The Two Sides in the Great Controversy

[Just*]

SELF-SACRIFICE OR SELF-DEFENCE

"SELF-PRESERVATION is the first law of nature."

But self-sacrifice is the first law of grace.

In order to self-preservation, self-defence is essential.

In order to self-sacrifice, self-surrender is essential.

In self-defense, the only thing that can be employed is force.

In self-surrender, the only thing that can be employed is love.

In self-preservation, by self-defence, through the employment of force, force

meets force, and this means only war.

In self-sacrifice, by self-surrender, thru love, force is met by love, and this

means only peace.

Self-preservation, then, means only war; while self-sacrifice means only

peace.

But war means only death. Self-preservation, then, meaning only war, means

only death; while self-sacrifice, meaning only peace, means only life.

Self-preservation being the first law of nature, nature then means only death;

while self-sacrifice being the first law of grace, grace means only life.

But death only is the wages of sin; nature, then, meaning only death, it is so

only because nature means sin; while life, being only the reward of

righteousness; grace, meaning only life, it is so only because grace means

righteousness.

Sin and righteousness, nature and grace, are directly opposite and

antagonistic elements. They occupy realms absolutely distinct. Nature, self-

preservation, self-defence, force, war, and death, occupy only the realm of sin;

grace, self-sacrifice, self-surrender, love, peace, and life occupy only the realm of

righteousness.

The realm of sin is the realm of Satan. The realm of grace is the realm of

God. All the power of the domain of grace is devoted to saving men from the

dominion of sin. This in order that, "as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might

grace reign, thru righteousness, unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."

On which side do you stand in this great controversy?

A. T. JONES. April 29, 1897 The Present Truth 17, 36

[Gail]

[skyblue888]

All true. Very well said.

"Well then, what is our position? Our position must be a position of ____ ____.

Can you fill the blanks?

sky

[skyblue888]

Can't fill the blanks?

anyone

sky :)

[Twilight II]

I have read the same principle expressed by William Law in this way:

Pride vs Humility