- A Word to the Reader
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- Introduction
- Chapter 6—The Loving Watchcare of Jesus
- Chapter 7—Christ Holds Control
- Chapter 8—Willing to Spend and Be Spent
- Chapter 9—Examine Yourselves
- Chapter 10—Good Angels More Powerful Than Evil Angels
- Chapter 11—What Are We Worth?
- Chapter 12—Angels Are Amazed
- Chapter 13—Importance of Receiving the Holy Spirit
- Chapter 14—In Every Place
- Chapter 15—When the Church Awakes
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- Introduction
- Chapter 19—What to Preach and Not to Preach
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- Chapter 21—Fanciful or Speculative Teachings
- Chapter 22—The Peril of Extreme Views
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- Chapter 25—The Foundation of Our Faith
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- Introduction
- Chapter 26—The Perfect Law
- Chapter 27—The Character of the Law of God
- Chapter 28—Satan's Enmity Toward the Law
- Chapter 29—Christ Our Only Hope
- Chapter 30—The Law and the Gospel
- Chapter 31—The Law in Galatians
- Chapter 32—The Righteousness of Christ in the Law
- Chapter 33—“Search the Scriptures”
- Chapter 34—The Word Made Flesh
- Chapter 35—“Tempted in All Points Like as We Are”
- Chapter 36—No Caste in Christ
- Chapter 37—“Even So Send I You”
- Chapter 38—The Temptation of Christ
- Chapter 39—First Temptation of Christ
- Chapter 40—Second Temptation of Christ
- Chapter 41—Third Temptation of Christ
- Chapter 42—The Revelation of God
- Chapter 43—Christ the Life-giver
- Chapter 44—The Risen Saviour
- Chapter 45—The First Fruits
- Chapter 46—A Divine Sin Bearer
- Chapter 47—The Truth as It Is in Jesus
- Chapter 48—The Divine Standard
- Chapter 49—Surrender and Confession
- Chapter 50—Come and Seek and Find
- Chapter 51—United With the Living Vine
- Chapter 52—Christ Our High Priest
- Chapter 53—Transformation Through Faith and Obedience
- Chapter 54—The Subject Presented in 1883
- Chapter 55—Presented as Old Truth in New Framework
- Chapter 56—A Truth Bearing the Divine Credentials
- Chapter 57—Christ the Way of Life
- Chapter 58—“Thou Hast Left Thy First Love”
- Chapter 59—Perfect Obedience Through Christ
- Chapter 60—Relation of Faith and Works
- Chapter 61—Christ the Center of the Message
- Chapter 62—Justified by Faith
- Chapter 63—The Pearl of Great Price
- Chapter 64—“The Darkness Comprehended It Not”
- Chapter 65—How to Meet a Controverted Point of Doctrine
Chapter 63—The Pearl of Great Price
[This article appeared in The Review and Herald, August 8, 1899.]
“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The righteousness of Christ, as a pure white pearl, has no defect, no stain, no guilt. This righteousness may be ours. Salvation, with its blood-bought, inestimable treasures, is the pearl of great price. It may be searched for and found. But all who really find it will sell all they have to buy it. They give evidence that they are one with Christ, as He is one with the Father. In the parable the merchantman is represented as selling all that he had to gain possession of one pearl of great price. This is a beautiful representation of those who appreciate the truth so highly that they give up all they have to come into possession of it. They lay hold by faith of the salvation provided for them at the sacrifice of the only-begotten Son of God.1SM 399.1
There are some who are seeking, always seeking, for the goodly pearl. But they do not make an entire surrender of their wrong habits. They do not die to self that Christ may live in them. Therefore they do not find the precious pearl. They have not overcome unholy ambition and their love for worldly attractions. They do not lift the cross, and follow Christ in the path of self-denial and self-sacrifice. They never know what it is to have peace and harmony in the soul; for without entire surrender there is no rest, no joy. Almost Christians, yet not fully Christians, they seem near the kingdom of heaven, but they do not enter therein. Almost but not wholly saved means to be not almost but wholly lost.1SM 399.2
A daily consecration to God brings peace and rest. The merchant sold all that he had to possess the pearl. When those who are seeking for salvation refuse to fail or be discouraged, they will find peace and rest in the Lord. Christ will clothe them with His righteousness. He will provide them with a clean heart and a renewed mind. These blessings cost the life of the Son of God, and are freely offered to those for whom the sacrifice was made. But how do many treat the proffered gift?—They turn away, choosing rather the pleasures of this life. Christ says of them, “Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life” (John 5:40).1SM 400.1
Sinners are under a fearful deception. They despise and reject the Saviour. They do not realize the value of the pearl offered to them, and cast it away, rendering to their Redeemer only insult and mockery. Many a woman decks herself with rings and bracelets, thinking to gain admiration, but she refuses to accept the pearl of great price, which would secure for her sanctification, honor, and eternal riches. What an infatuation is upon the minds of many! They are more charmed with earthly baubles, which glitter and shine, than with the crown of immortal life, God's reward for loyalty. “Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number” (Jeremiah 2:32).1SM 400.2