Consider this

[skyblue888]

Please consider this:

"For now we see as through a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known." 1 Cor 1:13.

Occasionally, someone on the forums will quote this passage of Scripture to sort of remind us that as long as we live in this world we cannot be established on every point for here we see as through a glass, darkly.

Consider the Testimony of Jesus upon this passage:

"The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things. No more will you say, I cannot comprehend. No longer will you see through a glass darkly." Desire of Ages, p.670.

"And when the Holy Spirit shall come into your hearts, to impress the truth upon your souls, you will not let it go easily. You have gained such an experience in searching the Scriptures that every point is established. And it is important that you continually search the Scriptures." Faith & Works,56 bottom of page.

Yet, one who has become established on every point will always acknowledge before God that "he does not know anything yet as he ought to know it." 1 Cor.8:2

And he will never think highly of himself.

"For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself." Galatians 6:3.

"For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing." 2 Cor.12:11.

This is the true spirit of the Gospel, is it not?

sky

[cheddar]

This is the true spirit of the Gospel, is it not?

No, just a bunch of fluff and nonsense.

Paul often had an overbearing and boastful spirit and he was the greatest defender of the gospel - ever!

Elijah definitley had a boastful spirit and he was translated without seeing death.

Christians who have fake humility are just that - fake.

[Gibs]

A humble one is teachable, they are His chosen ones.

Yes Sky I agree with your post wholeheartedly.

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.

[Gail]

The word that comes to my mind is what the KJV calls a contrite heart.

[skyblue888]

"If you have a sense of need in your soul, if you hunger and thirst after righteousness, this is an evidence that Christ has wrought upon your heart, in order that He may be sought unto to do for you, through the endowment of the Holy Spirit, those things which it is impossible for you to do for yourself." M.B.19

[skyblue888]

The apostle Paul was an example of deep love and humility. In chapter 9 of Romans he is like Moses pleading for his people. "I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ, for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh." verses 2,3.

Apart from Moses, Daniel, Jesus of Nazareth, and a few others, can we find a man more humble than the apostle Paul himself? He was a man greatly honored with divine light and power. He had a deep knowledge of the mysteries of the Gospel (Eph.3:3) and yet he said, "If any man thinks he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know." 1 Cor.8:2.

He was behind in nothing among the most eminent of the apostles and yet he said, "I am nothing." 2 Cor.12:11. It was him who wrote, "If any man thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself." Galatians 6:3.

He considered himself to be "less than the least of all saints." Eph.3:8.

He was among those rare men who lived nearest to God, men who would sacrifice life itself rather than knowingly commit a wrong act and yet at the end of his life he confessed himself to be "the chief of sinners." 1 Tim.1:15.

Paul considered himself in the light of the infinite sacrifice that was made for him upon Calvary's cross and the result was that he retained not one particle of self-esteem! He died to self esteem daily through faith in the all-sufficient merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. He had nothing to boast about except in the Lord. "Therefore let no one glory in men." 1 Cor.3:21. "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." 1 Cor.1:31.

For all these reasons Paul had to be a man of deep compassion for "great grace" (Acts 4:33) was upon him. He wrote, "By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all (apostles), yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." 1 Cor.15:10.

He was clothed with the glistening vesture of Christ's righteousness which imparts all the grace, all the powers, all the repentance, all the inclination, and all the pardon of sins!

And "The grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 1:14.

He truly possessed the spirit of the Gospel!

sky

[Gibs]

By Sky, "He truly possessed the spirit of the Gospel! "

Yes he truly did, and straight forward and clear and easy to understand and grasp the whole picture.

He wasn't alone, as the others preached it nearly the same. I do like the little books of 1 John 1: and 2: and 3: and 4:, falls in with Paul beautifully.

None need be deceived on the TRUE GOSPEL messsage.

Trouble seems to be so many do not realize Satan has so many slick well oiled orators of deceit many or should I say most are taken with the false gospel message?

Let the alarm bells ring out loud and clear!

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]

Thanks Gibs. Yes we must believe, receive, and act upon the true light of the Gospel if we are to be among the faithful.

"The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things. No more will you say, I cannot comprehend. No longer will you see through a glass darkly." Desire of Ages, p.670.

More than 100 years ago a voice was heard saying, "The matter of salvation is just as simple as ABC. But we don't understand it." Faith & Works,64.

From the same voice:

"The sinner is justified through the merits of Jesus and this is God's acknowledgment of the perfection of the ransom paid for man." E.G. White, Signs of the Times, July 4, 1892.

"Without a connection with God no one can possibly be happy. Fallen man is to learn that our Heavenly Father cannot be satisfied until His love embraces the repentant sinner, transformed through the merits of the spotless Lamb of God." E.G. White, Our Father Cares, p.204.

Hence, the voice continues, "We shall come in repentance and contrition with a despairing sense of our own finite weakness and learn that we must daily apply to the merits of the blood of Christ that we may become vessels fit for the Master's use." Faith & Works,86.

The above declarations make it much easier to understand and appreciate why "The merits of a crucified and risen Savior are the foundation of the Christian's faith." The Great Controversy, p.73.

Because "The merits of Christ's sacrifice are SUFFICIENT to present to the Father in our behalf." Steps to Christ, p.36.

As you can see for yourself, the message from Heaven was given in clear, distinct lines. Yet the light was resisted! 1 S.M.360; 234,235; T.M.467.

It is SUFFICIENT to plead the merits of Christ's infinite sacrifice before God in order to receive the Gift that cannot be excelled, the Gift that brings all other blessings in its train. (A.A.50)

"Looking unto Jesus and trusting in His merits, we receive the blessings of light and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Testimonies, Vol.5, p.744.

Another way of saying that "With the simple faith of a little child we must rest in the merits of Christ, accepting His righteousness, and believing in His mercy." Review and Herald, March 20, 1894.

In a sermon preached at Ottawa, Kansas, on Sabbath May 11, 1889, the same voice was heard speaking of "the faith that lays right hold upon the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour to bring Christ's righteousness into the life," and "His righteousness is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God." Faith & Works,65,66; Testimonies to Ministers, p.92.

For "Christ's righteousness accomplishes everything." Faith & Works,27.

Conclusion:

"There is salvation for you but only through the merits of Jesus Christ. The grace of the Holy Spirit has been offered to you again and again." Testimonies to Ministers, p.97.

sky

[Gibs]

He needs us also to representent Him rightly. To not do so is not a right work.

EGW, quote,

"If we are living Christians, we shall not inquire, when some new requirement is presented to us, "Is this convenient?" but we shall render willing obedience to all the commands of the Lord. It was not convenient for Christ to come from his throne of glory to this dark world and die, but it was expedient for us; for it is through his death that we are to find life and salvation. {ST, June 8, 1891 par. 8}

Christ never repulses those who would come close to him; he welcomes them. Shall we not believe his promises, and become one with the Living Vine? If we do this, we shall bear much fruit. How I long to see the people of God come up to their high privilege. Jesus says, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." {ST, June 8, 1891 par. 9}

The Christian's mission in the world is to reveal the character of Christ, to represent the Lord to the fallen children of men. If we are ever to enter heaven, we must bring heaven into our life here. We must be pure and holy, and if we gain heaven at last, we shall be with the Saviour throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. We shall hear him say, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." The crown of glory will be placed upon the brow of the overcomer, and he will enter the city of God a conqueror. We are now upon the battle-ground, and Jesus will do the fighting for us, if we will only let him. He will lift up a standard for us against the enemy; for he hears our prayers, and help will come when we most need it. Then let us live for the future, immortal life, "looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." {ST, June 8, 1891 par. 10}

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]

The following was the last part of my last post:

In a sermon preached at Ottawa, Kansas, on Sabbath May 11, 1889, the same voice was heard speaking of "the faith that lays right hold upon the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour to bring Christ's righteousness into the life," and "His righteousness is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God." Faith & Works,65,66; Testimonies to Ministers, p.92.

For "Christ's righteousness accomplishes everything." Faith & Works,27.

The above says it all, does it not?

sky

[Gibs]

Sky, That is an excellent quote, she was spot on and with the Holy Word.

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.

[cheddar]

The following was the last part of my last post:

In a sermon preached at Ottawa, Kansas, on Sabbath May 11, 1889, the same voice was heard speaking of "the faith that lays right hold upon the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour to bring Christ's righteousness into the life," and "His righteousness is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God." Faith & Works,65,66; Testimonies to Ministers, p.92.

For "Christ's righteousness accomplishes everything." Faith & Works,27.

The above says it all, does it not?

sky

This is one area where I completely agree.

You could talk about the merits of a crucified and risen savior a hundred times in a row and I wouldn’t have a problem with it.

Now when it comes to keeping the commandments I do have a problem.

God himself doesn’t keep the commandments. How many times did God send his own people to kill other people? How many times did he allow the possessions of one group of people to be taken by another group? And how many times did he wink at adultery in the old testament?

The old covenant is not an accurate picture of righteousness, that’s why we need to be in the new covenant. New covenant commandments revolve around faith and love and this is a better picture of righteousness.

So if you’re saying we should be new covenant commandment keepers then I whole heartedly agree.

[skyblue888]

Sky, That is an excellent quote, she was spot on and with the Holy Word.

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, you just made my day.

Praise God.

sky :)

[skyblue888]

How marvelous it is that in just a few words the true religion, the only religion of the Bible can be so simply stated:

"There is salvation for you but only through the merits of Jesus Christ." T.M.97.

"Living faith enables its possessor to lay hold on the merits of Christ, enables him to derive great comfort and satisfaction from the plan of salvation." 1 S.M.364.

What could have caused resistance to this most precious message?

Here is one clue:

"When light begins to shine forth to make clear the plan of redemption to the people, the enemy works with all diligence, that the light may be shut away from the hearts of men." The Review and Herald, Sept.3, p.1889.

These words were penned shortly after the proclamation of the 1888 message which God had intended to come to His people as the latter rain message!

"We have been in the time of the latter rain since the Minneapolis meeting." E.G. White, 1893 General Conference Bulletin, p.377.

How did the enemy succeed in blinding God's people and cause them to reject this simple but most precious message ever sent to God's professed people?

The answer to this question is no less simple and clear:

"Men are losing the right way, in consequence of thinking that they must climb to Heaven, that they must do something to merit the favor of God. This they can never accomplish." Letter 22, 1889.

During a morning talk to ministers at the General Conference session held in November 1883, at Battle Creek, Michigan, the Testimony of Jesus was heard:

"We have long desired and tried to obtain the blessings of the covenant of grace but have not received them because we have cherished the idea that we could do something to make ourselves worthy of them."

In a general manuscript written in 1890, the Lord described His people as being "in a fog of bewilderment" since there were some "discussions strenuously advocating creature merit, and each man striving for the supremacy."

The Testimony of Jesus was that men needed "to discern with astonishment the utter worthlessness of creature merit."

The Holy Spirit desired to fix their eyes, instead, upon the merits of a crucified and risen Savior!

In an article of The Review and Herald, November 4, 1890, The Testimony of Jesus clarified the issue:

"Faith is the condition upon which God has seen fit to promise pardon to sinners; not that there is any virtue in faith whereby salvation is merited, but because faith can lay hold of the merits of Christ, the remedy provided for sin."

We should all be amazed at the simplicity of the matter of salvation. If somehow this last statement did not convince us, consider this one:

"Righteousness is obedience to the law. The law demands righteousness, and this the sinner owes to the law; but he is incapable of rendering it. The only way he can attain to righteousness is through faith. By faith he can bring to God the merits of Christ." Ibid.

Truly the matter of salvation is simple and clear.

Bring to God the merits of Christ!

Just as simple as that!

It answers the question, What must I do to be saved?

"Bring to God the merits of Christ."

Only then will the law take care of itself. Only then will the just requirements of the law be fulfilled in the life for we will be clothed with the righteousness of Christ which accomplishes everything. (Phi.2:13;3:9)

Could the Lord have made the plan of redemption more simple and could He have made it more plain?

In May 11, 1889, Mrs. White wrote:

"The matter of salvation is just as simple as ABC. But we don't understand it." F.W.64.

Do we have any excuse now not to understand it and to appreciate its simplicity?

sky

[Gibs]

Very True Sky,

There is no climbing or works to it. It is full and complete surrender of the will and self and pride that many refuse to do.

Applying the merits of Christ is a matter of true faith and love that wants to please Him by being of His Will and Love.

He calls, - - Mt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Yes and it is true rest from fear too of what is coming upon this world heavy into sin and rebellion. Rest knowing He has pardoned us as we have fully repented and now love what He loves and our will is to do His will.

True peace and rest is absolute faith in knowing you are His and that He cares for His own and you are safe in His arms of Love. He puts us under His wings of which nothing can come through and harm us.

TRUE ones of Him we need now to be under those covering wings of His as the "perilous times" are upon us and some martrydom has begun in places and will quickly spread worldwide.

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]

Can we find some evidence in the writings that prior to the proclamation of the message of righteousness by faith at the Minneapolis meeting in 1888, that there was on the part of some, within the congregations, a longing to know and understand the matter of salvation?

Such evidence is not hard to find.

In The Review and Herald, March 8, 1881, we read the following words:

"In every congregation in the land there are souls unsatisfied, hungering and thirsting for salvation. By day and by night the burden of their heart is, What must I do to be saved?"

Can we ask for better evidence than this? Hardly. Notice that in this statement the word "salvation" is used as a substitute for "righteousness".

The statement adds that these dear souls were "listening eagerly to popular discourses, hoping to learn how they may be justified before God."

And what did these people hear? "But too often they hear only a pleasing speech, an eloquent declamation. There are sad and disappointed hearts in every religious gathering ."

In the Review and Herald of February 22, 1887, a little more than one year before the Minneapolis meeting, Mrs. White wrote:

"There are many who want to know what they must do to be saved."

Many wanted to know what they had do in order to be justified before God.

"The present message--justification by faith--is a message from God; it bears the divine credentials, for its fruit is unto holiness." E.G. White, The Review and Herald, Sept.3, 1889.

Now notice how the message of justification by faith leads to holiness for

"Righteousness is holiness, likeness to God, and 'God is love.' 1 John 4;16) It is conformity to the law of God, for 'all Your commandments are righteousness.' (Psalm 119:172), and 'love is the fulfillment of the law.' (Rom.13;10). Righteousness is love, and love is the light and the life of God." Mount of Blessing,18.

So to those who were asking, day and night, "What must I do to be saved?" "What must I do to be justified before God?" this most precious message was sent:

"Present your case before God pleading the merits of the blood shed for you upon Calvary's cross. This is your only plea." Faith & Works,106.

For "There is salvation for you but only through the merits of Jesus Christ." Testimonies to Ministers, p.97.

"Faith and works go hand in hand; they act harmoniously in the work of overcoming. Works without faith are dead, and faith without works is dead. Works will never save us. It is the merit of Christ that will avail in our behalf." Signs of the Times, June 16, 1890.

If there is any such thing as a "Holy Grail," this ought to be it:

"The merits of Jesus Christ are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." Steps to Christ, p.36.

In Manuscript 1, 1889, Mrs. White spoke of "The faith which lays right hold upon the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Savior to bring the righteousness of Christ into your life."

And "Christ's righteousness accomplishes everything." F.W.27

It is "made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God." (T.M.92)

Now we can better appreciate why this faith is called "living faith."

"Living faith is essential to our salvation, that we should lay hold upon the merits of a crucified and risen Savior." Ibid.

Let us extol the merits of Christ and the merits of Christ alone and the Arm of the the Lord will be moved to finish the work upon the earth and cut it short in righteousness.

sky

[Gibs]

Sky, there is plenty of them before 1888 but I ran across this one and it is a very well laid out thought on this., 1901 is the date,

"I long to see you improving the capabilities given you by God, so that you can respond to the inquiry, "What must I do to be saved?" Let the words fall from sanctified lips, "Be saved by accepting Christ by faith as your personal Saviour." God is love. The sinner need not perish if he will exercise faith in the wonderful efficacy of the cross of Christ. The cross is the stupendous expedient by which is harmonized the love and justice of God. It is the sinner's only means of salvation. . . . The image of His love may be so stamped upon the mind that it can never be effaced. Then Jesus Christ will be so evidently set forth crucified before you that you will be a partaker of the dignity of His suffering. I have such an intense longing that you may look into the heart of this great mystery, and find that its interpretation is love. . . . {LHU 252.4}

As you make a full surrender of your will to God's will, your way to God's way, you will learn of Him who is meek and lowly in heart, and will find rest unto your soul. A calm confidence will preside over you. . . . You will experience more and more clearly the sense of an ever-present, all-pervading Saviour. This will give the soul power . . . , which the changing circumstances of earth cannot undermine. It plants the feet upon a solid rock (letter 123, 1901).

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]

Thanks Gibs. Yes there are many a statement that can be found on that. Thanks for sharing. And in D.A.347 we are told there that to accept Christ as a personal Saviour means to appropriate His merits to ourselves. And that is living faith.

Why is it important to appropriate the merits of Christ to ourselves? Because

"The merits of Christ blot out transgressions and clothe us with the robe of righteousness woven in the loom of Heaven." Evangelism, p.186.

It is court week with us. Our cases are pending. We are to present our helpless case before God pleading the merits of a crucified and risen Savior saying, Lord, I have no merit or goodness within whereby I may claim salvation, but I present before you the all-sufficient merits of the spotless Lamb of God. This is my only plea!

The Lord is so intent on having us understanding this stupendous truth.

"We have been at work on the law until we become as dry as the hills of Gilboah, without dew or rain. Let the law take care of itself. Let us trust in the merits of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. May God help us that our eyes may be anointed with eyesalve that we may see." E.G. White, 1888 Materials, Vol.2, p.557.

John Calvin, in His prayer to God, said: "We had devised for ourselves many useless follies, but You have placed Your Word before me like a torch and You have touched my heart in order that I may hold in abomination all other merits save those of Jesus." The Great Controversy, p.221.

Amen!

[skyblue888]

I would like to repost something I posted before. I believe with all of my heart that the Laodicean message has not been clearly understood. For so many years I myself have been exposed to so many interpretations as to what the Laodicean message is till I came across the following by A.T. Jones from the 1893 General Conference Bulletin. It was then that the light came on! I doubt we could find a better commentary of what the Laodicean message truly means except in the following. I believe this is, at the very least, a very important aspect of that message.

In imagination try to put yourself in that congregation of Seventh-day Adventists who in 1893 listened to the following speech by brother Jones. How strange it must have sounded to their ears and yet it was the message of God to them from Heaven.

"Why, brethren, the Lord does not save us because we are so good, (or good enough) but because He is so good. Do not forget that. He does not save us, nor bless us in the work of God at all because we are so good, but because He is good and we are bad. And the blessedness of it is that He will bless us so much when we are so bad. And the rejoicing of the whole thing is that He saves us and makes us to reflect His own image, as bad as we are. That is where the rejoicing comes in...

Well, about understanding that; I cannot understand it, but I know it is so, and that is all I care for. It will take eternity to explain it so we can understand it; but as long as I know that it is so, I am not going to trouble myself and worry about how the Lord can do it, or whether I can understand it. Are you? (Congregation: 'No.'" 1893 G.C. Bulletin,178.

Some have said they cannot see how a man can acknowledge himself to be wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, and don't know it, and at the same time be rejoicing in the Lord.

Well, I would like to know how any one else can! I would like to know how a man is going to rejoice in the Lord when he thinks he is all right himself. Can you tell? I can't imagine. Why, brethren, the Lord does not save us because we are so good but because He is so good. Do not forget that." 1893 G.C. Bulletin, 178.

"There is none good but one, that is, God." Mark 10:18.

"Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth." John 9:41.

Every moment that I do not see and confess that I am blind, and have not Him as my sight, I am in sin; He says so. 'Now you say you see; therefore your sin remains.' And every moment that I do not see and confess my nakedness and depend only and absolutely upon Him and His righteousness to clothe me, why so certainly I am ruined, utterly ruined, and every moment that I begin to say, 'Now I know so much,' no, I do not know that at all. Well, then, the thing that I am to do is to say, 'Lord, I do not know it; I depend upon You to teach me everything, even to teach me that I am wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked, and that I need all these things. And when I tell Him all that, He will give all I need. He will do it. That is our situation." Ibid, 187.

And now about that thought last night--some thought that I was going entirely too far. They could say, it is well enough when He says, 'You are wretched,' I say I am wretched. When He says, 'You are poor,' I say I am poor. When He says, 'You are blind,' I say I am blind. When He says, 'You are naked,' I say, I am naked. And when He says, 'You don't know it, then I am to say, "I know it!'? No, no. When He says, 'You don't know it,' I am to say, 'I don't know it.' Do not go to putting constructions upon His way. When I say I am wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, and on top of it He says that I don't know it, I say, "Lord, I dont know it.' That brings us right to the text we started with that night,--'If any man thinks he knows anything, he does not know anything yet as he ought to know it.' 1 Cor.8:2. I do not know yet, as long as I have been acknowledging that thing, I know not how wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked I am.

Just as certainly as we take that Laodicean message as He speaks it, we shall receive all He has in it for us. Then brethren, that is what it is intended for. That is just what the Laodicean message is intended to do. Let it do its own work in His own way." Ibid, 178,179.

"Are you in Christ, not if you do not acknowledge yourselves erring, helpless, condemned sinners." E.G. White, ibid,178.

And in order to be in Christ and Him in us we must daily apply to His merits. (F.W.86; T.M.93)

sky

"The message given by A.T. Jones and E.J. Waggoner is the message of God to the Laodicean church." E.G. White, Letter 5-24, 1892.

[skyblue888]

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, who continually acknowledge themselves erring, helpless, condemned sinners.

Wonderful paradox!

sky

[Gibs]

Sky,

Here is a great quote that all should appreciate as it shows her see long before 1888.

The example of Christ shows us that our only hope of victory is in continual resistance of Satan's attacks. He who triumphed over the adversary of souls in the conflict of temptations understands Satan's power over the race, and has conquered him in our behalf. As an overcomer, He has given us the advantage of His victory, that in our efforts to resist the temptations of Satan we may unite our weakness to His strength, our worthlessness to His merits. And sustained by His enduring might under the strength of temptation, we may resist in His all-powerful name, and overcome as He overcame.-- The Signs of the Times, March 4, 1880. {MYP 50.1}

Her mind and heart were exercised to see it right for probably long before the year 1880 too is my take.

"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.

[Naomi]

[skyblue888]

Sky,

Here is a great quote that all should appreciate as it shows her see long before 1888.

The example of Christ shows us that our only hope of victory is in continual resistance of Satan's attacks. He who triumphed over the adversary of souls in the conflict of temptations understands Satan's power over the race, and has conquered him in our behalf. As an overcomer, He has given us the advantage of His victory, that in our efforts to resist the temptations of Satan we may unite our weakness to His strength, our worthlessness to His merits. And sustained by His enduring might under the strength of temptation, we may resist in His all-powerful name, and overcome as He overcame.-- The Signs of the Times, March 4, 1880. {MYP 50.1}

Her mind and heart were exercised to see it right for probably long before the year 1880 too is my take.

"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.

This is a very excellent quote that I have never read before.

Thanks so much for it.

Yes Mrs. White understood the matter of salvation before the Minneapolis meeting.

sky

[skyblue888]

"When we live by faith on the Son of God (trusting wholly in the merits of His infinite sacrifice) the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." Desire of Ages, p.676. *parenthesis mine

To His disciples of old as well as to us Christ says, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain." John 15:16.

How are we to bring forth fruit? By the same power that causes the natural fruit of the earth to grow. That word which said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit," and whose power we can see manifested in the grass and trees, says to us, 'Bring forth fruit;' and if we are willing to be as submissive to the spoken word as is the inanimate creation, the fruits of the Spirit will be as abundant!" The Gospel in Creation, by E.J. Waggoner, p.95.

AS IN NATURE, SO IN GRACE

"Fathers and mothers, teach your children of the wonderful working power of God. His power is manifest in every plant, in every tree that bears fruit. Take the children into the garden and explain to them how He causes the seed to grow. The Lord puts His own Spirit into the seed, causing it to spring into life. Under His care the germ breaks through the case enclosing it and springs up to develop and bear fruit." Testimonies, Vol.8,326.

This is the power which is manifest in every plant, in every tree that bears fruit!

As we are told of the work that His Spirit does for the seed, we are to learn the secret of growth in grace.

In obedience to the word of God the spire of grain bursts through the earth,"first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.'" Mark 4:28.

"The fruit is first seen in the bud, and the Lord develops it in its proper season because it does not resist His working."

"Can it be that man, made in the image of God, endowed with reason and speech, shall alone be unappreciative of His gifts and disobedient to His word?" Testimonies, Vol.8, p.325-327.

God has spoken to us: "Bring forth fruit." John 15:16.

God desires us to learn from nature the lesson of obedience.

"There is in His words and commands power to bring into subjection and enforce obedience." Testimonies, Vol.1, p.361.

"In every command and in every promise of the word of God is the power, the very life of God, by which the command may be fulfilled and the promise realized... The creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in the word of God. 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 imparted is in like manner sustained, by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Christ's Object Lessons, p.38; Education, p.126.

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I was raised under the catholic influence. At an early age I was taught that the only way to gain God's favor or approval was through merits. I was taught to pray to Mary, the mother of Jesus, because she had a bank of merits. I was also taught to pray to the "saints" who were already in Heaven because of their own merits, the merits of their good works, and that on account of these merits they were qualified to intercede in other men's behalf. I was also taught that my good works had merits to earn God's favor and blessings.

The catholic idea of earning God's favor and blessings or of gaining Heaven through merits is THE RIGHT IDEA but it must be through the right merits, not through creature merits, but through the divine merits of Christ's infinite sacrifice for only the merits of Jesus Christ will avail with God for "The MERITS of Christ's sacrifice are SUFFICIENT to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36; Rom.3:25.

"When we seek to gain Heaven through the MERITS of Christ, the soul makes progress... from strength to strength and from victory to victory." Faith & Works,94.

"Looking unto Jesus and trusting in His MERITS we appropriate the blessings of light and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." 5 T 744.

I firmly believe that in these last days this will be the interest that will prevail and the subject that will swallow up every other for "Christ looked forward to the time when the Holy Spirit, as His Representative, would come to do a wonderful work in and through His merits." T.M.402.

The majority of earth's inhabitants desperately need to "discern with ASTONISHMENT the UTTER WORTHLESSNESS of creature merit to earn the wages of eternal life," (F.W.23) and fix their eyes STEADILY upon the ALL-SUFFICIENT MERITS of the world's Redeemer.

It is written that this is the "true light" that the Reformers discovered from studying the Scriptures. They believed it, received it, and acted upon it.

"They cast themselves WHOLLY upon the MERITS of Jesus." Great Controversy,74,73,221.

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