It is impossible for man to present his body a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, while, because it is customary for the world to do so, he is indulging in habits that are lessening physical, mental, and moral vigor. The apostle adds: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Jesus, seated upon the Mount of Olives, gave instruction to His disciples concerning the signs which should precede His coming. He said: “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the Flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the Flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” {3T 163.1}

Gud skabte mennesket helt og helligt. Men mennesket faldt fra sit hellige bo fordi det overtrådte Guds lov. Siden faldet (163) har der været en forøgelse af sygdom, lidelse og død. Upåagtet har mennesket forhånet sin Skaber, Guds kærlighed er dog stadig udbredt for menneskene; og han lader lys skinne så at mennesket kan se at det for at leve et fuldkommet liv må leve i harmoni med disse naturlige love som behersker dets væsen. Derfor er det af den største betydning at det ved hvordan det skal leve så at dets legemskræfter og sindskræfter kan anvendes til Guds ære.