1:62 Peter 1:6

To knowledge is to be added self-control, to self-control patient endurance, and to patience godliness, as successive steps in the ordered growth of Christian character toward perfection.RH May 26, 1904+2 Temperance means self-control in all things under a person's control, including appetite and passions, thoughts, eating, drinking, dress, labor and every organ.RH May 26, 1904+2 Patience means calm, steadfast endurance under trial and provocation without angry speech, and godliness means Christlikeness in thought, word and deed, reflecting God's character, reverencing Him and doing His will.RH Apr 14, 1904+4 This growth comes by living on the plan of diligent addition, constantly adding grace to grace through cooperation with divine power while God multiplies grace and peace, not finished at conversion but progressive day by day unto perfection.9MR 12.3+4 When these qualities with the other virtues are present and abound they keep believers fruitful in the knowledge of Christ, make calling and election sure so they shall never fall, and give abundant entrance into His everlasting kingdom.RH May 26, 1904+4

Christian character grows by diligent addition in a fixed order, with self-control added to knowledge, patient endurance added to self-control, and godliness added to patience as successive steps and links toward perfection.RH May 26, 1904+4 These added qualities belong to progressive sanctification shown in continuing well-doing and obedience rather than in feelings alone, and as they abound they keep believers fruitful and active in knowing Jesus Christ.RH May 26, 1904+3 They are precious like fine gold and treasures to be sought, and this steady growth leads to an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom.9T 186.2–3+2 Giving all diligence to this work makes calling and election sure so that believers shall never fall.2T 471.1–2

These three stand as middle rounds in an eight-round ladder running from faith through virtue and knowledge on to brotherly kindness and charity, which must be begun at the lowest round and climbed step by step to the very top and never begun at the top.Lt 47, 1893, par. 28–30+3 The ladder is Christ connecting earth with heaven, and safety is by looking to Him, clinging to Him, and mounting to His heights, through whom every blessing comes and by whom salvation is received round after round.Lt 47, 1893, par. 28–30+2 Climbing lays one grace and good deed upon another to form a new harmonious character on Jesus Christ the true foundation, putting away fretfulness, quick temper, impatience and fault-finding, with faith sustaining works that work through love and purify the soul.ST May 6, 1880 The adding does not mean one grace appears only in sequence, but that all are to be manifest together and abound in character, assuring growth in grace and knowledge until Christ is made wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.Lt 47, 1893, par. 28–30

The sequence belongs where grace and peace are multiplied through knowledge of God and of Jesus, where divine power has given all things pertaining to life and godliness, and where exceeding great and precious promises make believers partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption in the world through lust.Ms 66, 1898, par. 14–15+2 As understanding increases more grace is received, and grace and peace multiplied become the source of spiritual power for fruitfulness and for entrance through the gates into the city of God.9T 186.2–3+3 Lacking these things is blindness and shortsightedness and forgetting cleansing from old sins, while doing these things keeps believers from being barren or unfruitful in knowing Christ.Ms 66, 1898, par. 14–15+1 It is part of Peter's charge to those who have obtained like precious faith, to be kept always in remembrance even by those established in present truth.Lt 44, 1911, par. 16–19+1 Those truths fill heart and mind with comfort and encouragement and give strength to resist looking on the dark side and talking discouragement, so that with the help of One who cannot err the battle is pressed firmly unto entire success.Lt 18, 1912, par. 2–3

This growth is the highest education learned from God's Word, and it belongs to seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness as the first work and foundation of character.CT 15.1+1 It enlists heart, mind, soul and strength, molds character after Christ into a holy temple, makes believers one with the Saviour, and gives strength and efficiency to follow Him as grace is added to grace.Ms 75a, 1897, par. 14–16+1 It belongs to a practical pattern of heavenly principles for home, church, daily duties and for those bearing responsibilities, shaping a Christlike character and leading onward to standing firm.Ms 43, 1901, par. 15+1 Their increase is part of sanctified ambition to advance in wisdom and favor with God and people and to live the Word.Ms 70, 1896, par. 35–37

The middle rounds are appointed recovery for one humbled by failure after trusting flattery and supposed natural ability, with stumbling feet set on the lowest round and encouraged to climb round by round through diligent training in the meekness and lowliness of Christ.FE 304.4–305.1 The effort is painful yet becomes a lesson in personal weakness and avoidance of past errors, so that through wise, patient, faithful counsel defeat is turned into victory unto fruitfulness in knowing Christ.FE 304.4–305.1 Beginners must therefore be met where they are and shown where to put their feet on the lower rounds rather than expected to reach advanced stages at once or merely called to come up from above.Ms 107, 1902, par. 3+1 Those who start in humility and put heart into the work can enter barren unworked fields and become the right workers for the time and place.Lt 96, 1902, par. 19

The sequence belongs to the conditions for receiving the benefits described in the chapter, including a character prepared to stand before the heavenly universe.Ms 116, 1905, par. 13–17 The chapter is to be read and practiced with watchfulness and prayer as showing what believers may become if they hear and obey, with warning against lifting the soul to vanity.20MR 170.2–4 It is to be read alongside Christ's prayer in John 17, connecting with loving Christ and the truth and becoming one with Christ and the Father.Ms 138, 1906, par. 51–52

Temperance in the verse means self-control in all things and in every area under a person's control, including appetite and passions, with every thought brought into obedience to Christ, and extending to eating, drinking, dressing, labor, and sensible control of all the organs.RH May 26, 1904+4 It is to be added to knowledge as a successive step of diligent growth, followed by patience and then godliness, belonging to the life that escapes the world's corruption through lust and to the continuing work of sanctification.RH May 26, 1904+4 As these graces are practiced daily and abound and increase, they keep believers fruitful and active in knowing Jesus Christ, help make calling and election sure so they do not fall, and lead to an abundant entrance into Christ's everlasting kingdom, with God multiplying grace and peace and supplying what pertains to life and godliness as believers use given grace to benefit others.RH May 26, 1904+4

Temperance in eating and drinking requires caring for the digestive organs, not forcing upon them many kinds at one meal, not gorging, eating what agrees rather than tasting every dish, using intelligence to reason from cause to effect, and choosing only food and drink that do not overtax digestion so the mind stays clear to offer God the highest service.Ms 41, 1908, par. 6–9+3 Older people are not to tempt the young to eat other than plain, simple food, since improper food and a great variety of rich food disturb the stomach, disturb the thoughts, dull the intellect, and hinder the advance steps expected.Ms 68, 1905, par. 7+1 A disordered stomach produces a wrought-up, peevish, irritable, sour disposition that destroys peace among brethren, while a peaceful stomach helps bring peace.Ms 41, 1908, par. 6–9 Temperance in labor means not placing oneself where overwork is the rule, though necessity may at times make it the exception, and honoring the Lord in this preserves health and does for the body what no physician can do.Ms 41, 1908, par. 6–9

Harmful indulgence such as drink, tobacco, liquor, free eating and overeating overloads the digestive organs, pollutes the body which is God's temple, injures brain nerve power, clouds and weakens the brain, and makes it impossible to discern spiritual things clearly and to share in the divine nature and escape corruption through lust.Ms 41, 1908, par. 6–9+4 Intemperance, including the use of tobacco, liquor, tea, or coffee, hinders clear reasoning and distinguishing the sacred from the common, and those walking in received light will not be ruled by appetite but will live by self-denial to God's glory and care for the bodies God created.Ms 62, 1901, par. 6–7+2 Temperance means everything because it preserves mind and brain in sacred balanced condition under accountability to God, and this effort depends on the Holy Spirit while people do what they can in dependence on God and reason from cause to effect to resist corruption through lust.Ms 183, 1907, par. 4–6+2

Temperance means total abstinence from intoxicating liquor, especially the drugged saloon liquor that makes men mad, and from tobacco, harmful eating, and injurious drinks such as tea and coffee.Ms 103, 1909, par. 13–16+4 It includes active work to close every saloon, signing the pledge when presented, putting whole power against intemperance, gaining knowledge of harms in order to work intelligently to help others, encouraging reform workers, refusing indifference to souls, and carefully guarding the body to be strong to meet Satan's attacks, a work shared by young, middle-aged, and aged.RH Jan 14, 1909+1 Liquor confuses judgment and contributes to violence, theft, arson and murder, for both tobacco and liquor are poison, and Satan spreads a net to tempt men to take liquid poison until they sell their reason and know no more what they are doing than an insane man.Ms 99a, 1908, par. 13–16+1 Healthful habits of eating and drinking affect mind and temper, and wrong habits can foster a bad temper, so in all that is done God is to be honored in remembrance that believers belong to Him.RH Apr 14, 1904+1

Temperance is placed before patience because an intemperate person is seldom patient and cannot be patient, and without temperance patience cannot be had.Ms 164, 1907, par. 3–5+4 Self-control in eating, drinking and dress and restraint from hurtful indulgences including beer, wine, strong drinks, tea, coffee, opium and tobacco bring calm nerves and clear judgment and the strength and condition needed for God's work, while intemperance undermines patience and no favorable impression can be made upon an intemperate man.RH Apr 14, 1904+2 This order is part of the plan of addition to be worked with all diligence by living faith shown in actions, grace added to grace, as the way to escape corruption through lust, partake of the divine nature, reflect Christ's light, and be neither barren nor unfruitful in knowing the Lord Jesus Christ.Ms 164, 1907, par. 3–5+1 Even reforming a drunkard can help lead him to understand the Christian life, and the work requires giving all diligence with the whole mind, since even the highest round of book learning cannot mount to the highest round if the Bible is dropped out.Ms 164, 1907, par. 6

Temperance is necessary for caring for the body and preserving it in health for God's service and glory by living according to light and resisting appetites and tastes competing with love for God, since violating the laws of the body is sin.ST Nov 19, 1885+1 It includes self-control in eating, drinking, and dressing guided by honoring God rather than the world's standards, and caring for the body supports clear, harmonious service while indulging perverted appetite brings bodily harm and impatience.ST Nov 19, 1885+1 The call to develop these qualities involves deliberate work including guarding the brain from overwork and caring for the body through exercise, so that mind and body remain fit for service.Ms 164, 1907, par. 24–28 Each rung must be climbed through present, diligent effort, with divine help joined to human effort and the eye kept on Jesus rather than becoming discouraged by the heights ahead.ST Nov 19, 1885

Knowledge must grow into temperance in all things through the purest moral and religious education and by constantly reaching out for Christian attainments.Lt 212, 1903, par. 11+1 Those truly connected keep appetites and passions under control by believing and practicing the truth and display the call to glory and virtue in truthful words, while indulging sinful desires breaks this step and leaves a person unworthy of the Christian name.Lt 212, 1903, par. 11 Self-control is necessary for step-by-step growth in knowledge and wisdom with virtue and grace added, and without it evil habits turn a person from obedience to decline.CTBH 41.1–4

The verse includes self-denial in practical choices such as eating and dress and a life of continual sacrifice in service while working out the plan of salvation and seeking everlasting life.Ms 189, 1907, par. 29+1 This restraint resists personal indulgence so that money and influence can be used for missionary work and good.Ms 189, 1907, par. 27–28 It calls for plain, modest dress and cultivation of Christian character rather than love of display and folly, vanity and frivolity.4T 72.2

Intemperance is widespread under the devil's influence, so believers must guard reason and develop abilities and knowledge for God's service, with patience scarce and gained by coming into Christ.Ms 229, 1902, par. 57–60 Temperance means resisting intemperance including liquor and harmful drinks such as tea and coffee, with knowledge of their harms helping intelligent work for others and calling for diligence and reform.RH Jan 14, 1909 Solomon failed at this step, for though the greatest king, beloved of God and endowed with heavenly wisdom, he did not rule his own passions but surrendered to uncontrolled passion and lust rather than partaking of the divine nature, refusing right guidance of his ardent temperament and misplacing affection, and fell miserably where continued adding of virtue would have kept his life illustrious and noble like a cedar of Lebanon to its close.21MR 381.6–382.4

Patience means steadfast endurance added to self-control, and self-control added to knowledge, as links in diligently adding faith, moral strength, knowledge, kindness and love until they abound.Lt 86a, 1893, par. 34–35+1 Giving all diligence to grow in this way keeps believers from being empty or unfruitful in knowing Christ, makes calling and election certain, keeps from falling, and provides abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom.Lt 86a, 1893, par. 34–35 This growth is the best life insurance, giving title to the immortal inheritance and securing eternal life in the kingdom of God through the grace of Christ in whom believers stand complete.Lt 86a, 1893, par. 34–35 Because heaven is worth everything and the end is near, bitterness, judging of fallible brethren, fretting and complaining must be put away, and God's people are to unify under the control of Christ, shown by practical godliness that stands on Christ's side rather than the world's side even in business transactions.Lt 86a, 1893, par. 34–35+1

Patience means restraining quick or angry speech and keeping silent until one can speak kindly and forbearingly.Ms 192, 1907, par. 27–29+1 As those purchased by Christ's blood, Christians are not to misuse speech to reproach, find fault or complain, but to use it to educate, watching words because speech is a precious talent, speaking pleasantly and not fretfully so as to sweeten influence, and answering provoking words with silence until able to speak in a calm, pleasant voice.Ms 192, 1907, par. 27–29+1 Patience exercised in reverence for God leads to godliness.Ms 192, 1907, par. 27–29 Temperance always leads to patience, for self-control in eating, drinking and dress helps a person become patient, while intemperance makes patience impossible.Ms 192, 1907, par. 27–29+2

Patience follows temperance and means calm, unexcited endurance under trying positions, so that trials do not seriously injure the soul or injure associates.Ms 118, 1909, par. 9–10+1 It is gained by coming into Christ and by taking oneself in hand and practicing temperance in all things with help in Christ, keeping God and His promises constantly before the mind and bracing to habits of self-control in order to stand on vantage ground.RH Jul 6, 1905+2 It means overcoming impatience day by day and showing kindness, tenderness and love following Christ's example, with strict control of natural and inherited traits, restraint of selfishness and covetousness, and development of meekness, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and kindness in a life where self does not rule.Ms 118, 1909, par. 9–10+1 In family life this includes keeping the nerves under control and correcting children with prayer and conversation rather than harshness, and keeping alcohol, tobacco and other narcotics from the home through self-denial in appetite.Ms 143, 1906, par. 25–26

Self-control, including control of appetite, prepares a person to endure trials and provocations patiently.Ms 13, 1884, par. 20–23+1 Temperance must be added to knowledge before patience can be added, and succeeding in temperance makes patience possible, because self-control in appetite prepares for Christian patience while intemperance, especially in alcohol or excessive, rich or stimulating food and in tobacco, harms the body and nerves, irritates the stomach, weakens brain nerve power, depresses the spirits, excites the nerves to grievous evils of word and action, and makes patience harder.Ms 13, 1884, par. 20–23+2 Patience means meeting difficulties and even grave difficulties by overcoming them so as to be strengthened for God's work and so grounded in truth that not even severest persecution can turn aside.Ms 13, 1884, par. 20–23+1 It means meeting difficulties without angry words, harmful actions, murmuring or loss of dignity, requiring firm purpose, discipline, fixedness of purpose not to offend conscience or others in word or action, and rising above worldly customs as a heavenly attribute following Christ's example.Ms 13, 1884, par. 20–23+1

Patience implies difficulties and annoyances to encounter, and requires repressing anger rather than venting it, being slow to anger and slow to speak, answering wrath softly, and bearing reproach, disappointment, losses, crosses, slights, hurt feelings and lies without murmur, with uncomplaining dignity, forgetting disturbance, neglecting falsehoods and leaving reputation with God.19MR 343.2–345.4 Controlling a bad temper under provocation is harder than acting a martyr and has moral grandeur above the exploits of heroes.19MR 343.2–345.4 Patience must have its perfect work so there is no lack, for troubles and afflictions are appointed as a furnace to remove dross under the eye of the Refiner, to be borne with calm trust in God, counting it all joy to endure trials for Christ's sake.19MR 343.2–345.4 Patience and godliness are to be cultivated during this life amid difficulties as preparation for the life to come, and the probation granted gives opportunity to develop them, while those who share in the divine nature exercise pure love for one another.Ms 59, 1900, par. 26

Godliness added to patience means being Christlike in thought, word and deed.RH Apr 14, 1904 It is becoming like God's character and forming character after His pattern.Ms 49, 1894, par. 39–42 This requires continually asking how Christ would act in one's place, keeping Christ in view as the pattern, and seeking to know God's will.Ms 62, 1901, par. 14 It is entered through returning to Christ, becoming reconverted, confessing neglected duties, separating from worldly practices and sinful ideas, and practicing self-denial so that faith in Christ may claim God's promises.Ms 77, 1902, par. 32–33 Temperance, patience and godliness are successive Christian characteristics to be added in the life of faith and to be taught and practiced in the home.Ms 100, 1902, par. 10–11

Godliness grows out of patience as its next step and very outgrowth.Ms 13, 1884, par. 28–31+1 It is the spirit and likeness of the character of Jesus Christ.Ms 13, 1884, par. 28–31+2 To raise people to this divine ideal is the one end of all God's dealings and of the whole plan of salvation.Ms 13, 1884, par. 28–31+1 By it people partake of the nature of God and attain likeness of character to Him by the imparting of His own grace, becoming in limited measure holy as He is holy and reproducing the truth and love in Him, receiving and retaining the moral image of God.Ms 13, 1884, par. 28–31+1 This growth is expressed in receiving pure, holy, sanctified qualities and in fellowship, mutual dependence and love rather than faultfinding and criticism, preparing believers to meet Jesus, while God's grace replaces character defects with practical godliness and Christians help rather than disparage one another.5MR 373.1+1

Godliness added to patience is reverence for God, His character and His law, with the fear of God kept before the mind.SLP 322.1–2 It is cultivated by communion with God through prayer and reading His word, producing a sense of His holiness so that sin is regarded as He regards it.SLP 322.1–2 Such godliness leads on to brotherly kindness.SLP 322.1–2 Patience must grow into godliness, and godliness must grow into brotherly kindness.Ms 41, 1908, par. 19 Brotherly kindness means those whom Christ died to redeem live together like a family of brothers and sisters, treating one another kindly and tenderly, in keeping with God's love in loving the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son so believers should not perish but have everlasting life.Ms 41, 1908, par. 19

As idols are put away through temperance added to knowledge and patience to temperance, the person escapes the world's corruption, understands true godliness, loves God supremely and delights to keep His commandments, and love for God leads naturally to love for neighbor.HLT1 10.3–4 Godliness following patience is shown in persevering in doing good, strengthening fellow believers, and guarding one another's interests, joined with brotherly kindness and unity.6MR 386.2–3 It is needed in every home.Ms 62, 1901, par. 14 Godliness forbids tobacco and liquor, and speaking to people given to these things about godliness requires converting power.Ms 183, 1907, par. 15–16

Godliness means living consistent lives, with missionary work done by everyone, revealing the victory made possible through Christ's sacrifice, studying the Bible lessons over and over to be animated and strengthened, keeping a daily living experience of obedience, and encouraging faith and living by faith.2MR 290.3–291.2 Temperance means laying aside all folly, vanity, frivolity and light trifling disposition and refusing to follow the inclinations of the unconverted mind, and patience means meeting even grave difficulties by overcoming them so as to be strengthened for God's work and so grounded in truth that not even severest persecution can turn aside.2MR 290.3–291.2 Thus believers escape the corruptions in the world through lust, become partakers of the divine nature and overcomers, see the King in His beauty, enter the city of God, and receive an immortal crown.2MR 290.3–291.2

The successive steps reach their crown in perfect love — supreme love for God and love for fellow people — followed by an abundant entrance into God's kingdom.Ms 13, 1884, par. 56+1 This progress requires holding fast to Christ, striving, and obeying God's commandments, for letting go means falling away.19MR 353.4–354.3 The work of grace is progressive and requires diligence, with knowledge joined to temperance, temperance to patience, and patience to godliness, leading onward to brotherly kindness and charity, so that when these qualities abound they keep believers from being barren or unfruitful in knowing Jesus Christ.ST Dec 15, 1898 They belong to the virtues to be cultivated in this life amid difficulties as preparation for the future life that measures with the life of God, with probation granted for this cultivation to carry believers into the higher life, where those who become partakers of the divine nature exercise pure love for one another.19MR 321.2 This step-by-step addition refines taste, sanctifies judgment, elevates character, and prepares believers for holy fellowship and translation in a continuing work of purification and character development.Lt 18, 1861, par. 6–7+1

Believers are to live on the plan of addition by constantly adding grace to grace through Christ's grace with all diligence, watchfulness, persistent effort and cultivation of right habits, while the Lord works on the plan of multiplication to multiply grace and peace, improve exercised talents, and supply grace and help in the struggle against evil, and leaning on God in faith brings increase.9MR 12.3+4 The adding is faith that works by love and purifies the soul, man's cooperation with God in which God works in and through human agents who become partakers of the divine nature having escaped worldly corruption through lust.9MR 12.3+4 Doing these things makes calling and election sure so believers shall never fall and an abundant entrance shall be ministered unto them abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.9MR 12.3+4

The adding does not mean one grace is added after another in sequence only, but that all are to be manifest together and abound in the Christian character.Lt 47, 1893, par. 28–30 Growth is made day by day while keeping the eye on Jesus and seeking God's glory, not by dwelling on or counting each step, assuring growth in grace and knowledge until He is made wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.Lt 47, 1893, par. 28–30+1 Christlike maturity cannot be reached in a day, and facing all difficulties at once can lead to despair while Satan tries to distract the mind from Christ.MYP 45.2–3

Bible sanctification is progressive and not finished at conversion when the sinner finds peace with God through the blood of the atonement, but the Christian life only begins there and must go on unto perfection and the full stature and measure of Christ.ST Apr 19, 1910+3 This requires giving all diligence to keep adding grace to grace, with self-control added to knowledge and endurance added to self-control and godliness added to endurance on to brotherly kindness and charity, and those who do these things will never fall.GC 469.2–470.1+2 It is a daily work continuing as long as life lasts, requiring constant warfare against the promptings of sin in which human weakness is united to divine strength through Christ, lesson by lesson, not in an hour or a day and not without special effort, requiring self-denial and dependence on the merits of the crucified and risen Saviour whose strength enables resistance to temptation.4SP 300.1+2

These qualities are not feelings alone or surface profession but are worked out in practical daily life through the Holy Spirit's practical work on mind and heart and the believer's cooperation with God.HLT1 v.1+3 They are shown in continuing well-doing and obedience, overcoming selfishness, passion, wrath and bitterness and shaping the whole person in words and actions from inward change to outward life.HLT1 v.1+3 Sanctification by the Spirit requires full consecration without mingling common with sacred, and without corresponding works faith is fruitless, while disobedience leaves people unfit for the kingdom.RH Mar 22, 1906+1

The graces are cultivated by crucifying self, using speech only to bless and strengthen, and growing in strong love for Christ and for one another.Lt 146, 1902, par. 12–15+1 This is kept and confirmed by putting oneself where one can follow on to know the Lord, by searching the Scriptures and carrying them out in daily life, and by prayer, watchfulness, and service to God with full consecration and undivided service.Ms 79, 1912, par. 1–4+1 God watches for faith, love and patience and for use of spiritual advantages in becoming skilled workers in His vineyard, and doing one's part in the fear of God means reverencing Him and keeping the soul in His love, making no provision for uniting even for a moment with Satan to forward his schemes nor letting Satan divert the mind from God's work.RH Jun 23, 1910+1 Such growth equips believers to serve others and prepares them to enter God's paradise, guarding against love of the world, enchanted ground, and spurious faith that leads only to self-confidence and criticism and quenches Christlike love.10MR 142.3–143.3+1

Such character can be attained in this world through human cooperation with divine power, and Christ's holy life in humanity shows how to accomplish this adding.RH Jun 14, 1906+1 He laid off His royal robe and crown to take the liabilities of human nature as a little child, learned lessons and did duty as a youth at the carpenter's bench, refused to be defective even in the handling of tools, perfect as a workman as in character, carrying cheerfulness and tact into labor, keeping time and thought for heaven amid work, singing psalms and heavenly songs, and remaining faithful in all He did as the pattern for all to be just as faithful.Ms 17, 1909, par. 19–20 He took humanity and is the example to follow, lived as people should live, and even from childhood understood His work and what lay before Him, and no one can afford to miss this experience of becoming partakers of the divine nature and escaping corruption and being kept from barrenness.Lt 66, 1899, par. 11–14+2

The qualities are successive graces built up through personal effort and action like bricks in a firm structure forming a sound harmonious character without contradictions.Lt 52, 1876, par. 18–22+2 Mere profession of faith does not produce sanctification, and a corrupt foundation makes what is built upon it unstable, so faith must sustain works working through love and purifying the soul while putting away fretfulness, quick temper, impatience and fault-finding on Jesus Christ the true foundation.Lt 52, 1876, par. 18–22+1 Reaching the standard calls for taxation of the highest powers with persevering untiring energy and daily upward progress, resisting strong temptations to take a downward course, like soldiers trained not for parade but for battlefield, so that by encountering and overcoming difficulties men of value attain high position and estimable traits and are made neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of Christ.Ms 93, 1894, par. 11–12 Godly character is formed not by chance or a single act but by repeated actions becoming habits, requiring stretching every spiritual nerve and muscle, not remaining novices, carrying intelligence to the highest point with affability, kindness, forbearance and great love, standing as Daniel stood as greatly beloved, with the very highest round stepping from the ladder into the kingdom of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.MYP 163.2+1

There is no graduation in Christ's school and no standstill, but constant improvement with no time to be lost, grace added to grace with steady forward growth and no backward steps, following on to know the Lord, walking humbly, living by addition rather than subtraction, keeping climbing without standing still toward Christ's ideal in whom believers receive wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption and are made complete.Lt 54, 1911, par. 7+4 This is a work to be worked out in life by shunning every temptation, with the light of heaven shining into the soul to enable it, taking each advance step with rejoicing and carrying its teaching into daily life instead of a questioning frame of mind.Lt 54, 1911, par. 7+1 This growth is urgent and calls for daily effort to overcome, holding fast to what God has given and cooperating with Him without giving up the battle, exercising faith through work with eyes fixed on Jesus and His character.Ms 71, 1911, par. 13–16+1

This continual adding requires working and watching and praying, studying from cause to effect, and refusing to load oneself down so heavily as to become weak, with strength supplied by God's rich grace under the Holy Spirit's guidance.Lt 145, 1903, par. 4 It calls for steady growth by adding the virtues still lacking to what has already been attained, reaching a high standard in all habits and tendencies, with patience toward imperfection after God's patience in bearing with and watching over human imperfection to bring forth fruit to His glory, shutting out cheap frivolous conversation.Ms 136, 1898, par. 3 Progress requires painstaking effort at each step of the ladder climbed one round at a time, rather than boasting of knowledge or claiming an elevation not reached.Ms 22, 1887, par. 33

To faith is added virtue meaning a virtuous character with courage and firmness to do right including reproving sin and carrying out justice, as Eli's failure to add this firmness left him unable to keep Israel pure.Ms 164, 1907, par. 6+1 To virtue is added knowledge meaning constantly seeking to increase in a better understanding of what the Scriptures say, which even reaching the highest round of intelligence in book learning cannot replace if the Bible is dropped out.Ms 164, 1907, par. 6 This work requires giving all diligence with the whole mind, with temperance before patience because temperance must be had or patience cannot be had, letting Christ's light shine and be reflected to others.Ms 164, 1907, par. 6

Thorough character building requires overcoming sloth and indolence with quality of work more than quantity, and wisdom from God producing a course in harmony with His will that gives others confidence in devising and planning for saving souls ready to die.Ms 66, 1898, par. 14–15+1 The increase is learned not by vain show but in genuine simplicity bringing the peace that comes from God's plan, making believers lights amidst moral darkness and a power to bless, giving power to resist the satanic antagonist and bruise the serpent's head so victory is on the side of thorough diligent repentance.Lt 64, 1906, par. 3–7 It belongs to a life of trials, confession and continual struggle against satanic influence through Christ's power, establishing believers through whatever experience comes unto fruitful knowledge, assurance and abundant entrance.Ms 83, 1909, par. 22–24+1

Growth calls for determined effort and prayer rather than rising and falling through careless words or wrong actions, avoiding trifling and cheap conversation that does not help knowing Christ.Ms 69, 1911, par. 1–4 Practicing the instruction is a prescribed plan through which Christ multiplies grace, enables believers to meet its requirements, and makes them victors at last, preparing them for eternal life and seeing the King in beauty.Ms 154, 1907, par. 17–22+1 Temperance is joined to firm principle with each grace added to the others, and purity of thought and a life refined and ennobled come through sanctification of the Spirit and overcoming difficulties in progressive building where grace is added to grace.Ms 42, 1886, par. 5–7+1

The verse teaches heart work cleansing the soul and putting away selfishness and covetousness, expressing the graces in good works through learning from Christ by His grace with watchfulness and continual growth in grace and knowledge of the truth, forming a harmonious well-built life rather than an inconsistent one.Lt 74, 1896, par. 56–58+2 This prepares Christians to help others live the divine life.Ms 42, 1886, par. 5–7 The graces are to be developed during probation by following God's character-shaping directions and relying on divine power that supplies everything for life and godliness, depending on God's help sought in prayer, impossible by human wisdom but attainable through Christ's righteousness and the Spirit's work with complete victory in continuous sanctification and persevering overcoming of faults and daily cultivation of right habits.RH Sep 19, 1912+1 This requires earnest practical effort to develop a balanced moral and mental character, putting learning into practice and walking humbly, rejecting ease and superficial effort, relying on Christ's grace and pressing toward everlasting life.Lt 7, 1887, par. 14–17

Growth by continually adding temperance, patience and godliness belongs to continuing practical godliness climbing heavenward by Christ's help with perseverance and giving all diligence as security against shipwreck and ruin and assurance of not falling.Lt 60, 1886, par. 5 It means overcoming and correcting defects of character in preparation for the life to come.Ms 184, 1907, par. 24–28 It prepares believers for the mansions Christ has prepared for those who keep God's commandments.Ms 116, 1905, par. 24–25

Growth in the graces means far more than human minds comprehend, and it comes by studying the Bible more and understanding it more perfectly until understanding is certain and sure and past danger.Lt 202, 1900, par. 3 It produces a sound solid experience of the pillars of faith, a well-grounded foundation storm and tempest cannot move, and a healthful sound mind able to discern the true Shepherd's voice from a stranger's among strange elements.Lt 202, 1900, par. 3 It begins with the baptism of the Holy Spirit, confession of sin and pardon which is justification, and being stripped of self-righteousness to see spiritual poverty and understand righteousness and sanctification through the truth, leading on to brotherly sympathy with Christ and appreciation of missions.Lt 173, 1902, par. 13–14

Temperance, patience and godliness belong to the science of Christianity to be mastered, as much deeper, broader, higher than any human science as the heavens are higher than the earth.ST Jun 16, 1909 Gaining them requires the mind disciplined, educated and trained to serve God contrary to inborn inclination, overcoming inherited and cultivated evil, often discarding lifetime training to become a learner in Christ's school, educating the heart steadfast in God, forming habits of thought to resist temptation, learning to look upward, and understanding principles as high as heaven and compassing eternity in their bearing on daily life so every act, word and thought accords with them.ST Jun 16, 1909 They are not developed in a moment but acquired by years of experience and holy endeavor and firm adherence by which destiny is sealed.ST Jun 16, 1909

Grace added to grace in a round-by-round climb heavenward enables weak sinful mortals to attain glory and virtue by daily lessons in Christ's school, conformity to the divine image, manifesting His excellency and completeness in the Beloved, with God's saving power making advance without failure toward heaven possible.AA 533.1+1 Christ presents every virtue and excellence, adding endowment after endowment to those who receive His grace until He delights in them.21MR 105.4–106.3 Developing the qualities involves deliberate work with new strength at every step, faculties improving by use unto greater capacity, wisdom and solid worth, advancing daily in knowledge and wisdom with new delight until blessings of this life and the immortal life are within reach.CH 107.3–108.1 It requires cultivating intellect for God's will so time, thoughts and capabilities produce precious fruit and evil propensities are overcome, moving forward intelligently into experimental knowledge of Christ, joined with wisdom, knowledge, skill, correct speech and right habits without becoming coarse, and with self-control and moral and religious stamina and obedience to God's law and health laws, lest appetite conquer and the course tend downward to dissipation, disease and death.CH 107.3–108.1+2 It requires advancing in grace on stated terms toward eternal life, striving to rise mentally, morally and physically to become strong in the Lord, honoring the Redeemer by works that testify to truth, with bodily care lest neglected health shut away the light of patience, godliness, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, brotherly kindness and love.Ms 23, 1910, par. 7+2

Patience, self-control, godliness and other graces do not develop without diligent watchfulness over self and persevering sustained practice, and they are perfected through continued effort.STPW 25.2+1 Those bearing responsibility are called to cultivate patience and godly character on a heavenward course climbed round by round, keeping these principles in mind and living by them, and those who do will not fail.Ms 43c, 1901, par. 2–4 The plan of adding grace to grace is followed by faithful servants productively using entrusted talents, and they are rewarded.Ms 81, 1899, par. 1–7 Christlike character is developed by daily practicing its virtues and growing spiritually, preparing people of every age to serve as vessels of honor.Lt 340, 1907, par. 4

The verse belongs to growth during probationary life to develop a character fit for heaven, advancing in knowledge of God and His ways until receiving the immortal inheritance.Ms 84, 1901, par. 26 It is a step-by-step ascent toward perfection of character, holiness and God by daily renewal of grace.Ms 52, 1905, par. 13

When temperance, patience, and godliness are present with the other virtues and abound and increase, they keep believers from being barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and make them fruitful and active in that knowledge.RH May 26, 1904+4 They belong to the life that escapes the world's corruption through lust and to the continuing work of sanctification pursued with diligence day by day.RH May 26, 1904+2 They are precious like fine gold, and as they abound grace and peace are multiplied.9T 186.2–3+1 As believers use the grace given to benefit others, God multiplies grace and peace and supplies what pertains to life and godliness.RH Mar 18, 1902

Giving all diligence to add these qualities makes calling and election sure so believers shall never fall, and an abundant entrance is ministered into Christ's everlasting kingdom.2T 471.1–2+4 This includes a right to enter through the gates into the city of God and title to the immortal inheritance through Christ's grace while the Saviour is at hand.2T 471.1–2+1 The believer adds these graces while God multiplies the gifts of the Spirit and works on the plan of multiplication.ST Jun 19, 1884+1 Doing these things is the best life insurance and the eternal life insurance policy, better than worldly policies, giving assurance of life measuring with God's life.Lt 374, 1907, par. 25–29+4 With it comes membership in the royal family as a child of the heavenly King, God's guardianship in this world and immortal life to come.10MR 142.3–143.3+1 This positive assurance requires working from inward to outward as the Holy Spirit works, with full consecration and undivided service, no longer mingling the common with the sacred.Lt 65, 1898, par. 41–45

Lacking these qualities leaves a person spiritually blind, unable to see afar off, shortsighted, and forgetful of cleansing from past sins.Ms 95, 1909, par. 25–28+4 Those professing Christianity yet lacking them are blinded by the arch deceiver, think themselves wise while not understanding weakness, and when the plan is not lived reveal jealousy, evil surmising and a Pharisaic spirit.Ms 66, 1898, par. 14–15+2 This blindness stands opposite partaking of the divine nature through exceeding great and precious promises and escaping corruption through lust.Ms 66, 1898, par. 14–15+1 Diligence in living out these qualities is tied to making calling and election sure, avoiding a fall, and receiving abundant entrance with right to enter through the gates.Ms 95, 1909, par. 25–28+2

Neglecting this adding work results in loss of the soul and risks losing spiritual experience already received.Lt 8, 1890, par. 17–19+1 It stands opposite seeking earthly glory, exalting self, and patching self-righteousness and miserable fragments of own merit.Lt 8, 1890, par. 17–19 The work is done by coming helpless to the cross and laying hold by faith on Christ's righteousness as the wedding garment in place of the old citizen's dress, lying low to see unworthiness and the loveliness of Jesus, with a crown of life and lasting honor for doing God's express will.Lt 8, 1890, par. 17–19 Failing to progress in continually adding these graces endangers what has already been received.Ms 8, 1888, par. 1

The verse contains the science of Christianity showing how to obtain assurance of life that measures with the life of God.Lt 146, 1902, par. 12–15+1 It guards against love of the world robbing godliness and piety, against being decoyed onto enchanted ground, and against spurious faith that leads only to confidence in self and criticism of others and quenches Christlike love.10MR 142.3–143.3 It requires avoiding love of the world, self-confidence and criticism, and enables meeting darkness by the very Word rather than changing the Word.Lt 65, 1898, par. 41–45+1 The graces are cultivated by crucifying self, using speech only to bless and strengthen, and growing in strong love for Christ and for one another.Lt 146, 1902, par. 12–15+1

Daily faithfulness in this adding, proved every day in perfecting character and separating evil in the carnal heart, will result in conversion of hundreds and thousands as on Pentecost.RH Mar 18, 1902+3 The adding is daily work, a sum to prove every day, and faithfulness in carrying it out in life-practice brings this harvest.Ms 108, 1904, par. 21–24+1 This increase is learned not by vain show but in genuine simplicity, bringing peace, making believers lights amidst moral darkness and a power to bless, with power to resist the satanic antagonist and bruise the serpent's head.Lt 64, 1906, par. 3–7

The work is preparation in this world for the society of heavenly angels in the city of God, forming character in this life for future immortal life.Ms 189, 1907, par. 1–4+2 That knowledge of God and Jesus through which grace and peace are multiplied must be acted out in sensible living, so that parents with children may come to the gates, have them opened, and enter to become members of the royal family.Ms 164, 1907, par. 21–23 The character required for entrance is formed by joining knowledge to self-control, self-control to patience and patience to godliness as a definite outline, not replaced by a peaceful death or profession or peaceful death alone.Ms 3, 1906, par. 10+1 Disobedience leaves people unfit for citizenship in God's kingdom and outside the gates of the holy city.Ms 3, 1906, par. 10

Those fitted for the kingdom are elected by God, while Christ has paid the price for every person and all have been redeemed so no one need be lost.Lt 53, 1904, par. 16–18 Those who receive Christ receive power to become God's children and may share the divine nature escaping corruption.Lt 53, 1904, par. 16–18 But climbing is preparation for which a life spent following inclinations of an unregenerate heart and corrupt passions leaves too little time to reach its goal.2T 479.1 Professing truth is not enough: believers must be sanctified through the truth in answer to Christ's prayer that God sanctify them through His word.2T 479.1

Obedience to the verse's requirements is essential to salvation, and perfect conformity to God's will is the condition on which eternal life is given.Ms 73, 1911, par. 1–5+1 The verse presents provisions and requirements to be understood, studied, practiced and followed so they shape life and character fit for eternal life and fellowship with heavenly angels.Ms 189, 1907, par. 1–4+2 This growth prepares for seeing the King in His beauty and calls for determined effort and prayer, avoiding trifling conversation that does not help knowing Christ and avoiding rising and falling through careless words.Ms 69, 1911, par. 1–4 It calls for practical godliness rather than mere profession saying I am saved while the heart is at enmity with God's law, requiring the sinner convicted of transgression to repent toward God and believe in the crucified Substitute to be cleansed by His blood, adopted into the royal family, and brought back to allegiance to His holy law, with law and gospel joined to produce unfeigned love and faith.Ms 53, 1890, par. 48–59

The verse calls for overcoming evil dispositions and temptations including impatience and preserving gentleness, courtesy, kindness and love.Ms 118, 1909, par. 11–15 This growth is part of becoming a partaker of the divine nature and escaping the world's corruptions, made possible by Christ's coming and death, and it prepares believers for eternal life and the crown of life.Ms 118, 1909, par. 11–15+1 God has made every provision to enable reaching the standard He has placed before them, Christ having died for this end.ST May 8, 1901 Living this addition means constantly pressing onward and upward, with a religion that is progressive.ST May 8, 1901+1

The verse calls for steady growth so taste is refined, judgment sanctified, and believers are prepared for translation and fellowship with unfallen angels.5MR 292.4–293.1 This growth is marked by obedient, well-doing progress rather than rising feelings, and belongs to the path toward abundant entrance into Christ's everlasting kingdom.5MR 292.4–293.1+1

Practicing self-control in all things, including speech, helps a person remain calm and pleasant when provoked, and keeping silent until one can answer calmly is itself a fitting rebuke, while keeping God and His promises in mind and building habits of self-control, watching speech as a precious talent and speaking pleasantly rather than fretfully, helps one stand firm.Ms 68, 1905, par. 8
Patience requires guarding words and actions because Christ is constantly present and hears every unkind or harsh word, calling for humility, meekness and kindness and avoiding words that cause hurt or division, and as grace is cultivated words and actions come under an alert, enlightened conscience to bless others and honor God.Ms 77, 1902, par. 23–25+1
Remembering that God sees, hears and records supports this self-control, while separation from God leaves the tongue a source of sin and condemnation.4T 244.1

For parents the verse means cultivating self-control and patience rather than scolding children in anger, so that conduct reveals Christ's Spirit.Ms 25, 1911, par. 16
Temperance in family life includes self-denial in appetite and keeping liquor, tobacco and other narcotics out of the home, preserving mind and nerves for patient, loving care of children.Ms 143, 1906, par. 27
Patience and godliness are expressed by praying and talking with children and, when punishment is needed, correcting them with sorrow and restraint rather than anger or cruelty.Ms 143, 1906, par. 27

Children are to be taught this way, with parents and teachers directing them physically, mentally, morally and religiously in temperance, self-denial, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and love, fitting them for conversion, service and immortal life.Ms 102, 1899, par. 8–10+2
Temperance means denying appetite and rejecting tobacco, rum and other intemperate habits as part of learning to live as Christ lived and educating children to become Christians.Ms 189, 1907, par. 15–18
This growth is part of learning to live as Christ lived, climbing daily round by round with steady instruction to strengthen weak points, and living by the chapter as food, wisdom, righteousness and truth guides parents in raising children toward conversion and eternal life.Ms 189, 1907, par. 15–18+2
Temperance, patience and godliness with kindness and longsuffering thus shape training for the future inheritance through divine power and participation in the divine nature, and a child who serves God and develops these qualities with the other virtues is fitted for Christ's service and for entering the higher school with Christ.Ms 102, 1899, par. 8–10+1

Climbing is heavenward and overcomer parents lead children upward, with knowledge meaning teaching children the Word in the simplicity of Christ's teachings rather than high attainments in worldly knowledge, giving power to overcome as Christ overcame.Ms 99a, 1908, par. 20–21
Godliness means the simplicity of true godliness learned through Christ's language by believers, taught to youth for missionary work, secured by prayer, bringing children to the Lord for forgiveness for crossness and impatience and bringing them up in nurture and admonition.Ms 99a, 1908, par. 20–21
Those who climb receive an eternal life insurance policy, a life measuring with the life of God, partake of His nature through the Lamb's sacrifice, are redeemed with an immortal inheritance, enter the opened city saying Here am I and the children given me, and receive harps and sing praise to God and to the Lamb.Ms 99a, 1908, par. 20–21
The verse belongs to teaching for parents and children where temperance, patience and godliness are virtues to be learned and practiced as part of growth in knowing Jesus, to be diligently studied and practiced so believers do not fall but tread securely and walk with understanding.7MR 21+1

Doing these things is how sanitarium workers stand on higher ground and climb away from a low spiritual standard, taking hold of faith in Christ and bringing Spirit-imparted sanctification into daily words and actions in humbleness of mind.Lt 22, 1911, par. 26–28
Where these qualities are in believers and abound they keep them from being barren or unfruitful in knowing Christ, keep them from ever falling, secure abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom as eternal life insurance, and make them channels through whom Christ works with angels to impress minds with lasting good.Lt 22, 1911, par. 26–28
Even those who struggle to keep the tongue from going wrong are to control themselves, with progress continuing step by step until it reaches the everlasting kingdom, through connection with God bringing growth and transformation for wise use of abilities and recognition of responsibilities.Ms 68, 1905, par. 12+1
Christian graces including temperance, patience and godliness develop through careful cultivation and increase as exercised, while neglecting revealed light leaves religion weak, and as believers lay hold of the divine nature and add these graces God multiplies grace and peace, with a consistent life showing growth and overcoming strengthening for God's work.STPW 19.4+2

This adding is required of all workers and of all sowers and reapers in the harvest-field, meaning to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the Lord's work and laying aside distrust of brethren because distrust brings bondage.21MR 73.2+1
Those who do God's commandments add temperance to knowledge, patience to temperance and godliness to patience, keeping faith in constant exercise in Christian duty for souls in camp meetings and tent efforts while cooperating with God's power that alone makes the Word effective and gives the increase.Lt 13, 1897, par. 13–14
When these graces with the rest are in believers and abound they are neither barren nor unfruitful in knowing Jesus Christ, make calling and election sure, never fall, and receive abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom.21MR 73.2+1
The verse means being true to principle as the needle to the pole and everyone standing in lot and place with heaven's and Christlike principles, testing those given responsibilities as officers, guardians and shepherds who will be removed and replaced if they do not show sanctified patience under testing.Ms 43b, 1901, par. 14–15+1
Its words are to be hung in the chambers of the mind and obeyed in daily work, with living on the plan outlined keeping from ever falling and giving abundant entrance.Ms 43b, 1901, par. 14–15+1

The verse means there must be no half-hearted, half-converted experience, but seeking the Lord now with no time to lose, laying hold on the Holy Spirit, putting away ungodliness and grasping dealing, and letting godliness shine into heart and mind.Ms 72, 1910, par. 29–31
That godliness repays with knowing one is a child of God and heir of heaven, kept without spot, carrying every trial to Jesus in prayer, speaking praise instead of complaining, and holding fast to eternal life with entrance into the everlasting kingdom.Ms 72, 1910, par. 29–31
The whole chain is to be taken home, considered, taken in and worked into daily living experience, and those who take it in will neither be barren nor unfruitful but will have God's praise in heart and lips daily, will astonish others, and will bring many souls to truth.Ms 134, 1909, par. 4–5
The verse means acting upon light and evidence at once with service of whole mind and heart and every capability called into use, and obeying at once brings souls forward for prayer to take a decided position to keep the Sabbath as an advance movement and decided victory.Lt 8, 1898, par. 18+1

The verse is to be studied abundantly and its precept practiced, especially by youth pursuing education amid contaminating influences, by understanding personal weakness, going to God for strength, and making Christ the all in all while studying, enabling standing nobly against contamination and keeping all that enriches life.12MR 120.1
It sets before students privileges and opportunities to increase in knowledge and grace toward perfection, teaching continuing growth in which knowledge of God and Christ is gained daily and the qualities are developed in sequence.Ms 92, 1900, par. 11–12+1
Working on the plan of addition means adding daily to knowledge of God and Christ, adding temperance and patience and godliness with the other graces, gaining Bible treasures to impart to others, while God works on the plan of multiplication.RH Sep 9, 1902
These qualities belong to the growth of faith necessary for ministers who teach the way of life, who should diligently develop them, with knowledge joined to temperance, temperance to patience and patience to godliness.Ms 21, 1868, par. 3+2
Character-building begins in childhood through service to God and prepares for answering Christ's call to the higher school, giving children and youth God's plan for advancing spiritually as well as temporally to become skillful laborers wearing Christ's yoke, developing and multiplying God-given gifts, enlarging knowledge, giving desire to impart benefits, and making possessors neither barren nor unfruitful.Ms 108, 1898, par. 15–16+2

The call to add temperance applies to every professed follower and includes disciplined choices about food and care of children, so appetite does not hinder health or growth in the divine life.2T 359.2–360.1
When the added qualities are in a person and abide there they make that person fruitful in knowing Christ, for to know God and Christ is to represent their character, and as grace is gathered talents and influence increase.Ms 13, 1894, par. 18–20
Because heaven is worth everything and the end is near with the Lord soon to come, bitterness, judging of fallible brethren, fretting and complaining must be put away, with growth keeping from emptiness, making calling and election certain, keeping from falling, and giving title to the immortal inheritance through Christ in whom believers stand complete.Lt 86a, 1893, par. 34–35
Growth adds self-control to knowledge, endurance to self-control and practical devotion to endurance as the difference between God's kingdom principles and the world's, calling God's people to unify under Christ's control, shown by practical godliness standing on Christ's side in business.Ms 11, 1901, par. 14–15

Christian growth requires putting knowledge into practice and taking God's Word as standard with perfect obedience, refusing to murmur when tempted to complain, believing with praise, song and thanksgiving, striving for eternal glory, and letting nothing separate from Him.Lt 127, 1902, par. 14–15+1
Knowledge of Scripture is to be used as Christ used it when tempted, meeting Satan with It is written, claiming the privilege of overcoming as Jesus overcame through power from above, in whom human weakness united with divine strength enables partakers of the divine nature escaping corruption.Ms 143, 1907, par. 6–8
By daily yielding obedience there is pleasure in keeping God's commandments, no longer a yoke of bondage but liberty esteemed above gold, making youth successful, rooted in truth, living witnesses reshaping moral character and retracing God's image.Lt 43, 1895, par. 13–25
Diligently developing this character goes with making calling and election sure and seeking to win others, being fruitful, working faithfully and disinterestedly in God's service, practicing the qualities daily including kindness and avoiding words or actions that irritate or tempt others, letting light shine, and helping others live the divine life, win souls from error, preach the gospel and carry truth to cities.COL 281.2–282.1+3
Belief must be practiced by following His lessons, yielding wrong dispositions and correcting mistakes to prevent dissension, as preparation to know and do God's will.Ms 147, 1901, par. 12–16+2

The verse is part of instruction that those who take the name of Christian must obey to honor that name, calling for thorough cultivation of mind with no forbidding of aspirations pure religion sanctions, and those who obey will be richly blessed.Lt 337, 1904, par. 10
The verse belongs to teaching that Christ is the only hope and sole dependence, meaning coming to Him with little trials and large perplexities, telling them all to Jesus and believing He will be helper, strength and sympathizing Friend touched with infirmities, for strength is in the Lord Jehovah.Ms 1, 1895, par. 34–35+1
This dependence is confessed by erecting the family altar in every home, presenting petitions morning and evening, bringing the family before God, keeping eternal reality before every member, and acknowledging Christ as Leader, Captain and divine Teacher while asking His guidance.Ms 1, 1895, par. 34–35
The verse is part of the first chapter that sets forth experiences fitting men and women to become efficient workers for God, and those who offer themselves for service, especially when not adapted to one line, are to study that chapter to gain those experiences and be directed to work they can do.17MR 36.1–2+2

The verse teaches a progressive Christian life learned through studying God's Word and practiced as believers grow in knowing the Lord, with knowledge of Christ learned through prayer, searching Scriptures and practicing His self-denial and sacrifice.Ms 86, 1905, par. 16–17+1
These qualities equip every Christian, ordained or not, to serve as minister and soldier using intelligence, grace and ability He gives.Ms 142, 1906, par. 19–21
The verse belongs to growth equipping each person to use God-given abilities in suited work, shown in careful conduct, cooperation and efforts to please God especially when difficulties arise, calling for constant improvement and increasing efficiency with God's guidance and glory as aim.Ms 181, 1907, par. 10–14+2
The verse belongs to a call to great earnest work because the world is fast ripening for the close of history, requiring those serving Jesus to be holy and communicate light in households and outside to believers and unbelievers, presenting truth earnestly by books and where books are refused by kind tender conversation speaking of and out of the Scriptures.Ms 140, 1908, par. 6–9
The qualities are reflected in kind Christlike conduct, where individual differences can remain under the Holy Spirit's control without causing friction.Ms 181, 1907, par. 1–4

The verse belongs to growth through knowledge of Jesus by which even the simplest person can share in the divine nature through knowing Jesus who gave His life to redeem them, requiring cooperation and firm choice to stand in Christ rather than drift under temptation, with those complete in Him as heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.Ms 163, 1898, par. 16–17
The verse leads to steady religious growth through diligent use of opportunities for learning truth, since lacking experimental knowledge leaves vulnerability to false theories and failure, to be lived out in truthful speech, true piety, principled conduct, care in diet and guarded speech.Lt 33, 1899, par. 9–12
The verse is to be lived daily as food, wisdom, righteousness and truth by staying spiritually awake rather than asleep, praying much, telling Jesus weaknesses for help, constantly looking to Jesus, laying hold of God's promises in Christ's name, and weaving righteousness, truth, justice and love into life while probation remains open and mercy lingers.Ms 78, 1910, par. 23+3
Leaning on the Mighty One and doing much more praying than talking, believers add temperance and patience and godliness with the other graces, then those graces are multiplied and they see God's salvation, carrying out principles kept before the mind, making the most of opportunities, and helping others to health and strength so character forms after the divine similitude.Ms 78, 1910, par. 13–14+2
Near the end, when long forbearance gives way to certain punishment, those professing to be the light must depart from iniquity and constantly develop character, virtue and godliness by living as in God's sight with mind and heart imbued with Christ and solemnized by the sacred message, so thought, action and motive are above the earthly, happiness is in Jesus rather than selfish gratification, and opposition is endured as Christ endured it, bringing the heavenly benediction when each receives according to deeds and Christ is not ashamed to call them brethren.ST Oct 15, 1885