Obedience to God's Commandments the Fruit of Faith

[John317]

April 24, 1893 Obedience the Fruit of Love.

-

By Mrs. E. G. White.

-

We should contemplate the love of Jesus, his mission and his work in reference to us as individuals. We are to say, Jesus so loved me that he gave his own life to save me. The Father loves me, "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." It becomes us to ascertain upon what terms Christ promises the gift of eternal life. I answer, It is upon our faith. We must have faith in the promises. Jesus says, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye who love me know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." John 14: 12-17, 21. {ST, April 24, 1893 par. 1}

"He that hath my commandments" means he that hath light upon what constitutes the commandments of God, and will not disobey his commandments, although it might seem an advantage to do so. "If a man love me, he will keep my words [my commandments]; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings; and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me." If it were not possible for us to keep the commandments of God, we should all be lost. But under the Abrahamic covenant, the covenant of grace, every provision for salvation has been made. "By grace ye are saved." "For as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God." {ST, April 24, 1893 par. 2}

Continued--

[John317]

Continued--

John writes to the children of God, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not." And what is sin?--"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law." And if any man sin, he need not give up his hope in Christ. He need not say it is of no use longer to attempt to keep the commandments of God; for this would be placing himself wholly on Satan's ground. Satan follows you with his temptations, in order that he may persuade you to yield and sin; and when you sin, then he tells you it is of no use for you to try, and you might just as well announce yourself an open transgressor of the law of God, for you cannot keep his commandments. In the name and strength given of God we may be obedient to all his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous. We are happy in doing them. "And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby do we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning." {ST, April 24, 1893 par. 3}

The Lord would not leave the enemy any opportunity to perplex the soul or to becloud the mind as to the commandments of which he is speaking. It is the commandments which he made when the foundations of the earth were laid, "when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." Away back in the world's history, before there were any people distinguished as Jews, he laid the foundations of his law, when he laid the foundations of the world. "The old commandment is the word which ye heard from the beginning." John, the beloved disciple, as mouthpiece for God, gives the inspired message, and it comes echoing down the lines, from age to age, to our time. Thank God, we are not left in mist and confusion in regard to the commandments. {ST, April 24, 1893 par. 4}

We are required to keep the commandments of God, and to demonstrate before the heavenly worlds that we are obedient children, loyal and true to the government of God. We may not expect the world, which is under the power and dominion of Satan, to obey God and keep his commandments. There are but two classes in our world, the obedient and the disobedient, the holy and the unholy. When our transgressions were laid upon Jesus, he was numbered among the unholy on the sinner's account. He became our substitute, our surety, before the Father and all the heavenly angels. By imputing the sins of the world to Jesus, he became the sinner in our stead, and the curse due to our sins came upon him. It becomes us to contemplate Christ's life of humiliation and his agonizing death; for he was treated as the sinner deserves to be treated. He came to our world, clothing his divinity with humanity, to bear the test and proving of God. By his example of perfect obedience in his human nature, he teaches us that men may be obedient. {ST, April 24, 1893 par. 5}

And the apostle writes, "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue; whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." It is here plainly revealed that whosoever believeth in Jesus Christ becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Let divinity and humanity cooperate, and fallen man may be more than conqueror through Christ Jesus.

-

{ST, April 24, 1893 par. 6}

[Robert]

We are required to keep the commandments of God

PC- RH

PT- Advent Review and Sabbath Herald

DT- 05-07-01

AT- The Great Standard of Righteousness

PR- 09

Complete obedience is the only condition that meets the requirement of the law. “God is not a man, that He should lie.” God’s law is the rule of His government. He says, “This do, and thou shalt live.” But to the disobedient He says, “Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things written in the book of the law to do them.” “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” God has given the promise that those who obey His law will be rewarded, not only in the present life, but in the life to come. He declares just as decidedly that those who do not obey His requirements shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on them. By lips that never lie the obedient are blessed, and the disobedient are pronounced guilty.

PC- RH

PT- Advent Review and Sabbath Herald

DT- 10-17-07

AT- The Two Covenants

PR- 08

The terms of the “old covenant” were, Obey and live: “If a man do, he shall even live in them” (Eze. 20:11; Lev. 18:5); but “cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them.” Deut. 27:26.

[Gerr]

"Hereby we do know that we know Him if we keep His commandments." 1 Jn 2:3. This is the genuine evidence of conversion. Whatever our profession, it amounts to nothing unless Christ is revealed in works of righteousness." COL 313.

A mere profession of discipleship is of no value. The faith in Christ which saves the soul is not what it is represented to be by many. "Believe, believe," they say, "and you need not keep the law." But a belief that does not lead to obedience is presumption. The apostle John says, "He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 2:4. Let none cherish the idea that special providences or miraculous manifestations are to be the proof of the genuineness of their work or of the ideas they advocate. When persons will speak lightly of the word of God, and set their impressions, feelings, and exercises above the divine standard, we may know that they have no light in them. {MB 146.2}

Obedience is the test of discipleship. It is the keeping of the commandments that proves the sincerity of our professions of love. When the doctrine we accept kills sin in the heart, purifies the soul from defilement, bears fruit unto holiness, we may know that it is the truth of God. When benevolence, kindness, [bEGIN P.147] tenderheartedness, sympathy, are manifest in our lives; when the joy of right doing is in our hearts; when we exalt Christ, and not self, we may know that our faith is of the right order. "Hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments." 1 John 2:3. {MB 146.3}

White, E. G. (1896; 2002). Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing (146). Pacific Press Publishing Association.

[Just*]

HEY ALL

SO if keeping the 10 commandments is a requirement

for salvation

do we keep the 10 commandments by being obedient to

GOD or by showing love to GOD

or do we have to do both????

dgrimm60

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Rom 3:24

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Rom 3:28

In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Eph 1:13-14

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Gal 5:24-25

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom 8:13-14

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure. Phil 2:13

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 13:21

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Jn 15:4-5

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Rom 6:16-18

Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. Rom 3:31

[John317]

HEY ALL

SO if keeping the 10 commandments is a requirement

for salvation

do we keep the 10 commandments by being obedient to

GOD or by showing love to GOD

or do we have to do both????

Under the Old Covenant, people try to keep the law of God in order to be saved or out of fear of punishment.

Under the New Covenant, people keep the law of God because of their personal relationship with, their trust in and love for, Christ.

The Old and New Covenants are not so much about time as about heart-conviction.

New Covenant thinking sees the law of God as ten divine promises to anyone who believes the first part of Exodus 20-- that God has already delivered you from Egyptian darkness and "slavery."

[phkrause]

I keep the commandments because I love the Savior, and for what he has done for me. He says if you love me keep my commandments. And I believe that Gerry mentioned another thing that Christ said. If Jesus could come down here to this earth and die for me, than I should be able to follow 10 simple rules for him, not because I have to but because I love him.

pk

[Woody]

I wish it was that simple pk. But we have the deck stacked against us. The Devil is like a roaring lion. And because of the world that we have been thrown into .... we do that which we don't want to do. We don't allow Christ into our life like we should. But then that is why He died for us ... because he knew the deck was stacked against us and we would fail Him.

[phkrause]

It is that simple Redwood. But that doesn't mean that I don't fall everyday. But each evening I ask for forgiveness. But no matter what I do, it means nothing if Jesus doesn't put his life in front of mine before his father. Because nothing we do counts for anything, only Gods grace counts. Praise the Lord.

pk

[John317]

We don't allow Christ into our life like we should. But then that is why He died for us ... because he knew the deck was stacked against us and we would fail Him.

Sounds pretty discouraging and like a recipe for failure.

Check this out--

John and Judas are representatives of those who profess to be Christ's followers. Both these disciples had the same opportunities to study and follow the divine Pattern. Both were closely associated with Jesus and were privileged to listen to His teaching. Each possessed serious defects of character; and each had access to the divine grace that transforms character. But while one in humility was learning of Jesus, the other revealed that he was not a doer of the word, but a hearer only. One, daily dying to self and overcoming sin, was sanctified through the truth; the other, resisting the transforming power of grace and indulging selfish desires, was brought into bondage to Satan.

The Acts of the Apostles (1911), page 558, paragraph 1; Chapter Title: Transformed by Grace

[Robert]

Under the New Covenant, people keep the law .....

Oh boy, John...that's an assumption! Christ kept the law...you and I fall short. That's not keeping the law!!!

[Robert]

I keep the commandments because I love the Savior....

No, you partially keep the law....Yes, out of love, but nevertheless falling short.

I wish you guys could have your eyes opened then you wouldn't claim such....Keeping the law is living Christ's life, which Paul and John states no one is fully doing....Wake up!!!

[Robert]

It is that simple Redwood. But that doesn't mean that I don't fall everyday.....

No, you misunderstand....Sure, I fall everyday in someway, but then at the same time I am (present tense) failing to fully measure up to the spirit of the law's demands. Christ's life answered the law....If you are living Christ's selfless life, then you are not falling short. But such a claim would be heresy ....Hence, 1 John 1:8

[Robert]

Originally Posted By: Redwood

We don't allow Christ into our life like we should. But then that is why He died for us ... because he knew the deck was stacked against us and we would fail Him.

Sounds pretty discouraging and like a recipe for failure.

And you make it impossible to ever have the assurance of salvation because you constantly present this perfectionistic view....That's discouraging...

[Robert]

One, daily dying to self and overcoming sin, was sanctified through the truth; the other, resisting the transforming power of grace and indulging selfish desires, was brought into bondage to Satan.

Overcoming sin and living Christ's life (true commandment keeping) are not the same. Growing and perfection are two different things. In fact if you read on EGW states that as long as life last there'll be no point where one can say, "I have arrived". Hence, again, we fall short of Christ's life.

[Gerr]

Originally Posted By: John317

One, daily dying to self and overcoming sin, was sanctified through the truth; the other, resisting the transforming power of grace and indulging selfish desires, was brought into bondage to Satan.

Overcoming sin and living Christ's life (true commandment keeping) are not the same. Growing and perfection are two different things. In fact if you read on EGW states that as long as life last there'll be no point where one can say, "I have arrived". Hence, again, we fall short of Christ's life.

Let me ask you again, and will continue to ask as long as you bring up the notion of growth and don't answer the question.

In Christian growth, does the believer continue to steal or stop stealing? Continue to fornicate or stop fornicating? i.e become more obedient or less obedient? More loving or less?

[John317]

Originally Posted By: John317

One, daily dying to self and overcoming sin, was sanctified through the truth; the other, resisting the transforming power of grace and indulging selfish desires, was brought into bondage to Satan.

Overcoming sin and living Christ's life (true commandment keeping) are not the same. Growing and perfection are two different things. In fact if you read on EGW states that as long as life last there'll be no point where one can say, "I have arrived". Hence, again, we fall short of Christ's life.

The Bible is not talking about absolute perfection.

What is perfection?

There's a difference between a perfect baby and a perfect man. So it is in the Christian life.

If someone who has been a Christian for 50 years hasn't made any spiritual progress and is still committing the very same sins that he was 50 years before, he would be the same as a man who is still sucking his thumb and needing diapers. It is OK for a baby to suck his thumb and need diapers, but what is OK for a baby is not OK for a grown man. That is the same in the Christian life. Just because there is not absolute perfection or sinlessness does not mean that there is no perfection in any sense of the word. Babies can be perfect but if the baby doesn't grow up and make progress, he ceases to be perfect and becomes a "retarded" man.

As long as life shall last, we will continue to grow, of course. Transformation of character is a process.

[olger]

I wish it was that simple pk. But we have the deck stacked against us. The Devil is like a roaring lion. And because of the world that we have been thrown into .... we do that which we don't want to do. We don't allow Christ into our life like we should. But then that is why He died for us ... because he knew the deck was stacked against us and we would fail Him.

Yo, Red. Let us praise Him who is the health of our countenance, rather than exalt the lesser powers of he who runs the world. "Greater is He who is in you.."

If we can do all things through Christ, and nothing without Him, I submit - there is hope beyond weak existentialism.

Praise Him.

g

[John317]

Like seeks like. Like appreciates like. Christ recognizes his own Spirit and image in his followers. As they become more like him, they seek a closer association with him. His character shines with new attractions. They see matchless charms in their Redeemer, and he becomes "the chiefest among ten thousand," and the one "altogether lovely." His ways are precious to them, and it is their delight to do his will. {ST, January 6, 1888 par. 14}

The words of Jesus test the profession we make. He declares: "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. . . . If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings; and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me." "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever: even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." {ST, January 6, 1888 par. 15}

We must not take a feeble, vacillating course; but with unchangeable purpose, place our wills on the side of God's will, become rich in faith, rich in the knowledge of his word, and rich in the power of his Spirit. If we do those things that are pleasing in the sight of our God, we may hold the keys of the invisible world. We may unlock Heaven's storehouses, and draw upon their inestimable treasures. {ST, January 6, 1888 par. 17}

Then let none of us entertain the thought that it is of little moment whether we heed the commandments of God, or pass them by with indifference. When the great books of Judgment are opened, and the motives of every heart are laid bare, there will be no excuse for those who trifle with God's plain words. "The wages of sin is death." This is the awful and inevitable sentence pronounced upon the transgressor. But the righteous shall enter into life. Says the Son of God, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

-

{ST, January 6, 1888 par. 18}

[wayfinder]

Matthew 7:21

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:48

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

[Robert]

Originally Posted By: Robert

Overcoming sin and living Christ's life (true commandment keeping) are not the same. Growing and perfection are two different things. In fact if you read on EGW states that as long as life last there'll be no point where one can say, "I have arrived". Hence, again, we fall short of Christ's life.

[/quote']

Let me ask you again, and will continue to ask as long as you bring up the notion of growth and don't answer the question.

In Christian growth, does the believer continue to steal or stop stealing? Continue to fornicate or stop fornicating? i.e become more obedient or less obedient? More loving or less?

Does he continue to practice self-love (iniquity)?

[Robert]

HEY ROBERT

YES we all fall short but JESUS makes up the difference

That's heresy...a subtle form of legalism....In the judgment nothing is credited to you....You are either perfect "in Christ" or perfect in yourself. No partial credit.

[Robert]

As long as life shall last, we will continue to grow, of course. Transformation of character is a process.

Okay...

[Robert]

Matthew 7:21

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:48

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

You must understand these verses within their original context. Otherwise you are teaching salvation by law.

[wayfinder]

What is the context?