Ellen G. White’s Quotations—Peace
The heart of man may be the abode of the Holy Spirit. The peace of Christ, which passeth understanding, may rest in your soul; and the transforming power of His grace may work in your life, and fit you for the courts of glory. But if brain and nerve and muscle are all employed in the service of self, you are not making God and heaven the first consideration of your life. It is impossible to be weaving the graces of Christ into your character while you are putting all your energies on the side of the world. You may be successful in heaping up treasure on the earth, for the glory of self; but “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Eternal considerations will be made of secondary importance. You may take part in the outward forms of worship; but your service will be an abomination to the God of heaven. You cannot serve God and mammon. You will either yield your heart and put your will on the side of God, or you will give your energies to the service of the world. God will accept no halfhearted service.—Counsels on Stewardship, p. 217.
But it is not only grace, but grace and “peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” What is peace? The best definition is the word itself. In Philippians 4:7 we read of the “peace of God which passeth all understanding.” As we are told in his word, God knows the end from the beginning. He does not need to trouble himself or worry over how things will come out. Some of us may say that if we had that knowledge, we too might enjoy peace; but do we not have it? Has not God told us that all things work together for our good? Yes, and every soul here this morning can have that same peace by just resting on the word of God.—General Conference Bulletin February 6, 1895, p. 20 .
Thy ways are ways of pleasantness, and all thy paths are peace. Being justified by faith we have peace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Who would not listen to his cheering voice? Who would not have this blessed peace which comes through faith in his name? Who would not rest under his banner of love with great delight? Oh precious trust! who would not confide in Jesus, the blessed Lamb of God? Who would not love him with all their hearts, and seek to reflect his lovely image, that all his grace may abound in us, that we be not barren nor unfruitful in the Lord? for so an entrance shall be administered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. L. E. Millne.—Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, April 17, 1866, p. 155.
It is peace that you need—Heaven's forgiveness and peace and love in the soul. Money cannot buy it, intellect cannot procure it, wisdom cannot attain to it; you can never hope, by your own efforts, to secure it. But God offers it to you as a gift, “without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:1. It is yours if you will but reach out your hand and grasp it. The Lord says, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.” Ezekiel 36:26.—A Call to Stand Apart, p. 29.
The message of hope and mercy is to be carried to the ends of the earth. Whosoever will, may reach forth and take hold of God's strength and make peace with Him, and he shall make peace. No longer are the heathen to be wrapped in midnight darkness. The gloom is to disappear before the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness. The power of hell has been overcome.—Christ Object Lesson, p. 418
When Paul wrote, “The very God of peace sanctify you wholly,” 1 Thessalonians 5:23, he did not exhort his brethren to aim at a standard which it was impossible for them to reach; he did not pray that they might have blessings which it was not the will of God to give. He knew that all who would be fitted to meet Christ in peace must possess a pure and holy character. Read 1 Corinthians 9:25-27; 6:19, 20.—Counsels for the Church, p. 51.
The peace of Christ, the peace of Christ—money cannot buy it, brilliant talent cannot command it, intellect cannot secure it; it is the gift of God. The religion of Christ—how shall I make all understand their great loss if they fail to carry its holy principles into the daily life? The meekness and lowliness of Christ is the Christian's power. It is indeed more precious than all things which genius can create or wealth can buy. Of all things that are sought, cherished, and cultivated, there is nothing so valuable in the sight of God as a pure heart, a disposition imbued with thankfulness and peace.—Counsels on Health, p. 403.
We are sustained every moment by God's care, and upheld by His power. He spreads our tables with food. He gives us peaceful and refreshing sleep. Weekly He brings to us the Sabbath, that we may rest from our temporal labors, and worship Him in His own house. He has given us His word to be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. In its sacred pages we find the counsels of wisdom; and as oft as we lift our hearts to Him in penitence and faith, He grants us the blessings of His grace. Above all else is the infinite gift of God's dear Son, through whom flow all other blessings for this life and for the life to come.—Counsels on Stewardship, p. 18.
Hasten, my brethren and sisters, to bring to God a faithful tithe, and to bring Him also a willing thank offering. There are many who will not be blessed till they make restitution of the tithe which they have withheld. God is waiting for you to redeem the past. The hand of the holy law is laid upon every soul who enjoys God's benefits. Let those who have kept back their tithe make an accurate reckoning, and bring to the Lord that of which they have robbed His work. Make restitution, and bring the Lord peace offerings. “Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me.” If you acknowledge that you have done wrong in misappropriating His goods, and freely and fully repent, He will forgive your transgression.—Counsels on Stewardship, P. 87
