In the previous eleven numbers of The Ministry for 1938, we have endeavored to present various principles relative to healthful living and health education. In summary and retrospect, we wish to direct attention to the real purpose and the true motive in this whole health program.
God in His beneficence caused advanced light on the subject of healthful living to be brought prominently to the attention of this people. These principles of hygiene were given in order that we might intelligently observe the physiological laws that the Creator established in our body. Obedience to these laws promotes physical strength, happiness, and longevity, and minimizes sickness. Right physical habits also promote mental superiority; it is well recognized that there is a close relationship existing between the physical and the mental life.
These laws relating to physiology and hygiene—Nature's laws—are inexorable. They are established by nature's God, and He will not 'interfere to save men from the natural consequences of violation. God, being the author of laws operating in the human body, has due regard for them; and the individual who is careless and reckless in relation to habits and practices that affect the well-being of the body, fails to show proper respect for his Creator.
Furthermore, it 'is obvious that the attitude toward the counsels and requirements of God in respect to healthful living, influences and affects character and our attitude toward the Creator. In other words, as we have shown 'previously, this matter of the gospel of health and the proper care of the body—the temple of God—not only involves the daily habits of life and their relation to physical well-being, but is inseparably related to spiritual and moral experience. Note the following comments:
"Let none who profess godliness regard with indifference the health of the body, and flatter themselves that intemperance is no sin, and will not affect their spirituality. A close sympathy exists between the physical and the moral nature."—"Counsels on Health. p. 67. "Many who profess to love Jesus Christ do not show proper reverence and re-. spect for Him who gave His life to save them from eternal death. He is not reverenced, or respected, or recognized. This is shown by the injury done to their own bodies in violation of the laws of their being."—"Counsels on Diet and Foods," p. 43.
Much might be presented in proof of the view that, to the one who has accepted Christ, the conscientious care of the body and the observance of the principles of healthful living are more than "biologic living." That is to say that healthful living for health's sake may be virtuous, but healthful living in order to "glorify God" in our bodies, and present them as a living sacrifice wholly acceptable unto Him, is a higher and holier concept which the Christian is to realize.
In abstract, strict observance of the letter of the laws of hygiene will be rewarded, but physical restraint and a remaining in the path of obedience for fear of physical consequences of ten proves a cold, hard way. Such a course of restraint frequently becomes a heavy, distasteful yoke, and lacks the spark and spontaneous enthusiasm of obedience because of an inward urge.
Practical Christianity enters into the affairs of everyday life, including physical habits, and is concerned not alone with life in the hereafter, but with successful, healthful, victorious living today. The more abundant life by the grace of God is not without self-denial and discipline, but in such a life obedience and restraint are prompted by a positive affection that is the natural outgrowth of an inward experience. In other words, it is a part of the new-birth experience. In all our efforts at health education, this motive in obedience must be kept prominent. The inseparable union of the spiritual and the physical needs recognition and balanced emphasis; otherwise our efforts become mere health propaganda and a conveying of information that can be found in any standard text on hygiene. We quote again from the Spirit of prophecy:
"A great lesson is learned when we understand our relation to God, and His relation to us. The words, 'Ye are not your own, ye are bought with a price,' should be hung in memory's hall, that we may ever recognize God's rights to our talents, our property, our influence, our individual selves. We are to learn how to treat this gift of God, in mind, in soul, in body, that as Christ's purchased possession, we may do Him healthful, savory service."—"Counsels on Diet and Foods," p. 56.
"This is true sanctification. It is not merely a theory, an emotion, or a form of words, but a living, ac'ive principle, entering into the everyday life. It requires that our habits of eating, drinking, and dressing be such as to secure the preservation of physical, mental, and moral health, that we may present to the Lord our bodies,—not an offering corrupted by wrong habits, but "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God."—Id., pp. 57, 58.
It has been clearly revealed that the gospel of health is a part of the third angel's message. Any feature of this glorious message which has so much to do with true sanctification, and which contributes to our happiness in this life and is an important aid in preparing for the life to come, demands our sincerest interest and effort.
There is a combined work of the physical and the spiritual to be done in every church and school and in every Seventh-day Adventist home. How important, therefore, that every member of the medical group, every minister, and every Christian worker unite in zealously forwarding this "pioneer work of the gospel." God grant that the importance and value of medical missionary work shall be appreciated and that new activity in our ranks may be seen in each field.
H. M. W.
