2:132 Thessalonians 2:13

God chose His people from the beginning, from eternity, to salvation and holiness through two appointed means together, the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and the living faith of the believer in the truth.CT 22.1+4 That choice is unto a certain excellence of character, made sure by obedience to the truth and keeping His commandments, and not while living in disobedience to His law.RH Feb 18, 1909+3 God has already provided every divine efficiency for this work, and believers are to cooperate by searching the Scriptures as learners, praying daily for the Spirit to open the Word, laying hold of the promises, and showing faith by works in seeking and saving the lost.CT 22.1+4 The Spirit sanctifies by applying truth to mind and heart, cleansing defects of character, forming Christ within, and bringing forth a holy life in thoughts, words, and actions, in unity, peace, and unselfish service to others.Ms 192, 1899, par. 23–24+4 For this election to salvation thanksgiving is always due to God, in contrast to those who perish because they did not receive the love of the truth, while the chosen are called by the gospel to obtain the glory of Christ and are charged to stand fast and hold what was taught by word or epistle.8T 226.3–227.1+4

Paul's warning and exhortation to the church at Thessalonica is to be repeated to believers living in the midst of the perils of the last days.Ms 155, 1903, par. 14–16 The brethren beloved of the Lord are those God has from the beginning chosen to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, in contrast to those who perish because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved.Ms 155, 1903, par. 14–16+2 That perishing company are damned for believing a lie and rejecting the truth and having pleasure in unrighteousness, a contrast made manifest in the last great crisis when the working of the man of sin is revealed.Lt 244, 1903, par. 16–17+1 For this election to salvation thanksgiving is always due to God, who chose believers for salvation through the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work joined to belief in the truth.Ms 155, 1903, par. 14–16+2

The chosen are called by the gospel to the obtaining of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.8T 226.3–227.1+2 With that calling come everlasting consolation and good hope through grace from Christ and the Father who loved them, to comfort their hearts and establish them in every good word and work.Ms 52, 1898, par. 7–9 This calling grounds the charge to stand fast and hold the teachings given by word or epistle, standing firm in what has been taught.8T 226.3–227.1+2

That glory is nothing less than Christ's own glory bestowed on them.Ms 125, 1901, par. 54–58 It is the privilege of every follower of Christ to receive the fullness of the character Christ revealed, made holy and without blame and accepted in the Beloved.Ms 125, 1901, par. 54–58

God chose His people from the beginning, from eternity, to salvation and to be holy.8T 226.3–227.1+3 This choice is unto salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, with consciences purged from dead works to serve the living God.8T 226.3–227.1+3 Those thus chosen are objects of His special care, called out of darkness to bear sacred responsibilities, to show forth His praises, and to shine as lights in the world.ST May 21, 1896 Sanctification through belief of the truth transforms character and makes each person a light-bearer and a helper in recovering others from sin.Ms 83, 1901, par. 1

Election is conditional upon character, for God has elected a certain excellence of character unto salvation.FE 125.2–3+1 That election is through sanctification by obedience to the truth and belief of the truth, proved by keeping His commandments from principle under all circumstances.FE 125.2–3+1 No son or daughter of Adam is chosen to salvation while living in disobedience to God's law and voiding it, and Christians are chosen for sanctification through obedience, not for salvation while living in disobedience.FE 125.2–3+1 Through Christ's grace they are to pursue God's standard of character, become co-laborers with God, wear the yoke of Christ, bear His burden, lift His cross, and make their calling and election sure, and their obedience will prove their right to an inheritance with the saints in light and an abundant entrance into the kingdom of glory to wear the crown.FE 125.2–3+1

Salvation requires personal, individual faith with a contrite heart and simple faith in Jesus as personal Saviour.Lt 32, 1894, par. 5+2 Receiving pardon and the atonement cannot be obtained through a substitute.Ms 24, 1897, par. 22–24 Through faith and the Holy Spirit believers can receive the light given to those who faithfully continue in well-doing, for the Spirit sanctifies the soul through belief in the truth as part of God's purpose to bring people to salvation.Lt 32, 1894, par. 5+1

Being chosen by God to salvation is shown and made sure by a daily work of cleansing and sanctification through faith in the truth.RH Feb 18, 1909+1 Believers are to make their calling and election sure by living with Christ's kindness and compassion and revealing that they understand godliness and the mystery of godliness.RH Feb 18, 1909+1 That life reveals itself in encouraging, unselfish service that helps others.Lt 236, 1908, par. 9

The Jewish people could have received this salvation through Christ, whose work was foreshadowed in their types, offerings, and prophecies.ST Nov 6, 1893 But the scribes and Pharisees rejected the light God gave them and chose darkness.ST Nov 6, 1893

From the beginning two agencies were appointed in salvation, the divine influence in the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and the strong, living, working faith of the human agent in believing the truth.CT 22.1+4 Salvation is a partnership requiring the cooperation of these two great forces, with the loving, active faith of man uniting with divinity.Ms 52, 1898, par. 7–9+2 Through them those who follow Christ become laborers together with God and workers together with Him.CT 22.1+2

The human part is not to surrender reason to blind credulity nor to rest faith upon men.Lt 77, 1893, par. 31–35+1 It is to search the Scriptures as learners with a learner's spirit, to canvass every point of difference in meekness, to search for truth as for hidden treasure, and to trust God's Word alone.Lt 77, 1893, par. 31–35+1 Faith so exercised falls upon the Rock and is broken, rather than hedging up, suspecting, and resisting the messages God sends.15MR 302.2–303.3

God has already done His great work and provided every efficiency, giving inspiration, the blood of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the divine Word, and He will add no new element of efficiency to His Word.CE 86.2+1 Christ's blood justifies and His Spirit sanctifies, and the Son and the Spirit work together in the soul.RH Oct 15, 1908+1 What remains waits on the cooperation of the church.CE 86.2

Believers must therefore daily pray for the light of the Holy Spirit to shine upon the Bible so they can comprehend spiritual things.CE 86.2 They must have implicit trust in God's Word or they are lost, for the words of men cannot make perfect or thoroughly furnish unto all good works.CE 86.2

Divine and human agencies must cooperate, and it depends on believers to lay hold of His promises and become laborers together with Him for the souls for whom Christ died.CT 22.1+3 That means showing faith by works and refusing idleness or indifference while souls perish, seeking and saving that which is lost.CE 86.2+1 It means uniting the human with the divine in cooperation with divine agencies and fellow workers, so to stand approved in the judgment and to labor unitedly to prepare a people to stand in the time of peril and the great day of God.Ms 52, 1898, par. 7–9+1

Sanctification by the Spirit is essential to salvation and the believer's only safety, and without the Spirit's sanctifying work there is no change for the better.Ms 192, 1899, par. 23–24+3 Where that work is lacking, inherited and cultivated defects of character and undisciplined self remain to harm personal influence and the cause of truth.Ms 192, 1899, par. 23–24 It must therefore be known with intelligent understanding and sought continually, with everything surrendered to Christ without compromise or room for worldly policy, putting on the Lord Jesus Christ each day, for Christ formed within is the hope of glory.Ms 72, 1911, par. 6–7+1

The Spirit sanctifies by applying the truth to mind and heart through the ministry of the Word, a work devised in heaven.Lt 291, 1903, par. 5+1 That ministry reveals character's imperfections and teaches the believer, while Christ's light makes the truth clear.Lt 291, 1903, par. 5+1 God's purpose in it is to bring each soul to salvation and complete Christlikeness, presenting in Christ the true perfection that, when maintained, forms a complete character and leads believers to see the Father through Him who gave His life to save the soul.Lt 291, 1903, par. 5

This sanctification cleanses and forms the mind so it can discern heavenly things and recognize divine power in God's Word.GW 310.1+1 A mind shaped only by worldly learning or trained only in worldly science cannot grasp the things of God.GW 310.1+1 The soul is thus fitted for God's kingdom as the Spirit forms a character suited to learn from Christ the greatest Teacher, and knowing God comes before worldly learning because knowing Him is eternal life.FE 484.1+1

It is sought by yielding the whole heart to God, surrendering everything without compromise, submitting the will to Him, and obeying God's known will instead of following one's own ideas.Ms 7, 1889, par. 3–4+2 Everything connected with the worship of God is to be kept pure and bearing a striking resemblance to heavenly things rather than placed on a level with common, temporal things, with no careless disregard, so that the Lord's presence may be had.Ms 7, 1889, par. 3–4 This lays a most solemn obligation on the church to maintain the elevated character of the gospel of Christ and never in any sense degrade the truth or put Christ to shame before the world.Ms 7, 1889, par. 3–4 As the Holy Spirit draws near He shapes the believer into Christ's likeness, with Christ's blood cleansing the conscience, while each person must choose to give up sin and become fit for God's service.Ms 175, 1903, par. 25–26

This sanctifying and redeeming work was made possible by Christ's incarnation, sufferings, death, and blood, for through His human nature He can reach humanity.Ms 83, 1903, par. 34–35+2 God loved the world and gave His only begotten Son to save the sinful race by suffering the penalty of death, so that every soul may be sanctified through belief of the truth.Lt 100, 1910, par. 18 The truth must be personally received, for it is from God and not a human invention.Ms 83, 1903, par. 34–35+1 All who repent and are converted receive the gift of salvation, and all who come to the Father through faith in Christ, lay hold of the Saviour by faith, and follow His example receive assurance of the forgiveness of sins.Lt 100, 1910, par. 18

Sanctification is a daily, continual overcoming through faith in Christ and the grace He imparts, with Christ as leader.Lt 14, 1912, par. 2+2 Believers are to be co-workers with Him in this sacred work, keeping it ever in mind and impressing it on the minds of associates by presenting words of wisdom, praying with others, helping them plan their lives after the divine Pattern, giving wise counsel, and practicing the truth in daily life, with the Lord promised as helper, strength, and front guard and rear guard.Lt 14, 1912, par. 2 It is a standard to be held with a firm grasp and raised higher and still higher, requiring every soul to do his best and stand under the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.Ms 61, 1910, par. 10–11

Those thus sanctified are ennobled, refined, and changed into Christ's image.STOM 37.2–38.1+2 They are one with Christ, have the mind of Christ, do the works of Christ, and ever improve and draw nearer to God by beholding Christ until emptied of self and filled with the Spirit of Christ.STA 47.1–48.1 This appears in a life increasingly reflecting Christ in thoughts, words, and actions, growing day by day toward mature life in Him, with purity of thought and heart clear as crystal, thoughts not trivial but sanctified by virtue and holiness.CT 491.2+2 They mind the things of the Spirit, receive the engrafted Word with meekness, and bear the fruits of righteousness — love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance — with Christ as a well of water springing up into everlasting life, and as branches of the True Vine and earnest laborers together with God, with heavenly intelligences cooperating, they speak words of solid sense and bring forth pure and sacred things after Christ's example, laying up gold, silver and precious stones rather than wood, hay and stubble, so that their influence brings life and salvation to those around them.STOM 37.2–38.1+2

Sanctification brings believers into complete unity with Christ and with one another, and into peace beyond human understanding.RH May 30, 1907+2 It means being set apart and shaped by God's Spirit, dying to self, and living in Christian fellowship controlled by the Spirit.RH May 30, 1907+1 Those who truly accept Christ share a desire for holiness, have character perfected by His grace, use entrusted gifts and opportunities to bless others, and are thus joined in Christian love and harmony, able through divine power to make peace with God.Ms 11, 1902, par. 34+2

The Spirit's sanctifying work through the Word produces unselfish liberality in supporting the gospel.AA 344.2+1 That generosity showed grace had not been received in vain, threw the church into joy, bore the power of God to the needy, and stood before believers and unbelievers as a miracle of grace.AA 344.2+1

This sanctification fits people for God's kingdom and heavenly inheritance as learners from Christ, and is understood through doing the work God gives and attending to personal salvation, for Christ saves those who come to Him in faith and obey His directions.FE 484.1+2 Receiving it subdues and cleanses away self-haughtiness, while workers who are not converted and sanctified cannot make the work of their institutions succeed.Lt 119, 1905, par. 12 Those who have made Christ their friend and given their life to follow Him must learn and present the truth as it is in Jesus, be anxious to be found in the truth and not in heresy, and so be prepared and made ready to overcome and inherit all things.Ms 82, 1910, par. 1–3

Sanctification by the Spirit is not given to one who continues to transgress God's law.Ms 65, 1893, par. 6–7 The soul must turn in the right direction and look to Jesus, learning His meekness and lowliness and practicing the virtues shown by His example, thereby developing firm character and growing in grace toward maturity in Christ.Ms 65, 1893, par. 6–7 Through watchfulness, faith, prayer, and Christ's grace that sanctification can work a miracle in a person's life, showing what people can become.Ms 158, 1902, par. 104

Allowing the Spirit's sanctifying power to work brings blessing to others and enables the believer to enjoy the fullness of God's grace.Lt 192, 1908, par. 9 As laborers together with Christ, His representatives must pray for the sanctification of His Spirit, for it is needed for them to shine more and more brightly as they carry the light of truth into the world.8T 40.1+1 Greater and still greater light beams with celestial brightness from the Redeemer's face upon them to be diffused through the darkness of a benighted world to the ends of the earth.ACSMHFP 14.7 Belief of the truth that thus sanctifies to God is itself to be sought in prayer, with earnest prayer for the divine Spirit to control so that God is glorified by the example.Lt 111, 1902, par. 8–9

To be sanctified through belief of the truth as it is in Jesus is to receive the truths of the Bible into the heart and live them out in daily practical life.CT 437.1+2 It requires searching and understanding Scripture as spiritual food to be digested and assimilated, received into the heart and worked out in the life, where every want of the soul is met.RP 46.3+3 Baptism and profession alone do not give this change, and even baptized persons remain unconverted while they do not know this experience of being spiritually minded.RP 46.3+2 If the Word is unconsulted and unappropriated, the aid of the Spirit cannot be expected, for the Spirit is given only where the Word is taken into heart and life.8MR 160.2+1 Receiving the seed of truth into the heart in this earnest seeking to understand leads to salvation, and faith working through love purifies the soul.2MR 97.2+1

Belief of the truth means loving the truth, talking the truth, exemplifying it by practice, and living it, bringing the Bible's teachings into practical life.Ms 61, 1910, par. 10–11+2 That belief is to purify and sanctify life and character, producing a purified, holy life revealed in words, purposes, actions, spirit, and conduct that honors God and makes the truth known.RH Mar 11, 1909+3 Profession alone is not enough, for grace enables believers not merely to profess the truth but to live and communicate it.RH Mar 11, 1909+1 Continued dishonesty and misuse of the Lord's goods contradict claimed conversion and misrepresent the truth, showing the absence of decided change in spirit and conduct.Ms 24, 1894, par. 8–9 True belief in Christ produces holy obedience and a real sanctified life, not pretense, by surrendering one's own wills and plans to God as the way to salvation and perfecting of Christian character.Lt 74, 1903, par. 6–7+1

The truth believed sanctifies the whole being, molding the disposition to be sweet, kind, and true, practicing Christ's love and tenderness in words and actions, following His example, submitting the will to God's will, and producing thanksgiving and gratitude from the heart.Lt 74, 1903, par. 6–7+1 Without this sanctifying grace shaping character and conduct, a professed believer remains unconverted and is not a Christian.Lt 12, 1910, par. 12–13 No sooner is one converted than the heart is humble, having learned the meekness and lowliness of Christ and being cleansed from all self-exaltation and self-importance.Ms 57, 1910, par. 10–12+2 Belief of the truth as it is in Jesus gives inward spiritual perception that never exalts self, but brings self-abasement and lowliness under the Spirit's leading.STB 250.2+1 The truth received is like light dispelling all darkness and transforming the person, with the Spirit of Christ illuminating the soul shown in words and spirit so that uncertainty is taken away.Ms 57, 1910, par. 10–12

This sanctification brings comfort and joy and imparts a quickening power to the life, gained only by carrying out the principles of godliness in daily life.14MR 211.3+1 Communion with Christ gives wisdom to distinguish earthly things from heavenly things, and the words of divine inspiration help discern right from wrong and judge righteously.Lt 281, 1905, par. 9–10 Love for the truth and the sanctification received through it banish avarice, overreaching, and dishonesty, leading to faithful service to God and carrying the message of truth to others.Ms 61, 1911, par. 5+1 Those thus sanctified form characters after the divine similitude and live so as not to bring the truth into disrepute.Ms 61, 1911, par. 5+1 Sanctification through love of the truth gives spiritual strength and divine enlightenment for continued progress toward heaven, yet teachers who failed to value and follow the light did not walk in its sanctifying influence or follow Christ the Light of the world.Lt 58, 1893, par. 3

The hope that Christ's personal appearing is near stirs more earnest seeking for the Spirit's sanctification.LSEGW 45.4–46.3+2 That sanctification does not come through Methodism but through the stirring truths concerning the personal appearing of Jesus.LSEGW 45.4–46.3 Those truths bring evidences of Jesus' love, peace, joy, and perfect love, with glad expectation of soon meeting the Redeemer.LSEGW 45.4–46.3+2

Through the Spirit and faith believers become workers together with God and co-workers with Christ in the sacred work of overcoming, obtaining daily victories through faith in Christ and the grace He imparts with Christ Himself as leader in the overcoming.Lt 14, 1912, par. 2 This co-working is to be kept ever in mind and impressed on the minds of associates, done intelligently with the Lord promised as helper, as strength and front guard and rear guard.Lt 14, 1912, par. 2 It takes the form of presenting words of wisdom to others and praying with them, being a blessing by helping them plan their lives after the divine Pattern and by giving wise counsel and practicing the truth in daily life.Lt 14, 1912, par. 2 Sanctification through belief in the truth transforms character and makes each person a light-bearer and a helper in recovering others from sin.Ms 83, 1901, par. 1

Those who accept the truth in love receive the Spirit of Christ, and that Spirit moves and constrains them to work for the salvation of others.Ms 52, 1896, par. 68–70+1 Each person saved is to use the talents God has given to help save many more.Ms 52, 1896, par. 68–70+1 Those who have the truth must make decided efforts to bring all who claim to believe it to actually live it, since belief of the truth means loving the truth, talking the truth, exemplifying it by practice, and living it.Ms 61, 1910, par. 10–11 Sanctification by the Holy Spirit through belief of the truth is a standard to be held with a firm grasp and raised higher and still higher, requiring more of the spirit of Jesus Christ with every soul doing his best under the Spirit's sanctifying work.Ms 61, 1910, par. 10–11

Sanctification of the Spirit belongs to the science of salvation, in contrast to teachings that merely claim to be science, and the foundational truths of faith lead God's people forward step by step.RH May 25, 1905 That sanctification calls for repentance and conversion and carries the duty to help people remain among God's commandment-keeping people.Ms 52, 1904, par. 39 Christ rescues those in danger of falling and enables them to stand on secure ground, and believers are to cooperate in that rescue and work for one another's salvation.Ms 52, 1904, par. 39

Satan works with all ingenuity in every conceivable way to hinder this sanctification by keeping minds engrossed with things that close the heart to eternal interests and divert from God's service.Lt 112, 1909, par. 21+1 He uses story magazines, novels, and cheap worthless literature so that men, women, and youth shall not be touched by the messages of warning and invitation coming to the world in the last days.6MR 285.1–2 In a time when every phase of character will be developed, the world is under satanic delusions working through evil agencies to deceive if possible the very elect.Lt 78, 1910, par. 4–5 Therefore God's people must learn of God out of His Word, recognize and put away all that would divert the mind, let the blessedness of His way impress mind and heart and character, work humbly with the grace of God in the heart, pray much and watch unto prayer, and keep in close connection with Jesus Christ.Lt 112, 1909, par. 21+2

Sanctification of the Holy Spirit upon the human heart is the only safety and must be known with intelligent understanding.Ms 72, 1911, par. 6–7 When received it makes knowledge of the truth into virtue and sanctified character and gives sight of Him who is invisible.Ms 72, 1911, par. 6–7 It puts a person in position to reflect light to those around, to watch over younger ones and help them, and to bring the work of Christ into the world today.Ms 72, 1911, par. 6–7 It is carried out when fathers and mothers in the home help their children understand the Word of God and bring it into life practice, so that homes and schools reflect the light of heaven and the grace of God comes into them.Ms 72, 1911, par. 6–7

Salvation through belief of the truth as it is in Christ is a rich, free gift imparted by the living Saviour, learned day by day by true reception of Him that gives a true sense of salvation with growth in righteousness and true holiness.Lt 78, 1910, par. 4–5 This work fits believers to come into possession of their heavenly inheritance.Ms 82, 1910, par. 1–3 Those who have made Christ their friend and given their life to follow Him must learn and present the truth as it is in Jesus, be anxious to be found in the truth and not in heresy, and so be prepared and made ready to overcome and inherit all things.Ms 82, 1910, par. 1–3+1