You need to drink daily at the fountain of truth, that you may understand the secret of pleasure and joy in the Lord. But you must remember that your will is the spring of all your actions. This will, that forms so important a factor in the character of man, was at the Fall given into the control of Satan; and he has ever since been working in man to will and to do of his own pleasure, but to the utter ruin and misery of man. But the infinite sacrifice of God in giving Jesus, His beloved Son, to become a sacrifice for sin, enables Him to say, without violating one principle of His government: “Yield yourself up to Me; give Me that will; take it from the control of Satan, and I will take possession of it; then I can work in you to will and to do of My good pleasure.” When He gives you the mind of Christ, your will becomes as His will, and your character is transformed to be like Christ’s character. Is it your purpose to do God’s will? Do you wish to obey the Scriptures? “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” {5T 515.1}

Du må drikke daglig af sandhedens kilde, så at du kan lære at kende hemmeligheden ved frygt og glæde i Herren. Men du må huske på, at din vilje er kilden til alle dine handlinger. Denne vilje, der udgør så vigtig en faktor i menneskets karakter, blev ved syndefaldet underlagt Satans kontrol og han har lige siden den gang arbejdet med menneskene for at få dem til at ville og virke efter sit behag men til menneskets ruin og elendighed. Guds uendeligt store offer, da han gav Jesus, den elskelige søn, sætter ham i stand til uden at bryde noget princip, der hører til hans regeringsmåde, at sige: "Overgiv dig til mig; giv mig din vilje; løsriv den fra Satans kontrol og jeg vil tage den i besiddelse; da kan jeg virke i dig at ville og virke efter mit velbehag." Når han giver dig Kristi sind, vil din vilje blive som hans vilje og din karakter vil blive forvandlet så den bliver lig Kristi karakter. Er det din hensigt at gøre Gud vilje? Ønsker du at adlyde skrifterne? »Vil nogen komme efter mig, han fornægte sig selv og tage sit kors op og følge mig.«