Penalty
for Ignorance
Health Reformer, October, 1866
II. God has formed laws which govern our constitutions, and these laws
which He has placed in our being are divine, and for every transgression
there is affixed a penalty, which must sooner or later be realized. The
majority of diseases which the human family have been and still are
suffering under, they have created by ignorance of their own organic laws.
They seem indifferent in regard to the matter of health, and work
perseveringly to tear themselves to pieces, and when broken down and
debilitated in body and mind, send for the doctor and drug themselves to
death.
Not Always Ignorant
(1900) 6T 372
12. When persons are spoken to on the subject of health, they often say,
"We know a great deal better than we do." They do not realize that they
are accountable for every ray of light in regard to their physical
well-being, and that their every habit is open to the inspection of God.
Physical life is not to be treated in a haphazard manner. Every organ,
every fiber of the being, is to be sacredly guarded from harmful
practices.
Responsibility for Light
Good Health, November, 1880
13. At the time the light of health reform dawned upon us, and since that
time, the questions have come home every day, "Am I practicing true
temperance in all things?" "Is my diet such as will bring me in a position
where I can accomplish the greatest amount of good?" If we cannot answer
these questions in the affirmative, we stand condemned before God, for He
will hold us all responsible for the light which has shone upon our path.
The time of ignorance God winked at, but as fast as light shines upon us,
He requires us to change our health-destroying habits, and place ourselves
in a right relation to physical laws.
(1890) C.T.B.H. 150
14. Health is a treasure. Of all temporal possessions it is the most
precious. Wealth, learning, and honor are dearly purchased at the loss of
the vigor of health. None of these can secure happiness, if health is
lacking. It is a terrible sin to abuse the health that God has given us;
such abuses enfeeble us for life, and make us losers, even if we gain by
such means any amount of education.
[EXAMPLES OF SUFFERING DUE TO DISREGARDING LIGHT--119, 204]
(1890) C.T.B.H. 151
15. God has bountifully provided for the sustenance and happiness of all
His creatures; if His laws were never violated, if all acted in harmony
with the divine will, health, peace, and happiness, instead of misery and
continual evil, would be the result.
Health Reformer, August, 1866
16. A careful conformity to the laws God has implanted in our being, will
ensure health, and there will not be a breaking down of the constitution.
[HEALTH REFORM THE LORD'S MEANS OF LESSENING SUFFERING--788]
An Offering Without Blemish
(1890) C.T.B.H. 15
17. In the ancient Jewish service it was required that every sacrifice
should be without blemish. In the text we are told to present our bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable
service. We are God's workmanship. The psalmist, meditating upon the
marvelous work of God in the human frame, exclaimed,"I am fearfully and
wonderfully made." There are many who are educated in the sciences and are
familiar with the theory of the truth, who do not understand the laws that
govern their own being. God has given us faculties and talents; and it is
our duty, as His sons and daughters, to make the best use of them. If we
weaken these powers of mind or body by wrong habits or indulgence of
perverted appetite, it will be impossible for us to honor God as we
should.
[C.T.B.H. 52, 53] (1890) C.H. 121
18. God requires the body to be rendered a living sacrifice to Him, not a
dead or a dying sacrifice. The offerings of the ancient Hebrews were to be
without blemish, and will it be pleasing to God to accept a human offering
that is filled with disease and corruption? He tells us that our body is
the temple of the Holy Ghost; and He requires us to take care of this
temple, that it may be a fit habitation for His Spirit. The apostle Paul
gives us this admonition: "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." All should be very careful to preserve the body in the best
condition of health, that they may render to God perfect service, and do
their duty in the family and in society.