Christ longs to work mightily by His Spirit for the conviction and conversion of sinners. But, according to His divine plan, the work must be performed through the instrumentality of His church; and her members have so far departed from Him that He cannot accomplish His will through them. He chooses to work by means, yet the means employed must be in harmony with His character. {5T 189.3}

Kristus længes efter at arbejde mægtigt ved sin Ånd, for synderes overbevisning og omvendelse. Men ifølge hans guddommelige plan, må arbejdet udføres ved sin menigheds redskaber; og dens medlemmer er gået så langt bort fra ham, at han ikke kan gennemføre sin vilje ved dem. Han vælger at arbejde ved midler, alligevel må midlerne bruges bedst i harmoni med Hans karakter.