Christ Our
Righteousness
Part 2
Christ Our Righteousness
Part 2
By Ellen White
Minneapolis a Proving Ground.--The Lord was testing and proving His people
who had had great light, whether they would walk in it or turn from it under
temptation, for but few know what manner of spirit they are of until
circumstances shall be of a character to test the spirit which prompts to
action. In many the natural heart is a controlling power, and yet they do not
suppose that pride and prejudice are entertained as cherished guests, and work
in the words and actions against light and truth. Our brethren who have
occupied leading positions in the work and the cause of God should have been so
closely connected with the Source of all light that they would not call light
darkness and darkness light. . . . {3SM 176.1}
Righteousness by Faith
Does Not Downgrade the Law.--Holding up Christ as our only source of strength, presenting His
matchless love in having the guilt of the sins of men charged to His account
and His own righteousness imputed to man, in no case does away with the law or
detracts from its dignity. Rather, it places it where the correct light shines
upon and glorifies it. This is done only through the light reflected from the
cross of Calvary. The law is complete and full in the great plan of salvation,
only as it is presented in the light shining from the crucified and risen
Saviour. This can be only spiritually discerned. It kindles in the heart of the
beholder ardent faith, hope, and joy that Christ is his righteousness. This joy
is only for those who love and
177
keep the words of Jesus, which are the words of
God. {3SM 176.2}
Were my brethren in the
light the words that the Lord gave me for them would find a response in the
hearts of those for whom I labored. As I saw that the hearts with which I
longed to be in harmony were padlocked by prejudice and unbelief, I thought best for me to leave them. My purpose was to go from Minneapolis
the first of the week. . . . {3SM 177.1}
I wished to meditate,
to pray, [that I might know] in what manner we could work to present the
subject of sin and atonement in the Bible light before the people. They were
greatly needing this kind of instruction that they might give the light to
others and have the blessed privilege of being workers together with God in
gathering in and bringing home the sheep of His fold. What power must we have
from God that icy hearts, having only a legal religion, should see the better
things provided for them--Christ
and His righteousness! A life-giving message was needed to give life to the dry
bones.--Manuscript 24, 1888. {3SM 177.2}
Ellen White's Appraisal on the
Closing Day
(Written to a member of her home
family, November 4,
1888)
Our meeting [The
Minneapolis General Conference session] is closed. I have on last Sabbath given
my last discourse. There seemed for the first time to be considerable feeling
in the congregation. I called them forward for prayers although the church was
densely packed. Quite a number came forward. The Lord gave me the spirit of
supplication and His blessing came upon me. I did not go out to meeting this
morning. This has been a most laborious meeting for Willie, and I have had to
watch at every point lest there should be moves made, resolutions passed, that
would prove detrimental to the future work. {3SM 177.3}
I have spoken nearly
twenty times with great freedom and we believe that
this meeting will result in great good. We know not the future, but we feel
that Jesus
178
stands at the helm and we shall not be
shipwrecked. My courage and faith have been good and have not failed me,
notwithstanding we have had the hardest and most incomprehensible tug of war we
have ever had among our people. The matter cannot be explained by pen unless I
should write many, many pages; so I had better not
undertake the job. {3SM 177.4}
Elder Olsen is to be
president of the General Conference and Brother Dan Jones, of Kansas, is to
help him. Elder Haskell will serve until Brother Olsen shall come from Europe.
[IN THE ABSENCE OF GEORGE I. BUTLER, PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE, ELDER
HASKELL CHAIRED THE GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSION. SHORTLY AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE
SESSION, W. C. WHITE WAS ASKED TO SERVE AS ACTING GENERAL CONFERENCE PRESIDENT,
WHICH HE DID FOR NEARLY SIX MONTHS.] I cannot tell what the future may reveal,
but we shall remain for about four weeks in Battle Creek and get out a
testimony that should come out just now without delay. Then we can see how
matters move at the great center of the work. We are determined to do all we
can in the fear of God to help our people in this emergency. {3SM 178.1}
A sick man's mind has
had a controlling power over the General Conference Committee and the ministers
have been the shadow and echo of Elder Butler about as long
as it is healthy and for the good of the cause. Envy, evil surmisings, jealousies have been working like leaven until
the whole lump seemed to be leavened. . . . {3SM 178.2}
Today, Sunday, I have
not attended meeting, but have had to visit considerably. I am grateful to God
for the strength and freedom and power of His spirit in bearing my testimony,
although it has made the least impression upon many minds than at any period
before in my history. Satan has seemed to have power to hinder my work in a
wonderful degree, but I tremble to think what would have been in this meeting
if we had not been here. God would have worked in some way to prevent this
spirit brought to the meeting, having a controlling power. But we are not the
least discouraged. We trust in the Lord God of Israel. The truth will triumph
and we
179
mean to triumph with it. {3SM 178.3}
We think of you all at
home and would be pleased to be with you, but our wishes are not to be
consulted. The Lord is our Leader, let Him direct our course and we will follow
where He leads the way.--Letter 82, 1888. {3SM 179.1}
Two Excerpts From Minneapolis Sermons
[ELLEN WHITE SPOKE TWENTY TIMES AT
MINNEAPOLIS, BUT DID NOT THERE ENTER INTO PRESENTATIONS ON RIGHTEOUSNESS
BY FAITH. RATHER, SHE LABORED TO LEAD MEN AND WOMEN TO OPEN THEIR MINDS TO
BIBLE-BASED TRUTH.]
Now what we want to
present is, how you may advance in the divine life. We hear many excuses: I
cannot live up to this or that. {3SM 179.2}
What do you mean by
this or that? Do you mean that it was an imperfect sacrifice that was made for
the fallen race upon Calvary, that there is not sufficient grace and power
granted us that we may work away from our own natural defects and tendencies,
that it was not a whole Saviour that was given us? {3SM 179.3}
Or do you mean to
cast reproach upon God? Well, you say, It was Adam's sin. You say, I am not
guilty of that, and I am not responsible for his guilt and fall. Here all these
natural tendencies are in me, and I am not to blame if I act out these natural
tendencies. Who is to blame? Is God? {3SM 179.4}
Why did God let Satan
have this power over human nature? These are accusations against the God of
heaven, and He will give you an opportunity, if you want it, of finally
bringing your accusations against Him. Then He will bring His accusations against
you when you are brought into His court of judgment.--Manuscript 8, 1888,
Sabbath, Oct. 20, 1888. [HER TALKS THAT WERE REPORTED APPEAR AS A 60-PAGE
APPENDIX (PP. 242-302) IN THE BOOK THROUGH CRISIS TO VICTORY.--COMPILERS.]
{3SM 179.5}
If God could have
changed His law to meet man in his fallen condition, Christ need not have come
to this world. Because the law was immutable, unchangeable, God sent His only
begotten Son to die for the fallen race. But did the Saviour take upon Himself
the guilt of
180
human beings and impute to them His
righteousness in order that they might continue to violate the precepts of
Jehovah? No, no! Christ came because
there was no possibility of man's keeping the law in his own strength. He came to bring him strength to obey the
precepts of the law. And the sinner, repenting of his transgression, may come
to God and say, "O Father, I plead forgiveness through the merits of a
crucified and risen Saviour." God will accept all who come to Him in the
name of Jesus.--Manuscript 17, 1888, Sunday, Oct. 21, 1888. {3SM 179.6}
Three
Months After Minneapolis
When We Do Our Best.--Thank God it is not too
late for wrongs to be righted. Christ looks at the spirit, and when He sees us
carrying our burden with faith, His perfect holiness atones for our
shortcomings. When we do our best, He becomes our righteousness. It takes every
ray of light that God sends to us to make us the light of the world.--Letter 22, 1889. (Published in Selected
Messages, book 1, p. 368.) {3SM 180.1}
The Reception in the Field of the Message of Righteousness by Faith
Special meetings began
at South Lancaster on Friday, January 11 [1889]. We were glad to find the
church well filled with those who had come to receive benefit from the
meetings. [THIS WAS AMONG THE FIRST MEETINGS IN WHICH ELLEN WHITE PARTICIPATED
IN PRESENTING THE MESSAGE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH IN THE FIELD SUBSEQUENT TO
THE MINNEAPOLIS CONFERENCE. THROUGH 1889 SHE FREQUENTLY LED OUT IN CARRYING THE
MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES. SOME OF HER SERMONS WERE REPORTED, AS WAS THE ONE AT
OTTAWA, KANSAS, ON MAY 11. THIS TYPICAL SERMON IS PUBLISHED IN FAITH AND
WORKS, PP. 63-79.] . . . Delegates were present from Maine, Connecticut,
Massachusetts, and other States. We realized that there was a work to be done
in setting things in order, which man's best efforts could not accomplish without
the aid of God. Our hearts were drawn out in earnest supplication to God that
He would work in our behalf. . . . {3SM 180.2}
We felt burdened for
those who had been bearing
181
the message of truth to others, lest they
should close their hearts to some of the precious rays of heaven's light that
God has sent them. Jesus rejoiced when His followers received His messages of
truth. . . . {3SM 180.3}
On Sabbath afternoon,
many hearts were touched, and many souls were fed on the bread that cometh down
from heaven. After the discourse we enjoyed a precious social meeting. The Lord
came very near, and convicted souls of their great
need of His grace and love. We felt the necessity of presenting Christ as a
Saviour who was not afar off, but nigh at hand. When the Spirit of God begins
to work upon the hearts of men, the fruit is seen in confession of sin and
restitution for wrongs. All through the meetings, as the people sought to draw
nearer to God, they brought forth works meet for repentance by confessing one
to another where they had wronged each other by word or act. . . . {3SM 181.1}
There were many, even among the ministers, who
saw the truth as it is in Jesus in a light in which they had never
before reviewed it. They saw the Saviour as a sin-pardoning Saviour, and
the truth as the sanctifier of the soul. "If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness." . . . {3SM 181.2}
Many Hold Distorted
Views.--There are many who seem to feel that they have a great work to do
themselves before they can come to Christ for His salvation. They seem to think
that Jesus will come in at the very last of their struggle,
and give them help by putting the finishing touch to their lifework. It
seems difficult for them to understand that Christ is a complete Saviour, and
able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him. They lose sight of
the fact that Christ Himself is "the way, the truth, and the life."
When we individually rest upon Christ, with full assurance of faith, trusting
alone to the efficacy of His blood (Atonement) to cleanse from all sin, we
shall have peace in believing that what God has promised He is able to perform.
. . . {3SM 181.3}
The Very Message
Presented.--As our brethren
182
and sisters opened their hearts to the light,
they obtained a better knowledge of what constitutes faith. The Lord was very
precious; He was ready to strengthen His people. The meetings continued a week
beyond their first appointment. The school was dismissed, and all made earnest
work of seeking the Lord. Elder Jones came from Boston, and labored most
earnestly for the people, speaking twice and sometimes three times a day. The
flock of God were fed with soul-nourishing food. The very message the Lord has
sent to the people of this time was presented in the discourses. Meetings were
in progress from early morning till night, and the results were highly
satisfactory. {3SM 181.4}
Both students and
teachers have shared largely in the blessing of God. The deep movings of the Spirit of God have been felt upon almost
every heart. The general testimony was borne by those who attended the meeting
that they had obtained an experience beyond anything they had known before.
They testified their joy that Christ had forgiven their sins. Their hearts were
filled with thanksgiving and praise to God. Sweet peace was in their souls.
They loved everyone, and felt that they could rest in
the love of God. {3SM 182.1}
I have never seen a revival
work go forward with such thoroughness, and yet remain so free from all undue
excitement. {3SM 182.2}
There were many who
testified that as the searching truths had been presented, they had been
convicted in the light of the law as transgressors. They had been trusting in their own
righteousness. Now they saw it as filthy rags, in comparison with the
righteousness of Christ, which is alone acceptable to God. {3SM 182.3}
While they had not been open transgressors,
they saw themselves depraved and degraded in heart. They had substituted other
gods in the place of their heavenly Father. They had struggled to refrain from sin, but had trusted in their own strength. We should go to
Jesus just as we are, confess our sins, and cast our helpless souls upon our
compassionate Redeemer.--The Review
183
and Herald, March 5, 1889. {3SM 182.4}
Need for a Proper Concept of Righteousness by
Faith
By invitation I made
some remarks in the ministers' tent, [COUNSEL TO MINISTERS AT THE COLORADO CAMP
MEETING, SEPTEMBER 13, 1889, ON PRESENTING RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH.] to the
ministers. We talked some in regard to the best plans
to be arranged to educate the people here upon this very ground in reference to
home religion. {3SM 183.1}
Many people seem to be
ignorant of what constitutes faith. Many complain of darkness and
discouragements. I asked, "Are your faces turned toward Jesus? Are you
beholding Him, the Sun of Righteousness? You need plainly to define to the
churches the matter of faith and entire dependence upon the righteousness of
Christ. In your talks and prayers there has been so little dwelling upon
Christ, His matchless love, His great sacrifice made in our behalf, that Satan
has nearly eclipsed the views we should have and must have of Jesus Christ. We
must trust less in human beings for spiritual help and more, far more, in
approaching Jesus Christ as our Redeemer. We may dwell with a determined
purpose on the heavenly attributes of Jesus Christ; we may talk of His love, we
may tell and sing of His mercies, we may make Him our own personal Saviour.
Then we are one with Christ. We love that which Christ loved, we hate sin, that
which Christ hated. These things must be talked of, dwelt upon." {3SM 183.2}
I address the
ministers. Lead the people along step by step, dwelling upon Christ's efficiency
until, by a living faith, they see Jesus as He is--see Him in His fullness, a
sin-pardoning Saviour, One who can pardon all our transgressions. It is by
beholding that we become changed into His likeness. This is present truth.
We have talked the law. This is right. But we have only casually lifted up Christ as the sin-pardoning Saviour. {3SM 183.3}
We are to keep before the mind the sin-pardoning
184
Saviour. But we are to present Him in His true
position--coming to die to magnify the law of God and make it honorable, and
yet to justify the sinner who shall depend wholly upon the merits of the blood
of a crucified and risen Saviour. This is not made plain. {3SM 183.4}
The soul-saving
message, the third angel's message, is the message to be given to the world.
The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus are both important, immensely
important, and must be given with equal force and power. The first part of the
message has been dwelt upon mostly, the last part casually. The faith of Jesus
is not comprehended. We must talk it, we must live it, we must pray it, and
educate the people to bring this part of the message into their home life.
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5). {3SM 184.1}
Christ-filled
Discourses Needed.--There have been entire discourses, dry and Christless, in which Jesus has scarcely been named. The
speaker's heart is not subdued and melted by the love of Jesus. He dwells upon
dry theories. No great impression is made. The speaker has not the divine
unction, and how can he move the hearts of the people? We need to repent and be
converted--yes, the preacher converted. The people must have Jesus lifted up before them, and they must be entreated to
"Look and live." {3SM 184.2}
Why are our lips so
silent upon the subject of Christ's righteousness and His love for the world?
Why do we not give to the people that which will revive and quicken them into a
new life? The apostle Paul is filled with transport and adoration as he
declares, "Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was
manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto
the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (1 Tim.
3:16). {3SM 184.3}
"Let this mind
be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God,
thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation,
and took upon him the form of a servant,
185
and was made in the likeness of men: and being
found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the cross. . . . That at the name of Jesus every knee should
bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and
that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God
the Father" (Phil. 2:5-11). {3SM 184.4}
"In whom we have
redemption through his blood , even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image
of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all
things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible,
whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things
were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all
things consist" (Col. 1:14-17). {3SM 185.1}
This is the grand and
heavenly theme that has in a large degree been left out of the discourses
because Christ is not formed within the human mind. And Satan has had his way
that it shall be thus, that Christ should not be the theme of contemplation and
adoration. This name, so powerful,
so essential, should be on every tongue. {3SM 185.2}
"Whereof I am
made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you,
to fulfill the word of God; even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and
from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would
make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: whom we preach, warning every man,
and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in
Christ Jesus: whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which
worketh in me mightily"
(Col. 1:25-29). {3SM 185.3}
Here is the work of
the ministers of Christ. Because this work has not been done, because Christ
and His character, His words, and His work have not been brought before the
people, the religious state of the
186
churches testifies
against their teachers. The churches are ready to die because little of Christ
is presented. They have not spiritual life and spiritual discernment. {3SM
185.4}
Fear of the Message
of Righteousness by Faith.--The teachers of the people have not themselves
become acquainted by living experience with the Source of their dependence and
their strength. And when the Lord
raises up men and sends them with the very message for this time to give to the
people--a message which is not a new truth, but the very same that Paul
taught, that Christ Himself taught--it is to them a strange doctrine. They begin to caution the people-- who are ready to die because
they have not been strengthened with the lifting up of Christ before
them--"Do not be too hasty. Better wait, and not take up with this matter
until you know more about it." And the ministers preach the same dry
theories, when the people need fresh manna. {3SM 186.1}
The character of
Christ is an infinitely perfect character, and He must be lifted
up, He must be brought prominently into view, for He is the power, the
might, the sanctification and righteousness of all who believe in Him. The men
who have had a Pharisaical spirit, think if they hold to the good old theories,
and have no part in the message sent of God to His people, they will be in a
good and safe position. So thought the Pharisees of old, and their example
should warn ministers off that self-satisfied ground. {3SM 186.2}
Present Inspiring
Themes of the Gospel.--We
need a power to come upon us now and stir us up to diligence and earnest faith.
Then, baptized with the Holy Spirit, we shall have Christ formed within, the
hope of glory. Then we will exhibit Christ as the divine object of our faith
and our love. We will talk of Christ, we will pray to
Christ and about Christ. We will praise His holy name. We will present before
the people His miracles, His self-denial, His self-sacrifice, His sufferings,
and His crucifixion, His resurrection and triumphant ascension. These are the
inspiring themes of the
187
gospel, to awaken love and intense fervor in
every heart. Here are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, a fountain
inexhaustible. The more you seek of this experience, the greater will be the
value of your life. {3SM 186.3}
The living water may be drawn from the fountain
and yet there is no diminution of the supply. Ministers of the gospel would be
powerful men if they set the Lord always before them and devoted their time to
the study of His adorable character. If they did this, there would be no
apostasies, there would be none separated from the conference because they
have, by their licentious practices, disgraced the cause of God and put Jesus
to an open shame. The powers of every minister of the gospel should be employed
to educate the believing churches to receive Christ by faith as their personal
Saviour, to take Him into their very lives and make Him their Pattern to learn
of Jesus, believe in Jesus, and exalt Jesus. The minister should himself dwell
on the character of Christ. He should ponder the truth, and meditate upon the
mysteries of redemption, especially the mediatorial work of Christ for this
time. {3SM 187.1}
Dwell More on the
Incarnation and Atonement. --If Christ is all and in all to every one of us, why are not His incarnation
and His atoning sacrifice dwelt upon more in the churches? Why are not hearts
and tongues employed in the Redeemer's praise? This will be the employment of
the powers of the redeemed through the ceaseless ages of eternity. {3SM 187.2}
We need to have a
living connection with God ourselves in order to teach Jesus. Then we can give
the living personal experience of what Christ is to us by experience and faith.
We have received Christ and with divine earnestness we can tell that which is an
abiding power with us. The people must be drawn to Christ. Prominence must be
given to His saving efficacy. {3SM 187.3}
The true learners,
sitting at Christ's feet, discover the precious gems of truth uttered by our
Saviour, and will discern their significance and appreciate their value. And
more and more, as they become humble and teachable,
188
will their understanding be opened to discover
wondrous things out of His law, for Christ has presented them in clear, sharp lines. {3SM 187.4}
The doctrine of grace and salvation through Jesus Christ is a
mystery to a large share of those whose names are upon the church books. If Christ were upon the earth speaking to His people, He would
reproach them for their slowness of comprehension. He would say to the slow and
uncomprehending, "I have left in your possession truths which concern your
salvation, of which you do not suspect the value." {3SM 188.1}
Oh, that it might be
said of ministers who are preaching to the people and to the churches,
"Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the
scriptures"! (Luke 24:45). I tell you in the fear of God that up to this time, the Bible
truths connected with the great plan of redemption are but feebly understood.
The truth will be continually unfolding, expanding, and developing, for it is
divine, like its Author.
{3SM 188.2}
How Jesus Taught
the People.--Jesus did not give full comments or continued discourses upon
doctrines, but He oft spoke in short sentences, as one sowing the heavenly
grains of doctrines like pearls which need to be gathered up by a discerning
laborer. The doctrines of faith and grace are brought to view everywhere He
taught. Oh, why do not ministers give to the churches the very food which will
give them spiritual health and vigor? The result will be a rich experience in
practical obedience to the Word of God. Why do the ministers not strengthen the
things that remain that are ready to die? {3SM 188.3}
When about to leave
His disciples, Christ was in search of the greatest comfort He could give them.
He promised them the Holy Spirit--the Comforter--to combine with man's human
effort. What promise is less experienced, less fulfilled to the church, than
the promise of the Holy Spirit? When this blessing, which would bring all
blessings in its train, is dropped out, the sure result is spiritual drought.
This is the reproach that
189
meets the sermonizer. The church must arise
and no longer be content with the meager dew. {3SM 188.4}
Our Need for the
Holy Spirit.--Oh, why do our church members stop short of their privileges?
They are not personally alive to the necessity of the influence of the Spirit
of God. The church may, like Mary, say, "They have taken away my Lord, and
I know not where they have laid him" (John 20:13). {3SM 189.1}
Ministers preaching present truth will assent
to the necessity of the influence of the Spirit of God in the conviction of sin
and the conversion of souls, and this influence must attend the preaching of
the Word, but they do not feel its importance sufficiently to have a deep and
practical knowledge of the same. The scantiness of the grace and power of the divine influence
of the truth upon their own hearts prevents them from discerning spiritual
things and from presenting its positive necessity upon the church. So they go crippling along, dwarfed in religious growth,
because they have in their ministry a legal religion. The power of the grace of
God is not felt to be a living, effectual necessity, an abiding principle. {3SM
189.2}
Oh, that all could see this and embrace the
message given them of God! He has raised up His servants to present truth that,
because it involves lifting the cross, has been lost sight of, and is buried
beneath the rubbish of formality. It must be rescued and be reset in the
framework of present truth. Its claims must be asserted, and its position given
it in the third angel's message. {3SM 189.3}
Let the many
ministers of Christ sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, and seek God while
He is to be found. Call upon Him while you are now lying at the foot of the
cross of Calvary. Divest yourselves of all pride and as representative
guardians of the churches, weep between the porch and the altar, and cry
"Spare Thy people, Lord, and give not Thine heritage to reproach. Take
from us what Thou wilt, but withhold not Thy Holy Spirit from us, Thy
people." Pray, oh, pray for the outpouring of the Spirit of
God!--Manuscript 27, 1889. {3SM 189.4}
Chap. 22 - Emphasis on Salvation
Theme--1890-1908
The Provision for
Salvation.--Penances, mortifications of the flesh, constant confession of
sin, without sincere repentance; fasts, festivals, and outward observances,
unaccompanied by true devotion--all these are of no value whatever. The
sacrifice of Christ is sufficient; He made a whole,
efficacious offering to God; and human effort without the merit of Christ, is
worthless. We not only dishonor
God by taking this course but we destroy our present and future usefulness. A failure to appreciate the value of the
offering of Christ, has a debasing influence; it blights our expectations, and
makes us fall short of our privileges; it leads us to receive unsound and
perilous theories concerning the salvation that has been purchased for us at
infinite cost. The plan of salvation is not understood to be that through which
divine power is brought to man in order that his human effort may be wholly
successful. {3SM 190.1}
To be pardoned in the
way that Christ pardons, is not only to be forgiven, but to be renewed in the
spirit of our mind. The Lord says, "A new heart will I give unto
thee." The image of Christ is to be stamped upon the very mind, heart, and
soul. The apostle says, "But we have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor.
2:16). Without the
191
transforming process which can come alone
through divine power, the original propensities to sin are left in the heart in
all their strength, to forge new chains, to impose a slavery that can never be
broken by human power. But men can never enter heaven with their old tastes,
inclinations, idols, ideas, and theories. Heaven would be no place of joy to
them; for everything would be in collision with their tastes, appetites, and
inclinations, and painfully opposed to their natural and cultivated traits of
character. {3SM 190.2}
Happiness is the result
of holiness and conformity to the will of God. Those who would be saints in
heaven must first be saints upon the earth; for when we leave this earth, we
shall take our character with us, and this will be simply taking with us some
of the elements of heaven imparted to us through the righteousness of Christ.--Review and Herald, Aug. 19, 1890.
{3SM 191.1}
Justification and
Sanctification Accomplished Through Faith--1890.--When through repentance and faith we accept
Christ as our Saviour, the Lord pardons our sins, and remits the penalty
prescribed for the transgression of the law. The sinner then stands before God
as a just person; he is taken into favor with Heaven, and through the Spirit
has fellowship with the Father and the Son. {3SM 191.2}
Then there is yet
another work to be accomplished, and this is of a progressive nature. The soul
is to be sanctified through the truth. And this also is accomplished through
faith. For it is only the grace of Christ, which we receive through faith, that
the character can be transformed. {3SM 191.3}
It is important that
we understand clearly the nature of faith. There are many who believe that
Christ is the Saviour of the world, that the gospel is true and reveals the
plan of salvation, yet they do not possess saving faith. They are
intellectually convinced of the truth, but this is not enough; in order to be
justified, the sinner must have that faith that appropriates the merits of
Christ to his own soul. We read that the devils "believe,
192
and tremble," but their belief does not
bring them justification, neither will the belief of those who give a merely
intellectual assent to the truths of the Bible bring them the benefits of
salvation. This belief fails of reaching the vital point, for the truth does
not engage the heart or transform the character. {3SM 191.4}
In genuine, saving
faith, there is trust in God, through the belief in the great atoning sacrifice
made by the Son of God on Calvary. In Christ, the justified believer beholds
his only hope and deliverer. Belief may exist without trust, but confidence
born of trust cannot exist without faith. Every sinner brought to a knowledge of the saving power of Christ,
will make manifest this trust in greater degree as he advances in experience.-- Signs of the Times, Nov. 3, 1890.
{3SM 192.1}
Resisting
Temptation--1891.--Many seem to think that
it is impossible not to fall under temptation, that they have no power to
overcome, and they sin against God with their lips, talking discouragement and
doubt, instead of faith and courage. Christ was tempted in all points like as
we are, yet without sin. He said, "The prince of this world cometh, and
hath nothing in me." What does this mean? It means that the prince of evil
could find no vantage ground in Christ for his temptation; and so it may be with us.--The Review and Herald, May 19, 1891. {3SM 192.2}
Perfection Not Reached
by One Bound-- 1891.--We are looking beyond time; we are looking to
eternity. We are trying to live in such a way that Christ can say, "Well
done, good and faithful servant." Let us live, every one of us, in that
way. We may make mistakes; we may err; but God will not leave us in error.
"If we sin we have an advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous." There is hope for us; we are prisoners of
hope. {3SM 192.3}
Let us grasp the rich
promises of God. The garden of God is full of rich promises. Oh, let us gather
them; let us take them home; let us show that we believe in God. Let us take
Him at His word; let not one of us be found
193
distrusting God or doubting Him. {3SM 192.4}
Let us be growing
Christians. We are not to stand still. We are to be in advance today of what we
were yesterday; every day learning to be more trustful, more fully relying upon
Jesus. Thus we are to grow up. You do not at one bound
reach perfection; sanctification is the work of a lifetime. . . . {3SM 193.1}
I remember in 1843 a man
and his wife . . . who expected the Lord to come in 1844, and they were waiting
and watching. And every day they would pray to God; before they would bid each
other goodnight, they would say, "It may be the Lord will come when we are
asleep, and we want to be ready." The husband would ask his wife if he had
said a word during the day that she had thought was not in accordance with the
truth and the faith which they professed, and then she would ask him the same
question. Then they would bow before the Lord and ask Him if they had sinned in
thought or word or action, and if so that He would forgive that transgression.
Now we want just such simplicity as this. {3SM 193.2}
You want to be like
little children, hanging upon the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, and
then you will be fortified. How? The angels of God will be around you as a wall
of fire. The righteousness of Christ, which you claim, goes before you, and the
glory of God is your rearward. God sanctify the tongues; God sanctify the
thoughts; God sanctify our minds, that we may dwell upon heavenly themes, and
then that we may impart that knowledge and light to others. There is great
advancement for us, and do not stop here. May God help you to make the most of
your responsibilities.-- Manuscript 9, 1891. {3SM 193.3}
Justification
Explained--1891.--Justification by faith is to many a mystery. A sinner is
justified by God when he repents of his sins. He sees Jesus upon the cross of
Calvary. Why all this suffering? The law of Jehovah has been broken. The law of
God's government in heaven and earth has been transgressed, and the penalty of
sin is pronounced to be death. But "God so loved the
194
world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life." Oh, what love, what matchless love! Christ, the Son of God, dying
for guilty man! {3SM 193.4}
The sinner views the
spirituality of the law of God and its eternal obligations. He sees the love of
God in providing a substitute and surety for guilty man, and that substitute is
One equal with God. This display of grace in the gift of salvation to the world
fills the sinner with amazement. This love of God to man breaks every barrier
down. He comes to the cross, which has been placed midway between divinity and
humanity, and repents of his sins of transgression, because Christ has been
drawing him to Himself. He does not expect the law to cleanse him from sin, for
there is no pardoning quality in the law to save the transgressors of the law. He
looks to the atoning Sacrifice as his only hope, through repentance toward
God--because the laws of His government have been broken--and faith toward our
Lord Jesus Christ as the One who can save and cleanse the sinner from every
transgression. {3SM 194.1}
The mediatorial work of
Christ commenced with the commencement of human guilt and suffering and misery,
as soon as man became a transgressor. The law was not abolished to save man and
bring him into union with God. But Christ assumed the office of his surety and
deliverer in becoming sin for man, that man might become the righteousness of
God in and through Him who was one with the Father. Sinners can be justified by
God only when He pardons their sins, remits the punishment they deserve, and
treats them as though they were really just and had
not sinned, receiving them into divine favor and treating them as if they were
righteous. They are justified alone through the imputed righteousness of
Christ. The Father accepts the Son, and through the atoning sacrifice of His
Son accepts the sinner. {3SM 194.2}
A General Faith Is
Not Enough.--A general faith is entertained by many, and their assent is
given that Christianity is the only hope for perishing souls. But to
195
believe this intellectually is not sufficient to the saving of the soul. . . . {3SM 194.3}
There will be need
not only of faith but of a trust in God. This is the true faith of Abraham, a
faith which produced fruits. "Abraham believed God, and it was imputed
unto him for righteousness" (James 2:23). When God told him to offer his
son as a sacrifice it was the same voice that had spoken telling him to leave
his country and go into a land which God would show him. Abraham was saved by
faith in Christ as verily as the sinner is saved by faith in Christ today. {3SM
195.1}
The faith that justifies
always produces first true repentance, and then good works, which are the fruit
of that faith. There is no saving faith that does not produce good fruit. God
gave Christ to our world to become the sinner's substitute. The moment true
faith in the merits of the costly atoning sacrifice is exercised, claiming
Christ as a personal Saviour, that moment the sinner is justified before God,
because he is pardoned.--MS 46, 1891 {3SM 195.2}
How to
Overcome--1891.--John pointed the people to the Lamb of God who taketh away
the sins of the world. He said, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away
the sin of the world." There is a great deal in that "taketh
away." The question is, Shall we keep on sinning as though it were an
impossibility for us to overcome? How are we to overcome? As Christ overcame,
and that is the only way. He prayed to His heavenly Father. We can do the same.
. . . When tempted to speak wrong and do wrong resist Satan and say, I will not
surrender my will to your control. I will cooperate with divine power and
through grace be conqueror.-- Manuscript 83, 1891. {3SM 195.3}
Christ Makes Up for Our
Unavoidable Deficiencies--1891.--Jesus loves His children, even if they err. They belong to Jesus and
we are to treat them as the purchase of the blood of Jesus Christ. Any
unreasonable course pursued toward them is written in the books as against
Jesus Christ. He keeps His eye upon them, and when they do their best, calling
upon God for his help,
196
be assured the service will be accepted,
although imperfect. {3SM 195.4}
Jesus is perfect.
Christ's righteousness is imputed unto them, and He will say, "Take away
the filthy garments from him and clothe him with change of raiment." Jesus
makes up for our unavoidable deficiencies. Where Christians are faithful to
each other, true and loyal to the Captain of the Lord's host, never betraying
trusts into the enemy's hands, they will be transformed into Christ's
character. Jesus will abide in their hearts by faith.--Letter 17a, 1891. (See
also a similar statement made in 1885 in Faith and Works, p. 50.) {3SM
196.1}
Flee to Christ as
Soon as Sin Is Committed-- 1892.-- Many do not pray. They feel under
condemnation for sin, and they think they must not come to God until they have
done something to merit His favor or until God has forgotten about their
transgressions. They say, "I cannot hold up holy hands before God without
wrath or doubting, and therefore I cannot come." So
they remain away from Christ, and are committing sin all the time in so doing,
for without Him you can do nothing but evil. {3SM 196.2}
Just as soon as you
commit sin, you should flee to the throne of grace, and tell Jesus all about
it. You should be filled with sorrow for sin, because through sin you have
weakened your own spirituality, grieved the heavenly angels, and wounded and
bruised the loving heart of your Redeemer. When you have asked Jesus in
contrition of soul for His forgiveness, believe that He has forgiven you. Do
not doubt His divine mercy or refuse the comfort of His infinite love.--Bible
Echo, Feb. 1, 1892. (Discourse at Melbourne, Australia, Dec. 19, 1891.)
{3SM 196.3}
What If We Sin
After We Have Been Forgiven?--1892. --It is the
Holy Spirit that imparts repentance to us. Jesus draws us to Himself through
the agency of His divine Spirit; and through faith in His blood we are
cleansed from sin: "for the blood of Jesus
197
Christ his Son, cleanseth
us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). "If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness" (verse 9). {3SM 196.4}
But suppose that we
sin after we have been forgiven, after we have become the children of God, then
need we despair?--No: for John writes: "My little children, these things I
write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with
the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (chap. 2:1). Jesus is in the
heavenly courts, pleading with the Father in our behalf. He presents our
prayers, mingling with them the precious incense of His own merit, that our
prayers may be acceptable to the Father. He puts the fragrance into our
prayers, and the Father hears us because we ask for the very things which we
need, and we become to others a savor of life unto life. {3SM 197.1}
Jesus came to suffer in our behalf, that He
might impart to us His righteousness. There is but one way of escape for us,
and that is found only in becoming partakers of the divine nature. {3SM 197.2}
But many say that Jesus
was not like us, that He was not as we are in the world, that He was divine,
and that we cannot overcome as He overcame. But Paul writes, "Verily he
took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that
he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to
make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath
suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted" (Heb.
2:16-18). "For we have not an high priest which
cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points
tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of
need" (chap. 4:15, 16). Jesus says, "To him that overcometh
will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set
198
down with my father in his throne" (Rev.
3:21). {3SM 197.3}
Jesus encircled the
race with His humanity, and united divinity with humanity; thus
moral power is brought to man through the merits of Jesus. Those who profess His name through His grace
are to sanctify themselves that they may exert a sanctifying influence on all
with whom they associate.--The
Review and Herald, March 1, 1892. {3SM 198.1}
No Time to Fold
Our Hands--1892.--As we come to feel our utter reliance upon Christ for
salvation, are we to fold our hands, and say, "I have nothing to do; I am
saved; Jesus has done it all"?--No, we are to put forth every energy that
we may become partakers of the divine nature. We are to be continually
watching, waiting, praying, and working. {3SM 198.2}
But do all that we may, we
cannot pay a ransom for our souls. We can do nothing to originate faith, for faith is the gift of God;
neither can we perfect it, for Christ is the finisher of our faith. It is all of Christ. All the longing after a
better life is from Christ, and is an evidence that He
is drawing you to Himself and that you are responding to His drawing power.--Bible
Echo, May 15, 1892. {3SM 198.3}
Christ's Nature
Implanted in Us--1894.-- Truth, precious truth, is sanctifying in its
influence. The sanctification of the soul by the operation of the Holy Spirit
is the implanting of Christ's nature in humanity. It is the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ revealed in character, and the grace of Christ brought into active
exercise in good works. Thus the character is
transformed more and more perfectly after the image of Christ in righteousness
and true holiness. There are broad requirements in divine truth stretching out
into one line after another of good works. The truths of the gospel are not
unconnected; uniting they form one string of heavenly jewels, as in the
personal work of Christ, and like threads of gold they run through the whole of
Christian work and experience. {3SM 198.4}
Christ is the
complete system of truth. He says, "I
199
am the way, the truth, and the life." All
true believers center in Christ, their character is irradiated by Christ; all
meet in Christ, and circulate about Christ. Truth
comes from Heaven to purify and cleanse the human agent from every moral
defilement. It leads to benevolent action, to kind, tender, thoughtful love
toward the needy, the distressed, the suffering. This is practical obedience to
the words of Christ.--Manuscript 34, 1894. {3SM 198.5}
Satan Claimed to
Be Sanctified--1894.--Satan claimed to be sanctified, and
exalted himself above God even in the courts of heaven. So great was his
deceptive power that he corrupted a large number of angels,
and enlisted their sympathy in his selfish interest. When he tempted
Christ in the wilderness he claimed that he was sanctified,
that he was a pure angel from the heavenly courts; but Jesus was not deceived
by his pretensions and neither will those be deceived who live by every word
that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. {3SM 199.1}
God will not accept a
willful, imperfect obedience. Those who claim to be sanctified, and yet turn
away their ears from hearing the law prove themselves to be the children of
disobedience, whose carnal hearts are not subject to the law of God, and
neither indeed can be.--Manuscript 40, 1894. {3SM 199.2}
Faith and Good
Works--1895.--Our acceptance with God is sure only through His beloved Son,
and good works are but the result of the working of His sin-pardoning love.
They are no credit to us, and we have nothing accorded to us for our good works
by which we may claim a part in the salvation of our souls. Salvation is God's free gift to the believer, given to him for Christ's sake
alone. The troubled soul may find peace through faith in Christ, and his peace
will be in proportion to his faith and trust. He cannot present his good works
as a plea for the salvation of his soul. {3SM 199.3}
But are good works of
no real value? Is the sinner who commits sin every day with impunity, regarded
of God with the same favor as the one who through faith in
200
Christ tries to work in his integrity?
The Scripture answers, "We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in
them." {3SM 199.4}
In His divine
arrangement, through His unmerited favor, the Lord has ordained that good works
shall be rewarded. We are accepted through Christ's merit alone; and the acts
of mercy, the deeds of charity, which we perform, are the fruits of faith; and
they become a blessing to us; for men are to be rewarded according to their
works. {3SM 200.1}
It is the fragrance
of the merit of Christ that makes our good works acceptable to God, and it is
grace that enables us to do the works for which He rewards us. Our works in and
of themselves have no merit. When we have done all that it is possible for us
to do, we are to count ourselves as unprofitable servants. We deserve no thanks
from God. We have only done what
it was our duty to do, and our works could not have been performed in the
strength of our own sinful natures. {3SM 200.2}
The Lord has bidden
us to draw nigh to Him and He will draw nigh to us; and drawing nigh to Him, we
receive the grace by which to do those works which will be rewarded at His
hands.--Review and Herald, Jan. 29, 1895. {3SM 200.3}
Surrounded With
Heaven's Atmosphere-- 1898.--"We love him, because he first loved
us" (1 John 4:19). True conversion, true sanctification, will be the cause
of the change in our views and our feelings toward one another and toward God.
"We have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and
he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him" (verse 16). We
must increase in faith. We must know the sanctification of the Spirit. In
earnest prayer we must seek God, that the divine Spirit may work in us. God
then will be glorified by the example of the human agent. We shall be workers
together with God. {3SM 200.4}
Sanctification of
soul, body, and spirit will surround us with the atmosphere of heaven. If God
has chosen us
201
from eternity, it is that we might be holy,
our conscience purged from dead works to serve the living God. We must not in
any way make self our god. God has given Himself to die for us, that He might
purify us from all iniquity. The Lord will carry on this work of perfection for
us if we will allow ourselves to be controlled by Him. He carries on this work
for our good and His own name's glory. {3SM 200.5}
The Importance of
Simple, Implicit Faith.--We must bear a living testimony to the people,
presenting before them the simplicity of faith. We must take God at His word, and
believe that He will do just as He has said. If He chastises us, it is that we may be partakers of His
divine nature. It runs through all His designs and plans to carry on a daily
sanctification in us. Shall we not see our work? Shall we not present to others
their duty, the privilege they have of growing in grace and in the knowledge of
Jesus Christ? {3SM 201.1}
"This is the will
of God, even your sanctification" (1 Thess. 4:3). We have not pressed
forward to the mark of the prize of our high calling. Self has found too much
room. Oh, let the work be done under the special direction of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord demands all the powers of the mind and being. It is His will that we
should be conformed to Him in will, in temper, in spirit, in our meditations.
The work of righteousness cannot be carried forward unless we exercise implicit
faith. {3SM 201.2}
Move every day under
God's mighty working power. The fruit of righteousness is quietness and
assurance forever. If we had exercised more faith in God and had trusted less
to our own ideas and wisdom, God would have manifested His power in a marked
manner on human hearts. By a union with Him, by living faith, we are privileged
to enjoy the virtue and efficacy of His mediation. Hence we are crucified with Christ,
dead with Christ, risen with Christ, to walk in newness of life with Him.--Letter 105, 1898. {3SM 201.3}
True
Sanctification Needed--1902.--Two nights
202
ago, I awoke at ten o'clock, heavily burdened in regard to the lack of the Holy Spirit's working among our
people. I rose and walked the room, pleading with the Lord to come closer, very
much closer, to His people, endowing them with such power that they may work
His work so mightily that through them may be revealed the abundant grace of
Christ. . . . {3SM 201.4}
In the Sermon on the
Mount, Christ has given a definition of true sanctification. He lived a life of
holiness. He was an object lesson of what His followers are to be. We are to be
crucified with Christ, buried with Him, and then quickened by His Spirit. Then we are filled with His life. {3SM 202.1}
The Work of a
Lifetime.--Our sanctification is
God's object in all His dealing with us. He has chosen us from eternity that we
may be holy. Christ gave Himself for our redemption, that through our faith in
His power to save from sin, we might be made complete in Him. In giving us His
Word, He has given us bread from heaven. He declares t