The church that Christ presents before the throne of His glory is without “spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.” Ephesians 5:27. Do you want to be among those who have washed their robes of character in the blood of the Lamb? then, “cease to do evil; learn to do well”(Isaiah 1:16); walk in the commandments and ordinances of your God blameless. You are not to ask whether it suits your convenience to keep the truth of heaven. You are to take up your cross and follow Jesus, cost what it may. You will find that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.—The Review and Herald, June 22, 1911. (RC 54.6) MC VC

There might be a thousand more laborers than there are now if God’s people would deny themselves, and take up the cross, and follow Jesus. What we need is the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, and we need it every day. What we need is men of prayer, men who in quietness and humility, without any display or excitement, are overcoming self. (RC 218.3) MC VC

Study Christ’s definition of a true missionary: “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34. (RC 230.5) MC VC

As we follow Him in the path of self-denial, lifting the cross and bearing it after Him to His Father’s home, we shall reveal in our lives the beauty of the Christ-life. At the altar of self-sacrifice—the appointed place of meeting between God and the soul—we receive from the hand of God the celestial torch which searches the heart, revealing the need of an abiding Christ.—The Review and Herald, January 31, 1907. (RC 232.6) MC VC

Many today think that when they begin their Christian life they will find freedom from all want and difficulty. But everyone who takes up his cross to follow Christ comes to a Rephidim in his experience. Life is not all made up of green pastures and cooling streams. Disappointment overtakes us, privations come, circumstances occur which bring us into difficult places. As we follow in the narrow way, doing our best, as we think, we find that grievous trials come to us.... Conscience stricken, we reason, if we had walked with God, we would never have suffered so.... (RC 353.4) MC VC

What can we say to arouse those who profess to be the followers of Christ, to a sense of the solemn responsibilities resting upon them? Is there no voice that shall arouse them to work while the day lasts? Our divine Master gave His life for a ruined world. Who will deny self, and make some sacrifice to save souls for whom He died? (RC 368.2) MC VC