The
Perfect Standard
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June 26, 1900
The Perfect Standard
Mrs. E. G. White
The law of God is the only true standard of moral perfection. In the life of
Christ this law was carried into action, and this is our example. Nothing
short of this will meet the requirements of God. We
may plead our inability to keep the law, but this will not excuse us. Such a
plea is the language of the carnal heart, which is not willing to put forth
determined effort in self-conquest. Christ could say, "I have kept my
Father's commandments." And the disciple John declares, "He that
saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."
We read the biographies of Christians, and think their experience and
attainments entirely beyond our reach. These, we say, are the histories of a
few who were specially favored by grace. But these high
attainments are for all. Christ died for every soul, and God assures us in his
word that he is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him than
parents are to give good gifts to their children. We may be
engaged in the common duties of everyday life, but we can make these sacred by
simple, earnest faith, and persevering, trusting prayer. God
is honored by the steadfast integrity, the holy walk and conversation, of his
people, even in the humblest walks of life.
The apostles and prophets and holy men of old did not perfect
their characters by miracle. They used the ability given them by God, trusting
alone in the righteousness of Christ; and all who will use the same means may
secure the same result. It is our privilege to have high spiritual
attainments; for God's word has declared it. But these call
for faith and labor on our part. We must have an
earnest desire for higher and still higher attainments in the Christian life.
Paul exhorts us to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ." This means a close connection with God, which will
give us trust and confidence in him, until we have an
experimental knowledge of his divine nature, and are changed into his image. Then
we can glorify God by revealing to those with whom we associate the result of
the transforming influence of his grace.
There are many whose religion consists in theory. To them a happy emotion is
godliness. They say, "Come to Jesus, and believe in him. It makes no
difference what you believe so long as you are honest in your belief."
They do not seek to make the sinner understand the true character of sin. He is
not urged to search the Scriptures on bended knees that he may know what is truth, or to pray that his eyes may be anointed with
eyesalve that he may see the grace of Christ. When the lawyer came to Christ,
saying, "Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" the
Saviour did not say, Believe, only believe, and you will be saved. "What
is written in the law?" he said; "how readest
thou?" The lawyer answered: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself." Christ
said, "Thou hast answered right: this do, and
thou shalt live." Here the false doctrine that man has nothing to do but
believe is swept away. Eternal life is given to us on the condition
that we obey the commandments of God.
Satan is willing that every transgressor of God's law shall
claim to be holy. This is what he
himself is doing. He is satisfied when men rest their faith on spurious
doctrines and religious enthusiasm; for he can use such persons to good purpose
in deceiving souls. There are many professedly sanctified ones
who are aiding Satan in his work. They talk much of feeling; they speak of
their love for God. But God does not recognize their love; for it is a delusion
of the enemy. God has given these persons light, but they
have refused to accept it. With the father of lies, they will receive the
reward of disobedience. It had been better for them not to have known
the way of righteousness than after they had known it to turn from the holy
commandment delivered unto them. The testimony of John is, "By
this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his
commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and
his commandments are not grievous." "He that
saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth
is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God
perfected."
Christ warns his followers, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you
in sheep's clothing; but inwardly they are ravening wolves." He exhorts us
not to be deceived when false shepherds present their doctrines. These
men tell us that the commandments of God were done away at the death of Christ.
Shall we believe them, these men who claim to be sanctified, while they refuse
to obey God? They say the Lord has told them that they need not keep the ten
commandments; but has the Lord told them this?—No; God does not lie. Satan, who
is the father of lies, deceived Adam in a similar way, telling him that he need
not obey God, that he would not die if he transgressed
the law. But Adam fell, and by his sin he opened the floodgates of woe upon our
world. Again, Satan told Cain that he need not follow expressly the command of
God in presenting the slain lamb as an offering. Cain obeyed the voice of the
deceiver; and because God did not accept his offering, while he showed his
approval of Abel's offering, Cain rose up in anger and slew his brother.
We need to know for ourselves what voice we are heeding, whether it is the
voice of the true and living God, or the voice of the great apostate. Eternal
life is of value to each of us, and we must take heed how we hear. We need
sound doctrine, pure faith. We cannot afford to receive the sayings of men for
the commandments of God. God declares, "If his children forsake my law,
and walk not in my judgments; if they break my statutes, and keep not my
commandments; then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their
iniquity with stripes."
John gives us the definition of sin. "Whosoever
committeth sin," he says, "transgresseth also the law: for sin is the
transgression of the law." And
this was after the crucifixion of Christ, when, we are
told, the law was abolished. When type met antitype in the death of Christ,
the sacrificial offerings ceased. The ceremonial law was done away. But
by the crucifixion the law of ten commandments was
established. The gospel has not abrogated the law, nor detracted one tittle from its claims. It still demands holiness in every
part. It is the echo of God's own voice, giving to every soul the invitation, Come up higher. Be holy, holier still. This
just and holy law is the standard by which all will be judged in the last day.
We need to ask ourselves the question, Are we making
void the law of God, or are we standing in vindication of it? We should
carefully examine our thoughts and words.
The law has no power to pardon transgression. Repentance
toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ must be exercised.
As the sinner looks into this divine mirror, he will see the exceeding
sinfulness of sin, and will be driven to Christ. Godly sorrow will result from
a realization of his frailty and depravity. His faith in the atoning sacrifice
will be based on the sacred promise of full and complete pardon in Christ.
Let us earnestly inquire, What is truth? We can not afford to build on a sandy foundation. The
doctrines revealed in the word of God are to be the foundation of our faith. It
is of the utmost importance that we understand, as far as God has given us
capacity for understanding, the principles upon which his government rests; for
the principles which we believe and receive into the heart will govern and
control the actions. The more clear the
understanding of the truth which is in Jesus, the more spiritual will be the
religious life, the more holy the affections.