Chapter 28. Summary

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2).

As we've seen repeatedly throughout this book, the mind is the focus of God's transformative power here on earth. He persuades you with truth and draws you with love. Once you submit to Him, He recreates your mind, reshapes and molds it. God gives you back control of yourself. He helps you rise above the enslavement and powerful pull of harmful habits. You become pure in thought, guilt-free and confidently convicted.

We've also seen, in a multitude of ways, that there are many terms used in the Bible to define and illustrate an individual's experience leading up to and after he or she accepts truth and Jesus. Each term has its own individual nuance and spiritual power behind it. But, each has the same essence and foundation in the work of God to transform your character and restore you into the creature God originally intended. Let's summarize:



The study of all these terms have left us in a place of awe and gratitude. The workings of God are complex and deep.

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33).

"God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend" (Job 37:5).

"But many mysteries yet remain unrevealed. How much that is acknowledged to be truth is mysterious and unexplainable to the human mind! How dark seem the dispensations of Providence... We are not now sufficiently advanced in spiritual attainments to comprehend the mysteries of God. But when we shall compose the family of heaven, these mysteries will be unfolded before us... The ways of Providence will be made clear; the mysteries of grace through Christ will be unfolded. That which the mind cannot now grasp, which is hard to be understood, will be explained. We shall see order in that which has seemed unexplainable; wisdom in everything withheld; goodness and gracious mercy in everything imparted. Truth will be unfolded to the mind, free from obscurity, in a single line, and its brightness will be endurable. The heart will be made to sing for joy. Controversies will be forever ended, and all difficulties will be solved" (Signs of the Times, Jan. 30, 1912).

With awe, we wonder how much of these marvelous workings of God can be understood? How far should we go in trying to figure out and explain these concepts? Should this book even have been written?

"Many commit the error of trying to define minutely the fine points of distinction between justification and sanctification. Into the definitions of these two terms they often bring their own ideas and speculations. Why try to be more minute than is Inspiration on the vital question of righteousness by faith?" (The Faith I Live By 116.3).

"Lead the people to look to Jesus as their only hope and helper; leave the Lord room to work upon the mind, to speak to the soul, and to impress the understanding. It is not essential for you to know and tell others all the whys and wherefores as to what constitutes the new heart, or as to the position they can and must reach so as never to sin. You have no such work to do" (Selected Messages Volume 1, 177.3).

There is a point where we can cross over the line into too much human speculation and take the focus off of Christ. We hope that line has not been approached in this study. We pray you have been blessed, convicted and encouraged through the study of these Bible terms. Considering all of the information that we are given in the inspired word and told to understand, we believe this study has only scratched the surface and a full understanding will be the work of eternity. But, anyone can start now with an understanding of the basics, and grow more and more in awareness and comprehension as the new creature emerges and matures. One thing we can comprehend, is that indescribable love and gifts are raining on us. This, a new creature can readily respond to and appreciate.

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen" (Ephesians 3:14-21).

"This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel's message [Rev. 14], which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure" (Evangelism 190.4).

One of the main points to be gained from this study is that true happiness and acceptance of Christ in the life means that an ENTIRE transformation is to take place. Do not settle for transforming only one bad habit. Do not settle for eliminating just one of your sins. Do not settle at half-heartedness, partial joy, or reserved acceptance. God can restore you to your originally created perfection only if you give Him ALL of you to work with.

"The sanctification of the soul is accomplished through steadfastly beholding Him by faith as the only-begotten Son of God, full of grace and truth. The power of truth is to transform heart and character. Its effect is not like a dash of color here and there upon the canvas; the whole character is to be transformed, the image of Christ is to be revealed in words and actions. A new nature is imparted. Man is renewed after the image of Christ in righteousness and true holiness. . . . The grace of Christ is essential every day, every hour. Unless it is with us continually, the inconsistencies of the natural heart will appear and the life will present a divided service. The character is to be full of grace and truth. Wherever the religion of Christ works, it will brighten and sweeten every detail of life with more than an earthly joy and a higher than earthly peace" (Letter 2a, 1892).

There is no other route to eternal life. Jesus has provided the only way. It is time to get down to business and make a real transformation. Do not let stale inertia, doubt, pride or misunderstanding keep you from experiencing His gifts and the cascading changes He will implement in your life. Commit to a complete relinquishment of yourself into God's hands. Exert every fiber of your being to cooperate with Him. Live wholly as a new creature; as the kind, joyful and noble human God created. Prove beyond any shadow of doubt where your loyalty lies. Show the universe that God is indeed good! For anyone still floundering in an old skin and destructive habits, not comprehending the depth of God's love toward them, there is no need to delay. God says "choose life." Make that choice, surrender your selfish desires, trust and obey, and believe that He is saving and changing you. You will truly experience joy, launching into the unequalled, miraculous adventures of the new creature.

Figure 28.2 - Summary chart of your restoration

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Recommended for further study

"Steps to Christ" by Ellen G. White
Read online at https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/108/toc

The writings of Ellen G. White are consulted throughout this book. She was a prolific writer who lived from 1827 to 1915, writing over 40 books and 5,000 periodical articles. Today, she is the most translated female author in the entire history of literature, and the most translated American author of either gender. Ellen White referred to herself as a messenger of the Lord, receiving over 2,000 visions and dreams, personally communicating inspired counsel to countless individuals, illuminating and clarifing Biblical interpretations, providing millions of people with encouragement and hope in God's love and consistently pointing people to the Bible as the only rule of faith and doctrine. Her life and writings meet all the tests of a true prophet as set forth in the Holy Scriptures, displaying perfect harmony with the Bible, exceptional quality and spiritual inspiration, and thus become extremely useful for explaining concepts and clarifying topics covered within this book. You may obtain more information about Ellen G. White and read her quotes in context by accessing her published works online at www.whiteestate.org.

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