Reasons for Reform
457
need knowledge and judgment in order to move wisely in this matter.
Nature’s laws are not to be resisted, but obeyed.
Those who have received instruction regarding the evils of the use
of flesh foods, tea and coffee, and rich and unhealthful food prepa-
rations, and who are determined to make a covenant with God by
sacrifice, will not continue to indulge their appetite for food that they
know to be unhealthful. God demands that the appetites be cleansed,
and that self-denial be practiced in regard to those things which are
not good. This is a work that will have to be done before His people
can stand before Him a perfected people.
The remnant people of God must be a converted people. The
presentation of this message is to result in the conversion and sanctifi-
cation of souls. We are to feel the power of the Spirit of God in this
movement. This is a wonderful definite message; it means everything
to the receiver, and it is to be proclaimed with a loud cry. We must have
a true, abiding faith that this message will go forth with increasing
importance till the close of time.
There are some professed believers who accept certain portions of
the Testimonies as the message of God, while they reject those portions
that condemn their favorite indulgences. Such persons are working
contrary to their own welfare, and the welfare of the church. It is
essential that we walk in the light while we have the light. Those who
claim to believe in health reform, and yet work counter to its principles
in the daily life-practice, are hurting their own souls and are leaving
wrong impressions upon the minds of believers and unbelievers.
A solemn responsibility rests upon those who know the truth that
all their works shall correspond with their faith, and that their lives
shall be refined and sanctified, and they be prepared for the work that
must rapidly be done in these closing days of the message. They
have no time or strength to spend in the indulgence of appetite. The
words should come to us now with impelling earnestness. “Repent ye,
therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when
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the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”
Acts
3:19
. There are many among us who are deficient in spirituality, and
who, unless they are wholly converted, will certainly be lost. Can you
afford to run the risk?
The power of Christ alone can work the transformation in heart
and mind that all must experience who would partake with Him of the