“We must not think, ‘Well, we have all the truth.’… The truth is an advancing truth, and we must walk in the increasing light.” (Evangelism, p. 296)

“… our ways of looking at things vary. We judge differently. Our understanding of truth, our ideas in regard to the conduct of life, are not in all respects the same.” (Ministry of Healing, p. 483)

“We should have a spirit of progress. We must guard continually against being fixed in our views, feelings, and actions. The work of God is onward.… Energy, tempered with patience and ambition, and balanced by wisdom, is now needed by every Christian.” (Testimonies 3, p. 540)

“A spirit of Pharisaism has been coming in upon the people who claim to believe the truth for these last days.… They have said, ‘We have the truth. There is no more light for the people of God.’ But we are not safe when we take the position that we will not accept anything else than that upon which we have settled as truth. We should take the Bible, and investigate it closely for ourselves. We should dig in the mine of God’s word for truth.… Increasing light is to shine upon us.…” (Review and Herald, June 18, 1888)

“… unity … does not mean uniformity in everything. Unity in diversity is a principle that pervades the whole creation.” (Ellen White, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1143)

“Whenever the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining a clearer understanding of His word. They will discern new light and beauty in its sacred truths.…” (Gospel Workers, p. 297-298)

“[W]e do not expect that every mind will run right in the same channel; but the question is, Are we, the several branches, grafted into the parent Vine? … You may view things from one standpoint, and we have ideas different from one another in regard to the Scriptures, not in opposition to the Scriptures, but our ideas may vary.” (1MCP, p. 53; Manuscript 14, 1894)

“There is no excuse for anyone in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed.… The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make an error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair.…” (Review and Herald, December 20, 1892)

“Young men should search the Scriptures for themselves. They are not to feel that it is sufficient for those older in experience to find out the truth; that the younger ones can accept it from them as authority.” (Testimonies to Ministers 109)

“We must study the truth for ourselves. No man should be relied upon to think for us. No matter who he is, or in what position he may be placed, we are not to look upon any man as a criterion for us.” (Testimonies to Ministers 109-110)

“We cannot then take a position that the unity of the church consists in viewing every text of Scripture in the very same light.” (Manuscript Releases, Vol. 11, p. 266). Rather, “The secret of unity is … equality of believers in Christ.” (1 Selected Messages 259)

“Christ is the center to which all should be attracted; for the nearer we approach the center, the closer we shall come together in feeling, in sympathy, in love, growing into the character and image of Jesus. With God there is no respect of persons.” (1 Selected Messages 259)

“No one should feel that he cannot labor with those who do not see just as he sees, and who do not in their labors follow just his plans. If all manifest a humble, teachable spirit, there need be no difficulty. God has set in the church different gifts. These are precious in their proper places, and all may act a part in the work of preparing a people for Christ’s soon coming.” (Gospel Workers, p. 92)

“Our ministers must cease to dwell upon their peculiar ideas with the feeling, ‘You must see this point as I do, or you cannot be saved.’ Away with this egotism. The great work to be done in every case is to win souls to Christ. Men must see Jesus on the cross, they must look and live. It is not your ideas they must feed upon, but it is the flesh and blood of the Son of God.” (1 Selected Messages 178)

“The greatest deception … [is] that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness.… [A] theoretical knowledge of the truth … [is] insufficient.… The Pharisees … boasted of their possession of the oracles of God; yet these advantages did not preserve them from selfishness, malignity, greed for gain, and the basest hypocrisy.… [T]heir so-called orthodoxy led them to crucify the Lord of glory. The same danger still exists.” (Desire of Ages 309)

“Many take it for granted that they are Christians, simply because they subscribe to certain theological tenets. But they have not brought the truth into practical life.… Men may profess faith in the truth; but if it does not make them sincere, kind, patient, forbearing, heavenly-minded, it is a curse to its possessors, and through their influence it is a curse to the world.” (Desire of Ages, 309-310)

“The grace of Christ must mold our entire being, and its triumph will not be complete until the heavenly universe shall witness habitual tenderness of feeling, Christ-like love and holy deeds in the deportment of the children of God.” (Amazing Grace, p. 235)

“Let us love one another… Let us remember how forbearing and patient He was…. We should be in a wretched state if the God of heaven were like one of us, and treated us as we are inclined to treat one another.” (Review and Herald, 27 Aug. 1889, p. 530)

“Not until you feel that you could sacrifice your own self-dignity, and even lay down your life in order to save an erring brother, have you cast the beam out of your own eye so that you are prepared to help your brother. Then you can approach him and touch his heart.” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings p. 128).

“If we err, let it be on the side of mercy rather than on the side of condemnation.” (Letter 16, 1887)

“It is not … religious privilege, which proves that we are members of the family of God; it is love, a love that embraces all humanity.” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 75)

“A Christian reveals true humility by showing the gentleness of Christ, by being always ready to help others, by speaking kind words and performing unselfish acts.…” (Life Sketches, p. 86)

“If we would humble ourselves and be kind and courteous and tenderhearted and pitiful, there would be one hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only one.” (Testimonies vol. 9:189)

“Let us ask in faith … for Christlike sympathy and tenderness, that we may win souls to the truth we teach.” (Review & Herald, Nov. 11, 1902)

“A kind, courteous Christian is the most powerful argument that can be produced in favor of Christianity. Kind words are as dew and gentle showers to the soul.” (Reflecting Christ, p. 30)

“If we wish men to be convinced that the truth we believe sanctifies the soul and transforms the character, let us not be continually charging them with vehement accusations. In this way we shall force them to the conclusion that the doctrine we profess cannot be the Christian doctrine, since it does not make us kind, courteous, and respectful. Christianity is not manifested in pugilistic accusations and condemnation.” (Testimonies vol.6, p. 396-97)

“There are many whose religion consists in criticizing… They have lost the love of God out of their hearts; but they think they have a spirit of discernment. They think it is their prerogative to criticize, and pronounce judgment; but they should repent of their error, and turn away from their sins… Let us love one another. Let us have harmony… Let us have our hearts sanctified to God. Let us look upon the light that abides for us in Jesus.” (Review and Herald, 27 August 1889).

“No one has ever been reclaimed from a wrong position by censure and reproach; but many have thus been driven from Christ and led to seal their hearts against conviction. A tender spirit, a gentle, winning deportment, may save the erring and hide a multitude of sins.” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings, p. 128)

“The very act of looking for evil in others develops evil in those who look. By dwelling upon the faults of others, we are changed into the same image. But by beholding Jesus, talking of His love and perfection of character, we become changed into His image.” (Gospel Workers, p. 479)

“If you would dwell on such subjects as Christ’s willingness to forgive sins, to receive the sinner, to save that which is lost, subjects that inspire hope and courage, you would be a blessing. But while you strive to be original and take such extreme views, and use such strong language in presenting them, there is danger of doing much harm. Some may grasp your thought and seem to be benefited, but when tempted and overcome, they lose courage to fight the good fight of faith.” (Selected Messages vol. 1, p. 177)

“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.” (1 Selected Messages 177)

“We must look more to the presentation of God’s love and mercy to move the hearts of the people.… For years I have seen that there is a broken link which has kept us from reaching hearts; this link is supplied by presenting the love and mercy of God.” (EGW, Statement to GC Committee and Conference Presidents, March 3, 1891)

“Whatever molding and fashioning needs to be wrought in the soul, Christ can best do. The conviction may not be deep, but if the sinner comes to Christ, viewing Him upon the cross, the just dying for the unjust, the sight will break every barrier down. Christ has undertaken the work of saving all who trust in Him for salvation. He sees the wrongs that need to be righted, the evils that need to be repressed. He came to seek and save that which was lost. ‘Him that cometh to me,’ He says, ‘I will in no wise cast out’ (John 6:37).” (1 Selected Messages 178)

“The soul that accepts Jesus places himself under the care of the Great Physician, and let men be careful how they come between the patient and the Physician who discerns all the needs of the soul. Christ, the physician of the soul, understands its defects and its maladies, and knows how to heal with the purchase of His own blood. What the soul lacks, He can best supply. But men are so officious, they want to do so much, that they overdo the matter, leaving Christ no room to work.” (1 Selected Messages 178)

“Through the goodness and mercy of Christ the sinner is to be restored to the divine favor. God in Christ is daily beseeching men to be reconciled to God. With outstretched arms He is ready to receive and welcome not only the sinner but the prodigal. His dying love, manifested on Calvary, is the sinner’s assurance of acceptance, peace, and love. Teach these things in the simplest form, that the sin-darkened soul may see the light shining from the cross of Calvary.” (1 Selected Messages 178)

“Nothing frightens me more than to see the spirit of variance manifested by our brethren. We are on dangerous ground when we cannot meet together like Christians, and courteously examine controverted points. I feel like fleeing from the place lest I receive the mold of those who cannot candidly investigate the doctrines of the Bible. Those who cannot impartially examine the evidences of a position that differs from theirs, are not fit to teach in any department of God’s cause” (R&H, February 18, 1890).

“There are many who try to correct the life of others.… They go to those whom they think are in error, and point out their defects.… Those who seek to correct others should present the attractions of Jesus. They should talk of His love and compassion, present His example and sacrifice, reveal His Spirit.… Talk of Christ, and when the heart is converted, everything that is out of harmony with the word of God will drop off.” (Signs of the Times, July 1, 1889)

“More love is needed, … less suspicion, less evil thinking. We need to be less ready to blame and accuse. It is this that is so offensive to God. The heart needs to be softened and subdued by love. … He will bless everyone who is seeking to communicate light and love.” (7T 212)

“Let us ask in faith … for Christlike sympathy and tenderness, that we may win souls to the truth we teach.” (R&H, Nov. 11, 1902)

We also recommend Ty Gibson’s article, Women’s Ordination: Shall Angels or Demons Guide Us?.

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