All who are expectantly watching and waiting for the final events that will soon transpire on this earth have need of a great work to fit them for the coming of the Lord. In Maranatha, 119, Sister White says, “God’s elect must stand untainted amid the corruptions teeming around them in these last days. Their bodies must be made holy, their spirits pure. If this work is to be accomplished, it must be undertaken at once, earnestly and understandingly. The Spirit of God should have perfect control, influencing every action.
“The health reform is one branch of the great work which is to fit a people for the coming of the Lord.”
How, then, are the bodies of God’s elect to be made holy, their spirits pure? “In the words of the apostle Paul there is a depth of meaning: ‘I beseech ye therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God’ (Romans 12:1, 2). No one can bring honor to God if he pursues a course of action that will bring blemish upon the body or the soul. Our sacrifice is to be holy and without blame. This is the reasonable service of everyone.” In Heavenly Places, 192
Solomon speaks about the renewed heart in Proverbs 4:23, “Keep your heart [mind] with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”
“Diligent heart-keeping is essential to a healthy growth in grace. The heart in its natural state is a habitation of unholy thoughts and sinful passions. When brought into subjection to Christ, it must be cleansed by the Spirit from all defilement. This cannot be done without the consent of the individual.” The Youth’s Instructor, March 5, 1903
The ultimate blessing of diligent heart-keeping is explained in The Desire of Ages, 181: “We can receive of heaven’s light only as we are willing to be emptied of self. We cannot discern the character of God, or accept Christ by faith, unless we consent to the bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ. To all who do this, the Holy Spirit is given without measure.”
Health Reform and the Third Angel’s Message
“The health reform is closely connected with the work of the third message, yet it is not the message. … Its place is among those subjects which set forth the preparatory work to meet the events brought to view by the message; among these it is prominent.” Testimonies, Vol. 1, 559
“Again and again I have been instructed that the medical missionary work is to bear the same relation to the work of the third angel’s message that the arm and hand bear to the body. Under the direction of the divine Head they are to work unitedly in preparing the way for the coming of Christ.” Ibid., Vol. 6, 288
God’s Purpose for the Health Reform
“The work of health reform is the Lord’s means for lessening suffering in our world and for purifying His church. Teach the people that they can act as God’s helping hand by cooperating with the Master Worker in restoring physical and spiritual health. This work bears the signature of heaven, and will open doors for the entrance of other precious truths. There is room for all to labor who will take hold of this work intelligently.” Testimonies, Vol. 9, 112, 113
“He who cherishes the light which God has given him upon health reform, has an important aid in the work of becoming sanctified through the truth, and fitted for immortality.” Maranatha, 119
Dear friend, may God richly bless us as we live out the principles of health reform, and help others to understand the importance of them, as we prepare for the final events of this world and the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
O for a heart to praise my God,
A heart from sin set free,
A heart that always feels Thy blood
So freely shed for me.
A heart resigned, submissive, meek,
My dear Redeemer’s throne,
Where only Christ is heard to speak,
Where Jesus reigns alone.
A humble, lowly, contrite, heart,
Believing, true and clean,
Which neither life nor death can part
From Christ who dwells within.
A heart in every thought renewed,
And full of love divine;
Perfect and right and pure and good,
A copy, Lord, of Thine.
Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart,
Come quickly from above;
Write Thy new name upon my heart,
Thy new best name of Love.
A hymn by Charles Wesley