God’s Grace, Availability, Power for All, and Its Purpose

By Keith Marshall

Here are two excellent articles. The 1st is on God's grace, its availability, power for all, and it's purpose. The 2nd is biblical personality profiles on those who surrendered to God, allowing grace to transform them and to keep them united to Jesus, in accord, of one heart, one soul, of the same mind, and speaking the same things as Jesus .

These two articles also answer the question, Can we do it? Surrender is the key that opens the door of God's mercy, allowing His grace to work effectively in the soul, the mind, to transform and keep from falling, the one who believes and trusts God implicitly. Very encouraging, uplifting edifying gospel. Enjoy . Be blessed.

1. "Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ." Eph. 4:7.

And the measure of Christ’s [Divinity-His Divine Nature Holy Spirit] is the measure of, "all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." Colossians 2:9. And since the measure of the fullness of the Godhead is eternal and infinitely powerful we can know that the measure of the grace of God, which He has given to each one of us, through the sacrifice of Jesus, is also an eternal and an infinitely powerful and immeasurable grace. Now which is more powerful? Is it the reign of Satan or is it the reign of God and His grace? Of course the reign of God's grace is much more powerful. see R&H, April 17, 1894.

Note by Ron: It is true that the power of the Holy Ghost part in the sire of Christ into the Womb of Mary, made Him all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. But, as well, Christ was fully human, to wit:

“Had he not been fully human, Christ could not have been our substitute. He could not have worked out in humanity that perfection of character which it is the privilege of all to reach. He was the light and the life of the world. He came to this earth to work in behalf of men, that they might no longer be under the control of Satanic agencies. But while bearing human nature, he was dependent upon the Omnipotent for his life. In his humanity, he laid hold of the divinity of God; and this every member of the human family has the privilege of doing. Christ did nothing that human nature may not do if it partakes of the divine nature.” {ST June 17, 1897, par. 8}

Prior to His Incarnation, the Son of God was DIVINE HOLY SPIRIT ONLY. He came in the likeness of sinful flesh says the Bible. The Godhead prior to the Incarnation had NEVER had a particle of humanity associated with it. Thus it is a denial of the Incarnation sacrifice to say that Jesus’ humanity is CO-ETERNAL with the Father and the Son, as the Trinity Doctrine teaches. In the Incarnation sacrifice, the former Son of God became human forever, says Scripture and Ellen White.

Heb 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

“Christ ascended to heaven, bearing a sanctified, holy humanity. He took this humanity with Him into the heavenly courts, and through the eternal ages He will bear it, as the One who has redeemed every human being in the city of God.”--The Review and Herald, March 9, 1905. {7ABC 488.1}

“In stooping to take upon Himself humanity, Christ revealed a character the opposite of the character of Satan. . . . In taking our nature, the Saviour has bound Himself to humanity by a tie that is never to be broken. Through the eternal ages He is linked with us. "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son." John 3:16. He gave Him not only to bear our sins, and to die as our sacrifice; He gave Him to the fallen race. To assure us of His immutable counsel of peace, God gave His only-begotten Son to become one of the human family, forever to retain His human nature. This is the pledge that God will fulfill His word. "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder." God has adopted human nature in the person of His Son, and has carried the same into the highest heaven.”--Ibid., p. 25. {7ABC 456.4}

The Humanity of Christ was Adopted into the Godhead of Heaven

The mystery part is how Christ was FULLY DIVINE, WHILE FULLY HUMAN. But the humanity of Christ was never any part of the Godhead before the Incarnation sacrifice. This would have been requisite for Jesus to be co-ETERNAL with the former pre-Incarnation Father and Son. As well, Mary would have had to be eternal.

End note by Ron.

Under the reign of Satan it is easy to do wrong. By the nature of sinful man, man has given his dominion to Satan. It is easy to do wrong under the influence of his hypnotic suggestions and enticements of temptation. But God has put an enmity between man and Satan through the faith and the grace He has given to everyone who accepts Jesus as their personal Savior. God has given a ransom - Jesus Christ, who took the place for every person, laying down His own life to buy back each person from the grip of Satan and the sinful nature. And the grace of God is given to every man through the plan of redemption. see R&H April 17,1894.

It has been written for our benefit: "But now, [right NOW, at this very moment you are reading these words], in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. For He [Jesus] is our peace, who has made us both one, [God in man], and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility between us; Having abolished in His flesh the enmity ... that He might create in Himself one new man, [Godin man] in the place of the two, so making peace ... through the cross." So then through the cross of Christ the enmity between God and man has been destroyed. Man is now able to choose again to serve God. Through the cross of Christ God and man are again united in fellowship. God in Jesus is now, through the cross, God in man. 'Emanuel', God with us. Not only God with us but God in us. Eph.2:14-16. And it is also written:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved." Eph.1:3-6.

Now, since God has given to us His grace as equal to the measure of Jesus who is the measure of the 'fullness of the Godhead bodily,' then which is more powerful, the reign of the power of Satan, or the reign of the power of God and His grace? How much more power is there in grace than there is in the power of sin? Where does grace come from? From God to be sure. For it is written:

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Eph.1:2.

Where does sin come from? From Satan. Is Satan eternal? No, he was created by the power of God. Then how much more powerful is the grace of God than the power of sin? The answer is, there is just as much more power in the grace of God than there is in sin, as there is more power in God than there is in Satan. Why? Because the grace of God, to us who believe, is equal to the measure of Jesus who is the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And the measure of the Godhead is eternal, infinitely powerful, immeasurable. see R&H Sept.1, 1896.

The reign of grace is the reign of God which is infinitely more powerful than the reign of Satan. Then it should be plain to understand that if we sincerely receive the grace of God, allowing His reign of grace and power to work in us, it is just as easy to serve God and do His will as it is easy to serve Satan under his reign. see R&H Sept.1, 1896.

But grace is not simply more powerful than is sin. There is much more power in grace than there is in sin. Why is there more power in grace than there is in sin? Because God’s very life, Spirit and power is in His grace that He gives to us. By the grace He gives to us He is sharing with us His life, His Spirit, and His power. For it is written, "where sin abounded grace [God’s life, Spirit, and power] did much more abound." Then, "do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts." For, "sin will not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." Romans 5:20; 6:12, 14. Providing we accept this grace of God and abide in Jesus through the surrender of our will to His will, maintaining a relationship of communication with Him, allowing Him to work His works in us. see R&H Sept.1, 1896.

When temptation and the power of temptation is ‘abounding’ towards us, coming right at us, coming to tempt us to follow our sinful selfish self-willed passion or desire, coming to distract us from the grace of God, coming to destroy us from the eternal blessings of God, at that moment, at that very moment, the grace of God, His life, Spirit, and power is there, right there, abounding towards us, for us, to give us the fullness of His grace, the fullness of His life, the fullness of His victory over Satan. Not only is His grace abounding towards us, but it is abounding in us, to work in us the victory, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the very presence of Jesus to work in us, to bring to us the same life experience of victory He experienced by the power of God working in Him. Praise God! Let God work and see His results. Results of victory. Cooperate with the positive efforts God puts towards us, by faith, knowing that God is not only beside us to help us in the time of need, but in our mind if there is entire surrender.

And just as there is much more power in God's grace to us than there is in sin, so there is much more hope and joy and peace for every sinner in the world who accepts the grace of God allowing His grace and power to work in the life bringing salvation from the power of sin to have peace with God. see R&H Sept. 1, 1896.

“Can every believer have grace enough to keep him from sinning? - Yes. Indeed, everybody in the world can have enough to keep him from sinning. Enough is given; and it is given for this purpose. If anyone does not have it, it is not because enough has not been given; but because he does not take that which has been given. For, "unto every one of us is grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Eph.4:7. --- And remember as Jesus has been given to us in an infinite, eternal, immeasurable gift, so also has been the power of God´s grace been given to us as an infinite, eternal and immeasurable gift. --- The measure of the gift of Christ is Himself wholly, and that is the measure of, "all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." see R&H Sept. 22, 1896.

To the fullness of the Godhead there is no measure, it is boundless. It is simply the infinity of God. Yet that is the only measure of the grace that is given to every one of us. The boundless measure of the fullness of the Godhead is the only thing that can express the proportion of grace that is given to everyone who is in this world. For, "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." This grace is given in order that, "as sin reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord, "and in order that sin shall not have dominion over you, because you are under grace." --- This grace of God is His good favor to us through Jesus Christ, that His power of grace may work in us to save us from present temptation to sin ---. see R&H Sept. 22, 1896. As it is written:

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying [surrendering] ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously [like the life of Jesus doing good works of obedience], and godly in the present age." Titus 2:11, 12.

Grace, it is also given "for the perfecting of the saints." The object of it is to bring each one to perfection in Christ Jesus; to the perfection too that is fully up to God´s standard, for it is given for the building up of the body of Christ, "till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." It is given to everyone. see R&H Sept.22, 1896.

Consider apostle Paul. "Paul attained to the full stature of a man in Christ Jesus." SDA BC vol.7A p.347.

Boundless grace is given to everyone bringing salvation to the extent of its own full measure, then if anyone does not have boundless salvation, why is it? Plainly it can be only because he will not take that which has been given. As boundless grace is given to everyone, in order that it shall reign in him against all the power of sin, as certainly as ever sin reigned, and in order that sin shall not have dominion over anyone --- see Romans 6:12,14 --- where lies the fault? Clearly it lies only in this, that he will not allow the grace to do for him and in him which it was given to do. By unbelief he frustrates the grace of God. see R&H Sept. 22, 1896.

But every believer, by his profession, says that he has received the grace of God. Then if in the believer grace does not reign instead of sin, if grace does not have dominion instead of sin, it is plain enough that he is receiving the grace of God in vain. The believer, in receiving the grace of God through accepting Jesus as his Savior and salvation, is not allowing that grace of God to work in him to the saving of his soul and to the saving of him from temptation to sin, therefore he is receiving the grace of God in vain. --- If grace is not bringing the believer onward toward a perfect man in the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, then he is receiving the grace of God in vain. see R&H Sept.22, 1896.

The grace of God is fully able to accomplish that for which it is given, if only allowed to work.

"In all our helpless unworthiness we must trust in the merits of the crucified and risen Savior. None will ever perish while they do this." PP p.203.

"Through the virtue of the merits of the blood of Christ we may stand unscathed amid the fire of temptation and trial." FW p.86, 87.

"Nothing is apparently more helpless and yet more invincible than the soul that feels its nothingness and relies wholly on the merits of the Savior. God would send every angel in heaven to the aid of such a one rather than allow him to be overcome." SDG p.35.

"Is Christ a stranger to trials? - No. How many trials did He meet? - All. How many trials that you will ever meet, did He meet? - Every one of them. To what extent did He bear the contest upon each one of the temptations? - To the fullest extent on each point. With whom was He contending with on these things? - Satan. Satan knows more tricks and trials and temptations than any man would be obliged to meet alone, doesn't he? And he tried every one of them on my 'Brother' Jesus, did he not? He tried every temptation on Jesus. To what extent of his efforts did he have to try each one of them on Jesus? - To the fullest extent. Did he not have to exert all the power he knows on each single point in the temptations and trials of Jesus? - He did. Did not Satan try everything that he knows in every way that he could possibly invent, on Him? And did not he try it to the fullest possible extent that he could try it? Yes. Well, then, has not all his reservoir of trickery, of temptation, and trial, all the power that he has to use been used in any of these trials and temptations? - Yes. Well, then, when I am in Jesus, and when He is in me, how much power has Satan left to affect me with? - None. How many tricks does he know to play on me? There are none. Do you not see, then, that when we are in Christ we have the victory; we have it now. Victory is not the only word; we have the triumph, and we have it now." see SDA General Conference Bulletin, 1893, No.10.

2. Speaking of Adam:

"Adam lived among them nearly one thousand years and by his teachings, example, and humble obedience to all God's requirements, exalted the law of God." R&H vol.1 p.163

Speaking of Enoch:

“Enoch kept the Lord ever before him, and the inspired Word says that he, “walked with God.” He made Christ his constant companion. He was in the world, and performed his duties to the world; but he was ever under the influence of Jesus. He reflected Christ’s character, exhibiting the same qualities in goodness, mercy, tender compassion, sympathy, forbearance, meekness, humiliation and love. [as did apostle Paul]. His association with Christ day by day transformed him with whom he was so intimately connected. Day by day he was growing away from his own way [the earthly; like a flower growing upwards away from the earthly to the Sun of righteousness] into Christ’s way, the heavenly, the divine, in his thoughts and feelings. He was constantly inquiring, “Is this the way of the Lord?” His was a constant growth, and he had fellowship with the Father and the Son. This is genuine sanctification.” ‘Changed into His image,’ E.G. White, R&H vol.6 p.296

"We can have what Enoch had. We can have Christ as our constant companion. Enoch walked with God, and when assailed by temptation, he could talk to God about it. Those who make manifest that their life is hid with Christ will ever be representing Him in all their life practices." SDA BC vol.1 p.1087

"Did Enoch see God by His side? Only by faith. He knew that the Lord was there, and he adhered steadfastly to the principles of truth. We, too, are to walk with God." SDA BC vol.1 p.1087

"And we read that Enoch walked with God. He studied the character of God to a purpose. He did not mark out his own course, or set up his own will, as if he thought himself fully qualified to manage matters. He strove to conform himself to the divine likeness. SDA BC vol.1 p.1087

"It was in looking in faith to Jesus, in asking of Him, in believing that every word spoken would be verified, that Enoch walked with God. He kept close by the side of God, obeying His every word. His was a wonderful life of oneness. Christ was his companion. He was in intimate fellowship with God." SDA BC vol.1 p.1087

"Enoch observed the law of God and served Him with singleness of heart. He became so pure in character that the Lord communicated His will to him. Enoch was a faithful preacher of righteousness, and sought to turn men from the transgression of the law to faithful obedience. He walked with God three hundred years, giving to the world a faithful example in a pure and spotless life. R&H vol.1 p.163

"Enoch's piety, his purity, his unswerving integrity were the result of his walk with God." SDA BC vol.1 p.1088

"Enoch's life was a specimen of Christian consistency." SDA BC vol.1 p.1088

"Of Enoch it is written that he lived sixty-five years and begat a son. After that he walked with God three-hundred years. During these earlier years Enoch had loved and feared God and had kept His commandments. ... Enoch's walk with God was not in a trance or a vision, but in all the duties of his daily life. In the family and in the intercourse with men, and as a husband and a father, a friend, a citizen he was the steadfast unwavering servant of the Lord. ... His heart was in harmony with God's will; And this holy walk continued for three-hundred years."PP.p.84,85

Speaking of Daniel,

Of Daniel, and his three close friends, it is stated that, “they walked with God as did Enoch.” PP p.486

Speaking of Joseph,

"Joseph's integrity and virtue were fiercely assailed, and she who would lead him astray could not prevail." SDA BC vol.1 p.1096

“Joseph was one of a few who could withstand temptation. He showed that he had an eye single to the glory of God. He evidenced a lofty regard for God’s will, alike when occupying the prison cell, and when standing next the throne. He carried his religion with him wherever he went and in whatever situation he was placed.” 5T p.124

"Joseph carried his religion everywhere, and this was the secret of his unwavering fidelity." SDA BC vol.1 p.1097

Speaking of Simeon,

"The purity of Simeon's life corresponded to the light he had received." SDA BC vol.5 p.1116

Speaking of John the Baptist,

"Satan had access to John, even after he had closed every avenue in his power through which he would enter. But his habits of life were so pure and natural that he could discern the foe, and had strength of spirit and decision of character to resist him." SDA BC vol.5 p.1115

"Satan could not move John from his integrity." SDA BC vol.5 p.1115

Speaking of Apostle Paul,

"Paul attained to the full stature of a man in Christ Jesus." SDA BC vol.7A p.347.

* "Paul's sanctification was the result of a constant conflict with self. He said, "I die daily." His will and his desires every day conflicted with duty and the will of God." However, "instead of following inclination he did the will of God, however crucifying to his own nature." R&H vol.5, p.459. [compare Romans 7:15-19; 1Cor.11:1].

"There never lived a more self - denying, earnest, persevering worker. His life was Christ; He worked the works of Christ." SDA BC vol7A p.336; see SC, p.61-63; [compare Romans 7:1519; Gal.2:20].

Paul boldly testified, "Imitate me as I also imitate Christ." 1Cor.11:1

Speaking of Apostle Peter,

"Peter's faith in God's power to save had strengthened with the years, until he had proved beyond question that there is no possibility of failure before the one who, advancing by faith, ascends round by round, ever upward and onward, to the topmost round of the ladder that reaches even to the portals of heaven." AA p.533

"None need fail of attaining, in his sphere, to perfection of Christian character." AA p.531

Speaking of Apostle John,

"In the life of the disciple John true sanctification is exemplified.

"The Apostle John's life was in harmony with Christ's teachings." AA p.546

"John, daily dying to self, overcoming sin, was sanctified through the truth." AA p.558

"True sanctification is nothing more or less than to love God with all the heart [mind], to walk in His commandments." FW p.87.

"The sanctified heart is in harmony with the precepts of God's law." AA p.563

"Sanctification is not the work of a moment, but of a life time, the result of constantly dying to sin and constantly living for Christ." AA p.560

"Sanctification is the result of lifelong obedience." AA p.561

"We may pray for sanctification, but whether or not we get it depends on whether or not we walk in the light." R&H 82-28. [we may pray for the latter rain power, but receiving it depends on whether or not we walk in the ‘light’ of God’s truth].

"Genuine faith will be manifested in obedience." PP p.154

"There is no saving faith in Christ, only as it is revealed by obedience." R&H vol.4 p.383

"We can overcome. Yes! - fully, entirely. Jesus died to make a way of escape for us that we might overcome every trial, every evil temper, every sin, every temptation, and sit down at last with Him." 1T p.144

"Blessed are those who do His commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city of God." Rev. 22:14.

"The power which God implants [His very life and power, by His Spirit], into the heart, [our mind] will enable the man to stand under temptation, and in the midst of his weakness. It [God's life, and creative power] will give him that which he does not possess, and it [God's life and creative power] will make him what he is not by nature." SDA General Conference Bulletin, Feb.10, 1897, No.2.

"Has the mind, has the heart been yielded to God? Are - all - the affections fixed upon Him? Is the surrender of all to Him? No. Then it is still self in all. ...Who then is it to do the work in order that it may be good works always? If Christ is dwelling in our hearts - mind - He will work in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure. We shall work as He works; we shall manifest the same spirit. And thus, loving Him and abiding in Him, we shall, "grow up into Him in all things which is the head even Christ." Now then, that is what the Lord wants. That is what the mind of Christ is. ... I cannot have the mind of Christ separate from Him. I cannot have the mind of Christ without having Him personally. But the personal presence of Jesus Christ is just what He wants to give by the Holy Spirit in the out pouring of the latter rain just now. The personal presence of Christ is what He wants to give." SDA General Conference Bulletin, 1893, p.298, No.13.

"For with God nothing will be impossible." Luke 1:37

"God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape that you may be able to bear it." 1Cor.10:13

"But the word, [Jesus, His very life and power, by His indwelling Spirit], is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it." Deut.30:14

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." Phil.2:5

“He who is born of God does not sin for His seed remains in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God. “1John 3:9.

Again, “He who is born of God does not sin for His [Word] remains in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God.”

Again, “He who is born of God [true sincere conversion, spiritual and physical baptism] does not sin for His [life, Spirit, and power] remains in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God.” see Romans 6:1-14; Eph.1:1-14

And again, “He who is born of God [of Jesus the incorruptible seed] does not sin for His [Christ's life, Spirit, and power] abides in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God.”

"He who is born of God, [born again each day, voluntary death to self, entire surrender to the will of God, even each moment of necessity], does not sin for [Jesus, the Word continues to exist] in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God." see Deut 30:14; Romans 6:1-14; 1Cor.10:13; DA p.324, 675,676, R&H, vol.5 p.33.

"Whoever abides in Jesus sinneth not." 1John 3:6

Again,

"Whoever [remains permanent, constantly fixed, continually immovable, and continues to exist] in Jesus sinneth not."

ABIDE: to stay, to remain, to be permanent, fixed, constant, continual, immovable, 'to continue to exist in'

"But no man can empty himself of self. We an only consent for Christ to accomplish this work." COL p.159

"The third angel's message is soon to lighten the earth with its glory; But only those who have overcome temptation in the strength of the Mighty One will be permitted to proclaim it when it shall have swelled into the loud cry." R&H vol.5 p.468