To effect the salvation of men, God employs various agencies. He speaks to them by His word and by His ministers, and He sends by the Holy Spirit messages of warning, reproof, and instruction. These means are designed to enlighten the understanding of the people, to reveal to them their duty and their sins, and the blessings which they may receive, to awaken in them a sense of spiritual want, that they may go to Christ and find in Him the grace they need. But many choose to follow their own way instead of God’s way. They are not reconciled to God, neither can be, until self is crucified and Christ lives in the heart by faith. {5T 46.3}

[Gud benytter forskellige midler til at frelse mennesker. Han taler til dem gennem sit ord og sine prædikanter og ved Helligånden sender han advarsler irettesættelser og vejledning. Disse midler anvendes for at oplyse folk og vise dem deres pligt og deres synder og de velsignelser, de kan opnå; de vækker bevidstheden om deres åndelige mangler, så de kan gå til Kristus og opnå den nødvendige nåde hos ham. Men mange vælger at gå deres egne veje i stedet for Guds vej. De er ikke forligt med Gud og kan ikke blive det, før selvet er korsfæstet og Kristus ved troen bor i deres hjerte.