So what are the "Merits" of Christ?

[Guest]

"she states that as long as life shall last that there'll be stopping point were we can say I have arrived"....

I agree with that.

[Guest]

When you have attained the perfection she talks about, you won't know it. So you won't say I have arrived.

[Robert]

It's in your life too.

Of course...

[Robert]

"she states that as long as life shall last that there'll be stopping point were we can say I have arrived"....

I agree with that.

Arrived at what? Perfection....

[Robert]

When you have attained the perfection she talks about, you won't know it. So you won't say I have arrived.

Whatever!

[Guest]

human beings may in this life attain to perfection of character. This is God's assurance to us that we, too, may obtain complete victory. {AA 531.2}

You can't do it but God can.

[Guest]

Phl 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

[skyblue888]

Amen!!!

[Guest]

So anything is possible through God. Right sky?

[skyblue888]

thats what Heb.11 shows clearly, doesn't it?

[Guest]

By faith

[Guest]

In His humanity, perfected by a life of constant resistance of evil, the Saviour showed that through co-operation with Divinity, human beings may in this life attain to perfection of character. This is God's assurance to us that we, too, may obtain complete victory. {AA 531.2}

[Guest]

The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. Psa 37:31

[Robert]

human beings may in this life attain to perfection of character. This is God's assurance to us that we, too, may obtain complete victory. {AA 531.2}

You can't do it but God can.

Not without my complete cooperation and surrender...."The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak"

[Robert]

Phl 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Then why aren't you perfect? And why does 1 John 1:8 say, "If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves"?

[Robert]

So anything is possible through God. Right sky?

So the problem, then, is you....Your lack of complete surrender....

[Robert]

You guys are always talking "if", but it never happens....Why even bring it up if you are not perfect?

So, the reason you bring it up is because you are waiting on some future manifestation of obedience. Sometime in the future you'll be perfect, as God is perfect...But, what if you never arrive?

You guys are under law....You have no peace...you have no assurance. You are under a yoke of bondage....

[Guest]

Originally Posted By: Richard Holbrook

human beings may in this life attain to perfection of character. This is God's assurance to us that we, too, may obtain complete victory. {AA 531.2}

You can't do it but God can.

Not without my complete cooperation and surrender...."The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak"

Of course you have to cooperate. That goes without saying.

[Woody]

You guys are always talking "if", but it never happens....Why even bring it up if you are not perfect?

So, the reason you bring it up is because you are waiting on some future manifestation of obedience. Sometime in the future you'll be perfect, as God is perfect...But, what if you never arrive?

You guys are under law....You have no peace...you have no assurance. You are under a yoke of bondage....

[Woody]

And ...

Quote:

"Like Him. This points to the fulfillment of God's plan for fallen man -- restoration to the divine image...It is God's design to restore that similitude by giving man victory over sin and over every temptation. The restoration will be completed AT THE SECOND COMING." 7 BC 649

[skyblue888]

Red, these statements u just quoted you know very well are not from the pen of inspiration but from some uninspired theologians. If they are be read to mean that our characters will be changed at the second coming of Christ, they do not speak the truth because only our bodies will be changed then. By that time our character transformation will have been completed at least as far as the living righteous are concerned. Those who come up in the resurrection will have been changed but not to the same extent of those who will be among the 144,000. They walked according to the light that they had in their day and their character transformation was according to the degree of light given. But the last generation, the remnant of God, will reflect Christ fully before He appears in the clouds of Heaven. This both the Scriptures and the Testimonies teach clearly.

sky

[Woody]

You would be in error with that statement.

"Condemnation without investigation, will insure ignorance forever."

[skyblue888]

When you quote, please give the name of the author. That's the least we can do, right?

The restoration will be complete at the coming of Christ because the saints will receive a body corresponding to the transformation of their characters to the likeness of Christ. Nothing will be changed then as far as the character is concerned. This will have been achieved prior to His appearing.

[oldsailor29]

The restoration will be complete at the coming of Christ because the saints will receive a body corresponding to the transformation of their characters to the likeness of Christ. Nothing will be changed then as far as the character is concerned. This will have been achieved prior to His appearing.

Skyblue - I like your statement except you left out our transformation of our sinful natures at the coming of Jesus. While it is true, all characters will be fully developed before His coming, our sinful natures will be changed when He arrives. It seems to me that most people think our natures and our characters are the same thing. I don't believe they are the same. Our characters are defined by that which we characteristically do. Our sinful natures are what we are trying to overcome, with God's help. If our natures were purified before the second coming, then there would be nothing to overcome, no character development at all. I believe we will receive new bodies, but I also believe our natures will be purified at His coming.

[Woody]

Quote:

"But while the followers of Christ have sinned, they have not given themselves up to be controlled by the satanic agencies. They have repented of their sins and have sought the Lord in humility and contrition, and the divine Advocate pleads in their behalf. He who has been most abused by their ingratitude, who knows their sin and also their penitence, declares: “The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan. I gave My life for these souls. They are graven upon the palms of My hands. They may have imperfections of character; they may have failed in their endeavors; but they have repented, and I have forgiven and accepted them.” {PK 589.1}