"It is not possible for us to glorify God and to obtain the crown (2 Tim. 4:7, 8).
while living in violation of the laws of life.
The heart cannot possibly maintain conse
cration to God while lustful appetite is in
dulged. A diseased body and disordered in
tellect, because of continual indulgence in
hurtful lust, make sanctification of the body
and spirit impossible." Counsels on Diet
and Foods, p. 44.
"It is impossible for you to increase in
spiritual strength while your appetite and
passions are not under perfect control."
Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 413.
"All are bound by the most sacred obliga
tions to God to heed the sound philosophy
and genuine experience which He is now
giving them in reference to health reform.
He designs that the great subject of health
reform shall be agitated and the public
mind deeply stirred to investigate; for it is
impossible for men and women, with all
their sinful, health-destroying, brain-ener
vating habits, to discern sacred truth,
through which they are to be sanctified, re
fined, elevated, and made fit for the society
of heavenly angels in the kingdom of glory."
Ibid., vol. 3, p. 162.
Links in the Chain
While diet is probably the most impor
tant single health reform factor involved in
sanctification, exercise, cleanliness, pure
water, proper clothing, adequate rest, fresh
air, temperance, sunshine, and trust in di
vine power are also very important. These,
with diet and sexual control, are links in a
chain, the absence of any one of which
might so becloud the mind that spiritual
values are not appreciated and the great
est of personal disasters result.
Health reform is not primarily a form of
penance or a character-building exercise.
It is not the gospel but it is an integral part
of the gospel. You cannot be saved by it but
you can be lost without it. It is not an end
in itself; it is rather a means to an end.
One of its purposes is to aid the kingly
power of reason and the will to subdue
the hypothalamic centers of anger, fear, ap
petite, and lust and to develop and rein
force the desirable Christian characteristics
of courage, concern for others, patience,
and meekness. Health reform is bringing
the body under control (1 Cor. 9:27). It
facilitates crucifying the flesh with the lusts
thereof (Gal. 5:24). It is laying aside every
weight (Heb. 12:1). It enables the elect of
God to run successfully the race of life
36
It is glorifying God in the body. It is keep
ing the body temple holy (1 Cor. 3:16, 17).
It makes possible the presentation of the
body as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1). It
is recognition of man's stewardship and
God's ownership of the whole man. It is
in part to "cleanse ourselves from all filthi-
ness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holi
ness in the fear of God" (2 Cor. 7:1). It is
an indispensable aid in the pilgrim's prog
ress to the city of God.
Baptism When Should It
Be Administered?
(Continued from page 17}
can be discovered by detailed questions as
to what arrangements have been made at
home for the reform in diet.
7. Discover whether the candidate still
attends places of worldly amusement.
8. Get a commitment on willingness to
put off all jewelry before baptism.
9. Make sure that the candidate is not
a member of some secret society or active
in some political organization.
10. See that the candidate, if a former
member of another Christian denomina
tion, has severed all connections with that
organization.
11. Find out if the candidate is a will
ing tithepayer.
The impression should not be given that
we are trying to keep people out of the
church. The door is open to all who re
pent. However, the church has suffered
much because of the unconverted. As min
isters, God has made us keepers of the gate
way to church fellowship and it is our
duty to know more about the experience
of those who pass within our gates through
baptism. Let us work diligently to help
the believers prepare for this fellowship so
that they will treasure it, and be loyal to
it, all the days of their lives. Let us lead
these dear ones into the new-birth experi
ence before we lead them into the fold
through baptism.
SEVEN CHURCH PROBLEMS
The Unbended knee . . . the Unread Bible . . .
the Unattended church . . . the Unpaid church
. . . the Unrealized cross . . . the Unpassionate
heart . . . the Unconcern for the lost.
THE MINISTRY