Editor’s Corner The More and More Principles Dear Reader, I pray your thoughts are being lightened with hope and joy as we move into the spring months and you see the re-awakening of the flowers and trees in your vicinity. This sign of new life always reminds me of the work that God has in store for each one of us. Hearts that may be dead and cold in sin can be brought to life through the ministry of God’s Spirit in our lives. Which leads me to a thought that I have recently come across in my study of God’s word. I call it The More and More Principle. Although I am confident that there is even more to this More and More Principle than I have come across, let me briefly explain what God has already shown me thus far in my study. The Bible is full of emphatic promises. Never does God say He “might” save us, or He “might” listen and answer if we come to Him. He always promises a definite sure word…. “I will…” As a matter of fact, He goes above and beyond our highest expectations and dreams. He promises us more than we asked for: Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Psalm 115:14 The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children. And the promises to overcomers are magnificent: Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God, (I will) give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it, to him will I give power over the nations, (and I will) grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Not only is this more and more principle embedded in every promise of God, but His entire attitude and kingdom is based on this principle. There is an ever-expanding, ever-growing future before His people. The good He desires to give us has no limit. And it’s not only in heaven, but also here on earth Psalm 40:5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Psalm 139:17 - 18 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Isaiah 13:12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Isaiah 54:1 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord. Matthew 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: John 10:10 …I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. When we look at the parable of the three servants who were given talents, we see this more and more principle also at work. The servant with one talent that buried it was condemned by the master, whereas the first two servants who wisely invested their talents and doubled them were commended. Why? Because God’s kingdom is based on growth and improvement. God expects us to take whatever He has given to us, and to expand it, and grow it, and nurture it, and make it work for Him. He does not approve of stagnation. He does not want us to bemoan that we have received “only" one gift. Even if we are given only one gift, we can use it and double it and grow it. You will see the same principle in the brain article in this magazine. Our brains have a built-in mechanism for nerve re-growth. If treated well and used wisely, our brains are able to expand and improve in our capacity for emotional and mental health. Our bodies likewise can improve and become stronger with the wise investment of our time and energy and the care we give our bodies. Yes, we are subject to death, as is every son and daughter of Adam. But even in this limited world we live in, God doesn’t want us to stagnate and die, but to do all we can to improve and better ourselves and those around us. John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. These verses show us that God’s plan for us includes more good things as we grow in His grace and knowledge, and stay connected to Him. (2 Peter 3:18) But there are a few other “more” passages that are worthy of our attention. Besides God giving us more and more, He also expects us to commit fully to following Him. The more principle also contains some serious admonitions: Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Because God is committed to our growth, He admonishes us how to achieve it: John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. The More and More Principle does not exclude trials, but God promises that even through trials we can experience growth 1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. John 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Do we care more about what people say than what God says? From whom should we receive our approbation? This verse reminds us that we should be seeking for God’s approval in all of our words and actions, despite what others may think of us. Sometimes we may not even realize we are worrying about what others think. Sometimes what God may approve of may go against everything our friends or family are telling us. We may even suffer censure or reproach by caring only for what God thinks of us. In this verse, we see that God does not approve of living our life according to what others think and that we should be willing to accept the censure of those we love, in order to receive the blessing God desires to give us. Matthew 10:15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Matthew 11:22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. Here we see the other side of the “more” principle – a warning that if we neglect the truths we have received and understood, the results could be rather unpleasant. God’s justice demands that the more truth we are exposed to, the more responsible we are. Young men and women, you are accountable to God for the light that He has given you. This light and these warnings, if not heeded, will rise up in the judgment against you. Your dangers have been plainly stated; you have been cautioned and guarded on every side, hedged in with warnings. In the house of God you have listened to the most solemn, heart-searching truths presented by the servants of God in demonstration of the Spirit. What weight do these solemn appeals have upon your hearts? What influence do they have upon your characters? You will be held responsible for every one of these appeals and warnings. They will rise up in the judgment to condemn those who pursue a life of vanity, levity, and pride. {3T 363.1} As we have followed down the chain of prophecy, revealed truth for our time has been clearly seen and explained. We are accountable for the privileges that we enjoy and for the light that shines upon our pathway. Those who lived in past generations were accountable for the light which was permitted to shine upon them. Their minds were exercised in regard to different points of Scripture which tested them. But they did not understand the truths which we do. They were not responsible for the light which they did not have. They had the Bible, as we have; but the time for the unfolding of special truth in relation to the closing scenes of this earth’s history is during the last generations that shall live upon the earth. {2T 692.2} Special truths have been adapted to the conditions of the generations as they have existed. The present truth, which is a test to the people of this generation, was not a test to the people of generations far back. If the light which now shines upon us in regard to the Sabbath of the fourth commandment had been given to the generations in the past, God would have held them accountable for that light. {2T 693.1} Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Just as God’s promises are more and more to us-ward, so God would have our love for Him be more and more – so that He is the highest in our life, the dearest and the best. Closer than father, mother, brother, friend, or lover is the Lord our Saviour. “Fear not,” He says, “for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.” “Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.” Isaiah 43:1, 4. {DA 327.3} When Christ dwells in the heart, the soul will be so filled with His love, with the joy of communion with Him, that it will cleave to Him; and in the contemplation of Him, self will be forgotten. Love to Christ will be the spring of action. Those who feel the constraining love of God, do not ask how little may be given to meet the requirements of God; they do not ask for the lowest standard, but aim at perfect conformity to the will of their Redeemer. With earnest desire they yield all and manifest an interest proportionate to the value of the object which they seek. A profession of Christ without this deep love is mere talk, dry formality, and heavy drudgery. {SC 44.2} Love to Christ must be the ruling principle of the being, controlling all the emotions and directing all the energies. Redeeming love should awaken all the tender affection and self-sacrificing devotion that can possibly exist in the heart of man. When this is the case, no heart-stirring appeals will be needed to break through their selfishness and awaken their dormant sympathies, to call forth benevolent offerings for the precious cause of truth. {3T 396.2} Matthew 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Just because God wants us to have life more abundantly, it does not mean that this life will be free of pain or suffering. Often we are beset with trials, and these trials work for our good. But even within our trials, we can learn to be happy. James writes: James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. And Paul writes: Philippians 4:11 …. for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. This means that whatever we are experiencing in our life, God has provided a way for us to be happy. Through trust and faith in Him, we are able to rise above our life struggles and choose to be happy. Through the memory of what God has done for us, as well as the promises that God has made to us for the future, we are able to maintain a calm and trustful spirit even in the face of trials. “Blessed are the meek.” The difficulties we have to encounter may be very much lessened by that meekness which hides itself in Christ. If we possess the humility of our Master, we shall rise above the slights, the rebuffs, the annoyances, to which we are daily exposed, and they will cease to cast a gloom over the spirit. The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control. He who under abuse or cruelty fails to maintain a calm and trustful spirit robs God of His right to reveal in him His own perfection of character. Lowliness of heart is the strength that gives victory to the followers of Christ; it is the token of their connection with the courts above. {DA 301.3} When temptations assail you, when care, perplexity, and darkness seem to surround your soul, look to the place where you last saw the light. Rest in Christ’s love and under His protecting care. When sin struggles for the mastery in the heart, when guilt oppresses the soul and burdens the conscience, when unbelief clouds the mind, remember that Christ’s grace is sufficient to subdue sin and banish the darkness. {AG 109.4} He will give you grace to be patient, He will give you grace to be trustful, He will give you grace to overcome restlessness, He will warm your heart with His own sweet Spirit, He will revive your soul in its weakness.... Then stay your soul in confidence upon God. Roll all your burdens upon Him. {AG 109.5} The soul that loves God, rises above the fog of doubt; he gains a bright, broad, deep, living experience, and becomes meek and Christlike. His soul is committed to God, hid with Christ in God. He will be able to stand the test of neglect, of abuse and contempt, because his Saviour has suffered all this. He will not become fretful and discouraged when difficulties press him, because Jesus did not fail or become discouraged. Every true Christian will be strong, not in the strength and merit of his good works, but in the righteousness of Christ, which through faith is imputed unto him. It is a great thing to be meek and lowly in heart, to be pure and undefiled, as was the Prince of heaven when He walked among men. {AG 109.6} John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Here is a promise of victory for the struggling soul. God’s Word has creative power. Whatever He speaks comes into being. His commands are His enablings. They are promises that we will no longer kill, lie, steal, etc. Go and sin no more – as we submit to Him in our thoughts and in our choices, we may, through His Spirit and power, become victors and overcomers over our inherited and cultivated tendencies. The heavenly intelligences will work with the human agent who seeks with determined faith that perfection of character which will reach out to perfection in action. To every one engaged in this work Christ says, I am at your right hand to help you. {MYP 101.1} As the will of man cooperates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to be done at His command, may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings.—Christ’s Object Lessons, 331-333. {MYP 101.2} Whatever may be our inherited or cultivated tendencies to wrong, we can overcome through the power that He is ready to impart. {MH 175.1} Praise God that through His more and more principle, our future need not be bleak or dark or depressing. There is hope – never-ending and abundant hope – provided and promised by our Saviour who knows no defeat, and is never discouraged, even by our frequent failings. (Isaiah 42:4) He has the power to help us grow and increase in grace and knowledge, and He promises that if we allow Him, each day will bring us one step closer to His likeness and fitness for heaven. Dear Reader, if you would like the more and more principle to work in your life you can have it! Choose today to believe that God has more in store for you than you could ever imagine. Believe that today He can give you a fresh supply of grace to overcome and new growth in the areas in which you are weak. May these thoughts of hope lift your spirits and inspire you to run the race before you with courage and anticipation of what God will do for you and through you.