Man's Only Hope: Finding the Life of God in the Soul

The only hope for fallen man is to look to Jesus, receive Him as the only Saviour, and maintain a vital connection with Him through faith and obedienceChL 34.3+2. This transformative relationship involves dying to self and allowing Christ to dwell in the heart by faith to provide spiritual vitalityMR926 67.1+2.

Establishing a Vital Connection

To have the life of God in the soul, you must seek a personal and living connection with Christ, which is as essential as blood is to the human body12LtMs, Ms 66, 1897, par. 15. This spiritual health is maintained through the following principles:

• Living Faith: True, saving faith is the act of giving the whole person over to the guardianship and control of Jesus Christ2MCP 531.1+1. This faith works by love to purify the soul and allows the believer to rest implicitly on God’s promisesST October 12, 1891, par. 10+1.

• Abiding in the Word: Searching the Scriptures is a divine command because they testify of Christ and contain the words of eternal life John 5:39RH November 9, 1886, par. 10+1. By eating the "bread of life," which is His Word, the soul gains spiritual strength and nerve powerCH 593.1+1.

• Communion through Prayer: Prayer is the very life of the soul, especially secret communion with God which sustains the inner lifeEd 258.3. A daily consecration through prayer brings peace, rest, and the wisdom needed to overcome the devices of the enemy1SM 400.1+1.

The Work of Self-Denial

The life of God cannot flourish where selfishness is cherished; therefore, a thorough heart-work is requiredPH097 48.2+1.

• Subduing Self: Subduing self and looking to Jesus is an everyday work that requires moral courageHvn 89.3+1. You must be willing to sacrifice every idol and secret sin, reining yourself up to the tribunal of God to ensure you are renewed at heartPH097 48.2+1.

• Rejecting Worldly Pleasures: Those who are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God defraud their own souls of heavenly enlightenment1MR 219.2+1. To inherit eternal life, one must come out from the world and separate from its maxims and influences1T 242.2+1.

• Obedience to the Law: True knowledge of God comes from doing the things required in His law, for the "ten words" spoken from Sinai are the standard of righteousness12MR 215.3+2. If you will enter into life, you must keep the commandments Matthew 19:171888 1165.3.

The Results of This Hope

When the soul is anchored in Christ, it becomes immovable despite the storms of lifeRH June 9, 1896, par. 3.

• Transformation of Character: Contemplating the character of Christ transforms the soul into His likeness, reflecting His love and grace to others2T 144.2+1.

• Peace and Confidence: A life hid with Christ in God sweeps away unbelieving fear and replaces it with a blessed, humble confidenceTM 226.1+1.

• The Reward of the Overcomer: Those who fight the good fight of faith and preserve the integrity of their conscience will eventually receive the crown of lifeHvn 89.3+1. They will have a right to the tree of life and enter through the gates into the city of God Revelation 22:14RH October 11, 1887, par. 10+1.

Hope is found by looking to Jesus because He is the only source of salvation and the center of our eternal expectationsST January 27, 1890, par. 5+1. To look to Him, you must turn your eyes away from your own sinful life and fix your faith upon the crucified Redeemer17MR 83.1. You need a Savior because human depravity is complete, and no person can ever satisfy the demands of the moral law through their own imperfect worksRH October 22, 1895, par. 5+1. Jesus can save you because He is the "I AM," our divine Substitute and Surety, who assumed human nature to pay the penalty for sinST May 3, 1899, par. 15+1. You accept Him by repenting of your sins, believing in His name, and surrendering your heart and soul to His controlFW 16.1+2. Maintaining a vital connection with God requires daily lessons in the school of Christ, prayerful searching of the Word, and abiding in Him through faith and obedienceCT 281.3+2. True faith is obtained by looking at the cross of Calvary and allowing that love to work within you, while obedience is achieved by yielding your will to God so that His Holy Spirit can fulfill the law in your lifeFW 72.1+2.

Looking to Jesus for Hope 🌟

Looking to Jesus is the only way to realize the "blessed hope" of eternal life and the termination of all earthly trialsMWV2 24.1+1.

• A Shift in Focus: Do not look at your sinful life, as there is no hope there; instead, look to your crucified Redeemer who assumed human nature to help you overcome17MR 83.1.

• Self-Abnegation: Looking in faith requires rising to the height of self-abnegation, turning your eyes away from yourself and toward the "Light of life"HLv 114.3+1.

• Confidence in Death: Even in the face of death, looking to the Redeemer provides comfort, as it did for Job, who knew his Redeemer lived and would raise him from the dust Job 19:25-27BQACM 16.1+1.

The Necessity of a Savior 🛡️

You need a Savior because you are naturally a captive to Satan, moving toward a death in which there is no hope of lifeDA 36.3+1.

• Inefficiency of Self: Perfection through your own good works can never be attained, and even your strongest faith is but feeblenessFW 107.4.

• The Debt of Sin: By transgression, all have made themselves "immoral," and since the law declares you a sinner, you cannot use that same law to make yourself righteous Romans 3:20AMS April 1888, page 25.6.

• The Sacrifice Needed: Only the infinite sacrifice of the Son of God could answer the demands of Heaven and reconcile man to GodFW 72.1+1.

Accepting and Connecting with Christ 🤝

Accepting Jesus involves an entire surrender of the will and a daily choice to follow His exampleNL 28.1+1.

• Repentance and Belief: You must repent of your sins and believe that Christ is willing to save to the uttermost all who come to Him John 6:37FW 111.2+1.

• Public Commitment: Accepting Him includes a covenant, such as baptism, where you pledge to devote your life and all your talents to His service13MR 218.1.

• Total Surrender: You must place yourself unreservedly under the guidance of the Spirit of God, which results in a complete and symmetrical characterST December 26, 1892, par. 6+1.

Maintaining the Connection through Faith and Obedience 🌱

A vital connection is maintained by staying on "enchanted ground" and keeping your thoughts in subjection to the will of God5T 310.1.

• Faith that Works: Genuine faith is not a "do-nothing" faith; it is a faith that works by love and purifies the soul Galatians 5:6ST June 16, 1890, par. 3+1.

• Cheerful Obedience: Obedience is the service of love, not a galling bondage; it is the natural fruit of the Spirit dwelling in the heartSITI March 22, 1899, page 196.9+2.

• Studying the Word: You must search the Scriptures diligently to know the signs of His coming and to see what is required to become a ChristianMWV2 24.1+1.

• Daily Discipline: Like an athlete, you must subject yourself to severe training and discipline to keep your body and mind in the best condition for God's service 1 Corinthians 9:24-276BC 1089.7.

• Active Service: Connection with God is also maintained by doing the work Christ did—seeking the salvation of others and caring for the afflicted Isaiah 58:6-10WM 35.4+1.