In Education pages 15 and 16, Mrs White writes:
When Adam came from the Creator's hand, he bore, in his physical, mental, and spiritual nature, a likeness to his Maker. "God created man in His own image" (Genesis 1:27), and it was His purpose that the longer man lived the more fully he should reveal this image--the more fully reflect the glory of the Creator. All his faculties were capable of development; their capacity and vigor were continually to increase. Vast was the scope offered for their exercise, glorious the field opened to their research. The mysteries of the visible universe--the "wondrous works of Him which is perfect in knowledge" (Job 37:16)--invited man's study. Face-to-face, heart-to-heart communion with his Maker was his high privilege. Had he remained loyal to God, all this would have been his forever. Throughout eternal ages he would have continued to gain new treasures of knowledge, to discover fresh springs of happiness, and to obtain clearer and yet clearer conceptions of the wisdom, the power, and the love of God. More and more fully would he have fulfilled the object of his creation, more and more fully have reflected the Creator's glory.
But by disobedience this was forfeited. Through sin the divine likeness was marred, and well-nigh obliterated. Man's physical powers were weakened, his mental capacity was lessened, his spiritual vision dimmed. He had become subject to death. Yet the race was not left without hope. By infinite love and mercy the plan of salvation had been devised, and a life of probation was granted. To restore in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created, to promote the development of body, mind, and soul, that the divine purpose in his creation might be realized--this was to be the work of redemption. This is the object of education, the great object of life.
Today I wanted to "undim" our spiritual vision a little bit. Re-read the first paragraph again and wonder at God's purpose in your creation.
You are designed to reflect glory on our Creator. An amazing thought in itself, but even more amazing is that you were designed to do this "more and more fully". "Face-to-face, heart-to-heart communion with (our) Maker (was our) high privilege".
The work of redemption is to develop your "body, mind and soul" until this privilege is fully restored.
That's inspiring! But do you feel inadequate for this task? As Pr. Aaron told us last Sabbath, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for their's is the kingdom of heaven." He emphasised that Jesus was making this promise to those who acknowledge their need.
God wants to restore His image in you, He has a purpose for your life and He will not stop short of anything less than complete restoration of all your faculties and privileges.
To summarise Jesus' Beatitude promise in Mrs White's words:
"Discover fresh springs of happiness because when you realise that you are marred and your goodness is well-nigh obliterated, then I will work to restore you to full communion with Me, until you own My kingdom's wisdom, power and love, until your physical, mental and spiritual nature reflects Me."
Let's worship!
