Creature merits vs Divine merits

[skyblue888]

I was raised in the catholic religion which teaches that salvation is gained through the merits of the creature. There are many who seek to gain Heaven through the merits of their own good works such as church attendance, prayer, fasting, giving alms, sacrifices, etc etc. These are means in themselves to atone for sin.

Those who, after their death, are declared "saints" (canonized) are said to have a bank of merits and it is these merits that qualify them as intercessors. Those who are still living on the earth may plead the merits of these so-called saints in their own behalf in order to obtain God's favour or blessing. Mary, the mother of Jesus is believed to have more merits than any other and therefore is the great intercessor between sinners and God.

But when one beholds the infinite sacrifice that was made upon the cross of Calvary, the Spirit opens his eyes that he may "discern with astonishment the utter worthlessness of creature merit to earn the wages of eternal life." E.G. White, Manuscript 36, 1890.

However, the catholic idea of gaining Heaven through "merits" is the right idea! But only the merits of Jesus will be recognized for His merits alone avail with God. Calvin, one of the great reformers, had prayed, "Lord, we had devised for ourselves many useless follies, but You have touched my heart, in order that I may hold in abomination all other merits save those of Jesus." The Great Controversy, p.221,73,74.

Thus, "When we seek to gain Heaven through the merits of Christ, the soul makes progress, from strength to strength and from victory to victory." E.G. White, Review and Herald, July 1, 1890.

"Works without faith are dead, and faith without works is dead. Works will never save us. It is the merit of Christ that will avail in our behalf." E.G. White, Signs of the Times, June 16, 1890.

In the sight of Heaven, the doctrine of salvation through the merits of the creature is utterly worthless. In fact it is viewed by the angels of God as treason:

"If you would gather together everything that is good and holy and noble and lovely in man and then present the subject to the angels of God as acting a part in the salvation of the human soul or in merit, the proposition would be rejected as treason." Manuscript 36, 1890.

The doctrine of creature merit to earn salvation is at the foundation of every false religion. It is an attempt to appease God through the merits of good works and, as a result, the merits of Jesus, the only remedy provided for sin, remain hidden from the sinner's view:

"Faith is the condition upon which God has seen fit to promise pardon to sinners; not that there is any virtue in faith whereby salvation ins merited, but because faith can lay hold of the merits of Christ, the remedy provided for sin." Review and Herald, Nov.4, 1890.

The doctrine of "creature merits" is Satan's most subtle counterfeit of the true light!

But only the merits and righteousness of Christ will be recognized. As we, moment by moment, hang our helpless souls upon Christ's merits, God receives us, forgives us, justifies us, and He loves us as He loves Jesus, and we may go on from victory to victory and from light to a greater light. We are blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift that cannot be excelled, the gift that brings all other blessings in its train! We are feeding upon His word, the word of His grace, and Christ is to us the bread that comes down from Heaven.

"The intercession of Christ in our behalf is that of presenting His divine merits in the offering of Himself to the Father as our Substitute and Surety; for He ascended up on High to make atonement for our transgressions." E.G. White, Signs of the Times, July 4,1892.

"He has turned the merits of His sacrifice into prayer." B.C. Vol.7, p.914.

It is court week with us. Our cases are pending. Our great need and His merits are our only plea if we are to obtain the blessings of the Covenant of grace.

"Present your case before God pleading the merits of the blood shed for you upon Calvary's cross." Say, "Lord I have no merit or goodness whereby I may claim salvation but I present before You the all-sufficient merits of the spotless Lamb of God. This is my only plea." E.G. White, Signs of the Times, July 4, 1892.

"Justice demanded the sufferings of man; but Jesus rendered the sufferings of a God. He needed no atonement of suffering for Himself; all His sufferings were for us; all His merits and righteousness were open to fallen man, presented as a gift." E.G. White, Bible Commentary, Vol.7, p.913.

"Only the merits and righteousness of Christ will be recognized. But this is placed in our account in rich fullness. We may draw upon God every moment. God has pledged to open before us all the riches of His grace." E.G. White, Our Father Cares, p.149.

"Unless he makes it his lifebusiness to look to Jesus and to accept His merits which it is his privilege to claim, the sinner can no more be saved than Peter could walk upon the water unless he kept his eyes fixed steadily upon Jesus." Testimonies to Ministers, p.93.

Thus, "Through the merits of Christ we may find the approval of God."

[skyblue888]

It is disappointing to see how little interest this subject generates. And yet it is the interest which is to prevail, the subject which is to swallow up every other! I have often talked of the merits of Christ in our churches. The question which always emerges is, What do you mean by "merits" of Christ?

As though Seventh-day Adventists did not understand that Christ's infinite sacrifice was meritorious and that it is through His merits alone that we can be saved. Mrs. White plainly stated that unless we accept His merits and believe it is our privilege to claim them, we cannot be saved! See T.M.93.

"There is salvation for you but only through the merits of Jesus Christ." Testimonies to Ministers, p.97.

This last statement was written as Mrs. White was stating the essence of the 1888 message of the righteousness of Christ by faith. She spoke of "the faith that lays right hold upon the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour to bring His righteousness into the life."

And yet, when do we spend any time discussing the merits of Christ? I have not seen it here and I have not seen it being discussed in any way, shape, or form, on any other adventist forum!

Why do you think that is?

[Dr. Shane]

Quote:

As we, moment by moment, hang our helpless souls upon Christ's merits, God receives us, forgives us, justifies us, and He loves us as He loves Jesus, and we may go on from victory to victory and from light to a greater light. We are blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift that cannot be excelled, the gift that brings all other blessings in its train! We are feeding upon His word, the word of His grace, and Christ is to us the bread that comes down from Heaven.

This is quite profound. We must ask ourselves:

• What are the merits of Christ?
• Are these the good things He did when He was on Earth, including His death for all humanity?
• Or do they included the works He does through redeemed mankind through the Holy Spirit?

Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Therefore our good works, if not done in faith, are sin... They are as filthy rags.

However what about our good works that are done in faith? What about our good works that are the fruit of the Spirit? Are those considered to be filthy rags in the eyes of God? Are not the good works produced through us by the Holy Spirit to be counted among Christ's merits?

[Woody]

Quote:

Therefore our good works, if not done in faith, are sin... They are as filthy rags.

In my personal opinion ... I would go one step further ....

I would say that as far as Salvation goes ... our good works that are even done in Faith ... are as filthy rags.

However ... as far as glorifying Christ ... they are as good as GOLD.

[skyblue888]

"As we, moment by moment, hang our helpless souls upon Christ's merits, God receives us, forgives us, justifies us, and He loves us as He loves Jesus, and we may go on from victory to victory and from light to a greater light. We are blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift that cannot be excelled, the gift that brings all other blessings in its train! We are feeding upon His word, the word of His grace, and Christ is to us the bread that comes down from Heaven.

[Gerr]

It is disappointing to see how little interest this subject generates. And yet it is the interest which is to prevail, the subject which is to swallow up every other! I have often talked of the merits of Christ in our churches. The question which always emerges is, What do you mean by "merits" of Christ?

Could it be because "we are rich a have need of nothing?" NOT KNOWING that we are "wretched, miserable, blind, and naked?"

Gerry

[skyblue888]

hmmm I wonder what others would say. Personally, I believe you are right!

[Woody]

Quote:

Could it be because "we are rich a have need of nothing?" NOT KNOWING that we are "wretched, miserable, blind, and naked?"

We need something .... but what we need is Christ.

[skyblue888]

But unless we make it our lifebusiness to look to Him and accept His merits which it is our privilege to claim, we cannot have Him as a personal Savioiur! See T.M.93.

[Dr. Shane]

Quote:

"In His divine arrangement, through His unmerited favor, the Lord has ordained that good works shall be rewarded. We are accepted through Christ's merits alone; and the acts of mercy, the deeds of love, which we perform, are the fruits of faith; and they become a blessing to us; for men are to be rewarded according to their works. It is the fragrance of the merit of Christ that makes our good works acceptable to God, and it is grace that enables us to do the works for which He rewards us. Our works, in and of themselves have no merit. When we have done all that is possible for us to do, we are to count ourselves as unprofitable servants. We deserve no thanks from God. We have only done what it was our duty to do, and our works could not have been performed in the strength of our sinful natures." E.G. White, Bible Commentary, Vol.5, p.1122.

I am not sure that answers my questions much. "Our works, in and of themselves have no merit.". Indeed that which is done without faith is sin. Yet, are these works, which are unacceptable to God, the same works that He is going to reward us for? That is hard to believe.

Now let's contrast those works, done without faith, with the works done as a result of faith. "and the acts of mercy, the deeds of love, which we perform, are the fruits of faith; and they become a blessing to us; for men are to be rewarded according to their works." Hmmmmmm, [raising the eyebrows] Are the works we will be rewarded for those done without faith, the ones that are unacceptable to God? Or are they the ones done as a fruit of faith?

Now let's look at the context of that last quote. The first part of the sentence reads "We are accepted through Christ's merits alone;" So what are these merits? Let's look at the rest of the sentence. "and the acts of mercy, the deeds of love, which we perform, are the fruits of faith" It continues on to conclude "for men are to be rewarded according to their works" Can we not reasonably draw from that the these works, which men are rewarded for and are the fruits of faith are not in fact the merits of Christ?

[Dr. Shane]

BTW: I don't see this as an easy, black and white issue. I believe those that claim to have the answers are not giving an honest ear to those that see things differently.

[skyblue888]

"John, while in vision, saw a company clothed in white robes. They were seen in the temple of God. This will be the result for all who will lay hold of the merits of Christ and wash their robes in His blood." Our Father Cares, p.339.

"Lay hold by faith of the merits of Christ, and the soul-cleansing blood will be applied." Signs of the Times, July 1, 1890.

"Man's part is to lay hold by faith of the merits of Christ." Fundamentals of Education, p.430.

"You cannot explain this faith that lays right hold upon the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour to bring Christ's righteousness into the life. Clothed with the robe of Christ's righteousness and not your own righteousness, you will not depend upon what you can do or what you will do." "Christ's righteousness accomplishes everything." "His righteousness is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God." Faith and Works, p.65,66,27; Testimonies to Ministers, p.92.

[Dr. Shane]

Again, let me play the devil's archconservative's advocate.

Let's substitute the words "good works done by faith in Christ" for "Christ's merits".

"John, while in vision, saw a company clothed in white robes. They were seen in the temple of God. This will be the result for all who will lay hold of the good works done by faith in Christ and wash their robes in His blood." Our Father Cares, p.339.

"Lay hold by faith of the good works done by faith in Christ, and the soul-cleansing blood will be applied." Signs of the Times, July 1, 1890.

"Man's part is to lay hold by faith of the good works done by faith in Christ." Fundamentals of Education, p.430.

When we do that, we start to see another viewpoint.

[skyblue888]

The merits of Christ are the merits of His sacrifice, of His shed bood. That is why it is written: "The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." Steps to Christ, p.36.

"Believe it because it is the truth, because God says it, and lay hold upon the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour." Faith and Works, p.76.

From this we can readily see that when Mrs. White speaks of the merits of Christ she is not referring to the works that He does in and through us by the Holy Spirit. In another statement that I have shared earlier, she made it crystal clear that "these works, in and of themselves, have no merit." Bible Commentary, Vol.5, p.1122.

The Lord has shown her that if we were to gather these good works and present them to the angels of God as acting a part in the salvation of the human soul or in merit, the propostion would be rejected as treason! See Faith and Works, p.24.

So we are not called upon to lay hold by faith upon the works which the grace of Christ enables us to perform because these works, in and of themselves, have no merits whatsoever for our salvation but we are to lay right hold upon the merits of Christ's infinite sacrifice in our behalf to bring His righteousness (grace) into the life.

"The intercession of Christ in our behalf is that of presenting His divine merits in the offering of Himself as our Substitute and Surety, for He ascended up on high to make atonement for our transgressions." Faith and Works, p.105.

[Dr. Shane]

The problem each of us has going against us is the natural tendency to read into something what we want it to say.

"The merits of Christ are the merits of His sacrifice, of His shed blood." How do we know this is fact. If it is, how do we "lay hold" on that? What does "laying hold" mean?

By letting Christ use me to do the same acts of love and kindness that He did, that is an easy way to understand what "laying hold" of his merits means. If my good works done by faith in Christ isn't "laying hold" of the merits of Christ, what is? Is "laying hold" some intangible feeling or sensation?

Quote:

In another statement that I have shared earlier, she made it crystal clear that "these works, in and of themselves, have no merit." Bible Commentary, Vol.5, p.1122.

No, that is not crystal clear and those that believe it is, fail to see why others have a different opinion. "these works, in and of themselves, have no merit." What works? Those done without faith? Of course. Everything that is done without faith is sin. Those works are nothing more than filthy rags.

Quote:

The Lord has shown her that if we were to gather these good works and present them to the angels of God as acting a part in the salvation of the human soul or in merit, the proposition would be rejected as treason!

We are not talking about "the proposition". Christ's death - not His works or righteousness - is the proposition. As good as Christ's life was, it wasn't enough to save fallen humanity. Only the death of Christ could provide us with pardon. So, of course, if Christ's own perfect life and good works was insufficient to provide us salvation, the works we do with or without the Holy Spirit are also going to be insufficient.

Isaiah 64:6 we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Are these good works the filthy rags of Isaiah?

Hebrews 10:24: And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Are these good works the filthy rags of Isaiah?

1 Peter 2:11, 12: Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Are these good works, that glorify God, the filthy rags of Isaiah?

Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Does that mean, "according as his filthy rags shall be"?

Romans 14:23 for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

The context of Isaiah 66 is that the nation of Israel had sunk into idolatry. Isaiah called them a harlot and compared them to Sodom. Yet the nation considered themselves holy. In their eyes they were holy. The filthy rags were the hypocritical sacrifices and offerings of this lost nation. 1:11-13To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

The good works of the saints done by faith in Christ are not filthy rags. Revelation 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Far from it! The Word of God calls the good works of the saints, done by faith in Christ, "fine linen, clean and white". That is the robe of Christ's righteousness which is among the merits of Christ.

[skyblue888]

The statement below contains the whole counsel of God regarding the subject of faith, merits, and works.

"In His divine arrangement, through His unmerited favor, the Lord has ordained that good works shall be rewarded. We are accepted through Christ's merits alone; and the acts of mercy, the deeds of love, which we perform, are the fruits of faith; and they become a blessing to us; for men are to be rewarded according to their works. It is the fragrance of the merit of Christ that makes our good works acceptable to God, and it is grace that enables us to do the works for which He rewards us. Our works, in and of themselves have no merit. When we have done all that is possible for us to do, we are to count ourselves as unprofitable servants. We deserve no thanks from God. We have only done what it was our duty to do, and our works could not have been performed in the strength of our sinful natures." E.G. White, Bible Commentary, Vol.5, p.1122.

[Woody]

Quote:

Our works, in and of themselves have no merit.

And we need to add ... Even the works that God does in our lives have no merit to our salvation.

[skyblue888]

Exactly, this is what she is talking about and nothing else because in that statement, when she says, "our works," she is talking about the good works which we have performed by the grace of God. These works have no merits for our salvation. It is only the merits of Christ's sacrifice that avails with God for our salvation.

p.s. whether our own works or the works performed by the grace of God, neither of these have merits to earn salvation. If the good works we are enabled to do by the Holy Spirit had merits toward our salvation, it would not have been necessary for Christ to offer Himself a sacrifice.

[Dr. Shane]

The arch-conservatives that focus so much on works do not claim that those works gain anyone salvation! Catholics claim that, yes. These arch-conservative Adventists that are obsessed with works do not claim that. So repeating the mantra that works do not gain salvation is pointless.

The good works of Christ, his 100% complete obedience to the law is not enough to gain us entrance to heaven. It was enough to gain Him entrance to heaven but not enough to redeem even one lost sinner. He had to die in order to save sinners. So if Christ's perfect works couldn't save sinners, of course our good works cannot either.

The disagreement between the arch-conservative school of thought and the more moderate school of thought is over how sinful man lays hold of the merits of Christ through faith. Arch-conservative believe we lay hold on the merits of Christ by surrendering to Him and letting His Spirit control our lives. As a result this faith we will produce good works, which is evidence that we have laid hold of the merits of Christ.

Those are two schools of thought that are in the Adventist church. I am sure there are more. Neither of the two believe that sinful man is saved by good works.

[skyblue888]

The message of "Righteousness by faith" was made cyrstal clear in 1888. It was said to be "just as simple as ABC." F.W.64. The people were invited to look to Christ and to accept the merits of His sacrifice, which it was their privilege to claim, in order to receive His righteousness which is made manifest in obedience to all the comnmandments of God. See Testimonies to Ministers, p.92,93,97 and Faith and Works, p.65,66.

[Dr. Shane]

I don't see how that does much to distinguish between the arch-conservative and the more moderate school of thought.

[skyblue888]

Shane, seriously now, who cares about what the conservatives or the liberals teach? What we want is the truth. In the days of Christ the conservatives and the liberals (moderate) were constantly at each other's throats and yet in the end they united to fight their common enemy, Christ and His teachings!

"You want to be like little children, hanging upon the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, and then you will be fortified. How? The angels of God will be around you as a wall of fire; the righteousness of Christ, which you claim, goes before you, and the glory of God is your rearward. God sanctify our tongues, our thoughts, our minds, that we may dwell upon heavenly themes, and that we may impart that knowledge and light to others." E.G. White, Ms 9, 1891.

"Oh, be so full of the message that it is like fire shup up in your bones, that you cannot hold your peace. It is true, men will say, 'You are too excited; you are making too much of this matter, and you do not think enough of the law; now, you are to think more of the law; don't be all the time reaching for this righteousness of Christ, but build up the law.' Let the law take care of itself. We have been at work on the law until we get as dry as the hills of Golboa, without dew or rain. Let us trust in the merits of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. May God help us that our eyes may be anointed with eyesalve that we may see." E.G. White, 1888 Materials, Vol.2, p.557.

This is the 1888 message again in a nutshell!

p.s. I did not pick these statements to agree with or to oppose whatever it is you are saying. All I am interested in is what the Lord revealed to His servant as to what constitutes righteousness by faith. :)

[Dr. Shane]

Quote:

Shane, seriously now, who cares about what the conservatives or the liberals teach?

Earnest seekers of truth, will, of course, look at what all schools of thought are teaching, compare it with Scripture and prayerfully seek divine guidance. Those that have already decided what they are going to believe, naturally, will not care so much about what others teach.

In Adventism I have observed two basic schools of thought and they vary somewhat within themselves.

One I will call powerful grace. When a sinner accepts Christ by faith he or she is transformed. This grace means the sinner is given power to overcome sin. Thus laying hold of the merits of Christ will mean victorious living.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Cor. 5:17

"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother." 1 John 3:9, 10

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Cor. 10:13

"But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil." 2 Thess. 3:3

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Heb. 13:20, 21

The other school of thought I call easy grace. This teaches that when one professes belief in Christ, they are saved regardless if they experience victory over sin as a result or not. Thus they are able to lay hold on the merits of Christ by simple profession.

"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Acts 2:21

"But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved" Acts 15:11

"And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:30, 31

"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." Eph. 2:8, 9

"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference" Rom. 3:21, 22

"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross" Col. 2:13, 14

Neither school of thought believes that one is saved by works. They simple disagree in the necessity and significance of experiencing the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

[Robert]

... the subject which is to swallow up every other!

"One interest will prevail, one subject will swallow up every other,--Christ our righteousness." [RH 12-23-1890]

[LifeHiscost]

But when one beholds the infinite sacrifice that was made upon the cross of Calvary, the Spirit opens his eyes that he may "discern with astonishment the utter worthlessness of creature merit to earn the wages of eternal life." E.G. White, Manuscript 36, 1890.

May I suggest as to the underlined above, for the sinner there is no such thing as "...wages of eternal life". Wages are always a reward for something earned or for which work has been done. Perhaps it is truely a wage paid for eternal life, by Jesus, but for mortals born dead into sin, life can only come as a gift, and only God can give that gift.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16 NKJV

"To you it was shown that you might know that the LORD, He is God; there is no other besides Him. "

Deuteronomy 4:35 NASB

"In the beginning God created....." Genesis 1:1 ASV

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. " John 1:1-3 ASV

Regards!!