This is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you!

[skyblue888]

Did it ever dawn upon your mind that God, through the all-sufficient merits of Christ's infinite sacrifice, has "called" each and everyone of us into His grace the same way He called the worlds into existence?

"I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel." Gal.1:6.

The same Word that called the worlds into existence has called each and every one of us into the grace of Christ. How did God call the worlds into existence?

"He spoke and it was done! He commanded and it stood fast." Psalm.33:9.

"God who called those things that are not as though there were." Romans 4:17.

Before He called them they were not. As soon as He spoke the word, they were!

And this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto us. "God who called me by His grace to reveal His Son in me." Galatians 1:15,16.

"He who called you from darkness (nothingness) into His marveous light." 1 Peter 2:9.

God has called each and everyone of us into the grace of His dear Son, that is, into His marvelous light. To those who receive the word of His grace, God says, "You were once darkness but now you are light in the Lord." Eph.5:6.

In the beginning, darkness was upon the face of the deep and the Lord said, "Let there be light! And there was light." There was no time between the spoken word and the thing done!

So now the Lord says, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." 2 Tim.4:22. This is the commandment of the everlasting God for obedience to the faith. (Romans 16:24-26)

By virtue of the all-sufficient merits of Christ's shed blood, God has made His will known. It is His will that the grace of Christ, which is exceedingly abundant with faith and love, (1 Timothy 1:14) be with each and everyone of us. He has desired it. Therefore He has given the command, "Grace be with you. Amen." 2 Tim.4:22.

The whole law and the prophets are fulfilled in one word: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

This is the grace which was with the apostle Paul and which made him what he was.

"By the grace of God I am what I am; and His grace, which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." 1 Cor.15:10.

God opened Paul's ears (Psalm 40:6; Isaiah 50:4,5) that he might be able to hear the word of His grace, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you," and He believed. He said "Amen," and it was so.

The grace of God was immediately with him according to the will of God to work in him both to will and to do God's good pleasure. And so it must be with all those who are hungering and thirsting for salvation. They must hear the word of His grace, "Grace be with you," and know that it is so unto all and upon all them that believe. This is what it means to believe His commandments. "I believe Your commandments." Psalm 119:66.

To believe His commandments is to believe that when God speaks it is done! It means to believe that there is no time between the word spoken and the thing done! This is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto us, the word of His grace! "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them who are sanctified." Acts 20:32.

"Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18.

Paul's mission was "to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24.

The word of the Gospel of His grace is able to build you up into an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Eph.2:22) And, the life which is thus imparted is in like manner sustained, by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God, shall man live! Mat.4:4.

"That as sin reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ, our Lord." Romans 5:21.

This is the righteousness which is of God by faith and which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. (Rev.14:12)

"Grace be to you, and peace, from God, our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." Eph.1:2.

And when the Lord Jesus shall appear in the clouds of Heaven, the righteous shall cry with trembling: "Who shall be able to stand?" The angels' song is hushed, and there is a period of awful silence. Then the voice of Jesus is heard, saying: "My grace is sufficient for you." 2 Cor.12:9. This they know by experience for they had received His grace, the Spirit of Christ, to help their infirmities and to form a Christian character in the midst of an atmosphere of doubt and unbelief. Heaven is in their hearts!

The faces of the righteous are lighted up, and joy fills every heart. And the angels strike a note higher and sing again as they draw still nearer to the earth! See The Geat Controversy, p.641.

Interestingly enough, in the very last verse of the book of Revelation is the call to His grace repeated:

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Revelation 22:21.

And all the people said, Amen!

sky

[Just*]

For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. Rom 10:5

for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Gal 3:10

the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Gal 3:12

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree: Gal 3:13

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Gal 2:21

For if they which are of the law [be] heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Rom 4:14

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. Rom 10:3

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. Gal 2:16

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Phil 3:9

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Rom 4:4-5

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

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Rom 4:6

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Tit 3:7

And if by grace, then [is it] no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if [it be] of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Rom 11:6

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, [was] not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. Rom 4:13

For if the inheritance [be] of the law, [it is] no more of promise: but God gave [it] to Abraham by promise. Gal 3:18

[is] the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. Gal 3:21-22

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. [Whereof] the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Heb 10:14-17

And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. Zech 3:4

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels. Is 61:10

[Dr. Rich]

"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Rom 3:28" Hmmm? Tell that to the 5 foolish bridesmaids and see how far it will get them!

[Guest]

Rich, it's amazing how someone such as yourself, who claims to be so wise and enlightened, has such a small, and feeble understanding of the plan of salvation.

Paul is not doing away with the law here, as you obviously think he is. But is instead pointing out what actually saves a person. And he's right, keeping the commandments is not how one is justified. But at the same time, not keeping the commandment will cause one to be lost. Keeping the law will not atone for your passed sins. Only the righteousness of Christ can do that. But you still have to obey the commandments.

As I've said before: The things you say about Paul, are either said out of ignorance, or a willful misunderstanding of his writings.

Isa 54:17 This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, says the LORD.

Psa 24:5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Zec 3:3,4 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spoke unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich apparel.

You see, even in the old testament, righteousness and salvation were a gift.

[Robert]

.... not keeping the commandment will cause one to be lost.

False....

[karl]

Originally Posted By: Richard Holbrook

.... not keeping the commandment will cause one to be lost.

False...

TRUE.

Ye followers of snippets of Paul, read what PAUL says about the children of disobedience. Because of disobedience cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Ephesians 2:2,3

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Ephesians 5:6-8

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

[skyblue888]

The letter of the law (engraved on stones or written with ink in the Bible) is a ministry of condemnation and death. "The letter kills." 2 Cor.3:6,7. The letter can only point to Christ, to show us our need of a Saviour. But once it has accomplished its purpose, how do we receive the Saviour?

"We receive Christ through His word and the Holy Spirit is given to open the word of God to our understanding." M.B.112.

We receive Him through His word, not merely written but spoken. Jesus said, "The words that I SPEAK unto you, they are Spirit and they are life." John 6:63. Proceeding out of His mouth the law of ten precepts is "the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus." Rom.8:2. Received from His mouth, the Ten Words are "living oracles". (Acts 7:38) They impart power, they beget life, even a new life in Christ Jesus!

Thus it is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the MOUTH of God." Matt.4:4. These are the terms of the New Covenant. God speaks and His word is self-fulfilling. "My word shall accomplish that which I please." Isaiah 55:11. Under the "Old Covenant" man promises to obey the commandments in his own strength but is incapable of rendering obedience. Under the "New Covenant" man brings to God the merits of Christ and receive the ten commandments as the voice of God speaking to him and thus the commandments become promises by which he becomes a partaker of the divine nature. (2 Peter 1:4) The law of God's mouth is the ministry of the Spirit and "the Spirit is life because of righteousness." 2 Cor.3:6-9; Rom.8:10.

Thus we read, "The law of ten precepts of the greatest love ever presented to man is the voice of God from Heaven speaking to the soul in promise. There is not a negative in that law although it may appear thus." E.G. White, Bible Commentary,Vol.1, p.1105.

"Incline your ear, Hear, and your soul shall live." Isaiah 55:3. For "I know that His commandment (proceeding from His mouth) is life everlasting." John 12:50.

May the Lord Jesus open our ears that we may hear as the learned, (Isaiah 50:4,5; Psalm 40:6)) that we may hear the voice of Him whose word (spoken word) can renew the soul unto everlasting life. John 6:68.

This ministry of righteousness has been made possible solely on account of the all-sufficient merits of Christ's infinite sacrifice. As we come to God trusting wholly in the merits of Christ's shed blood for our acceptance with Him, the Lord opens our ears that we may hear the law from His mouth. Then it is the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus and we are made free from the law of sin and death, as long as we continue in this faith. In other words, the life thus received is in like manner sustained, by every word that proceeds out of the MOUTH of God. Matt.4:4.

This is what it means to eat His flesh and to drink His blood as far as our spiritual nature is concerned.

sky

"The Word of the Living God is not merely written, but spoken. The Bible is God's voice speaking to us, just as though we could hear it with our ears. If we realized this, with what awe would we open God's Word, and with what earnestness would we search its precepts. The reading and contemplation of the Scriptures would be regarded as an audience with the Infinite One!" Testimonies, Vol.6, p.393.

[skyblue888]

For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. Rom 10:5

for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Gal 3:10

the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Gal 3:12

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree: Gal 3:13

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Gal 2:21

For if they which are of the law [be] heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Rom 4:14

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. Rom 10:3

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. Gal 2:16

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Phil 3:9

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Rom 4:4-5

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

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Rom 4:6

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Tit 3:7

And if by grace, then [is it] no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if [it be] of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Rom 11:6

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, [was] not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. Rom 4:13

For if the inheritance [be] of the law, [it is] no more of promise: but God gave [it] to Abraham by promise. Gal 3:18

[is] the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. Gal 3:21-22

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. [Whereof] the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Heb 10:14-17

And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. Zech 3:4

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels. Is 61:10

The law merely engraved on stones or written with ink shows us our dire need of a Saviour. It points us to Christ, but it cannot impart life to us. This is what the apostle Paul had in mind when to the Galatians he said, "For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law." Gal.3:21. Here Paul is speaking of the mere letter of the law. But the same words proceeding out of the MOUTH of God do impart life to the believing sinner as Jesus Himself said, "The words that I SPEAK unto you, they are Spirit and they are Life." John 6:63,68.

Received as the voice of God the ten words are Spirit and Life to the hearer. Isaiah 55:3.

Here is a beautiful commentary on the words of Jesus, "The words that I SPEAK unto you, they are Spirit and they are life." John 6:63. The ten words that Jesus SPOKE on Sinai are full of the creative energy by which He called the worlds into existence:

"The creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in His word. This word imparts power, it begets life. Every command is a promise; accepted by the will, received into the soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature and re-creates the soul in the image of God. The life thus received is in like manner sustained, by every word that proceeds out of the MOUTH of God (Matt.4:4) shall man live."

What is this power, then, this creative energy that is in the voice of God, in the words of God's mouth? "God's holy, educating Spirit is in His word." C.O.L.132.

Isn't that another jewl of a commentary on John 6:63? This means that the law of ten precepts are to be received as the voice of God speaking to us from Heaven. This is the preaching of Jesus Christ!

The law of His mouth imparts the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of life. The law of His mouth is full of grace and truth. And that is why the apostle Paul speaks of it as "the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus" in Rom.8:2. It is the "Voice of salvation," the "Voice of rejoicing!" For the very keynote of the words of God's mouth is, rejoicing! See Psalm 118:15.

It is safe to say that not one in one hundred understands this for himself and yet it is the Bible truth that is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare.

"I the Lord SPEAK righteousness." Isaiah 45:19. "The word is gone out of My MOUTH in righteousness." verse 23. Thus "All Your commandments are righteousness." Psalm 119:172.

The Lord says that if we would receive His commandments as the Voice of God speaking to ourselves, if we would "hearken" unto His voice, then our peace would be as a river and our righteousness as the waves of the sea! See Isaiah 48:18.

Certainly there is something here about the law of God's mouth being Spirit and Life that we may not have appreciated before. The word of His mouth is the word of faith which we are to preach fo the reception of His word, not merely written but spoken, is the reception of Christ Himself!

back to you

sky

[skyblue888]

E.J. Waggoner spoke of the law of God's mouth very eloquently:

"That same word that spoke the universe into existence, which said to the earth, 'Bring forth grass,' speaks to us in the words of God's law. But His law is not a harsh, lifeless decree, which weak mortals are to strive in vain to keep, while God watches them with a stern eye ready to taunt and punish them for failure; but we 'know that His commandment is life everlasting.' John 12:50. That word which says to us, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself,' sheds that love abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit just as the word of God brings forth the fruit in the plant. Then well may we sing:

'How gentle God's commands!

How kind His precepts are!'" The Gospel in Creation, p.103,104.

It is so in us unless we interpose an evil heart of unbelief.

sky

The law of God's mouth is the ministry of the Spirit and Life to us through the merits of the blood shed for us upon Calvary's cross.

[Robert]

.... not keeping the commandment will cause one to be lost.

[karl]

That word which says to us, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself,' sheds that love abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit just as the word of God brings forth the fruit in the plant. The Gospel in Creation, p.103,104.

It is so in us unless we interpose an evil heart of unbelief.

It is so when we open the door to Christ who stands there knocking.

It is so when we cooperate with God's working in us to will and to do of His good pleasure.

It is so when we confess our sins and receive forgiveness.

It is so when we hunger and thirst for righteousness.

It does not take overt rejection of Christ to be lost - just a failure to respond.

It does take overt cooperation to be saved. Ye have not because ye ask not.

[skyblue888]

Originally Posted By: skyblue888

That word which says to us, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself,' sheds that love abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit just as the word of God brings forth the fruit in the plant. The Gospel in Creation, p.103,104.

It is so in us unless we interpose an evil heart of unbelief.

It is so when we open the door to Christ who stands there knocking.

It is so when we cooperate with God's working in us to will and to do of His good pleasure.

It is so when we confess our sins and receive forgiveness.

It is so when we hunger and thirst for righteousness.

It does not take overt rejection of Christ to be lost - just a failure to respond.

It does take overt cooperation to be saved. Ye have not because ye ask not.

Why make it so complicated? sometimes I get the impression that some of us are more royalist than the King!

It is obvious that when Waggoner wrote this he had those who were thirsting and hungering for righteousness in mind. Who else?

Why not appreciate light for what it is instead of always looking for loopholes or something thats not even there!

It is no wonder why we are still here wandering in this wilderness of sin and sorry because of our unbelief.

sky

[karl]

It's not complicated. Two very simple options.

We cooperate with God in what He wants to do and He can save us while preserving our free will.

We don't cooperate with God in what He wants to do and He cannot save us while preserving our free will.

I listed some cooperative options. There are many others. Our job is to just keep saying "Yes, Lord, not my will but Thine be done."

[pnattmbtc]

Considering things from the perspective of legalities and theological jargon I think obscures things. Please consider the following description:

Quote:

He (God) would make them (the wicked) happy if He could do so in accordance with the laws of His government and the justice of His character. He surrounds them with the tokens of His love, He grants them a knowledge of His law, and follows them with the offers of His mercy; but they despise His love, make void His law, and reject His mercy. While constantly receiving His gifts, they dishonor the Giver; they hate God because they know that He abhors their sins. The Lord bears long with their perversity; but the decisive hour will come at last, when their destiny is to be decided. Will He then chain these rebels to His side? Will He force them to do His will? {GC 541.4}

Those who have chosen Satan as their leader and have been controlled by his power are not prepared to enter the presence of God. Pride, deception, licentiousness, cruelty, have become fixed in their characters. Can they enter heaven to dwell forever with those whom they despised and hated on earth? Truth will never be agreeable to a liar; meekness will not satisfy self-esteem and pride; purity is not acceptable to the corrupt; disinterested love does not appear attractive to the selfish. What source of enjoyment could heaven offer to those who are wholly absorbed in earthly and selfish interests? {GC 542.1}

Could those whose lives have been spent in rebellion against God be suddenly transported to heaven and witness the high, the holy state of perfection that ever exists there,-- every soul filled with love, every countenance beaming with joy, enrapturing music in melodious strains rising in honor of God and the Lamb, and ceaseless streams of light flowing upon the redeemed from the face of Him who sitteth upon the throne,--could those whose hearts are filled with hatred of God, of truth and holiness, mingle with the heavenly throng and join their songs of praise? Could they endure the glory of God and the Lamb? No, no; years of probation

were granted them, that they might form characters for heaven; but they have never trained the mind to love purity; they have never learned the language of heaven, and now it is too late. A life of rebellion against God has unfitted them for heaven. Its purity, holiness, and peace would be torture to them; the glory of God would be a consuming fire. They would long to flee from that holy place. They would welcome destruction, that they might be hidden from the face of Him who died to redeem them. 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. {GC 542.2}

This makes it clear why people are lost. They have not developed characters which are in harmony with God or the principles of His government.

Character is the important thing. That's what will determine our destiny.

If we develop characters which are out of harmony with God and the principles of God's government, God could not resurrect us in the first resurrection, because then we'd be miserable for 1,000 years, in a place that "would be torture" for us. God would have to resurrect us in the second resurrection, to in mercy cut our suffering short.

So how do we develop characters in harmony with God and the principles of His government? By being born again:

Quote:

How, then, are we to be saved? "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness," so the Son of man has been lifted up, and everyone who has been deceived and bitten by the serpent may look and live. "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the

world." John 1:29. The light shining from the cross reveals the love of God. His love is drawing us to Himself. If we do not resist this drawing, we shall be led to the foot of the cross in repentance for the sins that have crucified the Saviour. Then the Spirit of God through faith produces a new life in the soul. The thoughts and desires are brought into obedience to the will of Christ. The heart, the mind, are created anew in the image of Him who works in us to subdue all things to Himself. Then the law of God is written in the mind and heart, and we can say with Christ, "I delight to do Thy will, O my God." Ps. 40:8. {DA 175.5}

[Dr. Rich]

AMEN karl!

[Just*]

E.J. Waggoner spoke of the law of God's mouth very eloquently:

"That same word that spoke the universe into existence, which said to the earth, 'Bring forth grass,' speaks to us in the words of God's law. But His law is not a harsh, lifeless decree, which weak mortals are to strive in vain to keep, while God watches them with a stern eye ready to taunt and punish them for failure; but we 'know that His commandment is life everlasting.' John 12:50. That word which says to us, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself,' sheds that love abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit just as the word of God brings forth the fruit in the plant. Then well may we sing:

'How gentle God's commands!

How kind His precepts are!'" The Gospel in Creation, p.103,104.

It is so in us unless we interpose an evil heart of unbelief.

sky

The law of God's mouth is the ministry of the Spirit and Life to us through the merits of the blood shed for us upon Calvary's cross.

"In creating all things in the beginning, God set forth Christ to declare the word which should cause all things to exist. Christ did speak the word

only, and all things were. And in redemption, which is creation over again, God set forth Christ to declare the word of righteousness. And when

Christ speaks the word only, it is so. His word, whether in creating or in redeeming, is the same ...

In this same way precisely it is in man's life. In man's life there is no righteousness. In man there is no righteousness from which righteousness

can appear in his life. But God has set forth Christ to declare righteousness unto and upon man. Christ has spoken the word only, and in the

darkened void of man's life there is righteousness to everyone who will receive it. Where, before the word is received, there was neither

righteousness nor anything which could possibly produce righteousness, after the word is received, there is perfect righteousness and the

very Fountain from which it springs. The word of God received by faith--that is, the word of God expected to do what that word says and

depended upon to do what it says--produces righteousness in the man and in the life where there never was any before; precisely as, in the

original creation, the word of God produced worlds where there never were any worlds before. He has spoken, and it is so to everyone that

believeth: that is, to every one that receiveth. The word itself produces it."

A.T. Jones 17 Jan., 1899 RH

[karl]

If we develop characters which are out of harmony with God and the principles of God's government, God could not resurrect us in the first resurrection, because then we'd be miserable for 1,000 years, in a place that "would be torture" for us. God would have to resurrect us in the second resurrection, to in mercy cut our suffering short.

Many are teaching that God cannot change our characters here in this life, but that we will be changed later.

I don't think they can be saved with that attitude.

If God changes us without our cooperation after we die or after we are raptured, He is not saving us. He's saving somebody else. The only way He can save us is to change our characters here in this life, with our cooperation. Otherwise it will not be US that He saves. It will be somebody different that He creates.

[pnattmbtc]

Quote:

karl:Many are teaching that God cannot change our characters here in this life, but that we will be changed later.

This is a dangerous teaching.

Quote:

I don't think they can be saved with that attitude.

Sure, one could be saved with attitude, just as long as one does not act upon it. That is, if one merely believes his character will be changed, even though it won't be, but nevertheless cooperates with the Holy Spirit, allowing the Holy Spirit to mold, to lead and guide, one could still be saved. It's only if one says "No!" to the Holy Spirit, regardless of one's theology, that one will be lost.

This holds for all religions.

Quote:

If God changes us without our cooperation after we die or after we are raptured, He is not saving us. He's saving somebody else. The only way He can save us is to change our characters here in this life, with our cooperation. Otherwise it will not be US that He saves. It will be somebody different that He creates.

That's an interesting way of looking at. It would certainly be violating the concept of free will.

[karl]

It would be highly unusual for a person to believe God cannot change his character (that he is doomed to remain rebellious to God's will) and yet cooperate with God in the changing of his character.

The more I think about it, the less I think it is possible.

[Musicman1228]

Character is the deciding factor. We must have the character of Jesus Christ. But what is the essential element of that character?

Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. Rev.12:17.

Obedience is the first and foremost character trait that we need to develop. Jesus obeyed His Father in all things. So must we. Grace cannot save you if you are disobedient to the will of the Father, and if you put any words of anyone before the words of Jesus.

[oldsailor29]

Well that's almost right. Obedience is seen in those who are following the teachings of Jesus. Obedience is the outward sign of faith, by which alone we are saved. Only those who are saved by faith are able to develop characters like Jesus. So it stands to reason that those in whom we see obedience are the ones who are saved. Of course there is always some exception. I mean it is possible to demonstrate obedience without developing the righteous character.

[wayfinder]

Well that's almost right. Obedience is seen in those who are following the teachings of Jesus. Obedience is the outward sign of faith, by which alone we are saved. Only those who are saved by faith are able to develop characters like Jesus. So it stands to reason that those in whom we see obedience are the ones who are saved. Of course there is always some exception. I mean it is possible to demonstrate obedience without developing the righteous character.

Demonstrate obedience to what, without a standard (law) how do we demonstrate obedience. What faith, faith in what or who. It sounds like you must obey before you can have faith, but wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?

[skyblue888]

E.J. Waggoner spoke of the law of God's mouth very eloquently:

"That same word that spoke the universe into existence, which said to the earth, 'Bring forth grass,' speaks to us in the words of God's law. But His law is not a harsh, lifeless decree, which weak mortals are to strive in vain to keep, while God watches them with a stern eye ready to taunt and punish them for failure; but we 'know that His commandment is life everlasting.' John 12:50. That word which says to us, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself,' sheds that love abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit just as the word of God brings forth the fruit in the plant. Then well may we sing:

'How gentle God's commands!

How kind His precepts are!'" The Gospel in Creation, p.103,104.

It is so in us unless we interpose an evil heart of unbelief.

sky

"In creating all things in the beginning, God set forth Christ to declare the word which should cause all things to exist. Christ did speak the word only, and all things were. And in redemption, which is creation over again, God set forth Christ to declare the word of righteousness. And when Christ speaks the word only, it is so. His word, whether in creating or in redeeming, is the same ...

In this same way precisely it is in man's life. In man's life there is no righteousness. In man there is no righteousness from which righteousness can appear in his life. But God has set forth Christ to declare righteousness unto and upon man. Christ has spoken the word only, and in the darkened void of man's life there is righteousness to everyone who will receive it. Where, before the word is received, there was neither righteousness nor anything which could possibly produce righteousness, after the word is received, there is perfect righteousness and the very Fountain from which it springs. The word of God received by faith--that is, the word of God expected to do what that word says and depended upon to do what it says--produces righteousness in the man and in the life where there never was any before; precisely as, in the original creation, the word of God produced worlds where there never were any worlds before. He has spoken, and it is so to everyone that believeth: that is, to every one that receiveth. The word itself produces it."

A.T. Jones 17 Jan., 1899 RH

Just

______________

Amen!!!

"For I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20.

We can safely say that if He comes into us to sup with us and us with Him, then we will have "the gold tried in the fire" which is His faith which works by love that we may be rich; we will also have the "white raiment" which is His robe of righteousness that we may be clothed; and we will also have "the eyesalve" which is His spiritual discernment that we may see. All of these things will be ours when He comes into us.

But how does He come into us? He says, "If any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come into him."

How do we hear His voice and what is this door that we must open? The voice, of course, is the voice of His word. "Hearkening unto the voice of His word." Psalm 103:20. And the door is the door of faith. "And when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles." Acts 14:27. But what is the door of faith? The door of faith is the ear. "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17.

When the ear, which is the door of faith, is opened, the soul can hear the voice of God in His word and the voice imparts power, it begets the life of Christ into the soul of the hearer, even the life of the Infinite One! "Mine ears You have opened." Psalm 40:6. "The Lord God has opened my ear." Isaiah 50:5. "He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to hear as the learned." Isaiah 50: 4.

"Incline your ear; hear, and your soul shall live." Isaiah 55:3.

Notice these words, "Only he who receives the Scriptures as the voice of God speaking to himself is a true learner." C.O.L.59. And this, "The Scriptures are to be received as God's Word to us, not written merely but spoken." M.H.122.

In Volume 6 of the Testimonies, we read, "The Word of the living God is not merely written but spoken. The Bible is God's voice speaking to us, just as surely as though we could hear it with our ears. If we realized this, with what awe would we open God's word and with what earnestness would we search its precepts." 6 T 393.

Doesn't that remind you of a passage of Scripture in which David said, "My heart stands in awe of Your word." Psalm 119:161. David was a true learner. He received the law spoken by Christ on Sinai as the voice of God speaking to himself. To him the reception of the word, not merely written but spoken, was the reception of Christ Himself. He understood that the ten words were "living oracles" (Acts 7:38) and thus he said, "I will never forget Your commandments, for by them You have given me life." Psalm 119:92,93,50. In the precepts of God's mouth David heard the voice of God in Christ and was revived. He prayed to God, saying, "My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word." Psalm 119:25.

In His precepts or commandments, David heard the voice of Him whose word can renew the soul unto everlasting life! By receiving the law from Christ's lips, Christ came into Him to sup with him and he with Him.

"The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of shekels of gold and silver." Ps.119:72.

David understood that to receive God's law from His mouth is to receive Christ Himself who alone can fulfill that law! His ear was opened. He heard the voice of God in His commandments and he said, Be it done unto me as you have spoken! Thus to him every command was a promise, a most positive promise of its own fulfillment. By receiving the ten words as the voice of God from Heaven speaking to himself, he received the grace of God, the Spirit of Christ to help his infirmities and to form a Christian character.

David was a Christian. He believed in Christ. He trusted in the merits of a Saviour to come and he learned to live by every word that proceeds out of the MOUTH of God! Matt.4:4. We too must trust in the merits of a Savior who has come and hear His voice and live!

"The law of ten precepts of the greatest love ever presented to man is the voice of God from Heaven speaking to the soul in promise. There is not a negative in that law although it may appear thus." E.G.White, B.C. Vol.1, p.1105.

Could this be the key of the house of David? See Isaiah 22:22; Rev.3:7,20; Isaiah 55:3; Acts 14:27; Rom.10:17.

sky

"The reception of the Word (not merely written but spoken), the bread from Heaven, is declared to be the reception of Christ Himself." E.G. White.

The Lord Himself has given the command: "Abide in Me and I in you." "Continue in My love." John 15:4,9. This is the law and the prophets. Do we hear His voice? If we do it means that He has opened our ear that we may live righteously in His sight. He immediately abides in us and us in Him by faith. Of course only those who hunger and thirst for salvation can be made to hear the voice, to have their ears opened. Man shall live by every word that proceeds out of the MOUTH of God.

The law of God's mouth is the ministry of the Spirit and Life to us through the merits of the blood shed for us upon Calvary's cross.

[skyblue888]

Well that's almost right. Obedience is seen in those who are following the teachings of Jesus. Obedience is the outward sign of faith, by which alone we are saved. Only those who are saved by faith are able to develop characters like Jesus. So it stands to reason that those in whom we see obedience are the ones who are saved. Of course there is always some exception. I mean it is possible to demonstrate obedience without developing the righteous character.

oldsailor, your last sentence, you meant to write that it is IMPOSSIBLE to demonstrate obedience without developing the righteous character, right?

"They must have His grace, the Spirit of Christ, to help their infirmities, or they cannot form a Christian character." F.W.32.

And the Lord Himself, on account of the merits of His shed blood, has given the command: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Rev.22:21.

And the grace of God, the Spirit of Christ, is with all and upon all them that believe, saying "Amen" to the word of His grace and trusting wholly in the merits of Christ for their acceptance with God.

And He commands us to "Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18.

How are we to grow? By the same power that brings the fruit into the plant.

sky

[wayfinder]

Matthew 19:16 And someone came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life ?"

17 And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good ? There is only One who is good ; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."

18 Then he said to Him, "Which ones ?" And Jesus said, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER ; YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY ; YOU SHALL NOT STEAL ; YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS ;

19 HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER ; and YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." 20 The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept ; what am I still lacking ?"

21 Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven ; and come, follow Me."

This one account, clearly overturns "faith alone". Not only does the Son of God list five of the last six commandments, but adds love your neighbor as yourself. The command to love, God and our neighbor, did not replace or supersede the Ten Commandments, nor does Jesus imply that these commandments are optional, Jesus then says "follow Me". To follow the Son of God is to become His disciple/student, so He is saying obedience to the commandments brings you to the place where you learn the truth from the teacher of truth. The teacher of truth at the time of this account was the Son of God. The teacher of truth today is the Spirit of Truth who gives us understanding of the accounts of the students of the Son of God.