"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10@
One person told me that if only one person sinned, then Jesus would have died to save that one individual. This is the depth of Godfs love for us!
"In the parable of the Lost Sheep the shepherd goes out to search for one sheep,--the very least that can be numbered. So if there had been but one lost soul, Christ would have died for that one." The Signs of the Times 12-16-03
This idea reveals to us two things. One, if there had been but one lost person, Jesus would have come to save that one lost individual. Two, if there is one willful sin, unrepented of in our life; we could not enter the kingdom of heaven. We want to look at this idea today. Can one sin really keep us from finally being saved and entering into the glory of the Lord? "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10 "Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy that it cannot hear: "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you that he will not hear. "For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness." Isaiah 59:1-3"Your iniquities have turned away these [things], and your sins have withholden good [things] from you." Jeremiah 5:25 "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]:" Psalms 66:18 "Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities." Isaiah 43:24
"Humble your own heart before God. You are not to sit in judgment upon the case of others until you show greater wisdom in making straight paths for your own feet. You may say, eDoes Sister White think me all bad?f No, I do not; but one blot upon the character, one sin unconfessed and unrepented of, will close for you the gates of the city of God. You had light; you had knowledge, but did not choose to appropriate it." Manuscript Release Vol. 12, pg. 40
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." Hosea 4:6
"The strongest bulwark of vice in our world is not the iniquitous life of the abandoned sinner or the degraded outcast; it is that life which otherwise appears virtuous, honorable, and noble, but in which one sin is fostered, one vice indulged. To the soul that is struggling in secret against some giant temptation, trembling upon the very verge of the precipice, such an example is one of the most powerful enticements to sin. He who, endowed with high conceptions of life and truth and honor, does yet willfully transgress one precept of God's holy law, has perverted his noble gifts into a lure to sin. Genius, talent, sympathy, even generous and kindly deeds, may become decoys of Satan to entice other souls over the precipice of ruin for this life and the life to come."-- Mount of Blessing, p. 135.
"For one sin, Aaron was denied the privilege of officiating as God's high priest in Canaan in offering the first sacrifice in the goodly land, and thus consecrating the inheritance of Israel. Moses was to continue to bear his burden in leading the people to the very borders of Canaan. He was to come within sight of the promised land, but was not permitted to enter it. Here the children of Israel saw that God was no respecter of persons; that the sins of men in exalted stations will no more be permitted to pass unpunished, than if committed by men in lowly positions." Signs of the Times 10-14-80
"If we would indeed become children of God, we must renounce at once and forever, every sinful indulgence. We must close every avenue through which Satan may gain control of our thoughts or our affections. Many persons manifest determined hatred of some sins denounced in the word of God, while they at the same time indulge their favorite sin. Not so did the Ephesian converts. Their particular sin was magic. By this means Satan held them in his power. They might have been earnest and vigilant to correct other evils, but had they spared this one sin, they would erelong have yielded their faith. But they laid the axe to the root of the tree; they renounced the hidden things of darkness and destroyed that which had led them into sin." Signs of the Times 05-18-82
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1
"Not one sin has yet been blotted out from the book of God only through the faith of the believer who holds the beginning of his confidence firm unto the end. We may have hope in anticipation of the full and entire atonement made; for this is efficacious if sin is put away. John declared: eWhoever abideth in him sinneth not. Whoso sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you. He that doeth righteousness is righteous." Manuscript Releases Vol. 4, pg. 154
"Who of us are copying the pattern? Through the grace of Christ are we mastering pride of heart? have we uprooted selfishness? have we opened wide the door of the heart to let in the precious love of Jesus? Or are we cherishing sins that will ruin us at last? We cannot meet Christ in peace with one sin unrepented of, unconfessed, and unforsaken. But John writes, eIf we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.f eBut if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 03-17-91
"We may flatter ourselves that we are free from many things of which others are guilty; but if we have some strong points of character, and but one weak point, there is yet a communion between sin and the soul. The heart is divided in its service, and says, eSome of self and some of thee.f The child of God must search out the sin which he has petted and indulged himself in, and permit God to cut it out of his heart. He must overcome that one sin; for it is not a trifling matter in the sight of God." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 08-01-93
"Cast away from you all your transgression, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" Ezekiel 18:31
"Say unto them, as I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" Ezekiel 33:11
"Satan will come in many ways to tempt the soul away from Christ. He will first tell you that you are good enough of yourself; that you do not need a work of reformation wrought for you. He will suggest to you that you have made but few mistakes in your life, and that these will be overbalanced by the good you have done. If you have lived such a life as he would make you believe you have, it would be like a chain with unsound links in it, wholly worthless. One sin unrepented of is enough to close the gates of heaven against you. It was because man could not be saved with one stain of sin upon him, that Jesus came to die on Calvary's cross. Your only hope is to look to Christ and live. He came to save to the uttermost all who come unto him; and he is fully able to do all that he has undertaken to do for you. He will lift us up from the degradation into which we have fallen because of sin." Signs of the Times 03-17-90
"It is transgression in the little things that first leads the soul away from God. By their one sin in partaking of the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve opened the floodgates of woe upon the world. Some may regard that transgression as a very little thing, but we see that its consequences were anything but small. The angels in heaven have a wider and more elevated sphere of action than we, but right with them and right with us are one and the same thing." Testimonies for the Church Vol. 4, pg. 573
"It is the inclination to excuse our moral defects that leads to the cultivation of sin. We must never forget that God ascribes sin to the one who transgresses; it is not registered against Satan, but against the sinner. God never accepts the agency of Satan as an excuse for the committal of one sin. When there is any excuse for a seemingly wrong act, it is not sin. Satan triumphs when he hears the professed follower of Christ offering excuses for his defects of character. Sin unrepented of, unconfessed, can never be blotted from the books of God's record. Through faithful, thorough confession of sin, the heart is cleansed from its moral impurity. There must be a forsaking of the sins the Lord has reproved, before the soul can stand acquitted before God, humbled and repentant, realizing that he has served Satan, pleased him, glorified him, and dishonored his Lord." Signs of the Times 12-13-99
"Any habit or practice that would lead into sin and bring dishonor upon Christ, would better be put away, whatever the sacrifice. That which dishonors God can not benefit the soul. The blessing of heaven can not attend any man in violating the eternal principles of right. And one sin cherished is sufficient to work the degradation of character and to mislead others. If the foot or the hand would be cut off, or even the eye would be plucked out, to save the body from death, how much more earnest should we be to put away sin, that brings death to the soul." Signs of the Times 03-19-02
"In the epistle to the Hebrews is pointed out the single-hearted purpose that should characterize the Christian's race for eternal life: eLet us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.f Hebrews 12:1, 2. Envy, malice, evil thinking, evilspeaking, covetousness--these are weights that the Christian must lay aside if he would run successfully the race for immortality. Every habit or practice that leads into sin and brings dishonor upon Christ must be put away, whatever the sacrifice. The blessing of heaven cannot attend any man in violating the eternal principles of right. One sin cherished is sufficient to work degradation of character and to mislead others." The Acts of the Apostles pg. 312
"Worldly policy and the undeviating principles of righteousness do not blend into each other imperceptibly, like the colors of the rainbow. Between the two a broad, clear line is drawn by the eternal God. The likeness of Christ stands out as distinct from that of Satan as midday in contrast with midnight. And only those who live the life of Christ are His co-workers. If one sin is cherished in the soul, or one wrong practice retained in the life, the whole being is contaminated. The man becomes an instrument of unrighteousness." The Desire of Ages pg. 313
Jesus came into the world to cleanse us from sin (Matthew 1:21). When Jesus cleanses us through His blood He does the work thoroughly (John 8:34-36). One sin got us into this mess we are in, and one sin will close the door for us to enter into glory. There is nothing good about sin, so we should make haste to get rid of every sin that plagues us from day to day. Rather than altering the gospel by believing that God will accept us with just one sin unforsaken, let us tap into the power that God has provided so that we can truly be overcomers. Then when Jesus comes we will meet Him with open arms as our Lord and Savior from sin.
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21@
What happened to man that a Savior was needed to save him? In Isaiah chapter 59, verse 2, we are told that "sins have hid his face from you that he will not hear". Romans chapter 6, verse 23, says, "The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord". What is this sin that causes us to need a Savior to free us from death? In short, what is sin?
In the next few pages I will seek to answer the question of what sin is so that you might be clear on what it is that Jesus wants to save you from. This is the foundation of the gospel message. If we are confused on this question, we will not know how to teach people the plan of salvation. Could we teach someone how to be saved if we donft know what it is that Jesus wants to save us from? Again, if we donft know what sin is, how could we know if Jesus is our Savior from sin? Using the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy I hope to make it very clear what sin is so that you in turn may seek the salvation that Jesus so lovingly offers to each of us.
"What is to bring the sinner to the knowledge of his sins unless he knows what sin is?" 1888 Materials pg. 780"Ministers who exhort sinners to be converted should distinctly define what sin is and what conversion from sin is." Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 03-04-75
"If we are to have pardon for our sins, we must first have a realization of what sin is, that we may repent, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance." The Signs of the Times 06-16-90
"How much I have thought upon the popular revivals. There are a great many modern inventions to remedy the evils existing in society, but we have seen very little enduring good result from them. Advantage is taken of the impulses of the moment, to induce men to profess to leave a sinful life. Reformation in life is needed, but the reformation made under excitement will seldom outlast the excitement in which it originated. Conversions made by moving the feelings by the relation of anecdotes and sensational stories, do not bear the impress of Heaven. Heart work is needed. The sinner needs to have a clearly defined understanding of what sin is, and that he must repent of sin, which is the transgression of the law of God. When this is understood the seed is sown for a true and thorough conversion." The Signs of the Times 08-12-75
Sin Defined
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin." Romans 3:20
"Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, [there is] no transgression." Romans 4:15
"The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law." 1 Corinthians 15:56
"What shall we say then? [is] the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet." Romans 7:7
"It is impossible to explain the origin of sin so as to give a reason for its existence. Yet enough may be understood concerning both the origin and the final disposition of sin to make fully manifest the justice and benevolence of God in all His dealings with evil. Nothing is more plainly taught in Scripture than that God was in no wise responsible for the entrance of sin; that there was no arbitrary withdrawal of divine grace, no deficiency in the divine government, that gave occasion for the uprising of rebellion. Sin is an intruder, for whose presence no reason can be given. It is mysterious, unaccountable; to excuse it is to defend it. Could excuse for it be found, or cause be shown for its existence, it would cease to be sin. Our only definition of sin is that given in the word of God; it is ethe transgression of the law;f it is the outworking of a principle at war with the great law of love which is the foundation of the divine overnment." The Great Controversy pg. 492
"As intelligent creatures we may know and do the will of God, or we may stubbornly refuse to submit our finite will to the will of the Infinite. This responsibility that is placed upon us should fill us with a sense of awe. The requirement of God to us is, eThou 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.f On these two principles hang all the law and the prophets; and it is for our present and eternal interest to have a proper understanding of the far reaching principles of the law of God. eBy the law is the knowledge of sin,f and esin is the transgression of the law.f Sinners must know what is sin before they can have a desire to be rid of sin. It is a matter of eternal interest that we do not misconceive this vital question. When appeals are made in the pulpits of our land, and sinners are invited to repent and to be converted, it is the privilege of the sinner to inquire, What is sin? This we must know, for it is at the peril of our souls that we continue in sin. The apostle gives us light on this subject, and says, eWhosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law." The Signs of the Times 10-01-94
"The Lord has taken infinite pains to teach men His will. He has given them His law, which is to govern the world. It demands perfect obedience from rich and poor, high and low. Its divine requirements are that we love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves. Its principles are binding upon the angels and upon all human intelligences. Without the law there could be no transgression; for esin is the transgression of the law.f eBy the law is the knowledge of sin.f The standard of righteousness, it is exceeding broad, prohibiting every evil thing." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 04-23-01
"Now, we want to understand what sin is; that it is the transgression of God's law. This is the only definition given in the Scriptures." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 04-03-88
Bible Texts of Interest
There are Bible texts of interest to people when they talk about what sin is. Unfortunately, these texts have led to some confusion within many Christian churches, including the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
In light of our last quote above where we are told that the transgression of Godfs law is the "only definition given in the scriptures" for sin, it is necessary that we investigate the following texts. Is the quote true, that there is only one definition of sin in the Bible? As I mentioned before there has been some confusion about what sin is when people read these texts. For some reason people donft see harmony between these texts and 1 John 3:4, where it says that "sin is the transgression of the law". Therefore, we will look at these texts to see if there is harmony, or if there is more than one definition of sin in these verses.
Romans 14:23
This verse is probably the most trouble for people as they try to define sin. From this verse do we see that the only definition of sin is the transgression of the law? As you read through Romans 14 you quickly realize that the issue is one brother judging another based upon his choice of what to eat (verses 1-4, 6). Also, to eat what you think is clean, when your weaker brother thinks it is not clean, is to place a stumbling block before your weaker brotherfs feet. This could cause division and strife which would result in your weaker brother being lost (verses 10-21). Let me say here, that the issue is not over clean and unclean meat as defined in Leviticus 11 or Deuteronomy 14. The issue is over that which otherwise would be clean, but has been sacrificed unto idols (read 1 Corinthians 8). So, how does this fit with transgression of Godfs law as sin has been defined thus far? Verse 23 says, "He that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; for whatsoever is not of faith is sin". You see, there is some doubt in the conscience of the person. He is not sure in the full faith of God that he should be eating. He is not sure that what he is doing is right. There is conviction there that is making him doubt that his thoughts and actions are right in the service of the Lord. In Romans 2:12-16 we see that the conscience speaks to us either "accusing" us or "excusing" us. More importantly, if we do not do things through faith in our Lord, in honor serving Him, then it is sin. Why? The first commandment says to have no other gods before me, and you would be setting yourself up as the ruler of your life if you were to go forward irrespective of conviction by an enlightened conscience. Notice Hebrews 11:6 where it says, "Without faith it is impossible to please him". Why is this so? In Ephesians 2:8 we read, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" You see, unless we have Christ abiding within by faith, we are governing ourselves, which is to break the first commandment. "The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?" Proverbs 21:27 "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled." Titus 1:15 Peter was walking on water; when he began to doubt he started to sink (Matthew 14:31; James 1:5-8). If Christ is not in our hearts and minds guiding our path by the conviction of His Holy Spirit, then we become the kings and queens of our own hearts and move according to the dictates of our own fallen mind. Clearly this is the violation of the first commandment.
James 4:17
When you look at it, this verse is really self explanatory. How do we know what is right? By what measure do we measure? The law is how we know what is right and the law is our measuring tool to see whether what we are doing is acceptable in the sight of God and heaven. (Galatians 3:24; James 1:22-25; Romans 3:20) What we really need to understand is the spirituality of the law, for it covers more than we realize at first glance. This is what Paul realized in Romans 7 having been raised as a Pharisee. All right doing is covered under the great moral law of God as written in the Ten Commandments, for this is the law of love. If we love God with all of our heart, mind, and soul we will keep the first four commandments. If we love our neighbor as ourselves, we will keep the last six commandments. (Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 13:8-10; 1 John 5:1-3; Hebrews 10:26; Hosea 4:6)
1 John 5:17
Unrighteousness is defined as injustice, moral wrongfulness, iniquity, or wrong. In the simplest form we could define unrighteousness as wrong doing. Righteousness is right doing. Again, how do we know what is right or wrong? Only by the law! (Romans 1:18; Romans 3:20; Romans 7:7) Some of these unrighteous things are given to us in the scriptures so we have a great idea of what they are. (Romans 1:28-32; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; 2 Peter 2:10-16; 2 Timothy 3:1-5) All of this is condemned in the great law of liberty known as the Ten Commandments. This is the supreme law that governs all of society; this is why it was placed on tables of stone in the ark in the most holy place of the sanctuary. (1 Timothy 1:9; Psalm 19:7; Psalm 119:1)
So, we have seen that each of these verses is in complete harmony with 1 John 3:4 which says that sin is the transgression of the law. The Bible is in complete harmony as to the definition of sin so that we can know what it is. Knowing what it is will lead us to flee to Christ who is our only remedy.
Sin As Choice
As we discussed in James 4:17 above, this verse clearly helps us in understanding sin as the transgression of the law. It makes very clear that sin is a choice we make based upon an understanding mind in regard to what is right and wrong. The law clearly defines that for us what is right, and we see something to be right "good" (Romans 7:12), but we donft put it into practice. This is clearly sin. We made a choice. This is an important concept to know, because there is a teaching from the devil that sin is what you are. In other words, you are sin because of your birth, and choice has nothing to do with it. There are books out there that teach that you are a sinner guilty of death because of the circumstance of your birth. Herein lies the reason some churches want to baptize your infant baby shortly after it is born. They further claim that you sin over and over again without even knowing it, just as your heart beats, or your eyes blink without your even knowing it. So, I am going to spend some time here to show you that sin is a result of an enlightened mind based upon the choice one makes. *(Please note that these are not all of the verses on the topic; there are many more, but for the sake of time and space I only chose some very select verses. You are encouraged to take these verses and add to them for your own study.)
Please read the following verses in regard to sin as choice:
*(Genesis 3:1-6; Genesis 4:1-8; Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15; Proverbs 1:29; Isaiah 56:4,5; Isaiah 65:12; 66:4; Ezekiel Chapter 18; John 9:41; 15:22-24; Acts 17:30)
"Every man is free to choose what power he will have to rule over him. None have fallen so low, none are so vile, but that they can find deliverance in Christ. The demoniac, in place of prayer, could utter only the words of Satan; yet the heart's unspoken appeal was heard. No cry from a soul in need, though it fail of utterance in words, will be unheeded. Those who will consent to enter into covenant relation with the God of heaven are not left to the power of Satan or to the infirmity of their own nature. They are invited by the Saviour, eLet him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me.f Isa. 27:5. The spirits of darkness will battle for the soul once under their dominion, but angels of God will contend for that soul with prevailing power. The Lord says, eShall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? . . . Thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.f Isa. 49:24, 25." The Desire of Ages pg. 258
"Every soul that refuses to give himself to God is under the control of another power. He is not his own. He may talk of freedom, but he is in the most abject slavery. He is not allowed to see the beauty of truth, for his mind is under the control of Satan. While he flatters himself that he is following the dictates of his own judgment, he obeys the will of the prince of darkness. Christ came to break the shackles of sin-slavery from the soul. eIf the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.f eThe law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesusf sets us efree from the law of sin and death.f Rom. 8:2." The Desire of Ages pg. 466
"Many are inquiring, eHow am I to make the surrender of myself to God?f You desire to give yourself to Him, but you are weak in moral power, in slavery to doubt, and controlled by the habits of your life of sin. Your promises and resolutions are like ropes of sand. You cannot control your thoughts, your impulses, your affections. The knowledge of your broken promises and forfeited pledges weakens your confidence in your own sincerity, and causes you to feel that God cannot accept you; but you need not despair. What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will. The power of choice God has given to men; it is theirs to exercise. You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself give to God its affections; but you can choose to serve Him. You can give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus your whole nature will be brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ; your affections will be centered upon Him, your thoughts will be in harmony with Him." Steps to Christ pg. 47
"Every child should understand the true force of the will. He should be led to see how great is the responsibility involved in this gift. The will is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or choice. Every human being possessed of reason has power to choose the right. In every experience of life, God's word to us is, eChoose you this day whom ye will serve.f Joshua 24:15. Everyone may place his will on the side of the will of God, may choose to obey Him, and by thus linking himself with divine agencies, he may stand where nothing can force him to do evil. In every youth, every child, lies the power, by the help of God, to form a character of integrity and to live a life of usefulness." Education pg. 289
"I saw that God could carry on His work without any of man's help; but this is not His plan. The present world is designed as a scene of probation for man. He is here to form a character which will pass with him into the eternal world. Good and evil are placed before him, and his future state depends upon the choice he makes. Christ came to change the current of his thoughts and affections. His heart must be removed from his earthly treasure, and placed upon the heavenly. By his self-denial, God can be glorified. The great sacrifice has been made for man, and now he will be tested and proved to see if he will follow the example of Jesus, and make a sacrifice for his fellow man. Satan and his angels are combined against the people of God; but Jesus is seeking to purify them unto Himself." Testimonies for the Church Vol. 1, pg. 196
"The history of nations that one after another have occupied their allotted time and place, unconsciously witnessing to the truth of which they themselves knew not the meaning, speaks to us. To every nation and to every individual of today God has assigned a place in His great plan. Today men and nations are being measured by the plummet in the hand of Him who makes no mistake. All are by their own choice deciding their destiny, and God is overruling all for the accomplishment of His purposes." Education pg. 178
"God placed man under law, as an indispensable condition of his very existence. He was a subject of the divine government, and there can be no government without law. God might have created man without the power to transgress His law; He might have withheld the hand of Adam from touching the forbidden fruit; but in that case man would have been, not a free moral agent, but a mere automaton. Without freedom of choice, his obedience would not have been voluntary, but forced. There could have been no development of character. Such a course would have been contrary to God's plan in dealing with the inhabitants of other worlds. It would have been unworthy of man as an intelligent being, and would have sustained Satan's charge of God's arbitrary rule." Patriarchs and Prophets pg. 49
"The destiny of the wicked is fixed by their own choice. Their exclusion from heaven is voluntary with themselves, and just and merciful on the part of God." The Great Controversy pg. 542
"Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me.f It is inevitable that children should suffer from the consequences of parental wrongdoing, but they are not punished for the parents' guilt, except as they participate in their sins. It is usually the case, however, that children walk in the steps of their parents. By inheritance and example the sons become partakers of the father's sin. Wrong tendencies, perverted appetites, and debased morals, as well as physical disease and degeneracy, are transmitted as a legacy from father to son, to the third and fourth generation. This fearful truth should have a solemn power to restrain men from following a course of sin." Patriarchs and Prophets pg. 306
"The warfare against God's law, which was begun in heaven, will be continued until the end of time. Every man will be tested. Obedience or disobedience is the question to be decided by the whole world. All will be called to choose between the law of God and the laws of men. Here the dividing line will be drawn. There will be but two classes. Every character will be fully developed; and all will show whether they have chosen the side of loyalty or that of rebellion.
"Then the end will come. God will vindicate His law and deliver His people. Satan and all who have joined him in rebellion will be cut off. Sin and sinners will perish, root and branch, (Mal. 4:1),--Satan the root, and his followers the branches. The word will be fulfilled to the prince of evil, eBecause thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God; . . . I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. . . . Thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.f Then ethe wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be;f ethey shall be as though they had not been.f Ezek. 28:6-19; Ps. 37:10; Obadiah 16. "This is not an act of arbitrary power on the part of God. The rejecters of His mercy reap that which they have sown. God is the fountain of life; and when one chooses the service of sin, he separates from God, and thus cuts himself off from life. He is ealienated from the life of God.f Christ says, eAll they that hate Me love death.f Eph. 4:18; Prov. 8:36. God gives them existence for a time that they may develop their character and reveal their principles. This accomplished, they receive the results of their own choice. By a life of rebellion, Satan and all who unite with him place themselves so out of harmony with God that His very presence is to them a consuming fire. The glory of Him who is love will destroy them." The Desire of Ages pgs. 763-764
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"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;" Acts 3:19 @
At the heart of the gospel is repentance. We must understand and experience what genuine repentance is. Repent was the message of the disciples as they went out as lights to shine in the world ("Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;" Acts 3:19). If we donft experience repentance we canft be saved and live with Jesus in eternal life ("I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:3). For this reason I am going to lay out for you what real repentance is so that you might have a genuine experience with the Lord.
"For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though [it were] but for a season. "Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. "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 7:8-11 "And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did [it] not." Jonah 3:10"Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." Revelation 2:5 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38"Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:31
"Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee." Acts 8:22"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: "Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he hath ordained; [whereof] he hath given assurance unto all [men], in that he hath raised him from the dead." Acts 17:30-31"But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and [then] to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance." Acts 26:20"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, "Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." Hebrews 6:1,2 (read verses 4-6)"Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn [yourselves] from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations." Ezekiel 14:6"Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn [yourselves] from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin." Ezekiel 18:30"And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite." 1 Chronicles 21:15"These things are too great for me to handle, but I must mention some things to ease my mind of its burden. Many who claim to be Christians are in danger of rending their garments, making an outward show of remorse and repentance, when their hearts are not softened or contrite. This is the reason why so many continue to make failures in the Christian life. An outward appearance of sorrow is manifested for wrong, but their repentance is not that repentance that needeth not to be repented of (2 Cor. 7:10). May God grant to His church true contrition for sin. Oh, that we may feel the necessity of revealing true sorrow for wrongdoing." Manuscript Releases Vol. 12, pg. 404
"Man can achieve no praiseworthy exploits that give him any glory. Men are in the habit of glorifying men and exalting men. It makes me shudder to see or hear of it, for there have been revealed to me not a few cases where the homelife and inner work of the hearts of those very men are full of selfishness. They are corrupt, polluted, vile; and nothing that comes from all their doings can elevate them with God for all that they do is an abomination in His sight. There can be no true conversion without the giving up of sin, and the aggravating character of sin is not discerned. With an acuteness of perception never reached by mortal sight, angels of God discern that beings hampered with corrupting influences, with unclean souls and hands, are deciding their destiny for eternity; and yet many have little sense of what constitutes sin and the remedy.
"We hear so many things preached in regard to the conversion of the soul that are not the truth. Men are educated to think that if a man repents he shall be pardoned, supposing that repentance is the way, the door, into heaven; that there is a certain assured value in repentance to buy for him forgiveness. Can man repent of himself? No more than he can pardon himself. Tears, sighs, resolutions--all these are but the proper exercise of the faculties God has given to man, and the turning from sin in the amendment of a life which is God's. Where is the merit in the man to earn his salvation, or to place before God something which is valuable and excellent? Can an offering of money, houses, lands, place yourself on the deserving list? Impossible!" 1888 Materials pg. 817"Thus educate the children and youth to pray, teach the children how to repent. The time taken up in so large a school in reading reports ought to be occupied every moment in the very best kind of solid instruction. Lead out the minds by making interesting remarks. Tell them to seek God, and make the service of Christ full of attraction, tell them it is in vain to think they can make themselves better and promise to amend, for this will not remove one spot or stain of sin but impress upon their minds that they must not only repent and forsake sin, but the way to obtain a sense of sin and true repentance is to cast themselves just as they are upon the declared mercy and revealed love of God. This would not be presumption, for every ray of light comes to them from the throne of God. It is the duty of teachers and ministers to guard against ideas that lead to presumption and confidence that cannot be sustained by the Word of God, to feel safe for eternity when they are not safe." Manuscript Releases Vol. 19, pg. 305"At times you may have a desire to repent. But unless you decidedly reform and put into practice the truths you have learned, unless you have an active, working faith, a faith that is constantly increasing in strength, your repentance is as the morning dew. It will give no permanent relief to the soul. A repentance caused by a spasmodic exercise of the feelings is a repentance that needs to be repented of; for it is delusive. A violent exercise of the feelings, which does not produce in you the peaceable fruits of righteousness, leaves you in a worse state than you were in before." Notebook Leaflets from the Elmshaven Library Vol.1, pg. 134
"Repentance is the first step which must be taken by all who would return to God. No one can do this work for us. We must individually humble our souls before God, and put away our idols. When we have done all that we can do, the Lord will manifest to us his salvation." Signs of the Times 01-26-82"The living oracles do not teach that the sinner must repent before he can heed the invitation of Christ: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Men must come to Christ because they see him as their Saviour, their only helper, that they may be enabled to repent; for if they could repent without coming to Christ, they could also be saved without Christ. It is the virtue that goes forth from Christ that leads to genuine repentance. Peter makes the matter clear in his statement to the Israelites, when he says, eHim hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." Repentance is as much the gift of Christ as is forgiveness, and it cannot be found in the heart where Jesus has not been at work. We can no more repent without the Spirit of Christ to awaken the conscience, than we can be pardoned without Christ. Christ draws the sinner by the exhibition of his love upon the cross, and this softens the heart, impresses the mind, and inspires contrition and repentance in the soul." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 04-01-90"Many think that repentance is a work which wholly devolves upon man as a preparation to come to Christ, his mediator; but this is an error and deception. Repentance must precede forgiveness, but the sinner does not repent until he has faith in Christ as his mediator.
The Bible does not teach that man must repent before he comes to Christ. Our Saviour has been lifted up upon the cross of Calvary, and the love of Christ shining from the cross speaks constantly to the sinner of the sufferings of Jesus for fallen man. His love for the fallen race constantly draws sinners to him. The transgressor may resist this love, may refuse to be drawn to Christ; but if he does not resist, he will be drawn to Jesus, and a knowledge of the plan of salvation will lead him to the foot of the cross in repentance for his sins, which have caused the sufferings of God's dear Son." The Signs of the Times 08-11-90"He who does not yield to the claims of the law of God, sets himself above God, breaks away from God's rule of right, and becomes disloyal, as did the great deceiver in the beginning. Would that some who claim to be commandment keepers could see how their cases stand in the register above. Oh, that all who are falling short of the principles of righteousness might realize that they do not meet the broad, far-reaching claims of the law of God upon them! Repentance for sin is the first step in conversion. Repentance is an intense hatred of sin in all its forms. Phariseeism permits of self-complacency, and those who are self-righteous, appear to have a form of piety, but at heart they are corrupt. They may talk of their hope of heaven, when, in fact, they have not taken the first step toward heaven." The Signs of the Times 08-13-94"He who is truly penitent does not forget his past sins, and grow careless about them as soon as he has obtained forgiveness. On the contrary, the clearer the evidence he has of divine favor, the more he sees to regret in his past life of sin. He loathes, abhors, and condemns himself, and is more and more astonished that he should have continued in rebellion so long. He renews his repentance toward God, while he grasps more decidedly the hand of Jesus Christ, and finds that repentance is a daily, continued exercise, lasting until mortality is swallowed up of life. He who thus repents, appreciates the righteousness of Christ as above silver and gold, above every earthly tie and affection." The Signs of the Times 11-26-94
"Without the cross, man could have no connection with the Father. On it hangs our every hope. In view of it the Christian may advance with the steps of a conqueror; for from it streams the light of the Saviour's love. When the sinner reaches the cross, and looks up to the One who died to save him, he may rejoice with fullness of joy; for his sins are pardoned. Kneeling at the cross, he has reached the highest place to which man can attain. The light of the knowledge of the glory of God is revealed in the face of Jesus Christ; and the words of pardon are spoken: Live, O ye guilty sinners live. Your repentance is accepted; for I have found a ransom." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 04-29-02
"Christ came to our world to teach men what is meant by genuine religion,--the religion that will make men and women lights in the world. To all he offers power to form a true, noble character. The converted man rejoices that he has a Saviour who is so mighty. He is a partaker of the divine nature. His repentance is not a farce, but a reality, and the fruits of it appear in Christlike words and deeds. Every day, every hour, he reveals faith in the Sin Bearer. Love, hope, longsuffering, patience, kindness, are revealed in his life. In self-denial he lifts the cross and follows Jesus. He is a representative of the Saviour." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 01-07-04
"Repentance is one of the first-fruits of saving grace. Repentance includes sorrow for sin, and a turning away from it. We shall not renounce sin until we see its sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change in the life. Repentance is the only process by which infinite purity reflects the image of Christ in His redeemed subjects." The Signs of the Times 06-28-05"Constantly God is laboring to make up man's deficiencies. Even repentance is brought about through the application of grace. The natural heart feels no need of repentance. The tears that fall from the eyes of man because of sorrow for his sinfulness and because of sympathy for other sinners, start unbidden. They are as dew from eyes that belong to God. Man's sighs are but indications of the deep feeling in a heart that is God's. The good resolutions we make are but the expression of desires that are his. The reformed life is but the better employment of a life that has been ransomed by the sacrifice of his Son Jesus. No credit should we take to ourselves for anything that we may do. eAll things come of thee,f we shall eventually be led to acknowledge to our Creator, eand of thine own have we given thee." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 12-01-04
"No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation. The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed and unforsaken sin; it is a principle of life that transforms the character and controls the conduct. Holiness is wholeness for God; it is the entire surrender of heart and life to the indwelling of the principles of heaven." The Desire of Ages pg. 555
"Again the people sought help from Him whom they had so forsaken and insulted. "The children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, We have sinned against Thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim." But sorrow had not worked true repentance. The people mourned because their sins had brought suffering upon themselves, but not because they had dishonored God by transgression of His holy law. True repentance is more than sorrow for sin. It is a resolute turning away from evil." Patriarchs and Prophets pg. 557
"The people of God must move understandingly. They should not be satisfied until every known sin is confessed; then it is their privilege and duty to believe that Jesus accepts them. They must not wait for others to press through the darkness and obtain the victory for them to enjoy. Such enjoyment will last only till the meeting closes. But God must be served from principle instead of from feeling. Morning and night obtain the victory for yourselves in your own family. Let not your daily labor keep you from this. Take time to pray, and as you pray, believe that God hears you. Have faith mixed with your prayers. You may not at all times feel the immediate answer; but then it is that faith is tried. You are proved to see whether you will trust
in God, whether you have living, abiding faith." Testimonies for the Church Vol. 1, pg. 167He clothed his divinity with humanity, and thus became the Son of man, a Saviour and Redeemer. The very fact of the death of God's dear Son to redeem man, shows the immutability of the divine law. How easily, from the transgressor's standpoint, could God have abolished his law, thus providing a way whereby men could be saved, and Christ remain in Heaven! The doctrine which teaches freedom, through grace, to break the law, is a fatal delusion. Every transgressor of God's law is a sinner, and none can be sanctified while living in known sin." Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 03-08-81
"Sanctification is a daily work. Let none deceive themselves with the belief that God will pardon and bless them while they are trampling upon one of his requirements. The willful commission of one known sin silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit, and separates the soul from God. Whatever may be the ecstacies of religious feeling, Jesus cannot abide in the heart that disregards the divine law. God will honor those only who honor him." Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 05-03-81"If you are indulging in any known sin, you cannot utter words to the glory of God, because there is something in your heart that condemns you. The Spirit of God is not in your soul. But let the heart, with all its affections, be surrendered to God, and you will have joy and peace in the Holy Ghost." The Signs of the Times 02-15-92"Let none deceive themselves with the belief that they can become holy while willfully violating one of God's requirements. The commission of a known sin silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit and separates the soul from God. eSin is the transgression of the law.f And ewhosoever sinneth [transgresseth the law] hath not seen Him, neither known Him.f 1 John 3:6." The Great Controversy pg. 472"All who indulge sinful traits of character, or willfully cherish a known sin, are inviting the temptations of Satan. They separate themselves from God and from the watchcare of His angels; as the evil one presents his deceptions, they are without defense and fall an easy prey. Those who thus place themselves in his power little realize where their course will end. Having achieved their overthrow, the tempter ill employ them as his agents to lure others to ruin." The Great Controversy pg. 558"If we regard iniquity in our hearts, if we cling to any known sin, the Lord will not hear us; but the prayer of the penitent, contrite soul is always accepted. When all known wrongs are righted, we may believe that God will answer our petitions. Our own merit will never commend us to the favor of God; it is the worthiness of Jesus that will save us, His blood that will cleanse us; yet we have a work to do in complying with the conditions of acceptance." Steps to Christ pg. 95
"It is a terrible thing for us to have our own way. If we indulge self once in any known sin, unless the heart is touched by the Holy Spirit, and yields to the entreaties of God in repentance and contrition, it is easier to sin the second time. The second departure from righteousness is less offensive than the first; and thus the habit of evil is formed, and the seed sown produces a harvest. Through the germinating power of what a man sows, he proceeds from bad to worse." The Youthfs Instructor 12-07-93"But while God can be just, and yet justify the sinner through the merits of Christ, no man can cover his soul with the garments of Christ's righteousness while practicing known sins, or neglecting known duties. God requires the entire surrender of the heart, before justification can take place; and in order for man to retain justification, there must be continual obedience, through active, living faith that works by love and purifies the soul." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 11-04-90
Thus we have seen the genuine article of repentance. Let us not be deceived by the whiles of the devil who teaches that we can have repentance while committing known sins. Some have taught that when repentance comes we are then to gradually put away our sins over a course of time. The teaching is that I sin less and less over the course of time until finally I reach the point where I donft do that sin no more. I have shown this teaching to be false by what we have seen today. When repentance is genuine, the sins are put away immediately, and we turn away from the old practices of the carnal heart. In reality if we are still practicing the known sin in our lives, our repentance was not really of a Godly nature.
"The just shall live by faith"
@Justify= to declare innocent or guiltless; absolve, acquit
@Justification Is Not By Works, But By Faith
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." Galatians 2:16
"And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, [saying], In thee shall all nations be blessed." Galatians 3:8
"But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith." Galatians 3:11
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." Galatians 3:24
"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Romans 1:17
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin." Romans 3:20
"Seeing [it is] one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith." Romans 3:30
(Read all of Romans chapter 4)
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" Romans 5:1
"Be it known unto you therefore, men [and] brethren, that through this man {Jesus} is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: "And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." Acts 13:38,39
"Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." Hebrews 10:38
Justification Is By Grace
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." Galatians 5:4"That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:7
"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:" Romans 3:24 (read verses 25-28)
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: "Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9
True Justification Contains Works
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?""Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." James 2:21-24"Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way?" James 2:25
"For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." Romans 2:13
Justification Through The Blood Of Jesus
"Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." Romans 5:9"He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities." Isaiah 53:11
The Humble Are Justified
"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. "I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. "And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Luke 18:10-14
"The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Psalm 51:17
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Justification Separates The Soul From Sin
"(For not the hearers of the law [are] just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." Romans 2:13"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, [is] therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. "For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. "For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:16-20
"O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. "For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Matthew 12:34-37
"The just [man] walketh in his integrity: his children [are] blessed after him." Proverbs 20:7
"The way of the just [is] uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just." Isaiah 26:7
(Read Ezekiel 18:4-9)
"Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. "And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: [but] the Son abideth ever. "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:34-36
(Read Zechariah chapter 3)
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? "God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Romans 6:1,2
(Read Romans 6:11-23)
"Pardon and justification are one and the same thing. Through faith, the believer passes from the position of a rebel, a child of sin and Satan, to the position of a loyal subject of Christ Jesus, not because of an inherent goodness, but because Christ receives him as His child by adoption. The sinner receives the forgiveness of his sins, because these sins are borne by his Substitute and Surety. The Lord speaks to His heavenly Father, saying: eThis is My child. I reprieve him from the condemnation of death, giving him My life-insurance policy--eternal life--because I have taken his place and have suffered for his sins. He is even My beloved son.f Thus man, pardoned, and clothed with the beautiful garments of Christ's righteousness, stands faultless before God." Manuscript Releases Vol. 9, pg. 300
"But while God can be just, and yet justify the sinner through the merits of Christ, no man can cover his soul with the garments of Christ's righteousness while practicing known sins, or neglecting known duties. God requires the entire surrender of the heart, before justification can take place; and in order for man to retain justification, there must be continual obedience, through active, living faith that works by love and purifies the soul." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 11-04-90
"Justification is the reward of faith in the righteousness of Christ. His imputed righteousness brings everyone who accepts Him as a personal Saviour into conformity to the will of God. His righteousness goes before them. He leads the way, bidding us follow Him. He who follows Christ must live in obedience to the law of God. Sin and holiness cannot unite." Manuscript Releases Vol. 18, pg. 95
"The work of redemption involves consequences of which it is difficult for man to have any conception. eEye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.f 1 Cor. 2:9. As the sinner, drawn by the power of Christ, approaches the uplifted cross, and prostrates himself before it, there is a new creation. A new heart is given him. He becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus. Holiness finds that it has nothing more to require. God Himself is ethe justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.f Rom. 3:26. And ewhom He justified, them He also glorified.f Rom. 8:30. Great as is the shame and degradation through sin, even greater will be the honor and exaltation through redeeming love. To human beings striving for conformity to the divine image there is imparted an outlay of heaven's treasure, an excellency of power, that will place them higher than even the angels who have never fallen." Christfs Object Lessons pg. 162
"There is no safety nor repose nor justification in transgression of the law. Man cannot hope to stand innocent before God, and at peace with him through the merits of Christ, while he continues in sin. He must cease to transgress, and become loyal and true. As the sinner looks into the great moral lookingglass, he sees his defects of character. He sees himself just as he is, spotted, defiled, and condemned. But he knows that the law cannot in any way remove the guilt or pardon the transgressor. He must go farther than this. The law is but the schoolmaster to bring him to Christ. He must look to his sin-bearing Saviour. And as Christ is revealed to him upon the cross of Calvary, dying beneath the weight of the sins of the whole world, the Holy Spirit shows him the attitude of God to all who repent of their transgressions. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 04-05-98
"But the gospel of good news was not to be interpreted as allowing men to live in continued rebellion against God by transgressing his just and holy law. Why cannot those who claim to understand the Scriptures, see that God's requirement under grace is just the same he made in Eden,--perfect obedience to his law. In the Judgment, God will ask those who profess to be Christians, Why did you claim to believe in my Son, and continue to transgress my law? Who required this at your hands--to trample upon my rules of righteousness? eBehold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.f The gospel of the New Testament is not the Old Testament standard lowered to meet the sinner and save him in his sins. God requires of all his subjects obedience, entire obedience to all his commandments. He demands now as ever perfect righteousness as the only title to heaven. Christ is our hope and our refuge. His righteousness only is imputed to the obedient. Let us accept it through faith, that the Father shall find in us no sin. But those who have trampled on the holy law will have no right to claim that righteousness. Oh that we might view the immensity of the plan of salvation as obedient children to all God's requirements, believing that we have peace with God through Jesus Christ, our atoning sacrifice!" Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 09-21-86
"James writes of Abraham and says, eWas not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.f In order for man to be justified by faith, faith must reach a point where it will control the affections and impulses of the heart; and it is by obedience that faith itself is made perfect." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 11-04-90
"That religion which makes of sin a light matter, dwelling upon the love of God to the sinner regardless of his actions, only encourages the sinner to believe that God will receive him while he continues in that which he knows to be sin. This is what some are doing who profess to believe present truth. The truth is kept apart from the life, and that is the reason it has no power to convict and convert the soul." Testimonies for the Church Vol. 5, pg. 540
"No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation. The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed and unforsaken sin; it is a principle of life that transforms the character and controls the conduct. Holiness is wholeness for God; it is the entire surrender of heart and life to the indwelling of the principles of heaven." The Desire of Ages pg. 555
"But many who profess the faith know not what true conversion is. They have no experience in communion with the Father through Jesus Christ, and have never felt the power of divine grace to sanctify the heart. Praying and sinning, sinning and praying, their lives are full of malice, deceit, envy, jealousy, and self-love. The prayers of this class are an abomination to God. True prayer engages the energies of the soul and affects the life." Testimonies for the Church Vol. 4, pg. 534
"His servants ye are to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey.f If we indulge anger, lust, covetousness, hatred, selfishness, or any other sin, we become servants of sin. eNo man can serve two masters.f If we serve sin, we cannot serve Christ. The Christian will feel the promptings of sin, for the flesh lusteth against the Spirit; but the Spirit striveth against the flesh, keeping up a constant warfare. Here is where Christ's help is needed. Human weakness becomes united to divine strength, and faith exclaims, eThanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 05-03-81
"To those who were untaught in the oracles of God, it was enough for John to say, eRepent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.f But when the Baptist saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he was stirred to give them a decided message. These men held themselves as a power among the people. Though they held different theories regarding some Bible subjects they were united in their desire to hear the words of the wilderness prophet. Some who came from curiosity, arrested by his words, became interested in the message he was giving, and were moved to be baptized. To them John said, eBring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.f Christ was about to appear as the revealer of the character of God. His very presence would make known to men their sin. Only as they were willing to be purged from sin, could they enter into fellowship with him. Those who were corrupt in heart could not abide in his presence." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 11-28-07
"In the day of judgment the course of the man who has retained the frailty and imperfection of humanity will not be vindicated. For him there will be no place in heaven; he could not enjoy the perfection of the saints in light. He who has not sufficient faith in Christ to believe that he can keep him from sinning, has not the faith that will give him an entrance into the kingdom of God." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 03-10-04
What is Sin?
Read now 1 John 3:4 and James 1:13-15
"Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.f
Matthew 6:13, R.V.
Temptation is enticement to sin, and this doesnot proceed from God, but from Satan and from the evil of our own
hearts. eGod cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempteth no
man." James 1:13, R.V. Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing page 116
"Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lusts and
enticed. He is turned away from the course of virtue and real good by
following his own inclinations. If the youth possessed moral integrity,
the strongest temptations might be presented in vain. It is Satan's act
to tempt you, but your own act to yield. It is not in the power of all
the host of Satan to force the tempted to transgress. There is no
excuse for sin." Testimonies for the Church Vol. 4, page 623
Does the Devil Make Me Do It?
We have all heard the phrase, "The devil made me do it". Well, is this true?
Read now Matthew 4:8-11
"The tempter can never compel us to do evil. He cannot control
minds unless they are yielded to his control. The will must consent,
faith must let go its hold upon Christ, before Satan can exercise his
power upon us. But every sinful desire we cherish affords him a
foothold. Every point in which we fail of meeting the divine standard
is an open door by which he can enter to tempt and destroy us. And
every failure or defeat on our part gives occasion for him to reproach
Christ." The Desire of Ages page 125
"By faith and prayer all may meet the requirements of the gospel.
No man can be forced to transgress. His own consent must be first
gained; the soul must purpose the sinful act before passion can
dominate over reason or iniquity triumph over conscience. Temptation,
however strong, is never an excuse for sin. "The eyes of the Lord are
over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers." Cry unto
the Lord, tempted soul. Cast yourself, helpless, unworthy, upon Jesus,
and claim His very promise. The Lord will hear. He knows how strong are
the inclinations of the natural heart, and He will help in every time
of temptation." Testimonies for the Church Vol. 5, page 177
How Can I Have This Experience?
Please read now James 4:7,8; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; 2 Peter 1:3-11; Hebrews 12:4; Luke 22:44; 1 Peter 4:1,2
"To those who are tempted, I would say, Do not for a moment
acknowledge Satan's temptations as being in harmony with your own mind.
Turn from them as you would from the adversary himself. Satan's work is
to discourage the soul. Christ's work is to inspire the heart with
faith and hope. Satan seeks to unsettle our confidence. He tells us
that our hopes are built upon false premises, rather than upon the
sure, immutable word of Him who cannot lie." Manuscript Releases Vol. 18, page 343
"We must have the spirit of supplication to God. The enemy holds many of you from prayer, by telling you that you do not feel your prayers, and that you would better wait until you realize more of the spirit of intercession, lest your prayers should be a mockery. But you must say to Satan, eIt is writtenf that emen ought always to pray, and not to faint.f We should pray until we do have the burden of our wants upon our souls; and if we persevere, we shall have it. The Lord will imbue us with his Holy Spirit. The Lord knows, and the Devil knows, that we cannot resist the temptations of Satan without power from on high. For this reason the evil one seeks to hinder us from laying hold upon Him who is mighty to save. Our Lord made it our duty, as well as our privilege, to connect our weakness, our ignorance, our need, with his strength, his wisdom, his righteousness. He unites his infinite power with the effort of finite beings, that they may be more than victors in the battle with the enemy of their souls." Advent Review and Sabbath Herald 10-30-88
See Jesus in the garden sweating because temptation is weighing down upon Him. He is so weak that an angel must strengthen Him or He would have died right there. See how He prays and does not stop until the strength comes. This is our example that we must do the same. We are too feeble in our efforts; we get down and pray then we leave after a few minutes and we are still harassed with the same thoughts as before we prayed. Our prayers are too rushed and we hurry from one to another and think we have no strength to endure the temptation, and then we give in and fall.
Here are things that we are told will help us in our battle with inward and outward temptation:
Study the Bible earnestly.
Pray in faith.
Sing to the glory of God.
Go out and share your faith. (This is an area that is almost totally overlooked today!)
Follow the health laws strictly.
Donft watch or hear things that spur thoughts toward your besetting sin.
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