i find the reasoning here confusing.person vs issue, in my opinion. ok, this is quite clear and i stand corrected. no problem. it was from his birth and not before.i read her statement, the same as i did before i ever knew there would be a debate about whether babies have thoughts or not, as saying that how we relate to our children from the time of birth determines to a large degree how they will turn out.

i read it as saying how we are, how we behave, will have a molding influence on our children.

if we are accusatory we will mold them into that direction. if we are calm no matter what they do we will mold them into being calm. it is all dependent on how we are: "If we live in communion with God..."{AH 274.3}

A person who has guts to comment on the validity of arguments she has never quite considered. Your argument is flawed. Unfortunately, you would rather blame the flaw on others.

Yes, before.

IIRC = If I Remember/Recall Correctly


Maybe I don't remember correctly. Wouldn't be the first time.

So, are you saying that we are born NOT in the image of God? At least, not anything beyond the physical.


We don't baptize babies because we don't know their spiritual state. Unlike Catholics, I think that applies to everyone here, we don't believe that we are imparting grace to the baby by baptism. Our baptism is a public declaration of an inward reality. But we don't know the infant's inward condition.

However, I am not one to limit what God does based on my inabilities. Has God ever baptized an infant with the Spirit? Is that possible?

It's right there in the post you replied to:
Are you saying that you believe Jesus did not have an "unwillingness"?

I tried to keep up with this thread and it seems to have gotten sidetracked, so I was wondering if it is possible Asygo & Teresa if you could summarize your positions or opinions of Jesus' Humanity and Nature on Earth.
It would help me understand what each believes.
God Bless,
Will

Arnold, what are your thoughts on the following ideas and quotes:


The following insights shed light on the topic:

A change will be seen in the character, the habits, the pursuits. The contrast will be clear and decided between what they have been and what they are. The character is revealed, not by occasional good deeds and occasional misdeeds, but by the tendency of the habitual words and acts. (SC 57)

Any one act, either good or evil, does not form the character; but thoughts and feelings indulged prepare the way for acts and deeds of the same kind. It is . . . by a repetition of acts that habits are established and character confirmed. (CG 199)

It is not through one act that the character is formed, but by a repetition of acts that habits are established and character confirmed. (ST 4-30-1894)

Character does not come by chance. It is not determined by one out-burst of temper, one step in the wrong direction. It is the repetition of the act that causes it to become habit, and molds the character either for good or for evil. (CG 164)

Rosangela, I didn't see where you commented on this post:


It is the character we ourselves develop, not what our parents developed, that will determine our eternal destiny in judgment. Traits are neutral. Whether we develop good or bad traits depends on our relationship to Jesus. Tendencies, however, are not neutral. We inherit tendencies that tempt us from within to be unlike Jesus. These tendencies, however, will not count against us in judgment. Again, it is what we ourselves do as we interact with them that will determine our eternal destiny in judgment. Just because they tempt us, it does not mean we are guilty or that we require the atoning blood of Jesus. It is not a sin to be tempted.

"The harvest of life is character, and it is this that determines destiny, both for this life and for the life to come. The harvest is a reproduction of the seed sown. Every seed yields fruit after its kind. So it is with the traits of character we cherish. Selfishness, self-love, self-esteem, self-indulgence, reproduce themselves; and the end is wretchedness and ruin. "He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Galatians 6:8. Love, sympathy, and kindness yield fruitage of blessing, a harvest that is imperishable. {CG 162.4}

this seems to have derailed into a "character" discussion by page 4. perhaps it needs to be split off?

Hi Mike, sorry. I had forgotten about this thread.



I consider traits and tendencies one and the same thing (just some quotes, many more quotes could be added).

The question is asked, Why then are all not drawn to Christ?--It is because they will not come; because they do not choose to die to self; because they wish, as did Judas, to retain their own individuality, their own natural and cultivated traits of character. Altho they are given every opportunity, every privilege, yet they will not give up those tendencies which, if not cut away from the character, will separate them from Christ. If, continuing to cherish these traits of character, they were admitted to heaven, they would cause a second rebellion. {ST, July 8, 1897 par. 7}

Every day hereditary tendencies to wrong will strive for the mastery. Every day you are to war against your objectionable traits of character, until there are left in you none of those things which need to be separated from you. {6MR 84.3}

Children inherit inclinations to wrong, but they also have many lovely traits of character. These should be strengthened and developed, while the tendencies to evil should be carefully guarded against and repressed. {RH, January 24, 1907 par. 7}


Tendencies/traits/inclinations/defects we are aware of will count against us in the judgment.

All should bear in mind that it is only those who are without spot or wrinkle who can stand acquitted before God. The temper, the taste, the thoughts, the feelings,--all must be brought to the test of God's word. This will be serious work for each one of us now; but it will be more serious when the Judgment shall sit, and the books be opened, and the defects of character appear just as they are when every case is decided for life or for death. {ST, May 19, 1887 par. 6}