From what has the believer been saved?

[JoeMo]

 

In response to the SOP quote:"When he sees a weakness in his character, it is not enough to confess it again and again; he must go to work with determination and energy to overcome his defects by building up opposite traits of character." GW92 420.3}

 

Robert said:Are you suggesting that Jesus does not forgive besetting sins?

 

 

If you mean by besetting sins, those sins which we fail to overcome, then yes I agree with Mrs. White.

 

Are you suggesting that one can't do all things through Christ, and that He can't keep you from sinning?(Phil 4:13 and Jude 1:24)

 

Besetting sins must be battled with, and overcome. Objectionable traits of character, whether hereditary or cultivated, should be taken up separately, and compared with the great rule of righteousness; and in the light reflected from the word of God, they should be firmly resisted and overcome, through the strength of Christ. "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." [Hebrews 12:14.]{CE 113.1}

 

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?   Rom. 6:1,2.

Wow Jackson,

Are you meeting this standard?  I'm not.  If you are, you're the first human outside of Jesus that (to my knowlwdge) has ever met this standard.

 

Does that mean I'm gonna burn?  How good must I be to be good enough?  Just in case Jesus comes this afternoon, I'd better get my act together.

 

And I thought I was saved by Jesus' grace; and that His grace was sufficient - shows what I know.  I read that somewhere; (Eph. 2:1-10; 2Corinthians 12:9 for example) but Mrs. White didn't write that - it was some renegade Gentile-lover named Paul.  I wonder whose writings I should go with?

[LifeHiscost]

We all have to choose and act as Moses did. God will not do that  for us.

 

According to the instructions of Jesus, for those who choose His guidance nothing they choose to involve themselves in will be difficult unless their own effort is contrary to His will. OTOH, I do not believe it is a sin to satisfy one's self with heavy burdens, whether physical, emotional or mental. On the one hand, a person might not be satisfied unless they are able to prove how difficult their personal struggle was in order to achieve the goals they set before themselves. OTOH being satisfied with God's goals for them would appear the easier way to traverse this worlds convoluted theories of success.

To me Job is a good example with what he voiced when facing, what for most would be insurmountable obstacles he didn't fully understand.

 

…20Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." 22Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God....Job 3

 

25At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.

29"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." emphasis theirs' LHC

 

God is Love! Jesus saves!

[Robert]

 

If you mean by besetting sins, those sins which we fail to overcome, then yes I agree with Mrs. White.

Does EGW state the believer who fails to overcome besetting sins (sins of repetition) will be lost?

 

 

Besetting sins must be battled with, and overcome. Objectionable traits of character, whether hereditary or cultivated, should be taken up separately, and compared with the great rule of righteousness; and in the light reflected from the word of God, they should be firmly resisted and overcome, through the strength of Christ. "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." [Hebrews 12:14.]{CE 113.1}

 

I don't see that one is lost because they fail to overcome besetting sins above....In fact, read the following:

 

"The Father beholds not your faulty character, but He sees you as clothed in My perfection." [DA p 357]

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?   Rom. 6:1,2.

 

 Not "to continue in sin" means that we will not practice known sin as a legitimate lifestyle. It doesn't mean we do not sin....

[Robert]

Robert, can you give me a good reason why besetting sins cannot be overcome by the power of God's grace?

 

It can be overcome IF you perfectly walk in the Spirit.  Even Paul did not attain to this (see Phil 3:12)

 

And BTW, God will not give you victory over sin if you are depending on that victory as means of salvation. Why?  Salvation comes by Christ's finished work plus nothing!  If you are resting in Christ's finished work, of which the Sabbath is a sign, then God will work in you for a witness, not as a means of salvation.

 

Either one is experiencing legalism (self-righteousness), which is meritorious, or one is experiencing growth in grace, which is demonstrative.  The latter proves one's faith, the former proves one's unbelief.

[JoeMo]

jackson,

I do see grace not only as the sole means of salvation; but the power to overcome.  The question is, do any of us take advantage of that power 100% of the time?  I don't.  Do you?  The stuff you say in Post #132 is a great goal - akin to the goal of a professional football team to have an undefeated season.  Sometimes we miss the target.  I think Jesus has been around long enough to see that in us - that's why He came here to begin with.

[aka]

Our days are few, and are far better spent in doing good than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance.

 

Our churches suffer too often from petty wars over obscure points and unimportant questions.

 

We need to observe the Scripture  precept to “be careful to maintain good works”, then we shall find ourselves occupied with so much profitable business that we will have no time to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless striving's.

 

However, there are very important questions we should not neglect but pursue and give clear answers….

 

1.     Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?

 

2.     Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind?

 

3.     Am I walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit?

 

4.     Am I growing in grace?

 

5.     Does my behaviour adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour?

 

6.     Am I looking for the Lord's coming, and watching as a servant who expects He's coming?

 

7.     What more can I do for Jesus?

 

 

    Such questions as these are the flashlight to our hearts which demand our attention.

[LifeHiscost]

Our days are few, and are far better spent in doing good than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance.

 

Our churches suffer too often from petty wars over obscure points and unimportant questions.

 

We need to observe the Scripture  precept to “be careful to maintain good works”, then we shall find ourselves occupied with so much profitable business that we will have no time to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless striving's.

 

However, there are very important questions we should not neglect but pursue and give clear answers….

 

1.     Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?

 

2.     Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind?

 

3.     Am I walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit?

 

4.     Am I growing in grace?

 

5.     Does my behaviour adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour?

 

6.     Am I looking for the Lord's coming, and watching as a servant who expects He's coming?

 

7.     What more can I do for Jesus?

 

 

    Such questions as these are the flashlight to our hearts which demand our attention.

To make it simple for me;

 

Is there anything I can do to save myself?  yes/no   My answer/no

 

Is there anything Jesus won't do to save me? yes/no "  "/yes! Lower His standards as found in all His Word.

 

Who is my greatest enemy?   me/others/satan "    "/unquestionably satan

 

Who is my best Friend?         Jesus/the Father/the Holy Spirit "    "/without question the Diety

 

Where do I find my best resources for strength of mind and heart?    the Holy Bible/prayer/other men's women's advice  "    "/sometime others

 

God is Love! Jesus saves!  

[LifeHiscost]

 

#1a  A gift of Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

 

…30"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. 31"He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32"And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him."...Acts 5

 

…28For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God....Rom 2

 

#2b A gift of God

 

…7so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.…Eph 2 underlined mine LHC

 

#3c The working of Christ in the soul.

 

13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

 

 

 

…32not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them," declares the LORD. 33"But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.....Jer 31

 

20"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21"I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."....Gal 2

 

God is Love! Jesus saves!

 

[joeb]

This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising. Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us.

I really like this sentence.  The phrase you underlined really defines what sanctification is.  The phrase defines for me what is my duty in my sanctification.  No thread of human devising tells me that I am not to choose what sins to "work" on.  It tells me that my duty is study Christ and when the Holy Spirit convicts me on some behavior I am to follow His leading.  "Thus, my behavior, my "works", have no thread of human devising for I am not acting on my own impulses but am following the leading of God. 

 

So is there "nothing" for me to do?  No.  I must follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.  That is my part in sanctification.  It has no thread of human devising for none of it originates with me. 

[LifeHiscost]

I really like this sentence.  The phrase you underlined really defines what sanctification is.  The phrase defines for me what is my duty in my sanctification.  No thread of human devising tells me that I am not to choose what sins to "work" on.  It tells me that my duty is study Christ and when the Holy Spirit convicts me on some behavior I am to follow His leading.  "Thus, my behavior, my "works", have no thread of human devising for I am not acting on my own impulses but am following the leading of God. 

 

So is there "nothing" for me to do?  No.  I must follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.  That is my part in sanctification.  It has no thread of human devising for none of it originates with me. 

I look at it something like this. How much effort do I make in keeping the blood flowing through my veins? I can do things that impede it but if I cooperate with my body in my lifestyle, for the most part my body and blood take care of themselves. Only something extremely severe would ever cause me to deliberately stop it from flowing, such as Samson's taking his own life. Such is our dependence upon receiving the life of Jesus.

 

…53So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. 54"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55"For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.…John 6

 

11'For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.'....Lev 17

 

God is love!  Jesus saves! 

[LifeHiscost]

There is a vessel drifting. She will soon be on the shore, but a pilot is come on board; he is standing on the deck, and he says to the captain and crew, "I promise and undertake that, if you will solely and alone trust me, I will save thy vessel. Do you promise it; do you believe in me?" They believe in him; they say they believe the pilot can save the vessel, and they trust the vessel implicitly to his care. Now listen to him. "Now," says he, "you at that helm there!" He does not stir. "At the helm there! Can't you hear?" He does not stir! He does not stir! "Well, but , Jack, haven't you confidence in the pilot?" "Oh! yes. Oh! yes, I have faith in him," he says; "he will save the vessel if I have faith in him." "Don't you hear the pilot, as he says have faith in him, and you won't touch the helm?" "Now, you aloft there! Reef that sail." He does not stir, but lets the wind still blow into the sail and drift the vessel on to the coast. "Now then, some of you; look alive, and reef that sail!" But he does not stir! "Why, captain, what shall I do? These fellows won't stir or move a peg." But "Oh!" says the captain; "I have every confidence in you, pilot. I believe you will save the vessel." "Then why don't you attend to the tiller, and all that?" "Oh! no," says he; "I have great confidence in you. I don't mean to do anything." Now when that ship goes down amid the boiling surges, and each man sinks to his doom, I will ask you, had they faith in the pilot? Hadn't they a mimicking, mocking sort of faith, and only that? For if they had been really anxious to have the vessel rescued, and have trusted in the pilot, it would be the pilot that had saved them, and they could never have been saved without him. They would have proved their faith by their works. Their faith would have been made perfect, and the vessel would have been secured. FRUITLESS FAITH

__________

A Sermon Published by Charles Spureon, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London. February 21st, 1861

As long as we shoulder the right yoke we have nothing to worry about.

 

…28"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matt 11 emphasis theirs' LHC

 

God is Love! Jesus saves! 

[Robert]

Every impurity of thought, every lustful passion, separates the soul from God; for Christ can never put His robe of righteousness upon a sinner, to hide his deformity. . . .. {OHC 214.5}

 

Okay, then we must be perfect in order to wear Christ's robe.....

 

That's bad news for sinners.....

 

Let's look at another statement:

 

Perfection through our own good works we can never attain. The soul who sees Jesus by faith, repudiates his own righteousness. He sees himself as incomplete, his repentance insufficient, his strongest faith but feebleness, his most costly sacrifice as meager, and he sinks in humility at the foot of the cross. But a voice speaks to him from the oracles of God's word. In amazement he hears the message, "Ye are complete in him." Colossians 2:10. Now all is at rest in his soul. No longer must he strive to find some worthiness in himself, some meritorious deed by which to gain the favor of God.

[Robert]

This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising. Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us. "...... By His perfect obedience He has made it possible for every human being to obey God's commandments. When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah. {COL 311.4}

 

Okay, let's break this down"

 

 "This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising."

 

In other words it's not based on our performance plus His.  It's 100% His righteousness.

 

"Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us."

 

Yes, Christ lived a perfect life in our humanity.  Now Ellen states that He offers to impart this perfect life to us.  Well, that's problematic because she uses the verb "impart". Christ imparted righteousness is what the believer experiences.  So she's stating that He offers us this perfect righteousness lived in the life of the believer.  She is not speaking of Christ's imputed righteousness because that is not based on the believer's experience, but what Christ did 2000 years ago.

 

"By His perfect obedience He has made it possible for every human being to obey God's commandments. When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. 

 

Sure.  Now, does she mean this practically, or does she mean obeying the Spirit of the law.  Keep in mind the Spirit of God's requires agape only.  Any self-love is condemned.  You are to love your neighbor as you naturally, sinfully, love yourself.  Who is doing this?  So again I'm left with questions to what she meant.

 

"This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness."

 

I can't define what she meant because it's vague.  If she means I must perfectly reflect Christ's agape love to be clothed with His righteousness, well, I can forget heaven.  What's the use in righteousness by faith????  It sounds like heaven based not on Christ's imputed righteousness, but rather what He does in me (His imparted righteousness).  If the latter I can guarantee that everyone on this forum will be lost because no one is living Christ's life.  Who said this?  Ellen White!

 

 

 

 

The religious services, the prayers, the praise, the penitent confession of sin ascend from true believers as incense to the heavenly sanctuary, but passing through the corrupt channels of humanity, they are so defiled that unless purified by blood, they can never be of value with God. They ascend not in spotless purity, and unless the Intercessor, who is at God’s right hand, presents and purifies all by His righteousness, it is not acceptable to God. All incense from earthly tabernacles must be moist with the cleansing drops of the blood of Christ. He holds before the Father the censer of His own merits, in which there is no taint of earthly corruption. He gathers into this censer the prayers, the praise, and the confessions of His people, and with these He puts His own spotless righteousness. Then, perfumed with the merits of Christ’s propitiation, the incense comes up before God wholly and entirely acceptable. Then gracious answers are returned.

Oh, that all may see that everything in obedience, in penitence, in praise and thanksgiving, must be placed upon the glowing fire of the righteousness of Christ. The fragrance of this righteousness ascends like a cloud around the mercy seat.

 

And

 

So long as Satan reigns, we shall have self to subdue, besetting sins to overcome; so long as life shall last, there will be no stopping place, no point which we can reach and say, I have fully attained.

 

 

[LifeHiscost]

Okay, let's break this down"

 

"This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness."

 

 

 

 

 

18For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written, "I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE."…1 Cor 1 emphasis theirs' LHC

 

13for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.....Phil 2

 

God is Love! Jesus saves! 

[Robert]

So, LifeHisCost, are we saved by

 

1] His imputed righteousness alone

 

or

 

2] Both His imputed & imparted righteousness

 

or

 

2] Only His imparted righteousness?

[LifeHiscost]

So, LifeHisCost, are we saved by

 

1] His imputed righteousness alone

 

or

 

2] Both His imputed & imparted righteousness

 

or

 

2] Only His imparted righteousness?

To me, this is self explanatory.

 

 

Only the covering which Christ Himself has provided can make us meet to appear in God’s presence. This covering, the robe of His own righteousness, Christ will put upon every repenting, believing soul. “I counsel thee,” He says, “to buy of Me ... white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.” Revelation 3:18.{COL 311.3}

This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising. Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us. “All our righteousness are as filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6. Everything that we of ourselves can do is defiled by sin. But the Son of God “was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin.” Sin is defined to be “the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:5, 4. But Christ was obedient to every requirement of the law. He said of Himself, “I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Psalm 40:8. When on earth, He said to His disciples, “I have kept My Father’s commandments.” John 15:10. By His perfect obedience He has made it possible for every human being to obey God’s commandments. When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah. {COL 311.4} underlined mine LHC  

 

God is Love! Jesus saves!  

[Robert]

To me, this is self explanatory.

 

 

Okay, what's your answer.... Door # 1, 2 or 3?

 

1] His imputed righteousness alone

 

or

 

2] Both His imputed & imparted righteousness

 

or

 

3] Only His imparted righteousness?

[LifeHiscost]

Every impurity of thought, every lustful passion, separates the soul from God; for Christ can never put His robe of righteousness upon a sinner, to hide his deformity. . . .. {OHC 214.5}

I wouldn't begin to suggest that purposeful sinful conduct, when there is no question in the individuals mind of its' sinful nature but it's held onto obstinately, wouldn't keep one from receiving Jesus' robe of righteousness if justified by the Lord of glory.

That being said, how then would that be consistent with this promise for that person who trusts that God is not only willing to bring His promises to fruition in the suppliant's life, but has proven it to be so in some rather outstanding examples like king Mannasah and king David as well as the thief on the cross?

 

…7The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 8Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. .…1 Pet 4

 

…12So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment....James 2

 

God is Love!   Jesus saves! 

[LifeHiscost]

Okay, what's your answer.... Door # 1, 2 or 3?

 

1] His imputed righteousness alone

 

or

 

2] Both His imputed & imparted righteousness

 

or

 

3] Only His imparted righteousness?

  See this post. It's very well said. LHC

 

jackson

I have already made 100 posts

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Posted Today, 01:52 AM

 

God is Love! Jesus saves!

[Robert]

Robert, you can forget Heaven if you truly believe that God's arm is too short and the power of his grace is too limited to create in you a new heart, give you the mind of Jesus, keep you from falling and allowing you to be a partaker of the divine nature.

 

The problem isn't Christ...the problem is none of us are fully walking in the Spirit.  Besides, if you are depending on what Christ does in you for salvation (i.e., the imparted righteousness of Christ) then God's Spirit will never help you overcome the flesh & the devil because He would be contradicting the gospel.  The Holy Spirit will never contradict Christ's finished work.

 

Only as you rest in His finished work (of which the Sabbath is a sign) can you begin to experience genuine fruit.

 

It is having the faith to allow Christ to both impute righteousness for past sins and impart His righteousness to give you a character fit for heaven.

 

This is Roman Catholicism Theology!

[Robert]

 

 

The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed; the righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven, the second is our fitness for heaven.

 

 

Justification received by faith is not limited to only the forgiveness of past sins.  Justification by faith is standing before God and His law perfect "in Christ Jesus"!

 

Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses (condemned sinners), made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus....

 

In Christ you stand saved or redeemed.  This is justification by faith!  God looks at you, not as a child of Adam, but as you are "in Christ" in "the heavenly places". In Christ you are a new, immortal & sinless creation.  That's what Christ presents before God and His holy law.  In Him you stand complete.

 

Now turn to John 15:3 You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you.

 

That's justification by faith!  You stand perfect in Christ Jesus.

 

4 Abide in me (by faith), and I in you....5....He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 

 

Q: So what's the prerequisite to bearing fruit?  

 

A: Abiding in Christ or simply stated "resting in His finished work of redemption"! 

 

If you aren't resting or abiding in His finished work, you are working.  

 

Here's a group of Christians working (not resting):

 

Matt 7:21 "Not every one who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

 

What's the will of the Father?  To abide in Christ's finished work!

 

22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many wonderful works in your name?' 

 

23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.' 

[Robert]

Robert, you can forget Heaven if you truly believe that God's arm is too short and the power of his grace is too limited to create in you a new heart, give you the mind of Jesus, keep you from falling.....

 

Let's look at the reality of your statement:

 

The tempter stands by to accuse them, as he stood by to resist Joshua. He points to their filthy garments, their defective characters. He presents their weakness and folly, their sins of ingratitude, their unlikeness to Christ, which has dishonored their Redeemer. He endeavors to affright them with the thought that their case is hopeless, that the stain of their defilement will never be washed away. He hopes so to destroy their faith that they will yield to his temptations, and turn from their allegiance to God.

 

 

Satan has an accurate knowledge of the sins that he has tempted God's people to commit, and he urges his accusations against them, declaring, that by their sins they have forfeited divine protection, and claiming that he has the right to destroy them. He pronounces them just as deserving as himself of exclusion from the favor of God. "Are these," he says, "the people who are to take my place in heaven, and the place of the angels who united with me? They profess to obey the law of God; but have they kept its precepts? Have they not been lovers of self more than lovers of God? Have they not placed their own interests above His service? Have they not loved the things of the world? Look at the sins that have marked their lives. Behold their selfishness, their malice, their hatred of one another. Will God banish me and my angels from His presence, and yet reward those who have been guilty of the same sins? Thou canst not do this, O Lord, in justice. Justice demands that sentence be pronounced against them.

"

But while the followers of Christ have sinned, they have not given themselves up to be controlled by the satanic agencies. They have repented of their sins and have sought the Lord in humility and contrition, and the divine Advocate pleads in their behalf. He who has been most abused by their ingratitude, who knows their sin and also their penitence, declares: "The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan. I gave My life for these souls. They are graven upon the palms of My hands. They may have imperfections of character; they may have failed in their endeavors; but they have repented, and I have forgiven and accepted them." [P&K 588]

[Robert]

It is having the faith to allow Christ to both impute righteousness for past sins and impart His righteousness to give you a character fit for heaven.

 

 

How much fit for heaven must one become?

 

"There are those who have known the pardoning love of Christ and who really desire to be children of God, yet they realize that their character is imperfect, their life faulty, and they are ready to doubt whether their hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. To such I would say, Do not draw back in despair. We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes, but we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God."

 

"The Father beholds not your faulty character, but He sees you as clothed in My perfection."

[joeb]

jackson,

 

You can talk to Robert till you're blue in the face but he is so involved in his agenda that he is not open to any evidence other than what he points to.  I've given him multiple Ellen White quotes and Bible texts that show his view is simply not Biblical because the evidence modifies his position, but he just starts playing "dueling quotes" rather than considering the evidence given to him. 

[Robert]

Christ's work is not finished until the judgment is completed prior to His Second Coming. He is now acting as our mediator in the heavenly Sanctuary.

 

 

Really?  Does this infer that you can add to what Christ accomplished?  Let's see exactly what He accomplished:

 

Rom 5:18 So then as through one transgression (Adam's) there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness (Christ's) there resulted justification of life to all men. 

 

How many were justified?  "All men"....

 

Now go to Hebrews 10:9 Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first (covenant) to establish the second. 10 And by that will (i.e,. Christ's doing & dying), we have been made holy (past tense) through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 

 

Now turn to John 19:30 Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."

 

What was finished?  What did the author of Hebrews and Romans state?  "All men" have been justified because "all men" were "made holy" through "the body of Jesus Christ", "once for all"!!!

 

That is a finished work.

 

Now, what does our High Priest do with that finished work?

 

Col 1:22 He (Christ) has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him (God), 23 provided that you continue in the faith...

 

"In Christ" you have, by faith, a new creation.  That creation is immortal and sinless.  This Christ, your High Priest, presents before the Father and His holy law.  You are complete in Christ. 

 

Now, what is unfinished about Christ's finished work?