The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 463

God to follow in His steps, to reflect His character, and to purify
themselves even as He is pure. The things they once hated they
now loved, and the things they once loved they hated. The proud
and self-assertive became meek and lowly of heart. The vain and
supercilious became serious and unobtrusive. The profane became
reverent, the drunken sober, and the profligate pure. The vain fashions of
the world were laid aside. Christians sought not the “outward adorning
of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
but ... the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even
the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of
great price.” 1 Peter 3:3, 4.
Revivals brought deep heart-searching and humility. They were
characterized by solemn, earnest appeals to the sinner, by yearning
compassion for the purchase of the blood of Christ. Men and women
prayed and wrestled with God for the salvation of souls. The fruits
of such revivals were seen in souls who shrank not at self-denial and
sacrifice, but rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer reproach
and trial for the sake of Christ. Men beheld a transformation in the lives
of those who had professed the name of Jesus. The community was
benefited by their influence. They gathered with Christ, and sowed to
the Spirit, to reap life everlasting.
It could be said of them: “Ye sorrowed to repentance.” “For godly
sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the
sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that
ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea,
what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea,
what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things
ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” 2 Corinthians
7:9-11.
This is the result of the work of the Spirit of God. There is no
evidence of genuine repentance unless it works reformation.

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