Page 328 - That I May Know Him (1964)

Daily Self-denial, November 3
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1.
Why will not the youth learn a lesson from the case of Adam? His
failure in not bearing the slight test of God was followed by a terrible
retribution. And yet Satan has such power to bewitch the mind that with
this beacon of warning before us many will talk of liberality and not being
so particular in regard to God’s requirements....
It is a very small offering, at best, that we can make to our heavenly
Father. In view of our accountability to God, we are all under the strongest
obligation to bring our appetites and passions under the control of the
intelligent will. Taste has done more to pervert the understanding and
becloud the spiritual sky than everything else beside. Satan benumbs the
intellect of many through indulgence of appetite, and then he makes these
intemperate ones special objects of temptation, to go still farther from
the path of obedience and holiness. Those who have been entrusted with
valuable talents will miss eternal life unless they shall see the necessity of
daily self-denial, of what it means to be an overcomer....
There is not, with many, ... one half the vigor there might be, because
of ailments brought on through indulgence of appetite and debasing habits.
What clearness of perception the youth might have if they would adhere
strictly to the laws of health, as did Daniel and his three companions! What
freedom from pain, and with how much greater ease could they perform
their duties! How much greater would be their spiritual fervor! And how
much more good, by precept and example, would they do to others! ...
God is able to make all grace abound toward you. We have no right
to claim the promises of God till we comply with the conditions revealed
in His Word. “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith
the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2
Corinthians 6:17). Will you do it?4 [314]
4 Manuscript 6, 1878.
324