Probation/Perfection

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Author Message Lydell Posted on Wednesday, January 03, 2001 - 10:26 am:        Max, can you give me a good quote from Great Controversy or Steps to Christ that clearly states the SDA teaching of probation/perfection? I'm looking for something fairly short, like 3-4 sentences or so. Max Posted on Wednesday, January 03, 2001 - 6:28 pm:        Lydell, **************************** Could those whose lives have been spent in rebellion against God be suddenly transported to heaven and witness the high, the holy state of PERFECTION that ever exists there ... could those whose hearts are filled with hatred of God ... mingle with the heavenly throng ...? ... No, no; years of PROBATION were granted them, that THEY MIGHT FORM characters for heaven.... --Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, page 542, paragraph 2. Chapter Title: The First Great Deception **************************** Their [church leadersí] character needs to have a different mold.... THEY ... have not yet ATTAINED unto perfection, that the work of character building is not yet finished. IF THEY will walk in every ray of light that God has given; IF THEY will compare themselves with Christ's life and character, THEY will discern where THEY HAVE FAILED to meet the requirements of God's holy law [Ten Commandments] and will seek to MAKE THEMSELVES PERFECT in their sphere, even as God in heaven is perfect in His sphere. ... During these hours of PROBATION they are to seek for PERFECTION of character. --Ellen G. White, The Publishing Ministry, page 74, paragraph 2. Chapter Title: High Spiritual Standards for God's Workmen **************************** This PROBATIONARY life is given to bring man back to this PERFECTION which is to be the character of ALL who shall be saved. The law of God [Ten Commandments] is a reflection of His character.--Letter 46, March 22, 1900, to Australian SDA David Steed. **************************** It was to restore [the image of God in man] that ... a life of PROBATION was granted to man. To bring him back to the PERFECTION in which he was first created. --Ellen G. White, Christian Education, page 63, paragraph 3. Chapter Title: The Schools of the Prophets **************************** Your PROBATION may close and you be unsaved. Do you think when the Lord shall come in the clouds of heaven ... that he will give to you PROBATION, that you may have another opportunity to FORM YOUR CHARACTERS for Heaven? ... The impure cannot THEN obtain perfection of Christian character. No work of purification can THEN be performed. --Ellen G. White, Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, April 12, 1870, paragraph 13. Article Title: Practical Remarks [at the grove meeting in Johnstown, Mich., June, 1869] **************************** [Satan] seeks to prevent us from searching the heart, from studying the law of God [Ten Commandments] and comparing our life and character with its perfect standard. ....if WE would ATTAIN to that perfection of character which Christ REQUIRES of us, every hour of OUR probation must be wisely improved.... --Ellen G. White, The Signs of the Times, August 23, 1883, paragraph 6. Article Title: The Foundation of Character **************************** Lydell, you can perform these searches yourself, you know, by going to http://www.egwestate.andrews.edu/ Blessings, Lydell Posted on Wednesday, January 03, 2001 - 6:41 pm:        Thanks Max. I went to the official EGW cesspool website. It seemed like all it would give me there was one sentence of the quotes. I'll try the one you sent. Lydell Posted on Wednesday, January 03, 2001 - 6:50 pm:        Max, what am I doing wrong at that site that I am only getting the first sentence of a paragraph? Max Posted on Wednesday, January 03, 2001 - 7:03 pm:        Lydell, After reaching the http://www.egwestate.andrews.edu/ page, try going to ^^Search all the categories of Ellen G. White's writings (WAIS)^^ and double clicking on that line. One problem is that I have a Mac (not meaning to brag, of course), and Macs sometimes perform functions differently from PCs. Anyway, give it a try. Lydell Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2001 - 6:06 am:        Thanks Mac, I'll try it. Eh, you can keep you Mac. I have great sentimental attachment to this computer. My son built it for me. ha Max Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2001 - 11:26 am:        Lydell, you've got me there: I could not possibly build a computer. Congratulations to that boy of yours! Bet you're proud of him! Lydell Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2001 - 2:56 pm:        You bet. Proud of both my boys. But the thing I am most proud of is that they are both deeply committed to the Lord. Hey, who needs diamonds when you've got that! Thanks again for your help with the quotes.