3. By which two decisive actions can we be sure today that we will be able to know God’s place and purpose for us? Romans 12:2.
NOTE: ‘“Thou that abhorest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?” But you say, “I don’t worship sticks and stones; I don’t bow down to graven images.” No, you do not. But how about the fashions of the world? What kind of hat is it that you have on? What kind of dress is it that you cut and make? Why do you cut and make it the way you do? Is it because it is more comfortable that way? Is it because it is more pleasing to God that way? No. You know that it is rather because it is nearer to the fashion that way. You know that it is because it conforms more to the world and will suit the world’s ways better? But this world is vanity; it is idolatry. Satan is the god of this world. “Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” “Whosoever would be the friend of the world is the enemy of God.” Therefore, although I may not bow down to graven images; although I may not worship sticks and stones, yet if I follow the fashions, the ways, and the things of this world and conform to the ways of the world, rather than ask God what He would have, then what am I worshiping? The god of this world. There is idolatry also. There is enmity against God.’ A. T. Jones: General Conference Bulletin, February 13, 1895.
‘“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation,” he is a new creature, not an old man changed over, but a new-made one. So this is not an old mind made over but a new-created mind. That is the mind of Christ wrought in us by the Spirit of God, giving us the mind of Christ and so making an entirely new mind in us and for us.’ A. T. Jones: General Conference Bulletin, February 25, 1895.
4. In what three words is God’s will described? Romans 12:2.
NOTE: ‘Christ was faithful; His faithfulness comes to us in answer to our faith and that makes us faithful. It is only by His obedience that we are made righteous. Then when I have anything to do, let my faith reach out to Him and bring faithfulness from Him to enable me to do it. Faithfulness, that only can do it. If we want to be good, let our faith touch Him, and goodness comes to us and makes us good; if we want to be righteous, in answer to our faith, power comes to us and makes us righteous. In answer to our faith as it grows, more and more of His power and goodness will come to us, and just before probation closes we shall be like Him indeed, and then we shall be keeping the commandments of God in fact, because there will be so much of Him in us that there will be none of ourselves there. That is when we get to the place where we keep the commandments of God, and there is the beautiful promise, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus.” We must reach that place yet. There is too much self-glorification, too much self-confidence, but let our faith come to Him. Then that is sanctification, that is what the 26th chapter of Acts tells us, verse 18; also John 17:19. That is genuine sanctification. When that comes, it will be all right. Get all that kind of sanctification you can. Faith is actually a something, a reality, and when it touches Jesus Christ, in response to it virtue comes from Him and makes us what we want to be. Get that into your minds, brethren, and let us understand what faith is. Let our faith touch Him and draw from Him virtue, goodness, righteousness, and every good and perfect gift will come to us. Then the glory, the praise and the honour is Christ’s, and let us give it to Him. Then if there be any virtue at all it is Christ’s virtue that makes us acceptable to God in any way whatever.’ A text to sum up this matter is Hebrews 10:37, 38.’ A. T. Jones: Kansas Camp Meeting Sermons, May 13, 1889.