So much more

Lately, I've been contemplating the first chapter of Counsels on Diet and Foods. There's a lot there. It's easy to take the "health reform" message you've heard spoken of your whole life and just assume it's a beneficial thing and that's about it. Especially if you don't read the message yourself, as in my case. As I've been discovering in this (long) chapter, it's about so much more.

I'd like to just share several gems I found, and let you think on them...

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"One reason why we do not enjoy more of the blessing of the Lord is, we do not heed the light which He has been pleased to give us in regard to the laws of life and health" (page 16).

"It is as truly a sin to violate the laws of our being as it is to break the ten commandments. . . . Those who transgress the law of God in their physical organism, will be inclined to violate the law of God spoken from Sinai" (page 17).

"If we weaken these powers of mind or body by wrong habits or indulgence of perverted appetite, it will be impossible for us to honor God as we should" (page 20).

"Oh, what tender mercy that [God] does not refuse the remnant of the abused life of the suffering, repentant sinner!" (page 22)

"It is impossible for those who indulge the appetite to attain to Christian perfection" (page 22).

"Those who would preserve their powers unimpaired for the service of God, must observe strict temperance in the use of His bounties, as well as total abstinence from every injurious or debasing indulgence" (page 29).

"Shall we cheapen our minds and abuse our talents by wrong eating? Shall we transgress God's holy law by following selfish practices? Shall our inconsistency become a byword? Shall we live such unchristianlike lives that the Saviour will be ashamed to call us brethren?" (page 33)

"Far better give up the name of Christian than make a profession and at the same time indulge appetites which strengthen unholy passions" (page 34).

"Men will never be truly temperate until the grace of Christ is an abiding principle in the heart" (page 35).