Character Perfection and the Transformation of the Body

At the second coming of Christ, only our physical bodies will be transformed, for the perfection of our character must be achieved during our current time of probation9MR 262.2+1. 🌟

The Transformation of the Body

When Christ appears in the clouds of heaven, his work is not to refine or purify the characters of men3SP 40.2. Instead, his work at that time will be to change our corruptible bodies and fashion them to be like his own glorious body3SP 40.2 Philip. 3:20-21. This physical change happens in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump 1 Corinthians 15:51-53PP 88.3. While this mortal body puts on immortality, the character remains exactly as it was when the individual went into the grave or when Christ appeared9MR 262.2+1.

The Perfection of Character

The development of a character that reflects the image and nature of God is a work that must be done nowYI September 9, 1897, par. 4+1.

• The Present Opportunity: Now is the designated time for "washing and ironing," which means washing our robes and making them white in the blood of the Lamb9MR 262.2.

• The Standard of Law: Perfection of character is attained through obedience to every requirement of God's lawMM 168.5+1. The law of the Lord is perfect and is the instrument used to convert the soul Psalm 19:7RH May 10, 1898, par. 14.

• The Role of the Holy Spirit: We cannot do this work alone; the Holy Spirit must mold and fashion our experience after the divine similitudeMR926 66.4+1.

• The Result of Perfection: When God's servants reach the perfection of Christ's character, they will be sealed in their foreheads and declared "complete in Him"3SM 427.2.

Preparation for Heaven

Only those who have attained a symmetrical and perfect character through the grace of Christ will be entitled to the finishing touch of immortality3SP 40.2. Character is the only thing we take from this world to the next; therefore, we must connect with God now to develop a life that Heaven can approve9MR 262.2+1. Our eternal future depends on this current work of transformation, as there will be no second chance to change our sinful natures once Christ returns3SP 40.2+1. 🛡️

The primary instrument for converting the soul is the perfect law of the Lord, specifically the Ten Commandments, which aim to convert both the mind and heart to correct principles of action Psalm 19:712LtMs, Ms 70, 1897, par. 34+1. 📜

The Purpose of the Moral Law

The law of God is the great standard of right, designed by the Creator to show us our need of a Savior by providing the knowledge of sin Romans 7:7PRL 33.2. While the law itself cannot save, it acts as a mirror to reveal the defects in our character so that we may seek the righteousness of Christ12LtMs, Ms 70, 1897, par. 34+1.

• The Ten Commandments: These ten holy rules, written on tables of stone, define the character required to become members of the royal family and children of the heavenly KingYI August 18, 1886, par. 3.

• Convicting the Heart: The law strikes the first blow in a sound religious experience by convincing the individual of their transgressions, such as when the tenth commandment convinced Paul of his own lustful heart Romans 7:7PRL 33.2.

• Restoration to God: God’s object in giving the law was that humanity might rise from a low estate and, through Jesus, manifest a complete moral transformation in nature and characterRH July 21, 1891, par. 14.

Natural and Physical Laws

Conversion and character building also involve understanding and obeying the laws that govern our physical beingHR December 1, 1872, par. 15.

• Laws of Nature: Perfection of character cannot be attained if the laws of nature are disregarded, for these laws are written by God’s own finger upon every nerve, muscle, and fiber of our beingRH November 12, 1901, par. 4.

• Physical and Moral Health: Because physical and moral health are closely united, parents must teach their children to obey the laws of God in their physical frames to ensure a sound intellect and pure moralsHR December 1, 1872, par. 15+1.

• Practical Discipline: True education involves a combination of mental, moral, and physical training, including manual labor, which serves as a safeguard against evil influences and promotes stability of characterCCh 208.5+1.

The Work of Transformation

The law serves its purpose when it leads us to a vital connection with Jesus Christ, who provides the power to fulfill its requirements12LtMs, Ms 70, 1897, par. 34+1.

• Christ’s Merit: The wise builder does not build on human merit but on the righteousness of Christ, accepting His perfection as the only hope of salvationST August 13, 1894, par. 9.

• Daily Conversion: We need the converting power of God every day to break up old habits and customs so that we can be molded and fashioned by the hands of the Divine Potter3MR 9.1.

• The Result of Obedience: Those who love God find it a delight to keep His commandments, and through the exercise of the mind in obedience during times of test, they attain perfection of character1SM 216.3+1. 🛡️

Obtaining perfection in the character of Christ requires a diligent, daily cooperation with the Holy Spirit through specific spiritual and practical actions7BC 908.14+1. Perfection of character is a progressive work of triumphing over evil and reflecting the image of Jesus in every detail of life3SM 427.2+1.

• Consecrate Yourself Wholly to God: You must give your heart unreservedly to the Lord, dying to self and your own ambitious desires to rule othersChL 64.3+2.

• Maintain Unbending Integrity: Practice strict honesty and unbending integrity in all business transactions and minor daily vocations, as these reveal your true moral worth to the angelsChL 17.2+2.

• Study and Cherish the Word of God: Make the Bible your chief study, as its ennobling principles stamp the character with truthfulness and integrity more than any other book12MR 215.2+2.

• Engage in Secret Prayer: Cultivate a life of secret communion with God, for it is in this private place that you contemplate His glorious ideal and gather power to resist temptationGW 254.1+1.

• Consult Duty Over Inclination: Follow the example of Joseph by consulting duty rather than natural inclination, which favors the development of both physical and intellectual powersCE 225.3+1.

• Resist Appetite and Passion: Gain victories over the point of appetite through the name of Christ, as indulging the appetite enfeebles the intellect and makes it impossible to appreciate the plan of salvationCon 78.4+2.

• Commit to Useful Labor: Engage in well-regulated manual labor, as this discipline is essential for securing a strong mind, a sound constitution, and a noble characterPP 601.2.

• Be Courteous and Kind: Cherish the little courtesies of life, blending a pleasant temper with a firm principle of justice, for these graces of the Spirit are the attributes of heaven4T 367.1+1.

• Serve Others Unselfishly: Actively seek to help those around you, as doing good to others and helping them overcome temptation brings spiritual benefit to your own soulChL 36.1+2.

• Submit to God's Discipline: Accept the trials and "blows" God allows to come your way as tools to square and polish the rough corners of your character for His templeCG 168.2+1.

...ke such a record of firmness of character, uprightness, and wisdom?—In his early years he had consulted duty rather than inclination; and the integrity, the simple trust, the noble nature of the youth, bore fruit in the deeds of the man. A pure and simple life had favored the vigorous development of both physical and intellectual powers. Communion with God through his works, and the contemplation of the grand truths intrusted to the inheritors of faith, had elevated and ennobled his spiritual nature, broadening and strengthening the mind as no other study could do. Faithful attention to duty in every station, from the lowliest to the most exalted, had been training every power for its highest service. He who lives in accordance with the Creator's will is securing to himself the truest and noblest development of character. “The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” [Job...— CE 225.3 (1894)

Christ says, “Ye must be born again.” John 3:7.] There must be a progressive work of triumph over evil, of sympathy with good, a reflection of the character of Jesus. We must walk in the light, which will increase and grow brighter unto the perfect day. This is rea...— 6LtMs, Lt 12, 1890, par. 65 (1889)

An honest man, according to Christ's measurement, is one who will manifest unbending integrity. Deceitful weights and false balances, with which many seek to advance their interests in the world, are abomination in the sight of God. Yet many who profess to keep the commandments of God are dealing with false weights and false balances. When a man is indeed connected with God, and is keeping His law in truth, his life will reveal the fact; for all his actions will be in harmony with the teachings of Christ. He will not sell his honor for gain. His principles are built upon the sure foundation, and his conduct in worldly matters is a transcript of his principles. Firm integrity shines forth as gold amid the dross and rubbish of the world. Deceit, falsehood, an...— 4T 310.2 (1885)

Family prayer and public prayer have their place; but it is secret communion with God that sustains the soul-life. It was in the mount with God that Moses beheld the pattern of that wonderful building which was to be the abiding-place of His glory. It is in the mount with God—the secret place of communion—that we are to contemplate His glorious ideal for humanity. Thus we shall be enabled so to fashion our character-building that to us may be fulfilled the prom...— GW 254.1 (1915)

...es to us, ever saying. Holier, holier still. And ever our answer is to be, Yes, Lord, holier still. Holiness is within the reach of all who reach for it by faith, not because of their good works, but because of Christ's merits. Di...— 7BC 908.14 (1957)

... reach the measure of the stature of men and women in Christ? Are we seeking for His fullness, ever reaching higher and higher, trying to attain to the perfection of His character? When God's servants reach this point, they will be sealed in their foreheads. The recording a...— 3SM 427.2 (1980)