Gold - White Raiment - Eyesalve

Revelation 3:18 - I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white
raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint
thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

We should study closely the meaning of the gold, white raiment, and eye-salve, lest we be found in self-
deception, satisfied with what we are, and the attainments we have made. {RH February 4, 1890, par. 8}

Q. What does it mean to buy gold, white raiment, eyeslave, according to Spirit of Prophecy?
1. Virtues Wanting Among Us—The gold that Jesus would have us buy of Him is gold tried in the fire; it is
the gold of faith and love, that has no defiling substance mingled with it. The white raiment is the
righteousness of Christ, the wedding garment which Christ alone can give. The eyesalve is the true
spiritual discernment that is so wanting among us, for spiritual things must be spiritually discerned (The
Review and Herald, April 1, 1890). {7BC 965.1} {Ms143-1901.24}

2. But the counsel of the true Witness does not represent those who are lukewarm as in a hopeless case.
There is yet a chance to remedy their state, and the Laodicean message is full of encouragement; for the
backslidden church may yet buy the gold of faith and love, may yet have the white robe of the
righteousness of Christ, that the shame of their nakedness need not appear. Purity of heart, purity of
motive, may yet characterize those who are halfhearted and who are striving to serve God and mammon.
They may yet wash their robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb {RH August
28, 1894, par. 3} {7BC 966.7} {OHC 351.2}

3. The gold of faith and love, the white raiment of a spotless character, and the eyesalve, or the power
of clear discernment between good and evil—all these we must obtain before we can hope to enter the
kingdom of God. But these precious treasures will not drop upon us without some exertion on our part.
We must buy—we must “be zealous and repent” of our lukewarm state. We must be awake to see our
wrongs, to search for our sins, and to put them away from us.... {OHC 351.3} {RH September 4, 1883,
par. 5}

4. Religion is not a mere theory, a sentiment; it is an earnest working out of our salvation with fear and
trembling; for it is “God that worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Faith and love
are precious plants, but they need careful cultivation and care, that they may flourish in the life and
bear fruit to the glory of God. Those who enter the mansions which Christ has gone to prepare will be
those who love God and keep his commandments. They must have the gold tried in the fire, the gold of
faith and love. Those who hold high positions in the cause of God need to seek for this gold; they need
the transforming grace of Christ. The crucifixion of self must take place, or their names will be blotted
out of the book of life. God can make them pillars in his work; he can make them faithful servants by his
grace. Then let them seek God while still it is called today. Now is the time when the Lord is testing
character, weighing moral worth in the balances of the sanctuary. O, let us seek the gold tried in the fire,
let us seek the white raiment of Christ’s righteousness, that the shame of our nakedness do not appear,
and anoint our eyes with the heavenly eye-salve, that we may discern the working of God, and not be
found groping our way in blindness. {RH July 28, 1891, par. 10}

5. From the description of the Laodiceans, it is evident that many were deceived in their estimate of their
spiritual condition. They regarded themselves as rich, as possessing all the knowledge and grace that was

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needed; but yet they lacked the gold of faith and love, the white raiment of Christ’s righteousness. They
were destitute and poverty-stricken, walking in sparks of their own kindling, and preparing to lie down in
sorrow. Jesus says to them, “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works [when the glow
of the love of God was upon you]; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick
out of his place, except thou repent.” This warning would not be given if there were no danger of failure
on the part of those who profess to be the children of God. {RH December 20, 1892, par. 2}

6. I would present before you the necessity of seeking most earnestly to heed the counsel of the True
Witness; for now, “in this thy day,” is your opportunity. The message to the Laodicean Church is applicable
to all who have had great light and many opportunities, and yet have not appreciated them. “These things
saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that
thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and
neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with
goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and
blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire [the gold of faith and love], that thou
mayest be rich; and white raiment [the righteousness of Christ], that thou mayest be clothed, and that
the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”
{RH March 11, 1902, par. 2}

7. Some feel that in their Christian experience they have need of nothing more, that they are “rich and
increased with goods.” Could they see themselves as God sees them, they would acknowledge that they
are “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” To such the True Witness says, “I counsel
thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire,”—the gold of faith and love,—“that thou mayest be rich; and
white raiment,”—the robe of Christ’s righteousness,—“that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame
of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” {ST April 9,
1902, par. 4}

8. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast
sent.” “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in
his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he
understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and
righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” This is what needs to be brought
into the experience of every worker, high or low, in all our institutions, in all our churches. God wants
every soul to return to the first love. He wants all to have the gold of faith and love, so that they can draw
from the treasure to impart to others who need it. {1888 765.7} {SD 259.4}

9. The Saviour comes with jewels of truth of the richest value in distinction from all counterfeits, all that
is spurious. He comes to every house, to every door. He is knocking, presenting His priceless treasure,
urging, “Buy of me.” He proclaims in the hearing of the inmates of every dwelling, “Thou sayest, I am
rich, and increased with goods and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and
miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” [Verse 17.] He offers the gold of faith and love, which is
become almost extinct in our world, and which is without alloy, more precious than the gold of Ophir. He
says, “Buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment,” the righteousness
of Christ, the garment woven in the loom of heaven to cover the naked soul; and eyesalve “that thou
mayest see.” [Verse 18.] Correct discernment is of the highest value now. “Behold, I stand at the door,

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and knock. If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and
he with me.” [Verse 19.] {Lt66-1894.16}

10. Encouraging Counsel for the Church—The counsel of the true Witness is full of encouragement and
comfort. The churches may yet obtain the gold of truth, faith, and love, and be rich in heavenly treasure.
“Buy of me gold ... that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that
the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.” The white raiment is the righteousness of Christ that may
be wrought into the character. Purity of heart, purity of motive, will characterize every one who is
washing his robe, and making it white in the blood of the Lamb (The Review and Herald, July 24, 1888).
{7BC 965.3}

11. To be without the graces of the Spirit of God is sad indeed; but it is a more terrible condition to be
thus destitute of spirituality and of Christ, and yet try to justify ourselves by telling those who are alarmed
for us that we need not their fears and pity. Fearful is the power of self-deception on the human mind!
What blindness! setting light for darkness and darkness for light! The True Witness counsels us to buy of
Him gold tried in the fire, white raiment, and eyesalve. The gold here recommended as having been tried
in the fire is faith and love. It makes the heart rich; for it has been purged until it is pure, and the more it
is tested the more brilliant is its luster. The white raiment is purity of character, the righteousness of
Christ imparted to the sinner. This is indeed a garment of heavenly texture, that can be bought only of
Christ for a life of willing obedience. The eyesalve is that wisdom and grace which enables us to discern
between the evil and the good, and to detect sin under any guise. God has given His church eyes which
He requires them to anoint with wisdom, that they may see clearly; but many would put out the eyes of
the church if they could; for they would not have their deeds come to the light, lest they should be
reproved. The divine eyesalve will impart clearness to the understanding. Christ is the depositary of all
graces. He says: “Buy of Me.” {4T 88.2}

12. The Word of God is to be our spiritual food. “I am that bread of life” (John 6:48), Christ said.... The
world is perishing for want of pure, unadulterated truth. Christ is the truth. His words are truth, and they
have a deeper significance than appears on the surface, and a value beyond their unpretending
appearance. Minds that are quickened by the Holy Spirit will discern the value of these words. When our
eyes are anointed with the holy eyesalve, we shall be able to detect the precious gems of truth, even
though they may be buried beneath the surface. {RC 111.2}

13. This is what the church in Ligonier wants [lacks], and must have, or it would [be] better [if it had] never
been raised up; for they are a curse to the truth they profess. They need to seek white raiment, which is
a pure and spotless character; they need eyesalve, that they may clearly see their own defects of
character, the lack of the grace and Spirit of God. {12MR 281.4}

14. Saith the Lord, “My people shall be baptized with My Holy Spirit to do a sharp, quick work. All who will
now draw apart from worldly customs, and will seek Me with the whole heart, will find Me. Let each one
stand humbly in his lot and in his place looking to Me, their Saviour. I will instruct the ignorant. I will anoint
men with heavenly eyesalve, that My people may see clearly the work that needs to be done. If they
will walk in My footsteps I will open ways before them, not only in the lowly places, but in the highways.
I will raise up agents who will carry out the principles of truth. They shall stand in their lot and in their
place, looking to Me, their Guide and Counselor.” {13MR 386.2}

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15. The time will come when Dr. Kellogg will see that his spirit and actions have not been such that God
could say to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” When the heavenly eyesalve is applied to his
eyes, he will see his course as it really is. He will see that some phases of his work are just as much
opposed to the teachings of the gospel as are the works of the enemies of the cross of Christ {BCL 38.1}

16. God looks from heaven upon your course with displeasure. You are feeling yourself to be rich and
increased with goods and having need of nothing when you are wretched and blind and poor and
miserable and naked. But the true Witness graciously invites you to buy now before it shall be too late—
gold that you may be rich, eyesalve that you may see, and white raiment, pure and faultless character,
that you may be clothed and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear. For the day of God will
present every man’s case as it is. Those who have not cherished the graces of the Spirit of Christ, but
[have] been preoccupied and elevated in self-will, have a fearful awakening. I dare not withhold this
matter from you. {Lt17-1879.7}

17. There are many who profess the truth in Battle Creek who know nothing of the import or design of
the testimonies of the Spirit of God. They see things, which as they may hastily read, cut across or
condemn some of their sinful indulgences, and they lay it down and make no further effort to search and
see what they can do to set their own hearts right with God. There is nothing in the testimonies interesting
to the self-indulgent, to the carnal mind blinded by sin. They cannot discern spiritual things. When the
eyesalve is applied, then they can discern all things clearly. There are those in your midst who do not
stop at neglecting to heed the words of counsel from God to them in testimony, but they despise and hate
the testimonies of the Spirit of God and do not care to know them. {Lt29-1882.8}

18. It is our work to devote our God-given powers, to have them in living union with God, that we may
have loveliness of character, and that we may know Jesus Christ. We shall find that we shall be the light
of the world, that we shall attract not to ourselves, but to God; not to glorify us, but to glorify our Father
which art in heaven. Every one of us has that work to do, but I am afraid the Master could not say “well
done” to many of you today. Why? Because you are not doing one thing. Because you are not improving
the talents of the mind; because the mind which God has given you, you are not trying to study how you
can exalt the Master, glorify His name by the power He has given you. I will say again, I am afraid of
nominal morality. I am afraid of religion without Jesus, where ye are neither cold nor hot. I would rather
you were cold or hot. Because you are lukewarm you carry no loads, feel no distress for sinners, no agonies
for souls as you see them dying around you. “Because thou art lukewarm I will spew thee out of My
mouth.” [Revelation 3:16.] We are to wash our robes of character and make them white in the blood of
the Lamb. What next? You don’t want to be blind to the world, to their wickedness and sin, that you
should call sin righteousness and righteousness sin. You want to be wide-awake. You want to have the
eyesalve applied to your eyes, that you may observe righteousness which you must have in order to be
Christ’s. You want this discernment, that you may not be ignorant of Satan’s devices, that you may
know how to defend yourself against him. After you have done what you can, the Spirit of the Lord will
lift up the standard against the enemy. It is the power of the Almighty which is given to those who seek
for it. All heaven is open to our demand. All heaven was poured out in one grand gift to man. What have
we? We have Christ on our side, and then we are to walk with God. We are to feel that God and angels
are willing to help us in the work, and then by and by when those trying scenes of the day of God hang
upon us, then it will be seen who have been laying up treasure in heaven, who have been working out
their own salvation with fear and trembling. {Ms2-1885.24}

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19. The rebuke for wrong is designed for the good of the professed followers of Christ who is
misrepresenting Christ by his spirit of self-righteousness and self-sufficiency. The eyesalve produces the
smarting sensation when applied; but this reproof of the Holy Spirit for sin leads to the viewing of things
in a different light. The man who uses the eyesalve sees, with an inward light, himself as he is. His
wretchedness is discovered: he feels his imperfection, his spiritual poverty, and his need of being
cleansed and purified from his spiritual malady. {Ms66-1897.11}

20. Deceptive theories have been arrested in their development, but they have not been rooted up. Hearts
are not changed. There are men who are blinded by Satan’s sophistry. They are not converted. The wrong
theories which in the past have been met many times and in many places are ready to spring into life,
because the natural heart loves sin and has been so deceived by Satan’s fascinating presentations that, in
the place of having sensitive consciences and eyes anointed with the heavenly eyesalve, able to detect
the deceptive guise of Satan, men do not see the awfulness of sin, but have clothed sin with the
beautiful garments of sanctification and purity. They retain the impression that the sin so hateful to God
is a wonderful advantage. The sanctification that they claim is polluted by the most seductive sin, which
in their estimation is righteousness. This corrupting, spiritualistic view of matters is blinding the spiritual
eyesight. The religious faith is like an apple worm-eaten at the core. Men who are supposed to be helping
have deficient spiritual eyesight. Some things may be said which appear to be excellent. The fruit may
apparently be fair and beautiful, without a flaw; but break the apples open, and we see the work of
destruction going on at the core. Those who have been in the wrong may be silent in regard to their ideas,
but there is death at the core. Their wrong ideas are smothered, but not changed. At a favorable
opportunity they will spring into life. Men may flatter themselves that there is seen the working of the
Spirit of God in the company assembled at Battle Creek; but in reality there is a power, prompting and
advising and inspiring, that has not the vital principle which comes from a pure, “Thus saith the Lord.”
{Ms126-1905.3}

21. By the wedding garment in the parable is represented the pure, spotless character which Christ’s
true followers will possess. To the church it is given “that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and
white,” “not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.” Revelation 19:8; Ephesians 5:27. The fine linen,
says the Scripture, “is the righteousness of saints.” Revelation 19:8. It is the righteousness of Christ, His
own unblemished character, that through faith is imparted to all who receive Him as their personal
Saviour. {COL 310.3}

22. In the parable of Matthew 22 the same figure of the marriage is introduced, and the investigative
judgment is clearly represented as taking place before the marriage. Previous to the wedding the king
comes in to see the guests, to see if all are attired in the wedding garment, the spotless robe of character
washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. Matthew 22:11; Revelation 7:14. He who is found
wanting is cast out, but all who upon examination are seen to have the wedding garment on are accepted
of God and accounted worthy of a share in His kingdom and a seat upon His throne. This work of
examination of character, of determining who are prepared for the kingdom of God, is that of the
investigative judgment, the closing work in the sanctuary above. {GC 428.1}

23. (Matthew 6:22; James 1:23-25.) Correct Views for the Conscience—The eye is the sensitive
conscience, the inner light, of the mind. Upon its correct view of things the spiritual healthfulness of the
whole soul and being depends. The “eyesalve,” the Word of God, makes the conscience smart under its
application; for it convicts of sin. But the smarting is necessary that the healing may follow, and the eye

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be single to the glory of God. The sinner, beholding himself in God’s great moral looking glass, sees himself
as God views him, and exercises repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.... {7BC
965.5}{12LtMs, Ms 66, 1897, par. 8}

24. The offense of the cross has not ceased, and never will cease while sin and Satan exist. Opposition to
truth is not limited to any age or any country. Those who have the truth, who uphold the principles of
truth found in the word of God, are the objects of Satan’s wrath and enmity. He will stir up the minds of
the disobedient and rebellious; and all apostates will unite in a firm and desperate companionship against
the law of God, to war against the government of God. The followers of Jesus Christ must have the eyes
of their understanding anointed with the eyesalve, else their spiritual discernment will be defective.
Satan has thousands of satanic battles to open upon the soldiers of Jesus Christ; we will not undertake
the task of enumerating them. The followers of Christ must count upon meeting Satan in the person of
the rejectors of light and Bible truth. {Lt103-1894.11}

25. “And he said unto them, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross
daily, and follow me.” [Luke 9:23.] Then the eye of faith will be so anointed with the heavenly eyesalve,
that it will be able to behold with clear, unclouded vision the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
in the face of Jesus Christ. God calls for His workers to have faith in Him, and when He speaks to them,
defining their duty in unmistakable terms, to take Him at His word. {Lt86-1898.12}

26. Still further: “Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let
us go to the seer; for he that is now called a prophet was beforetime called a seer.” 1 Samuel 9:9. A seer
is simply one who sees. Now God would have all His people see; for He says in a message for the very
last days, “Anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Revelation 3:18. Whoever can see
will recognise the Word of God when it comes to him, and the Word will itself make him see if he will
but gladly receive it. And so will all God’s people be seers, knowing God’s will, discerning the signs of
the times, and making known the truth to the world. He who has not the Spirit of prophecy cannot
discern that Spirit; for “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are
foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is
spiritual judgeth all things.” 1 Corinthians 2:14, 15. {ARSH June 23, 1903, p. 9.5}

27. The Christian is represented in the word of God as a soldier on the battle-field. He is often ignorant of
when he may be attacked by his foe, though he knows by his often-repeated endeavors to destroy him,
that he has such a foe, powerful and cunning. His work in this world is to overcome this enemy. Satan very
well knows this, therefore his efforts are many and strong to seduce and lead astray the Christian. He does
not come in the same way repeatedly if once defeated, but all his plans are deceitful and sly. Those only
whose minds are set to serve the King of heaven, and whose eyes are anointed with the heavenly
eyesalve, can discern and avoid them. {ARSH September 1, 1863, p. 110.16}

28. How important in these days of peril, that we should heed the counsel of the faithful and true Witness,
to buy of him gold tried in the fire, that we may be rich, and white raiment that we may be clothed, and
to anoint our eyes with eyesalve that we may see. Oh that we might realize the time in which we live
and the responsible position we occupy, profesing to keep the commandments of God, and to be looking
for his Son from Heaven. May the Lord help us to adorn our profession with a well-ordered life and godly
conversation. We need assisting grace, and the Lord has promised to give liberally. Then let us come with
a true heart, and a full assurance of faith, and ask that we may receive. The Lord is on the giving hand,
and we can draw rich draughts from the fountain of salvation, by complying with the requirements of his

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blessed word. May we be enabled to gird on the armor anew, and have our eye fixed on the prize before
us; and in a little from this, we shall outride the storm, and land in the haven of eternal rest. J. N.
Wilkinson. {ARSH September 6, 1864, p. 119.16}

Summary of What it is to Buy Gold, White Raiment and Eyesalve

Galatians 5:6 - For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith
which worketh by love.

1 John 3:18 - My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth

GOLD = to be rich in truth; faith and love.

Philippians 2:5 - Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Revelation 7:14 - And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came
out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

WHITE RAIMENT = the righteousness of Christ; the wedding garment; purity of heart, purity of
motive; a pure and spotless robe of character washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb;
a faultless character; not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; the fine linen, the
righteousness of saints.
Ephesians 1:18 - The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope
of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

EYESALVE = true spiritual discernment; wisdom and grace which enables us to discern between
the evil and the good, and to detect sin under any guise; clear understanding; to detect the
precious gems of truth; to clearly see your own defects of character and the work that needs
to be done; to see things as they really are; the Spirit God; that you may not be ignorant of
Satan’s devices, that you may know how to defend yourself against him; produces a smarting
sensation which is the reproving of the Holy Spirit that leads you to self-examination and a
need of being cleansed; to see the awfulness of sin; the sensitive conscience, the inner light, of
the mind; eye of faith single to the glory of God; to take God at His word; to be a seer, to
recognize the Word of God when it comes; knowing God’s will, discerning the signs of the times,
and making known the truth to the world.

God Estimates Men by Purity of Motive

1. Not by their wealth, their education, or their position does God estimate men. He estimates them by
their purity of motive and their beauty of character. He looks to see how much of His Spirit they possess
and how much of His likeness their life reveals. To be great in God’s kingdom is to be as a little child in
humility, in simplicity of faith, and in purity of love. {MH 477.5} {1MCP 348.2} {HDL 17.3} {RRe 215.3}

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2. The Lord regarded with approval the firmness and self-denial of the Hebrew youth, and their purity
of motive; and His blessing attended them. He “gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom:
and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” The promise was fulfilled, “Them that honor Me
I will honor.” 1 Samuel 2:30. As Daniel clung to God with unwavering trust, the spirit of prophetic power
came upon him. While receiving instruction from man in the duties of court life, he was being taught by
God to read the mysteries of the future and to record for coming generations, through figures and
symbols, events covering the history of this world till the close of time. {CSA 55.2} {PK 484.3} {SS 251.1}

3. In obtaining an education, success is not to be regarded as a matter of chance or destiny; it is from that
God who read the heart of Daniel, who looked with pleasure upon his purity of motive, his determination
of purpose to honor the Lord. Daniel did not walk in sparks of his own kindling, but made the Lord his
wisdom. Divine philosophy was made the foundation of his education. He welcomed the counsel of the
Lord. Would that all students were as was Daniel; but many do not see the importance of submitting to
divine discipline. {CE 91.3} {FE 193.3} {RH December 8, 1891, par. 9}

4. True success is given to men and women by the God who gave success to Daniel. He who read the heart
of Daniel looked with pleasure upon His servant’s purity of motive, his determination to honor the Lord.
Those who in their life fulfill God’s purpose must put forth painstaking effort, applying themselves closely
and earnestly to the accomplishment of whatever He gives them to do.—The Youth’s Instructor, August
20, 1903. {MYP 150.1} {YI August 20, 1903, par. 12}

5. “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.” The Jews were so exacting in regard to
ceremonial purity that their regulations were extremely burdensome. Their minds were so occupied with
rules and restrictions, and the fear of outward defilement, that they lost sight of the necessity for purity
of motive and nobility of action. They did not perceive the stain that selfishness, injustice, and malice,
leave upon the soul. {2SP 208.2} {4Red 60.2}

6. Whatever you accomplish, be it little or much, leave it with God, remembering that it is not for man to
measure the worth or the reward of his own efforts or the efforts of his fellow-men. The Lord Jesus will
give you the wages that are your due. Your reward will be proportioned to the spirit in which your work
was done. Purity of motive, an earnest desire to glorify God, will bring to the earnest worker the same
reward that is given to the one who accomplishes more. The principles by which the worker is governed
determine the reward. {AUCR February 15, 1904, par. 5} {PH005 15.4} {18MR 100.2} {Ms72-1902.34}

7. At 2 P.M. I read Matthew 18:1. I dwelt especially upon the necessity of humbling ourselves before God,
and having our minds withdrawn from self, in sympathy and love for others. Especially should we
engage in personal effort for those out of Christ. When self shall be submerged in Christ, then shall we
walk in humbleness of mind, simplicity, and unselfishness, doing others good. It requires a thorough
conversion to follow Jesus closely, a singleness of purpose, a purity of motive. {RH May 18, 1876, par. 4}

8. Although the oil in the lamps is almost consumed, and they have not been replenished, still you have
not yet reached that desperate position described in the parable of the foolish virgins. They slumbered
long, until their lamps were gone out, and they had made no provision for the time of need; and when
the Bridegroom came, they were seeking, too late, to replenish their lamps: for the door was shut, and
they were left to outer darkness and despair. But the counsel of the True Witness is full of encouragement
and comfort. The churches may yet obtain the gold of truth, faith, and love, and be rich in heavenly
treasure. “Buy of me gold that thou mayest be rich, and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed, and

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that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.” The white raiment is the righteousness of Christ that
may be wrought into the character. Purity of heart, purity of motive, will characterize every one who is
washing his robe, and making it white in the blood of the Lamb. {RH July 24, 1888, par. 3} {Ms143-1901.8}

9. Divine grace can be forfeited by a misapplication of the rich treasure. Every minister, every teacher,
every medical worker, is in positive need of the Holy Spirit. Let God’s servants work in sincerity, with
purity of motive. There is spiritual power for all who will seek for it with intensity of purpose. These will
become partakers of the divine nature; for they have co-operated with God. Influence will be given
them, to be increased by a right use. They will be given an enlargement of power proportionate to their
desire to do the will of God. The influence given them will greatly increase their usefulness, unless they
forfeit the blessing by selfishness, by a misuse of the entrusted gift. {RH August 10, 1905, par. 8}

10. God designs that all his servants shall let rays of light shine forth from their holy lives, filling the
world with the light of his glory, not their own. Men who live and work for God will possess patience,
humility, and meekness, coupled with a reverent, sacred dignity, reflected from the character of Christ.
They will manifest simplicity and tenderness, propriety of conduct, and purity of motive and action,
which are not earth-born. The Spirit of the Holy One dwells in their hearts, and directs their conduct.
And the Divine Presence within, shining forth in the life and character, gives them influence with their
fellow-men. This sacred presence must be an abiding power with all who work for God, or he will not
accept their labors. {ST October 14, 1880, par. 19}

11. Jesus Christ is meek and lowly in heart. He is beneficent. He loves fallen humanity. He loves His
enemies. He is constantly reaching with pitying tenderness the most oppressed. He is patient, kind, full
of the simplicity of heaven. O what goodness was expressed in His life, what purity of motive, what a
depth of holy affection. The humbler we are, the more clearly shall we discern the purity and loveliness
of Jesus, the one to be admired and adored. We are not to admire and adore one another. {Ms41-
1894.3} {Ms1-1895.6}

12. I have just come in from speaking to a very large congregation. I spoke from 1 John 3:1-9. The people
seemed to be surprised that I could make all on the inside and the outside of the tent hear plainly. In the
congregation there were many black people, but they were well dressed, and they listened with intense
interest. I tried to show our people the need of self-sacrifice. I spoke about the good that might be done
by teaching children to put their pennies in the self-denial boxes sent out by the Southern Missionary
Society. I urged them not to become weary in well-doing. Every penny is needed, and the plan of sending
out these self-denial boxes was a plan originated by God. Those who carry out this plan will receive their
reward, according to the purity of motive with which they give. The gift may be as small as the widow’s
mite, but it is noticed by the Lord. {Lt149-1905.3}

13. God will accept only a cheerful, holy service in obedience to all His requirements. God’s people will
have gratitude to express toward Him; they will have faith and truth and confidence in God. They will
cultivate a purity of motive in all their actions. They will have care <for souls> and draw out their soul
in prayer to God. [They] labor, [they] pray and possess a communicative goodness, because Christ
abides in the soul temple. All this surliness, this uncourteousness conduct toward brethren, is because
the grace of Christ is not in the heart. There needs to be a yearning, a hungering desire, after God. “And
I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of
might thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth, let us be glad and rejoice, and
give honor unto him, for he marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready, and to

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her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the
righteousness of saints.” Revelation 19:6-8. {Ms146-1897.20}

My message to the churches is, “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is
nigh, let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the
Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God for he will abundantly pardon.” [Isaiah 55:6, 7.]
{Ms146-1897.21}

God forbid that there should be any delay. The church needs cleansing, and if they do not put away
their sins the Lord will turn away <from them.> With Babylon their punishment will be greater than that
of former Babylon, because they have had greater light and greater opportunities. {Ms146-1897.22}

Those who have had warnings and have refused to heed them <will be ensnared by the enemy. “Who
is among you that feareth the Lord, and that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness
and hath no light, let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God. Behold, all ye that kindle a
fire, that compass yourself about sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have
kindled, this shall ye have at my hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.” [Isaiah 50:10, 11.] {Ms146-1897.23}

Real Conversion Changes Motives

Real conversion is a decided change of feelings and motives; it is a virtual taking leave of worldly
connections, a hastening from their spiritual atmosphere, a withdrawing from the controlling power of
their thoughts, opinions, and influences.—Testimonies for the Church 5:82, 83 (1889). {1MCP 349.2}

“He that is not with Me,” said Christ, “is against Me.” It is wholehearted, thoroughly decided men and
women who will stand now. Christ sifted His followers again and again, until at one time there remained
only eleven and a few faithful women to lay the foundation of the Christian church. There are those who
will stand back when burdens are to be borne; but when the church is all aglow, they catch the
enthusiasm, sing and shout, and become rapturous; but watch them. When the fervor is gone, only a few
faithful Calebs will come to the front and display unwavering principle. These are salt that retains the
savor. It is when the work moves hard that the churches develop the true helpers. These will not be talking
of self, vindicating self, but will lose their identity in Jesus Christ. To be great in God’s kingdom is to be a
little child in humility, in simplicity of faith, and in the purity of love. All pride must perish, all jealousy
be overcome, all ambition for supremacy be given up, and the meekness and trust of the child be
encouraged. All such will find Christ their rock of defense, their strong tower. In Him they may trust
implicitly, and He will never fail them. {5T 130.1} {T31 126.1}

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