56
Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (
Romans 1:16
). The
gospel of Christ becomes personality in those who believe, and makes
them living epistles, known and read of all men. In this way the leaven
of Godliness passes into the multitude. The heavenly intelligences
are able to discern the true elements of greatness in character, for
only goodness is esteemed as efficiency with God.—
The Review and
Herald, December 15, 1891
; (
Fundamentals of Christian Education,
199, 200
.)
Gospel Alone Can Cure Evils Cursing Society—The only rem-
edy for the sins and sorrows of men is Christ. The gospel of His grace
alone can cure the evils that curse society. The injustice of the rich
toward the poor, the hatred of the poor toward the rich, alike have their
root in selfishness, and this can be eradicated only through submis-
sion to Christ. He alone, for the selfish heart of sin, gives the new
heart of love. Let the servants of Christ preach the gospel with the
Spirit sent down from heaven and work as He did for the benefit of
men. Then such results will be manifest in the blessing and uplifting
[67]
of mankind as are wholly impossible of accomplishment by human
power.—
Christ’s Object Lessons, 254
(1900).
Only Through Harmonious Development Can Perfection Be
Attained—The improvement of the mind is a duty which we owe to
ourselves, to society, and to God. But we should never devise means
for the cultivation of the intellect at the expense of the moral and the
spiritual. And it is only by the harmonious development of both the
mental and the moral faculties that the highest perfection of either can
be attained.—
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 541
(1913).
The Divine Leaven Changes the Mind—In the parable the
woman placed the leaven in the meal. It was necessary to supply a
want.... Thus the divine leaven does its work.... The mind is changed;
the faculties are set to work. Man is not supplied with new faculties,
but the faculties he has are sanctified. The conscience hitherto dead is
aroused. But man cannot make this change himself. It can be made
only by the Holy Spirit....
When our minds are controlled by the Spirit of God, we shall
understand the lesson taught by the parable of the leaven. Those who
open their hearts to receive the truth will realize that the Word of God