A Must For Every Christian

[Overaged]

Christ's high priestly ministry is not for forgiveness, but for non-imputation of sins currently committed since these had been forgiven on the cross.

There is danger of not making Christ's teachings a personal matter, of not receiving them as though they were addressed to us personally. In His words of instruction Jesus means me. I may appropriate to myself His merits, His death, His cleansing blood, as fully as though there were not another sinner in the world for whom Christ died.... {TMK 280.3}

[Gibs]

The Christians walk is higher than most seem to see. Please read these quotes from EGW for all SDA's. Most serious non SDA's I find agree with these quotes.

"Many poor souls are groping in darkness, looking for the feelings which others say they have had in their experience. They overlook the fact that the believer in Christ must work out his own salvation with fear and trembling. The convicted sinner has something to do. He must repent and show true faith. {Pr 262.1}

When Jesus speaks of the new heart, He means the mind, the life, the whole being. To have a change of heart is to withdraw the affections from the world, and fasten them upon Christ. To have a new heart is to have a new mind, new purposes, new motives. What is the sign of a new heart?—A changed life. There is a daily, hourly dying to selfishness and pride.—(Messages to Young People, 71, 72.) {Pr 262.2}

PRAYER NO SUBSTITUTE FOR OBEDIENCE.—Men and women, in the face of the most positive commands of God, will follow their own inclination, and then dare to pray over the matter, to prevail upon God to consent to allow them to go contrary to His expressed will. God is not pleased with such prayers. Satan comes to their side, as he did to Eve in Eden, and impresses them, and they have an exercise of mind, and this they relate as a most wonderful experience which the Lord has given them.—(Review and Herald, July 27, 1886.) {Pr 262.3}

Communion with God imparts to the soul an intimate knowledge of His will. But many who profess the faith know not what true conversion is. They have no experience in communion with the Father through Jesus Christ, and have never felt the power of divine grace to sanctify the heart. Praying and sinning, sinning and praying, their lives are full of malice, deceit, envy, jealousy, and self-love. The prayers of this class are an abomination to God. True prayer engages the energies of the soul and affects the life. He who thus pours out his wants before God feels the emptiness of everything else under heaven.—(Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, 534, 535.) {Pr 262.4}

There are conditions to the fulfillment of God’s promises, and prayer can never take the place of duty. “If ye love Me,” Christ says, “Keep My commandments.”“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 14:15, 21. Those who bring their petitions to God, claiming His promise while they do not comply with the conditions, insult Jehovah. They bring the name of Christ as their authority for the fulfillment of the promise, but they do not those things that would show faith in Christ and love for Him".—(Christ’s Object Lessons, 143.) {Pr 263.1}

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Overaged]

Very true Gerry, If we equaled our God and Saviour that would be making more of it than is expected, an unreachable goal. I like the quote "We must imitate God's perfection".

He is our example and goal to be like. Our protégé', our Champion to copy and adore.

That of course will lead one away from the course of the world climbing higher each day being our goal to be like Him.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Gibs]

We show if we do have that Love OV,

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

1Jo 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Love is the fulfilling of the commandments, it can't be done unless our love is as His Love, that law is then in our hearts too as it is of His heart.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Overaged]

Need to put more skin on your theology there bro...

What does that commandment keeping actually look like? How does it work? I beleive John 13:35 speaks best to that.

[Gibs]

Our love is to be as His Love and that is given in the commandments 4 of them for our God and 6 for our fellow man. If we truly love Him these are part of us the same as for Him. They are in our hearts and is the rule of our life.

The "skin" is that it is the law of love, only love can fulfil it.

Until one falls back in sin we are not under it, but soon as we sin, it revives and condemns us, His schoomaster to bring us back to our once true love.

When we sin then it is like Paul states,

Ro 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

Ro 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Woody]

Quote:

Whenever someone whips us with all the obedience quotes

I've noticed a lot of whippin' a goin' on.

[Gibs]

For Heavens sakes Woody, love is naturally obedient. Love desires to please. In the case of this discussion it is our God and Saviour and our fellow man within the Masters guidelines.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[olger]

Amen. The leading question of a converted heart is "Lord, what can I do to serve you?"

[Woody]

Quote:

our fellow man within the Masters guidelines.

[Woody]

Amen. The leading question of a converted heart is "Lord, what can I do to serve you?"

Kinda reminds me of the Rich Young Ruler.

[olger]

The converted heart is at enmity with the world (Romans), and seeks those things which please Him (Col. 1:10-12).

"And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light."

[Gibs]

"A Must For Every Christian".,

"He who repents of his sin and accepts the gift of the life of the Son of God, cannot be overcome. Laying hold by faith of the divine nature, he becomes a child of God. He prays, he believes. When tempted and tried, he claims the power that Christ died to give, and overcomes through His grace. This every sinner needs to understand. He must repent of his sin, he must believe in the power of Christ, and accept that power to save and to keep him from sin. How thankful ought we to be for the gift of Christ's example.--The Review and Herald, Jan. 28, 1909. {3SM 356.2}

Don't Worry, Your Hope Is in Christ

A life in Christ is a life of restfulness. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an abiding, peaceful trust. Your hope is not in yourself; it is in Christ. Your weakness is united to His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty to His enduring might. . . . {3SM 356.3}

We should not make self the center and indulge anxiety and fear as to whether we shall be saved. All this turns the soul away from the Source of our strength. Commit the keeping of your soul to God, and trust in Him. Talk and think of Jesus. Let self be lost in Him. Put away all doubt; dismiss your fears. Say with the apostle Paul, "I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). Rest in God. He is able to keep that which you have committed to Him. If you will leave yourself in His hands, He will bring you off more than conqueror through Him that has loved you.--Steps to Christ, pp. 70-72. {3SM 357.1}

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[JoeMo]

Goodness - some of the posts on here make God sound like a shrewd taskmaster, eager to whip us if we get out of line; or a distant and petty emperor whose slogan is "My way or the highway". It makes me feel like saying "yes; God loves me; but He must be so disappointed in me right now". Or when I do sin, I should stay away from God for a while until he cools off; because He probably isn't speaking to me right now.

You might quote to me Matt. 10:38:

"38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me."

Well Jesus' suffering and death didn't last for 33 years - It lasted for a couple days! (Don't get me wrong - I don't discount for 1 second the infinite cost He paid so save me!) Between birth and death, it seems like He had at least a few good times with His friends. He even made 6 big pots of wine for a bunch of people at a wedding who were already drunk!

Let's say my earthly parents told me that I was a "bad boy", a "loser" and "if you don't change, you will never amount to anything" to the point that I tell myself the same thing day after day; even though I am grown up and leave home. Further, my parents constantly theatened to kick me out of the house whever I get out of line. How will I behave? Probably like a cowering "bad" man" and a loser" not comfortable to call anyplace "home".

"A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." (Luke 6:45)

Is that what God wants? When I sin, does He tell me how "bad" I am; and what a "loser" I am? Does he constantly threaten to kick me out of His House? The parents I have never did that; and the God I worship would never do that either. He constantly tells me how much He loves me; and how happy He is to have me in the family.

Let's say further that my parents burn me to teach me not to play with matches; and break my bones to teach me not to do stupid dangerous things; telling me the whole time that they are doing it because they love me. What kind of twisted concept am I going to have of love?

So is God, - who is infinitely better than my parents could ever be, going to arrange an "accident" for me or give me cancer just to get my attention and turn me around? The God I worship would never do that; and if the "true" God does those things, I'd just as soon go into oblivion when I die. The God I worship, woos me with kindness and mercy and grace.

"Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?" (Rom. 2:4)

I'm sticking with the God of love and mercy; not the God of wrath and judgement.

[Gibs]

JM,

He has provided us with the power to do His will and His word to guide us as to His will on becoming overcomers of the devil sin and the world. Satan makes the way hard not God., EGW,

"We each have a work to do in character-building. As we advance in this work, Satan stands ready to oppose us, and there are crosses to take up, and obstacles to be overcome; but our efforts may be a success. When we take hold on the merits of Christ, we shall overcome. He has made it possible for every one to gain eternal life. Many, looking forward to the solemn realities of the future, tremble in their hearts as they question. How will it be with me in the Judgment? To what fate shall I awaken, when all that are in their graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live? This is a question for us to decide each for himself. All stand on an equal footing. We are all free moral agents; we may accept God's terms--keep his commandments and believe on Christ--and live; or we may disbelieve, pursue our own course, and perish." {BEcho, January 15, 1889 par. 7}

A better council couldn't be given.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Woody]

Quote:

I'm sticking with the God of love and mercy; not the God of wrath and judgement.

Excellent Choice JoeMo

[skyblue888]

There is nothing we can do except resting in the merits of our Redeemer that we may be clothed with His robe of righteousness which works in us both to will and to do.

Read Hebrews 4 again and you will see that all that is requiored of us is that we believe that we may enter into God's rest.

Believe what? That the merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf in order to receive the gift that cannot be excelled, the gift that brings all other blessings in its train. The gift of the Holy Spirit.

sky

[Gibs]

Some more good council,

Now we have opportunity to prepare for the solemn scenes before us. We may be converted to God, and have a change of character; but when Christ shall come there will be no time for this. The change then will be with our bodies. "This corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." A new year is opening before us, and what shall its record be? You look back upon the past year, and you see many things that you would be glad to have different, that you wish had been better. How will it be with the new year that is just opening? Shall we not at its commencement present ourselves to God, an acceptable offering, to work, to suffer, and to endure according to his will? Shall we not, every one of us, live a life of faith in the Son of God? We cannot afford to live a single day in sin; for "the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Then let us so live that when he comes he may crown us with glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life. {BEcho, January 15, 1889 par. 11}

Why do I post so many of EGW's writings? Because I'm noboy to the most in the world. I find her statements true and on course and many love her.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[JoeMo]

Reading this thread convinces me that quotes from scripture or EGW will not change any of us from our current spiritual views; only our own spiritual experiences will either prove or disprove our current opinions of God and salvation. My own testimony, as succinct as I can make it appears below. It contains no quotes from anyone but myself.

I was born and raised a good Roman Catholic for the 1st 18 yours of my life. Enough about that.

When I became totally disillusioned with Catholicism and the mean God it portrayed, I became a hippie and what I would now call a heathen pagan. Drugs, sex, and rock n' Roll, baby! Enough about that.

When I got married and had kids, I didn't want them to see their dad as a drunk and stoned loser, so I searched for a church that fit my belief system. After cycling through Jehovah's Witnesses and Worldwide Church of God (Herbert Armstrong), I discovered Adventism; and it perfectly fit the bill.

I was a REAL good Adventist, I turned my back on alcohol and drugs, became a vegan, and did my best - most of the time. I would fall sometimes and beat myself up badly because I was outside of God's hedge of protection since I had broken His law; and was under His wrath. Even when I was being "good", I was so afraid He was going to bring something terrible upon me. Then, the "terrible" happened - my oldest son suddenly died. Even though I knew that somehow I deserved this anguish that I thought He had brought upon me, I cried out in anger at Him and cursed Him for bringing this on me. That was the first time I remember "hearing" His voice. In summary, He said "Do you think I would do something like this to you? I love you! I would NEVER put this one of My children through this kind of anguish!. I will stay here and grieve with you as long as you want me to."

Through the grieving process, God led me to want something more than mere sobriety, the same set of recycled sermons, and the guilt of never being "good enough". My feeble efforts of sin management were failing miserably; and I came to believe that God would never put me through this kind of ordeal. I was beginning to think maybe God did love me in spite of myself.

Eventually, I became part of an SDA church plant of about 40 - 50 people. Things were going miserably spreading the message that "If you keep all the Commandments of God (especially the Sabbath); and quit smoking and drinking alcohol and caffeine; and quit going to movies, listening to rock music, and dancing, life is so much fun! Plus you get to go to heaven if you're good enough!" It just wasn't working - especially with the young crowd we were really seeking.

We prayed and prayed that God would show us what to do. For some unknown reason, non-SDA's started showing up in significant numbers, and staying. We started going to some of their churches with them to show them honor, respect, and gratitude for supporting our little church. We started to get a view of spirituality outside of Adventism; and some of it was pretty amazing.

After a while, "strange" stuff (for traditional Adventists at least) started happening at our church - testimonies of absolutely amazing miracles and manifestations that would sometimes leave no time for sermons. Spontaneous healing of terrible injuries. Spontaneous cures of usually fatal diseases. People "hearing" from God (and I thought I was schizophrenic"!). Many scriptures that we had previously overlooked about love and mercy and reconciliation glared out at us. The whole churched changed almost at once.

No I am just as "good (maybe "better") than I used to be; but it's not an effort on my part. God is continuously making me a "new creature".

The results of those changes are reflected in the posts I have made in this thread the past few days.

I will no longer try to defend my current spiritual position on this thread (although I will still follow it). What I stated above is simply a short testimony of my experience; and I either must believe it is God's blessings, or deny the experiences of my senses and my heart. I always reserve the right to be wrong and change my position, if presented with convincing Bible truth or divine revelation. Sorry; I haven't seen it yet.

I hope that wasn't too boring or self-serving. Blessings to you all.

[Woody]

Excellent JoeMo

[JoeMo]

Bless you, Woody. I truly think you understand what I've been trying to say.

[Overaged]

That was a wonderful testimony JoeMoe! Rev 12:11, 1 John 1:1-3. Thankyou for sharing it with us. I really appreciated it.

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

I hope that wasn't too boring or self-serving. Blessings to you all. I will no longer try to defend my current spiritual position on this thread

Jesus never asked me to make sure that everyone agree with my personal testimony, but He did ask me to preach the Word, in speech and action. He brought me to the conclusion that if I take care of His business, he will take care of mine. Not to mention that He was taking care of my business when I was too ignorant to see His intervention in my life, maybe to a large extent due to those who were praying for my eternal welfare.

Welcome to the fold, JoeMo.

"And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd." John 10:16 NKJV

God blesses!

[Gibs]

JoeMoe,

I read your response that ended,

"I hope that wasn't too boring or self-serving. Blessings to you all. I will no longer try to defend my current spiritual position on this thread"

We all live and learn and there is one thing we must know the one and only way for in absolute on. That is our salvation.

Jesus made the way, not me or any other man.

2Jo 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

Joh 14:15 ¶ If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Those commandments should be each and everyones love to do. They are the law of love. God is love. They are the transcript of His character. It is nothing more than our love to our God and our fellow man. So where is the problem of why the commandments to so many seem to be galling.

We are to overcome, sin, Satan, evil and the world as He did. He came taking no power but we can have to do it. Actually we now have an advantage since He defeated Satan. He and his angels can see His indwelling in you and know as long as you hold on to Him they are defeated.

Joh 15:4 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.

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

I will post but one statement by Jesus and you might read the rest.

Re 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

It is adamant we be overcomers to be in resurrection # 1

Similar ones by Him are, Rev 2:7, 2:17 2:26, 3:5, 3:12

He has made the way easy but He does not "make" you to be an overcomer, He helps you is as far as He can go. Man has a part to do to become one.

The secret is "Christ in you the hope of Glory"

Don't be taken in by the false way touted by men.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[skyblue888]

"We each have a work to do in character-building. As we advance in this work, Satan stands ready to oppose us, and there are crosses to take up, and obstacles to be overcome; but our efforts may be a success. When we take hold on the merits of Christ, we shall overcome. He has made it possible for every one to gain eternal life. Many, looking forward to the solemn realities of the future, tremble in their hearts as they question. How will it be with me in the Judgment? To what fate shall I awaken, when all that are in their graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live? This is a question for us to decide each for himself. All stand on an equal footing. We are all free moral agents; we may accept God's terms--keep his commandments and believe on Christ--and live; or we may disbelieve, pursue our own course, and perish." {BEcho, January 15, 1889 par. 7}

I dont know if you fully realize it, Gibs, but the secret to overcoming, the Holy Grail of the Gospel, is found in this statement above that you quoted earlier, and it is in this phrase:

"When we take hold of the merits of Christ, we shall overcome."

Simple.

Thus we read, in another place, "The only faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Him as a personal Saviour: which appropriates His merits to ourselves." D.A.347.

And how do we appropriate His merits to ourselves?

By claiming them on a daily basis.

See T.M.93.

sky