Sanctification and Perfection related texts.

[Sulla]

Hello I am working on collecting together the main texts from the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy used by both sides of the perfection issue. So please post anything you think is helpful. BUT this is not a debate thread. If you want to debate the subject please start another thread.

Here are a couple of examples....

Day by day the sanctifying influence of the Spirit of God almost imperceptibly leads those who love the ways of truth toward the perfection of righteousness, till finally the soul is ripe for the harvest, the life-work is ended, God gathers in his grain. There is no period in the Christian life when there is no more to learn, no higher attainments to reach. Sanctification is the work of a life-time. First the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear, then the ripening and the harvest; for when the fruit is perfect, it is ready for the sickle.

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It is not he that putteth on the armor that can boast of the victory; for he has the battle to fight and victory to win. It is he that endureth unto the end that shall be saved. The Lord says, "If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him" (Heb. 10:38). If we do not go forward from victory to victory, the soul will draw back to perdition. We should raise no human standard whereby to measure character. We have seen enough of what men call perfection here below. God's holy law is the only thing by which we can determine whether we are keeping His way or not. If we are disobedient, our characters are out of harmony with God's moral rule of government, and it is stating a falsehood to say, "I am saved." No one is saved who is a transgressor of the law of God, which is the foundation of His government in heaven and in earth. {1SM 315.1}

[Woody]

Quote:

"Sanctification is a lifelong process. Perfection now is ours only in Christ, but the ultimate, all-comprehensive transformation of our lives into the image of God will take place at the Second Advent ...

Neither Christlike character traits nor faultess behaviour is the ground of our acceptance with God. Saving righteourness comes from the one righteous Man Jesus and is conveyed to us by the Holy Spirit. We can contribute nothing to Christ's gift of righteousness - we can only receive it. No one other than Christ is righteous; independent human righteousness is only filthy rags. " Seventh-Day Adventists Believe p. 145-6

[Woody]

Quote:

"While one class pervert the doctrine of justification by faith and neglect to comply with the conditions laid down in the Word of God--"If ye love Me, keep My commandments"-- there is fully as great an error on the part of those who claim to believe and obey the commandments of God but who place themselves in opposition to the precious rays of light--new to them--reflected from the cross of Calvary. The first class do not see the wondrous things in the law of God for all who are doers of His Word. The others cavil over trivialities and neglect the weightier matters, mercy and the love of God." FW 15

[Woody]

Quote:

" I ask, How can I present this matter as it is? The Lord Jesus imparts all the powers, all the grace, all the penitence, all the inclination, all the pardon of sins, in presenting His righteousness for man to grasp by living faith--which is also the gift of God. 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." FW 24

[Woody]

Quote:

"Christ for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich. And any works that man can render to God will be far less than nothingness. My requests are made acceptable only because they are laid upon Christ's righteousness. The idea of doing anything to merit the grace of pardon is fallacy from beginning to end. "Lord, in my hand no price I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling." FW 24

[John317]

Quote:

"While one class pervert the doctrine of justification by faith and neglect to comply with the conditions laid down in the Word of God--"If ye love Me, keep My commandments"-- there is fully as great an error on the part of those who claim to believe and obey the commandments of God but who place themselves in opposition to the precious rays of light--new to them--reflected from the cross of Calvary. The first class do not see the wondrous things in the law of God for all who are doers of His Word. The others cavil over trivialities and neglect the weightier matters, mercy and the love of God." FW 15

Notice that both the Bible and Ellen White plainly say that it is possible to keep the commandments.

Also, the statement makes it obvious that some are "doers of His Word" while others are not.

[olger]

The heart of heaven is obedience to God. The altar of disobedience has many worshippers.

[John317]

I like that, olger. Very well said.

[Woody]

Originally Posted By: Redwood

Quote:

"While one class pervert the doctrine of justification by faith and neglect to comply with the conditions laid down in the Word of God--"If ye love Me, keep My commandments"-- there is fully as great an error on the part of those who claim to believe and obey the commandments of God but who place themselves in opposition to the precious rays of light--new to them--reflected from the cross of Calvary. The first class do not see the wondrous things in the law of God for all who are doers of His Word. The others cavil over trivialities and neglect the weightier matters, mercy and the love of God." FW 15

Notice that both the Bible and Ellen White plainly say that it is possible to keep the commandments.

Also, the statement makes it obvious that some are "doers of His Word" while others are not.

[Sulla]

Thanks very much for the quotes. Every one I can find helps. I want to find all I can to get a as clear understanding as possible.

Also I would like to hear outlines of your each persons understanding of the subject.

[Sulla]

Redwood you are correct its not a debate thread. But I know people would like to present their views with the quotes so lets do this. You can also write an outline of your view of the subject and give the quotes to back it up. Just dont fall into attacking the other posts.

[Sulla]

Here is another good one.

When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to this end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as man's best service, and He makes up for the deficiency with His own divine merit. But He will not accept those who claim to have faith in Him, and yet are disloyal to His Father's commandment. We hear a great deal about faith, but we need to hear a great deal more about works. Many are deceiving their own souls by living an easygoing, accommodating, crossless religion. But Jesus says, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."--The Signs of the Times, June 16, 1890.

[Woody]

It is not a matter of claiming to have faith. It is a heart experience. A real experience of the heart ... not a fake one. You are so correct.

But the above quote can give a misperception. It is not a "You do your best and God will add what is not present."

We must do ALL of our part. Then ... Jesus will do ALL of His.

We must believe ... and then God does the saving.

Our part is to totally accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour. We can't have anyone else do part of that job.

Once we do that ... The Robe of Christs Righteousness covers all sins that are given to Him. So, we have to be careful how we read these things.

[Sulla]

Quote:

Once we do that ... The Robe of Christs Righteousness covers all sins that are given to Him. So, we have to be careful how we read these things.

I think we agree. But are you saying christs robes cover repented sin we have turned away from. Or also current willful sin we have not?

To those who are making void the commandments of God, the True Witness says, "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear." Christ's white robe of righteousness will never cover any soul that is found in sin unrepented of and unforsaken. "Sin is the transgression of the law."

--

When It Is Not Willful Sin. Those who are in connection with God are channels of the power of the Holy Spirit. If one who daily communes with God errs from the path, if he turns a moment from looking steadfastly unto Jesus, it is not because he sins willfully: for when he sees his mistake, he turns again and fastens his eyes upon Jesus, and the fact that he has erred does not make him less dear to the heart of God. He knows that he has communion with the Saviour, and when reproved for his mistake, in some matter of judgment, he does not walk sullenly and complain of God: but turns the mistake into a victory. He learns a lesson from the words of the Master, and takes heed that he be not again deceived. . . . {5MR 349.2}

[Sulla]

You know really you should have probably quoted me in the other thread and we could have talked about it there. If you dont agree with my last post above lets try and more the discussion over to the friendly sanctification debate thread.

[Woody]

Redwood you are correct its not a debate thread. But I know people would like to present their views with the quotes so lets do this. You can also write an outline of your view of the subject and give the quotes to back it up. Just dont fall into attacking the other posts.

Would you be meaning ... here or there?

[GreatLakesGramma]

Quote:

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. Review and Herald, March 10, 1904

[Woody]

Thanks Gramma ... I agree with that quote .

Some one who doesn't believe in a all powerful God ... is not headed in the right direction. We have all the provisions of God to move forward and not sin. I fully believe this. The trouble is ... we don't avail ourselves to this power for whatever reason.

But no doubt ... as this quote indicates ... "He can keep you from sinning"

Have you seen this good gem along the same lines ...

Quote:

" When the Father gave His Son to live and die for man, He placed all the treasures of heaven at our disposal. There is no excuse for sin. God has given us all the advantages He possibly could give, that we may have strength to withstand the temptations of the enemy." TDG 318

[Taylor]

It is not a matter of claiming to have faith. It is a heart experience. A real experience of the heart ... not a fake one. You are so correct.

But the above quote can give a misperception. It is not a "You do your best and God will add what is not present."

We must do ALL of our part. Then ... Jesus will do ALL of His.

We must believe ... and then God does the saving.

Our part is to totally accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour. We can't have anyone else do part of that job.

Once we do that ... The Robe of Christs Righteousness covers all sins that are given to Him. So, we have to be careful how we read these things.

Good post!

[Taylor]

Thanks Gramma ... I agree with that quote .

Some one who doesn't believe in a all powerful God ... is not headed in the right direction. We have all the provisions of God to move forward and not sin. I fully believe this. The trouble is ... we don't avail ourselves to this power for whatever reason.

But no doubt ... as this quote indicates ... "He can keep you from sinning"

Have you seen this good gem along the same lines ...

Quote:

" When the Father gave His Son to live and die for man, He placed all the treasures of heaven at our disposal. There is no excuse for sin. God has given us all the advantages He possibly could give, that we may have strength to withstand the temptations of the enemy." TDG 318

Agreed! Greta post!

[Taylor]

goops GREAT post not greta post. lol

[Woody]

Oh. I just figured that Greta was Greek for Great ...