitter words.19MR 37.1–2+2 The new life bears the fruits of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance — with humility, sobriety, purity, reverence and a meek and quiet spirit, instead of anger, envy, strife, sadness, drunkenness and impurity.19MR 37.1–2+4 Objectionable traits are purified by the love of Jesus, which expels selfishness and envy and roots out evil speaking, so that a radical change appears in the life.Ms 46, 1894, par. 13+1 Even marked defects by nature, such as pride and ambition and quickness to resent slight and injury, an ardent temper and strong, hard, unbecoming, unchristian language from hereditary and cultivated tendencies, are overcome when under the controlling influence of the Spirit; the fountain is cleansed, meekness and lowliness of heart appear, Jesus is formed within as the hope of glory, self is hid in Jesus in close union with the Living Vine as a partaker of the divine nature, and the life becomes a living representation of sanctifying truth.TEPD 40.1+1 Such result always follows communion with Christ as true sanctification, making a better man and better woman in all relations of life, and where professed religion does not do this there is no belonging to Him.ST Nov 7, 1916+2

What was once loved is hated and what was hated is loved, for former desires, pleasures, lusts, vanities and worldly fashions are left behind and renounced, with pride giving way to meekness, vanity to seriousness and modesty, drunkenness to sobriety and immorality to purity, and inward lasting adornment valued above outward display.ST Nov 7, 1916+2 Self is no longer made the supreme or chief object of love, nor are greatness, worldly honor, luxury, ease or wealth sought, but Jesus takes first place in the affections and becomes the charm of life and the crown of rejoicing, embraced as the life and joy of the soul when the earthly, sin-loving mind is transformed to understand His unspeakable love, the charms of His grace and the excellency of God.ST Mar 6, 1884+2 The former life appears disgusting and hateful, sin is hated with the heart broken before God, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life once preferred before Christ are turned from, and there is a new mind, new affections, new interest and new will, with sorrows, desires and love all made new.Lt 34, 1891, par. 34–35+2 Love extends to Christians as they reflect Christ and beyond family and friends to all people, moving to do them good in Spirit-grown fruit precious to God, with genuine repentance producing practical reform in restitution, confession of sin and love to God and others, giving assurance of passing from death to life.ST Mar 6, 1884+2 Heaven, once without charm, is now viewed in its riches and glory as the future home where the redeemed shall see, love and praise the One who redeemed them by His precious blood, while the mind stays turned toward Jesus in love for God, joyful obedience, peace, consistency, meek and resolute cheerful devotion in which sin finds no sanction, walking in the light in a wise and perfect way with elevated demeanor and firm, courageous, trusting faith ruled by God's peace.Lt 34, 1891, par. 34–35+2

The promise that old things pass and all things become new rests on death and resurrection, because Christ died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died and rose again.Ms 5, 1896, par. 5+1 From that ground follows a changed regard for others and for Christ, henceforth knowing no one after the flesh.Ms 5, 1896, par. 5+1 All things in this renewal are of God, who reconciled believers to Himself by Jesus Christ.Ms 130, 1901, par. 12–15+1

God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting trespasses against them.Ms 130, 1901, par. 12–15+2 Him who knew no sin He made to be sin, that sinners might be made the righteousness of God in Him.Ms 130, 1901, par. 12–15+3 Those thus reconciled are given the ministry of reconciliation and have committed to them the word of reconciliation, not contention and alienation and strife.Ms 130, 1901, par. 12–15+2 They are ambassadors for Christ, as though God entreated through them, beseeching others to be reconciled to God, and the new life is the practical carrying out of Christ's love in loving one another as He loved in giving His own life for the life of the world.Ms 130, 1901, par. 12–15+3

Through repentance toward God for breaking His law and faith toward Christ who died for justification, transgression is forgiven and sin is covered, and the sinner is justified by faith and has peace with God.AA 476.2 When the sinner drawn by Christ comes to the lifted cross and bows, God makes him over and gives a new heart in Christ, declaring the believer right so that every demand of holiness is met.COL 162.4–163.1 That redemption lifts even higher than angels who never sinned, giving heaven's riches and mighty power to those striving for likeness to the divine image, with results beyond human sight and thought.COL 162.4–163.1 The forgiven penitent rising from baptism is declared a new creature, with old sins purged and left behind and the new life hidden with Christ in God and pledged to do God's will.RH May 26, 1904+1 Repentance creates anew by breaking Satan's yoke, teaching meekness and lowliness, writing God's holy, just, and good law in the heart, renewing the soul through truth, sharing Christ's life throughout the person, and giving a new character and a life of loving service fit for heaven, as seen when transforming mercy turned Paul's stubborn unbelief in one hour from terror before the heavenly vision to consolation in Jesus of Nazareth as the world's Redeemer.AA 436.1+1

To see the kingdom of God requires being born again from above, receiving a new heart and new spirit with the stony heart removed and a heart of flesh given, purged as old leaven to become a new lump and created anew after God in righteousness and true holiness.Lt 165, 1904, par. 16+1 This re-creation restores the glory and moral image humanity had at the beginning, and the Sabbath stands as witness to that work of God.ED 250.1 The natural disposition must be changed because the carnal mind with unsanctified heart feels no attraction to heaven and would find nothing congenial there, so propensities controlling the natural heart are subdued by Christ's grace, the understanding is sanctified, the heart is filled with divine love, and an inexhaustible fountain of joy and knowledge with the light of an eternal day opens on the path.AA 273.1–2 By faith laying hold of divine love through the Spirit's operation, vile human nature is purified, ennobled, subdued, and harmonized with the pure and holy, the world is overcome and Satan vanquished, and the person is fitted for the society of pure angels and the glorious kingdom of heaven through repentance, humiliation, submission, practical obedience, and looking in faith to the lifted Son of Man as those bitten looked to the bronze serpent lifted by Moses.4RED 16.2–17.2 So Nicodemus, submitting to the Spirit's leading, began to understand Scripture differently, saw the kingdom, and gained courage to speak for Christ.SPBC 187.2–3

The inward change becomes visible outwardly in holy influence and consistency running through the whole life, for truth received into the heart acts as living leaven that transforms mind, heart and entire character until even thoughts are brought into captivity.Ms 27, 1897, par. 21–22+2 The one made new is not only new but noble, a steady light showing others the way to heaven and to God, drawing life from Christ and losing desire for the world's frivolous, unsatisfying pleasures.5T 88.2+2 That new life leaves no place for self-serving, bringing tenderness, humility, love, benevolence and generosity in place of a stubborn spirit that will not admit wrong, with right influence in the church and love and duty guiding family life and care of children.7T 9.2+1 It is seen in changed words, conduct, dress, homes and surroundings, in tenderness, forbearance and unselfish service, in separation from worldly ways, and in unity of thought and action that strengthens others instead of weakening them by criticism.Ms 27, 1897, par. 21–22+2

Those made new deny self, bear the cross and make any sacrifice in the Master's service, realizing every part of being belongs to Christ by creation and redemption and every moment of the future has been bought with precious lifeblood.7T 9.2+2 No longer indifferent to perishing souls, they ask how best to glorify Him, refuse whatever would hinder the work, and with anxious solicitude seek to rescue those in Satan's power, beginning in the own family and then reaching those around them.RH Aug 12, 1902+2 Becoming new is a choice to be ransomed for time and eternity for a purpose, with an appointed place, to cooperate with the Redeemer and live always for His name's glory rather than for show or personal pleasure, as a fitting agent wholly His as purchased possession with no other claim upon it.19MR 251.4+2 Practiced Bible knowledge turns the mind heavenward and makes the repentant sinner a laborer together with God, one with the Father, enlightened by daily partaking of the Word as a spectacle to unfallen worlds, angels and men, fitted to use every capability to minister to soul as well as body in wisdom of God and guidance of His Spirit, cooperating with Father, Son and Holy Spirit and with heaven's pledged powers.19MR 251.4+1 This includes the closing proclamation to the Jews when Old and New Testaments blended will dawn as a new creation, and the work at Toowoomba to seek wandering sheep and draw on hidden treasures of wisdom.19MR 251.4+2

The new creation requires complete renewal so old sinful habits and practices are not kept but cleansed and sanctified for honorable use, revealing grace in daily life by feeding on the Word, knowing God and walking with Jesus to a higher standard.Lt 151, 1897, par. 14–16+2 It is solid practical work in every soul who will stand in the great day, humbling under the mighty hand of God, drawing near to God, cleansing sinful hands and purifying the double-minded heart from darkness, vice, deception, prevarication and dishonesty even among professing godliness.8MR 13.2+2 Entrance into the spiritual kingdom through forgiveness does not permit folding the hands content, for all powers and passions of unregenerate nature backed by darkness remain arrayed, and old habits and hereditary tendencies to wrong strive for mastery, so each day consecration must be renewed with constant guard and battle with evil in Christ's strength for victory.Lt 151, 1897, par. 14–16+2 The power of self-restraint grows by exercise until what at first seems difficult becomes habitual and easy by constant repetition, until right principles and actions become part of the person, with continued growth in grace and fruit corresponding to sacred truth required during probation, and without fruit comes cutting down and separation.Lt 151, 1897, par. 14–16+2

The verse tests teachers working for eternity whether love constrains them in dealing with youth, instead of confirming youth in perversity by unsanctified words, impatience and want of wisdom, as old traits not in conformity with God's will pass away and opposite qualities take their place.CT 193.2+1 It calls church members to reconversion through the Holy Spirit making them children of God and members of His family, with character remade, heart humbled and sin confessed, for without conversion the needed unity between medical missionary work and gospel ministry cannot be achieved.MWISDAP 55.1+1 It directs those in perilous callings such as physicians to escape professional dangers by fearing them and taking divine means of safety, zealously cultivating the holy duties and pleasures of Sabbath rest and finding support and comfort in believing views of the atonement made by Jesus, resting in Christ blessed and made a blessing and fitted to minister to soul as well as body.Ms 17, 1890, par. 23–25+1 It requires yielding what is hard to give up, leaving overbearing dictatorial words unspoken, gaining victory through every self-denial and crucifixion of self that brings true happiness and makes the next victory easier, living wholly for Christ with no indulgence of self-indulgence, avarice, deception, fraud or any sin, and giving up tobacco, tea and flesh-eating step by step.Ms 17, 1890, par. 23–25+2 This is illustrated by a tobacco user cleansed through prayer and by a violent man made loving and peaceful within a year.Ms 17, 1890, par. 23–25+2