Agape: the fruit of resting in Christ

[Robert]

The fruit of resting in Christ's finished work is agape, not "the works of the law."  The latter is the fruit of self-righteousness.  

 

[LifeHiscost]

40 minutes ago, Robert said:

The fruit of resting in Christ's finished work is agape, not "the works of the law."  The latter is the fruit of self-righteousness.  

 

No Law, no transgression.

No transgression, no need of a Savior.

 

4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.....1 John 3

 

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.....Matthew 1

 

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.....James 1

 

God is Love!~Jesus saves!  

[Robert]

So you are going to follow me here too and hound me with salvation by works?

[LifeHiscost]

If you do not rely on the works of Jesus for your salvation, you have no other Redeemer. Claims to salvation without His works in the lives of those redeemed is a lie of the accuser of the brethren.

3 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

² And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

³ But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

⁴ And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

⁵ For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

⁶ And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

⁷ And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

⁸ And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.

⁹ And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

¹⁰ And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

¹¹ And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?.....Genesis 3

After Adam and Eve chose to do what they were told not to do, trusting the devil instead of their Creator, only Christ's obedience would suffice for the life they desired. They then had no righteousness of their own.

6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.....Isaiah 64

 

Our only Hope now is to accept His invitation, and should we not, there is no hope.

 

¹³ For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

¹⁴ And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

¹⁵ He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

¹⁶ But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,

¹⁷ And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

¹⁸ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

¹⁹ The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.....Matthew 11

²⁷ All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light....Matthew 11

Notice Jesus pointed to a yoke and since;

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing....John 15

 

...........it would seem to behoove anyone wishing to be His disciple to share the yoke He asks one to share. Works are an evidence of one's salvation, as revealed by the parable of the prodigal Son, who chose to journey back to his father.

 

¹³ And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

¹⁴ And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

¹⁵ And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

¹⁶ And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

¹⁷ And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!....Luke 15

 

²⁰ And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

²¹ And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

²² But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

²³ And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry....Luke 15

If one chooses not to receive the robe of righteousness given as a gift, of which he/she knows they do not deserve, his Father will not coerce them.

²⁴ For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

 

God is Love!~Jesus saves! 

[Robert]

Tell me, LifeHisCost, if you could stand before God's law today could you claim to be righteous before it?  

[Robert]

2 hours ago, Robert said:

Tell me, LifeHisCost, if you could stand before God's law today could you claim to be righteous before it?  

I take that's a no?

Why then your zealousness for the law? The law doesn't care if you are zealous for it....it doesn't care if you hear it read, daily.  The law demands one thing: Perfect, unblemished obedience, period!  

[LifeHiscost]

1 hour ago, Robert said:

I take that's a no?

Why then your zealousness for the law? The law doesn't care if you are zealous for it....it doesn't care if you hear it read, daily.  The law demands one thing: Perfect, unblemished obedience, period!  

I am zealous for the Law since it demands nothing and Jesus asks me to follow Him.

¹⁹ Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” ²⁰ They immediately left their nets and followed Him....Matthew 14

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his. John 15

 

As well He has set a goal for His disciples to strive for the same.

 

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.....Matthew 5

 

10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.....John 15

 

Would Jesus or His Father ask the impossible? Do you love Him. It takes a new heart. That is why He says:

 

6“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7“Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

      9Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? 11“Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. 12“If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13“No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. 14“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life....John 3

God is Love!~Jesus saves!   

 

 

[Robert]

5 hours ago, LifeHiscost said:

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.....Matthew 5

Are you?  Are you perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect? 

[Robert]

5 hours ago, LifeHiscost said:

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.....Matthew 5

Would Jesus or His Father ask the impossible? 

Deut 4:13 He (God) declared to you his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets. 

Why did God enter into the Old Covenant with Israel?  Well, what are the terms of that covenant?  

Answer: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

Are you, LifeHiscost, perfect just as God is perfect?

Let's get a glimpse of God:

Is 6:1 I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said:  “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!”

"It will be seen that the glory shining in the face of Jesus is the glory of self-sacrificing love. In the light from Calvary it will be seen that the law of self-renouncing love is the law of life for earth and heaven; that the love which "seeketh not her own" (1 Cor 13:5) has its source in the heart of God; and that in the meek and lowly One is manifested the character of Him who dwelleth in the light which no man can approach unto." [DA 20]

Now, Ellen White also states the following:

"Many see much to admire in the life of Christ. But true love for him can never dwell in the heart of the self-righteous. Not to see our own deformity is not to see the beauty of Christ's character. When we are fully awake to our own sinfulness, we shall appreciate Christ. The more humble are our views of ourselves, the more clearly we shall see the spotless character of Jesus. He who says, “I am holy, I am sinless,” is self-deceived. Some have said this, and some even dare to say, “I am Christ.” To entertain such a thought is blasphemy. Not to see the marked contrast between Christ and ourselves is not to know ourselves. He who does not abhor himself can not understand the meaning of redemption."  [SW April 23, 1907, par. 1]

So, I asked you (Lifehiscost):  Are you as perfect as God is perfect?

If you say "yes" then according to both the Bible and Ellen White you are not only self-deceived by your own self-righteousness, but you are also a blasphemer! 

If you say "no", I am not perfect as God is perfect, then I accept you as brother in Christ.  

But if not, then you make yourself an enemny of the very gospel that saved you in the doing and dying of Christ.

It's your call....

 

 

[Robert]

1 hour ago, Robert said:

Deut 4:13 He (God) declared to you his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets. 

Why did God enter into the Old Covenant with Israel?  

Well, what are the terms of that covenant?  

Answer: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

So why did God enter into the Old Covenant with Israel?  

I mean you said, " Would Jesus or His Father ask the impossible?"

Didn't God know that they couldn't keep His law?

Yes, He  knew.

Then why did God enter into that covenant with a bunch of sinners?

Answer: They didn't know!

So in order to expose their utter sinfulness, God entered into that covenant with Israel.

You see there's a problem with our humanity.  We are not only born "bent-to-self" (i.e., selfish), but we are also proud.  Therefore mankind is by nature legalistic.  

So haughty Israel, in her pride & glory,  basically said to God:  "You give us your law and we will keep it and in return you owe us heaven." 

Did God enter that covenant?  Yes!  Why? In order to place the glory of man in the dust!.

Has your glory, i.e, your claims to holiness, been placed in the dust of the ground? If not then you are not clothed with the righteousness of Christ.  Without Christ you stand before the law condemned and in the end you will taste the curse of law, which is eternal damnation. 

Therefore "justification by faith" is only given to those who see themselves as sinners before God's law.

Ellen White:

Quote

What is justification by faith? It is the work of God in laying the glory of man in the dust, and doing for man that which it is not in his power to do for himself (i.e., save him "in Christ") . When men see their own nothingness, they are prepared to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ. FLB 111.2

 

[Robert]

6 hours ago, LifeHiscost said:

I am zealous for the Law since it demands nothing....

Really?

Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”

Matt 5:7 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.....48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

 

[LifeHiscost]

7 hours ago, Robert said:

Are you?  Are you perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect? 

Insofar as I am willing to accept the promises of God and receive Jesus' robe of righteousness.

 31“Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 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. 34“They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the LORD, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” ....Jeremiah 31

 

 31“Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 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. 34“They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the LORD, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” ....Hebrews 10

 

…12Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 13No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.....1 Corinthians 10

 

12Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. 13And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, "Write, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them."....Revelation 14

 

As far as defending my own capacity, I find no need to, for Jesus is my Savior from sin.

 

 1Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. 2The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” 3Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. 4He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.” 5Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the LORD was

standing by. ....Zechariah 3

 

Do I find a work God gives the called out ones to do?

 

12So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God Who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure ... Phillipians 2

 

Keep looking up!

 

God is Love!~Jesus saves! 

 

 

 

 

 

[Robert]

5 hours ago, LifeHiscost said:

Insofar as I am willing to accept the promises of God and receive Jesus' robe of righteousness.

So again, you can stand before God's law and claim to be righteous before it?

[LifeHiscost]

17 minutes ago, Robert said:

So again, you can stand before God's law and claim to be righteous before it?

 

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man....1 Corinthians 2

 

3 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

² And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

³ Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

⁴ And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with a change of raiment.

⁵ And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by.....Zechariah 3

22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.....Romans 14

 

God is Love!~Jesus saves! 

[Robert]

8 hours ago, LifeHiscost said:

....Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with a change of raiment.

I asked: "So again, can you stand before God's law and claim to be righteous before it?"

You didn't directly answer me, instead you quoted  Zechariah 3 thinking that  was an answer.  

Well, I've got news for you: LifeHiscost does not stand before God's law righteous. Yes, righteous by faith, but of yourself no!  You are only righteous "in Christ" before the law.  That's because when Christ was resurrected your "new creation" was taken to heaven with Him. See Eph 2:6.  That life, your new, glorified life (yet to be received) is what is righteous.  You, yourself righteous?  No!

[Robert]

8 hours ago, LifeHiscost said:

³ Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

⁴ And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with a change of raiment....Zechariah 3

It is ironic that Ellen White addressed your above quote.  Let's look at her commentary and perhaps that will answer my question that I've been asking you.  The question is,  "can you stand before God's law and claim to be righteous before it?"

"The tempter (Satan, the accuser of the brethren) stands by to accuse them (believers), 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 (i.e., commit apostasy).

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?"

Quote

So the question is are we, you LifeHiscost, righteous before God's law? Let's read on:

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 (i.e., the law) 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 (i.e., sins such as "lovers of self"; self-interests; lovers of the world; selfishness, etc) 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]

In summary God is saying to Satan: Yes, you are right,  Self-love (iniquity - their bent-to-self) is displayed in the lives of My people, but that haven't apostatized...they haven't given themselves over to the flesh totally. They are imperfect before the law, yet in Me (My robe of righteousness) they stand perfect and I have forgiven and accepted them.

So no, Lifehiscost, you are not perfect before God's law.  Only "in Christ" do you stand righteous by faith.

 

[Robert]

Here's more of the same:

Quote

 

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.

O, that all may see that everything in (our) 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 (Manuscript 50, 1900).

 

Once again, we stand righteous by faith "in Christ Jesus".  That phrase "in Christ" you will only find in the Apostle Paul's writings.  That's why there's a hatred among some here on CA against Paul.  

If the devil can sidetrack believers and get them to look at their legalistic performance and build pride in that he's got them.  

[Robert]

Another one:

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Jesus stands in the holy of holies, now to appear in the presence of God for us. There He ceases not to present His people moment by moment, complete in Himself. But because we are thus represented before the Father, we are not to imagine that we are to presume upon His mercy and become careless, indifferent, and self-indulgent. Christ is not the minister of sin. We are complete in Him, accepted in the Beloved, only as we abide in Him by faith.

We have already seen that believers in Christ are not free of their "bent-to-self" (i.e,, self-love).  What then does she mean by "we are to presume upon His mercy and become careless, indifferent, and self-indulgent"?  It means that we should not give ourselves "up to be controlled by the satanic agencies", which is a phrase pointing to apostasy.

Again, we are perfect or complete only "in Christ".

[Robert]

And my favorite:

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. (The Signs of the Times July 4, 1892)

So the answer to my question (are your perfect before God's law through your law keeping) the answer is "NO!"

[LifeHiscost]

 So the answer to my question (are your perfect before God's law through your law keeping) the answer is

"NO!"

   [/quote]

May I suggest there has long been no question in my mind, but I don't use the SoP writings to rest assured of the fact. You have done well with the lesser light of which I appreciate.

lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light. 103 {CSA 68.6} 

  The Lord has sent His people much instruction, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little. Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a

The three posts just written above from the SoP are answered in these Scriptures.

6For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.....Isaiah 64

…96I have seen a limit to all perfection; Your commandment is exceedingly broad. Mem. 97O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine.…Psalms 119

…164Seven times a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous ordinances. 165Those who love Your law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble. 166I hope for Your salvation, O LORD, And do Your commandments.…Psalms 119

Again, the only thing we will be able to claim as having brought to heaven upon arrival will be the scars that Jesus bears.

God is Love!~Jesus saves! 

 

[Robert]

Okay...then we are in agreement.... 

 

[LifeHiscost]

The same creator God that said Let there be light,  also said, Be  ye therefore perfect, both expressions (commands not demands) of creativity. Do you believe that what God asks of us, He is willing to bring to pass when we accept His Word. Temptation is not sin, and God's declarations are promises. Only the believing accept His promises. Only those working with the accuser of the brethren try to prove God's declarations cannot be trusted.

4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:...Genesis 3

 

And Jesus says;

 

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.... 1 John 1

 

Are you willing to accept Him at His Word because you believe what He promises?

 

God is Love!~Jesus saves! 

[Robert]

On 1/20/2016 at 5:26 PM, jackson said:

Robert, Your EG White quotes  are similar to your quotes of Paul. You pick quotes that appear to substantiate your gospel, but you cannot reconcile them with other quotes of the same author that put matters in a clearer light.

 

Then we are not saved by what Christ did 2000 years ago, alone.  We are saved by what He did PLUS by what He does in us.  Isn't that what Catholics teach, that we are saved by faith plus works?

Ellen White:

The idea of doing anything to merit the grace of pardon is fallacy from beginning to end. "Lord, in my hand no price I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling."

Let the subject be made distinct and plain that it is not possible to effect anything in our standing before God or in the gift of God to us through creature merit. Should faith and works purchase the gift of salvation for anyone, then the Creator is under obligation to the creature. Here is an opportunity for falsehood to be accepted as truth. If any man can merit salvation by anything he may do, then he is in the same position as the Catholic to do penance for his sins. Salvation, then, is partly of debt, that may be earned as wages. If man cannot, by any of his good works, merit salvation, then it must be wholly of grace, received by man as a sinner because he receives and believes in Jesus. It is wholly a free gift. Justification by faith is placed beyond controversy. And all this controversy is ended, as soon as the matter is settled that the merits of fallen man in his good works can never procure eternal life for him.

[Robert]

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With our limited powers we are to be as holy in our sphere as God is holy in His sphere. To the extent of our ability, we are to make manifest the truth and love and excellence of the divine character. As wax takes the impression of the seal, so the soul is to take the impression of the Spirit of God and retain the image of Christ.  {1SM 336.2}

Christ says "without Me you can do nothing".  So what then is "our limited powers"?  How can I, someone born bent-to-self, be as holy in my sphere as God is in His?  What does that even mean?  Somethings Ellen White states are very hard to understand.  

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We need not retain one sinful propensity. . . . As we partake of the divine nature, hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong are cut away from the character, and we are made a living power for good. Ever learning of the divine Teacher, daily partaking of His nature, we cooperate with God in overcoming Satan's temptations.  {FLB 23.4}

What is a "sinful propensity"?

I'm not trying to play stupid, I have no clue to what she's talking about.  The Bible, as far as I know, says nothing of sinful propensities.

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As the sacrifice in our behalf was complete, so our restoration from the defilement of sin is to be complete. No act of wickedness will the law of God excuse; no unrighteousness can escape its condemnation. The ethics of the gospel acknowledge no standard but the perfection of the divine character. The life of Christ was a perfect fulfillment of every precept of the law..... His life is our example of obedience and service........  {MH 451.3}

Is that my job to make me holy?  How can the flesh improve on itself? And of course the law of God will not excuse sin.  The law condemns...it brings wrath....I thought we weren't under law?

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Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation. {1T 187.1}

What tests, tests of faith or do you mean tests on our law obedience?  I think she is speaking of faith as in not giving up on Christ no matter the cost. 

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We cannot say, "I am sinless," till this vile body is changed and fashioned like unto His glorious body. But if we constantly seek to follow Jesus, the blessed hope is ours of standing before the throne of God without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; complete in Christ, robed in His righteousness and perfection.--Signs of the Times, March 23, 1888.  {3SM 355.4}

Jesus revealed no qualities, and exercised no powers, that men may not have through faith in Him. His p

We are not sinless until we are changed at the 2nd coming, yes. But if you notice she is not speaking of our law obedience, but what Christ did:  So "in Christ" we are "without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; complete in Christ, robed in His righteousness and perfection.

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Jesus revealed no qualities, and exercised no powers, that men may not have through faith in Him. His perfect humanity is that which all His followers may possess, if they will be in subjection to God as He was.  {DA 664.4}

That's fine, but if so why hasn't anyone done this?  Also, why does John say "If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves?"  

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And this one from Paul:

Phil 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 3:15  let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded , and if ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

 

Look at some other translations.  That word "perfect" means mature.  One that has matured in his christian walk.

 

Now, a question for you:  Are you trying to use EGW to promote salvation by works?

[Robert]

17 hours ago, LifeHiscost said:

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.... 1 John 1

 

Are you willing to accept Him at His Word because you believe what He promises?

 

God is Love!~Jesus saves! 

The very fact you are confessing sin proves you a sinner, LifeHiscost.  And if He cleansed us from "all unrighteousness", as you see it, then we would not have to confess sin anymore because we would be cleansed from all sin.

But John also states, "if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves."  

You know, I think you are promoting salvation by works.  Well, then we are at war once again....