30
Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
It is the wayward heart that has dragged down the faculties of the
soul. All who would learn the science of salvation must be submissive
students in the school of Christ, that the soul temple may be the abiding
place of the Most High. If we would learn of Christ, the soul must
be emptied of all its proud possessions, that Christ may imprint His
image on the soul.—
Letter 5, 1898
(HC 105.)
The Cross Gives Proper Level to the Human Mind—What
gives the proper level to the human mind? It is the cross of Calvary.
By looking unto Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of our faith,
all the desire for self-glorification is laid in the dust. There comes, as
[30]
we see aright, a spirit of self-abasement that promotes lowliness and
humbleness of mind. As we contemplate the cross, we are enabled to
see the wonderful provision it has brought to every believer. God in
Christ, ... if seen aright, will level human exaltation and pride. There
will be no self-exaltation, but there will be true humility.—
Letter 20,
1987
(HC 114.)
Man Is Made Complete in Christ—Christ brings His disciples
into a living union with Himself and with the Father. Through the
working of the Holy Spirit upon the human mind, man is made com-
plete in Christ Jesus. Unity with Christ establishes a bond of unity
with one another. This unity is the most convincing proof to the world
of the majesty and virtue of Christ and of His power to take away sin.—
Manuscript 111, 1903.
(
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 5:1148
.)
God Alone Can Raise Man in Moral Worth—The value of man
as God estimates him is through his union with Christ, for God is the
only One able to raise man in the scale of moral worth through the
righteousness of Christ. Worldly honor and worldly greatness are of
just that value that the Creator of man places upon them. Their wisdom
is foolishness, their strength weakness.—
Letter 9, 1873
(HC 149.)
Selfishness and Its Fruit—Selfishness is the essence of depravity,
and because human beings have yielded to its power, the opposite
of allegiance to God is seen in the world today. Nations, families,
and individuals are filled with a desire to make self a center. Man
longs to rule over his fellowmen. Separating himself in his egotism
from God and his fellow beings, he follows his unrestrained inclina-
tions. He acts as if the good of others depended on their subjection
to his supremacy.—
The Present Truth, June 25, 1908
. (
Counsels on
Stewardship, 24
.)