Human inclination (3)

      Quotations from the writings of Ellen G. White with the phrase . . .

            H U M A N     I N C L I N A T I O N                (  4  RELATED  PHRASES )       

             The  phrase  'human inclination'  appears  3  times in the published writings of EGW 

             The phrase  'human inclinations'  appears  4 times  in the published writings of EGW   ( below )       See page on Original site                       Related phrase:  man's inclination  ( below )

The man who attempts to keep the commandments of God from a sense of obligation merely—because he is required to do so—will never enter into the joy of obedience. He does not obey. When the requirements of God are accounted a burden because they cut across human inclination, we may know that the life is not a Christian life. True obedience is the outworking of a principle within. It springs from the love of righteousness, the love of the law of God. The essence of all righteousness is loyalty to our Redeemer. This will lead us to do right because it is right — because right doing is pleasing to God. { COL 97.3} 

 

 
We are to follow God’s design exactly in the formation and establishment of the work, small though it may be in some places. Outward show and a large outlay of means are not necessary in order to gain the blessing of God. Human taste, human devising, human inclination to ornament, are not to be encouraged. An unnecessary expenditure of money means that there will be less to invest in the work in other places. { RH June 24, 1902, par. 7 }

 

“If any man will come after Me,” said Christ, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Will the convicted man take the path of obedience to God’s commandments? Will he, with the whole heart, with undivided purpose, seek after that life which is eternal? If so, he will obtain the riches that are imperishable, a life that measures with the life of God. All the heavenly universe is looking on to see which path he will take. Is it the way that is narrow? is it the strait gate that he is aiming to enter? Then he has taken the way of the cross, the path that leads to heaven. This decision will cut directly across his human inclination, his selfish, worldly considerations, his natural bias of character; but it will place him among the company whom Daniel saw in vision, those who are purified, made white, and tried. { ST November 3, 1898, par. 6 }

 

 

                                                                 man's  inclination                                                                                   
 
  God sees how strong man’s inclination is to accumulate earthly treasure, and in the highways and byways of life His voice is heard saying, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” ( Mark 8:36). “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” ( Matthew 6:19-21).  { TDG 30.3} 
 
God sees how strong man’s inclination is to accumulate earthly treasure, and in the highways and byways of life his voice is heard, saying, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” { AUGleaner September 7, 1904, par. 11 }

 

                                                                    human  inclinations                                                                              
 
The essence and flavor of all obedience is the outworking of a principle within—the love of righteousness, the love of the law of God. The essence of all righteousness is loyalty to our Redeemer, doing right because it is right. When the Word of God is a burden because it cuts directly across human inclinations, then the religious life is not a Christian life, but a tug and a strain, an enforced obedience.  All the purity and godliness of religion are set aside. { TMK 118.4} 

 

 
Many who profess to be Christians are so engrossed with earthly cares that they have no time for the cultivation of piety. They do not regard true religion as of the first importance. A man may seem to receive the truth, but if he does not overcome his un-Christlike traits of character, these thorns grow and strengthen, killing the precious graces of the Spirit. The thorns in the heart must be uprooted and cast out, for good and evil cannot grow in the heart at the same time. Unsanctified human inclinations and desires must be cut away from the life as hindrances to Christian growth.—Letter 13, 1902. { Ev 347.2} 

 

What constitutes the cross? The requirements of Jesus, that cut directly across human devisings, human indulgence of appetite, human calculations, human practices and habits. The child of God is to come into perfect relationship with Jesus Christ. We are to be in constant communion, not with our own minds, but with the mind and will of Jesus. To be a practical Christian accepting duties that involve self-denial, cuts across human inclinations and human habits. { 20MR 104.3 } 
 
The essence and flavor of all obedience is the outworking of a principle within—the love of righteousness, the love of the law of God. The essence of all righteousness is loyalty to our Redeemer, doing right because it is right. When the Word of God is a burden because it cuts directly across human inclinations, then the religious life is not a Christian life, but a tug and a strain, an enforced obedience. All the purity and godliness of religion are set aside. { OFC 123.7} 

 

 

 

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Related Information

Inclination (1,008) Follow inclination (48) Natural inclination ( 53 )