Disregard of the Seventh Commandment
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If the bodies professedly laid upon the altar of God should pass that
scrutiny that was given the Jewish sacrifice, how few would stand the
test and be pronounced perfect before God, preserved unto holiness,
free from the taints of sin or pollution. No lame sacrifice could God
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receive. No injured or diseased sacrifice would God accept. The
offering given to God was required to be sound, in every respect
without blemish, and valuable.
Origin of Impure Acts—None can glorify God in their body, as
He requires, while they are living in transgression of the law of God. If
the body violates the seventh commandment, it is through the dictation
of the mind. If the mind is impure, the body will naturally engage in
impure acts. Purity cannot exist in the soul of one who yields his body
to impure acts. If the body is serving lust, the mind cannot maintain
consecration to God. To preserve a sanctified mind, the body must be
preserved in sanctification and honor. The mind will then serve the law
of God, and yield willing obedience to all its claims. Then, with the
apostle, such can yield their members as instruments of righteousness
unto God....
No Real Enjoyment of Life for Sinners—The Lord made man
upright; but he has fallen, and become degraded, because he refuses
to yield obedience to the sacred claims which the law of God has
upon him. All the passions of man, if properly controlled and rightly
directed, will contribute to his physical and moral health, and insure
to him a great amount of happiness. The adulterer, the fornicator, and
the incontinent, do not enjoy life. There can be no true enjoyment
for the transgressor of God’s law. The Lord knew this, therefore He
restricts man. He directs, commands, and He positively forbids.... The
Lord well knew that the happiness of His children depends upon their
submission to His authority, and living in obedience to this holy, just,
and good rule of government.
Thoughts and Actions Open to God—Man may pass on awhile,
and conceal the fact that he is an adulterer; yet God has His eye upon
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him. He marks the man. He cannot conceal his crimes from God. He
may apparently conduct himself properly before his family and before
the community, and be esteemed a good man. But does he deceive
himself in thinking there is not knowledge with the Most High?
He is exposing his corruption to the view of the Majesty of Heaven.
He who is high and lifted up, and the train of whose glory fills the