skyblue888 Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 All are familiar with these expressions, "You deserved it," or "he deserved it" or "they deserved it." It may have been a promotion or a raise in one's wages or whatever it might be. Do not people judge the worth of a cause by its merits? Do we not accept or reject ideas on account of their having merits or not? In financial matters, schemes, propositions, ideas and plans are rejected or approved according to their merits or demerits, are they not? Is it not a very natural thing for human beings to treat matters or other human beings according to their merits or demerits? People "earn" merits through hard work, dedication, bravery, or through sacrificing whatever it might be. The more merits a person has earned, the more that person is worthy of notice, the more he/she is honored and the more he/she becomes the object of admiration! Now I ask you, Were not the condescension and humiliation of Christ of value beyond estimate? Was not His sacrificial death most worthy of our notice and admiration? Did not Christ, by His life and death, earn infinite merits? And would it not be fair to ask: In the light of the infinite sacrifice that He made, should not His merits alone be extolled? Yet, many ask: What are the merits of Christ? sky Quote "The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.
skyblue888 Posted November 13, 2012 Author Posted November 13, 2012 One of the Reformers, acknowledging his appreciation of the merits of Christ, wrote: "Father, 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." Martyn, Vol.3, ch.13. This discovery by the Reformers is said to be the true light: "As the TRUE LIGHT dawned upon their minds," "they cast themselves wholly upon the MERITS of Jesus." The Great Controversy.74. sky Quote "The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.
Gibs Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 We need them Sky as we have none of ourselves. 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. Quote A Freeman In Jesus Christ
skyblue888 Posted November 13, 2012 Author Posted November 13, 2012 The Holy Spirit is the "grace" of God. It is also called "great grace" (Acts 4:33) and this great grace of the Holy Spirit (cannot be excelled) is exceedingly abundant with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus (1 Tim.1:14) and this love is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God.(Rom.5:5; Rom.13:10; Gal.5:6; Rev.14:12) And the faith by which we become partakers of this "great grace" is the faith that lays right hold upon the all-sufficient MERITS of the Savior.(Rom.3:25) We must daily apply to the merits of the crucified and risen Savior for His intercession before the Father in our behalf is that of presenting His divine merits. « Looking unto Jesus and trusting in His MERITS we appropriate the blessings of light and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. » Testimonies, Vol.5,744. sky Quote "The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.
skyblue888 Posted November 13, 2012 Author Posted November 13, 2012 We need them Sky as we have none of ourselves. 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. Yes! "Shall selfishness come into your hearts? And will those who set not before them the pattern, Jesus, extol your merits? You have none except as they come through Jesus Christ." E.G. White, 5 B.C.1128. sky Quote "The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.
skyblue888 Posted November 14, 2012 Author Posted November 14, 2012 Jesus said, "If you LOVE me, keep MY commandments." That is sufficient. Blackberry ________________ "If you love Me, keep my commandments." Jesus Christ. We cannot love God and keep His commandments unless we approach Him trusting wholly in the MERITS of a crucified and risen Savior. Then the love of God is shed abroad into the heart by the Holy Spirit (Rom.5:5) and His love is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. In other words, then His commandments become promises to us, most positive promises of their own fulfillment for "love is the fulfillment of the law." Rom.13:10. Love is right doing, God's right doing in and through us as we rest in the merits of our precious Redeemer. "God will accept everyone that comes to Him trusting wholly in the MERITS of the blood of a crucified and risen Savior. Love springs up in the heart. There may be no ecstasy of feeling but there is an abiding, peaceful trust." 1 S.M.354. The merits of a crucified and risen Savior are SUFFICIENT to present to the Father in our behalf in order to receive the power by which the requirements of the law are to be fulfilled, and that power is Christ through the Holy Spirit diffusing the love of God through our whole being. "The love which Christ diffuses through our whole being is a vitalizing power. Every vital part, the brain, the heart, the nerves, it touches with healing. If frees the soul from the guilt and sorrow, the anxiety and care that crush the life forces. By it the highest energies of the being are roused to activity. It brings with it serenity and composure. It implants in the soul a joy that nothing earthly can destroy, joy in the Holy Spirit, health-giving, life-giving." Ministry of Healing,115. It accomplishes everything. laval Quote "The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.
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