When [God] gave Jesus to our world, He included all heaven in that one gift. He did not leave us to
retain our defects and deformities of character, or to serve Him as best we could in the corruption of
our sinful nature. He has made provision that we may be complete in His Son, not having our own
righteousness, but the righteousness of Christ. In Christ the whole storehouse of knowledge and of
grace is at our command; for in Him dwells “all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”
Christ has given His life for us; we are His property. “Know ye not,” He says, “that your body is the
temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye
are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
God’s children are to show their love for Him by meeting His requirements, by giving themselves to
Him. Then only can He use them in His service, that others, through them, may discern the truth
and rejoice in it.
But the people of God are asleep to their present and eternal good. The Lord says to them, “Arise,
shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” He desires them to go to
work in unity, in faith, and love. He desires that the work of reformation shall begin in the home,
with the fathers and mothers, and then the church will realize the Holy Spirit’s working. The
influence of this work will go through the church like leaven. Fathers and mothers need converting.
They have not educated themselves to mold and fashion the characters of their children aright.
As God’s ministers, dear parents, you must use the precious remnant of time in doing the work He
has left for you. He desires that by wise methods in your home you shall train your children for
Him. Learn of Jesus; be doers of His Word….
Children need to have religion made attractive, not repulsive. The hour of family worship should be
made the happiest hour of the day. Let the reading of the Scriptures be well chosen and simple; let
the children join in singing; and let the prayers be short, and right to the point….Consider … that you
are in the service of God, that you have access to One who is a present help in every time of need.
—The Review and Herald, March 18, 1902.