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What a profound Bible truth—without Jesus I am a lost soul. There is nothing within me that I could achieve that would make me worthy of being granted eternal life. If I would be taken to heaven as I am in this sinful condition, I would only stain that high and lofty place. What can I do to be saved, but most importantly what I must understand is, from what do I need to be saved?

Statement

Justification by faith is God’s provided tool to each one of us to bring about our restoration to the perfection of creation, saving us from sin, which is a distortion of His loving work, and making us fit again to be re-instituted in the New Jerusalem.

Example

Justification is the complete act of pardoning someone for a fault or omission on their part. For example, if a student is absent from school one day, the teacher will require the student to provide an excuse to justify his absence. The student must bring a justification note on the following day validated by an adult who proves the veracity of cause for the young one to miss class. For instance, if the cause of the absence was an illness or health problem, the person providing the justification should be a doctor for it to be valid. It would be unacceptable that a medical justification note would be signed by another classmate of the student in question.

Once a student’s absence is justified by a responsible adult and submitted to the teacher, the student may be reinstated in class to continue with his studies. This justification for this particular situation does not excuse the student from indefinitely missing classes, nor does it grant him a certificate of achievement after the end of the school year. The justification merely excuses the student for the specific absence, preventing removal from the class. Furthermore, the justification does not give the student permission to continue missing classes whenever he wishes, nor does it exempt him from preparing for exams.

Parallelism

In short, justification is a request for excuse or apology for the infraction committed by failing to comply with what has been established.

With this background, we can see how this legal framework centers on the work that Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit perform to restore us to the state of original perfection.

Sin and Consequences

As the absolute judge in this tribunal, we find God the Father, who has established His law as the standard of conduct for all created beings, indissoluble and perfect. The law establishes that upon violating one of its precepts, the transgressor must die; therefore, the punishment for one who transgresses God’s law is death.

Adam and Eve were created in complete harmony with God’s law. There was no need for them to require a justifier nor did they need justification before God, since they had never committed a sin nor disobeyed the law in any way. They could see God face to face and be accepted into His presence because of their perfect, untainted condition.

By violating a precept of God’s law, Adam and Eve broke that perfect bond between their own existence and compatibility with God’s law, becoming liable to execution for their disobedience. From our first parents and now each one of us, we face the same condemnation that Adam and Eve received.

Divine Grace

It is here, thanks to and solely due to the unique and unconditional love of God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit toward each one of us, a love that we can understand as divine grace and undeserved mercy is bestowed upon us. To give us hope of eternal life, the Deity of the Godhead set in motion the Plan of Redemption for our rescue, thus removing us from the condemnation of eternal death, the consequence of our own disobedience to God’s requirements; giving us a second chance to live in perfect harmony and obedience to God’s law.

Restoration and Redemption

Jesus interceded on behalf of disobedient humanity. Standing before God the Father, He was willing to receive the punishment of death in our place.

To be able to fully reconcile man to God, it was necessary for Jesus Himself to leave heaven and come to this earth that He might experience the results of our fallen condition and to become a part of the human race, which had become captive to sin.

The role of the Holy Spirit, as the indwelling power of divine Providence, would strengthen Jesus in His decision to obey God’s law and grant Him a life of victory over sin while living on this earth surrounded by sinners.

In being exposed to temptation, Jesus gained an understanding of our human weakness firsthand. He therefore identified Himself with our current condition. While He chose at every step of this earthly way to obey all the requirements of God’s law and live a perfect life before God’s eyes, He became familiar with our frailties and struggles.

Finally, taking our place, He willingly accepted execution and death for the sins and disobedience we are guilty of. In this way, He now stands before the Father as the authorized Advocate to sign our much-needed justification note excusing us from our transgression. Thus, He grants us a second chance to make things right in this life. We are renewed within ourselves through the power of the Holy Spirit who now dwells in us. He empowers us, as a renewed being, restored to the image of God, to live in harmony and obedience to His law, just as it was in the beginning.

Just as the Holy Spirit empowered Jesus to live a perfect life of obedience to God’s law, this same Holy Spirit can grant us the transforming power to bring about a new birth in us. Thus, we are delivered from that captivity to sin and brought back into a new life of harmony with the original plan of creation and perfection.

Point of Thought

Justification by faith comprehends the work of the Godhead in our behalf to first pardon us from our faults and then, along with our own choice, to empower us to live in harmony with the laws of heaven, reconciled to God.

Bible

We can compare the previous statements with the following verses from the Bible in order to obtain a Biblical foundation. We can find additional explanation in the Spirit of Prophecy quotations.

– Sin

– Consequences of Sin

– Grace

– Justification

– Sanctification

– Salvation

Sin

Individual transgression and disobedience of God’s law.

“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” 1 John 3:4

Consequences of Sin

The consequence of transgressing and disobeying God’s law is separation from God and ultimately death.

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” Isaiah 59:1, 2

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the sons. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” Ezekiel 18:20

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.” Romans 5:12

Grace

An undeserved gift. God’s goodwill to forgive and divine initiative to give us a second chance for eternal life.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8, 9

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11

“Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.” Colossians 3:11

“I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” Galatians 2:21

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel.” Galatians 1:6

Justification

This is what only God can do in our favor and is essential within the Plan of Salvation. Jesus lived a perfect life through the power of the Holy Spirit, in obedience to God’s Law. He lived a life without the stain of sin, and therefore was accepted by the Father as righteous. For this reason, nothing and no one can justify us before the Father except Jesus. No good work from our own part justifies us. Only our faith in the work Jesus is performing in us and with us is what allows us to appropriate and receive justification.

“Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:28

“For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin; He condemned sin in the flesh.” Romans 8:3

“Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore, by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:19, 20

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the worlds of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” Galatians 2:16

“And he brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ So, they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced having believed in God with all his household.” Acts 16:30–34

“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’ ” Acts 2:37–39

“For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” Romans 4:13

Sanctification

It is the work that Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, performs in us, that provides the basis for a new life. We choose to obey and walk in harmony with God’s Law. God does not force this decision. It is a synergistic mechanism for an end goal that integrates God and man.

The degree of responsibility we have for our sanctification corresponds to the degree of willingness we have to be changed.

The word of God reveals how we are reconciled to God.

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” John 16:13

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that you should abstain from sexual immorality.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3

“But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves to God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” Romans 6:22

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1, 2

“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20, 21

“Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19

“And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” John 16:8

“Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” Matthew 28:19, 20

“And so, all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.’ ” Romans 11:26, 27

“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.” 1 Timothy 6:3–5

“Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.” Romans 6:6

“But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live. ‘Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?’ says the Lord God, ‘and not that he should turn from his ways and live?” Ezekiel 18:21–23

Salvation

It is the result of Divine grace manifested in justification and sanctification. Salvation is having experienced the new birth and being a new creation in Christ Jesus. We are finally saved from our past.

“Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’ ” John 3:5

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ ” Acts 2:40

“And she shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.” Romans 1:16

“ ‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.’ ” Isaiah 1:18, 19

“And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 12:17

“To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father in His throne.” Revelation 3:21

Spirit of Prophecy

About Repentance:

“But sorrow had not worked true repentance. The people mourned because their sins had brought suffering upon themselves, but not because they had dishonored God by transgression of His holy law. True repentance is more than sorrow for sin. It is a resolute turning away from evil.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 557

About the Victory of God in His Children

“When the plan of salvation was revealed to the angels, joy, inexpressible joy, filled heaven. The glory and the blessedness of a world redeemed outmeasured even the anguish of the Prince of Life. Through the celestial courts echoed the first strain of that song that angels sang above the hills of Bethlehem—’Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will to men.’ And the lost pair in the garden of Eden, standing as criminals before the righteous Judge, waiting the sentence their transgression merited, heard the first notes of the divine promise. Before the life of toil and sorrow which sin had brought upon them was depicted before them, before the decree that the wages of sin is death was pronounced, they heard the promise of redemption. Though they must suffer from the power of their mighty foe, still through the merits of Christ they could look forward to victory. The mystery of the gospel was spoken in Eden, when God said to the serpent, ‘I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.’ If Satan could have touched the head with his specious temptations, the human family would have been lost; but the Lord had made known the purpose and plan of the mystery of grace, declaring that Christ had bruised the serpent under His feet.” The Signs of the Times, February 13, 1893

About the Kingdom of Grace

“The kingdom of grace was instituted immediately after the fall of man, when a plan was devised for the redemption of the guilty race. It then existed in the purpose and by the promise of God; and through faith, men could become its subjects. Yet it was not actually established until the death of Christ. Even after entering upon His earthly mission, the Saviour, wearied with the stubbornness and ingratitude of men, might have drawn back from the sacrifice of Calvary. In Gethsemane, the cup of woe trembled in His hand. He might even then have wiped the blood-sweat from His brow, and have left the guilty race to perish in their iniquity. Had He done this, there could have been no redemption for fallen men. But when the Saviour yielded up His life, and with His expiring breath cried out, ‘It is finished,’ then the fulfillment of the plan of redemption was assured. The promise of salvation made to the sinful pair in Eden was ratified. The kingdom of grace, which had before existed by the promise of God, was then established.” The Great Controversy (1888), 347, 348

Summary

In spite of the many arguments brought by scholastic debates, the simple consistent point of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy is that we can only find the hope of salvation when we realize that our own rebellion against God and His law is what has separated us from Him. This consistent line of thought throughout the Scriptures establishes justification by faith and the doctrine regarding salvation.

Sin is breaking the law of God. We are condemned by that transgression to death. Jesus took that damnation upon Himself and died in our place. The Holy Spirit now appeals to our conscience so that we might see our true wicked condition, living a life in transgression of God’s word, that keeps us separated from Him. As we see our extreme doom, we beg God to forgive our sins and ask Him to cleanse us by the blood of Jesus.

As the promise of God is fulfilled: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9, the Holy Spirit now convinces us to seek conversion and righteousness. “And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” John 16:8. Through His power we may have victory over sin and live a life of obedience.

Victory requires a constant, moment-by-moment experience of surrendering to the will of God. As long as we distrust ourselves and cling to our Saviour for help, this work of the Holy Spirit can continue in us. When Peter took his eyes off Jesus and focused on his own power, achievement, and delight, he sank into the depths of the raging sea. It was only by grasping the hand of Christ that he was saved from the waves. The continual connection through the Holy Spirit was, in the end, what saved Peter from spiritual death. And we are promised the same.

At the very end, we realize that we are our own enemy and we need to be saved from our own rebellion.

That’s why we can never say, “once saved always saved.” The surrendering of self to the will of God, is an act of choice at every step of the way. Nevertheless, if we do this, we have the assurance indeed that in Christ we are more than conquerors.

Esteban Salazar is a preventive medicine and lifestyle coach with more than 25 years of experience. His work has expanded as an international speaker and featured guest in many TV and radio shows around the world. He has a bachelor’s degree in Health Ministries and Nutrition from Hartland College in Virginia and also completed additional studies at the E. I. Institute of Applied Chemistry in Mittlesinn, Germany. He enjoys country living with his wife Maritza in the Sierra region of Ecuador, South America. He loves playing the piano, traveling, and vegan cuisine.

Natural Tendency – Man’s inherited natural tendency to and desire for doing wrong; a condition that is forever who we are without Divine intervention and transformation.

Cultivated Tendency – Man’s nurtured, cultivated tendency to wrongdoing, the sin committed that, with repetition, soon becomes habit and precious to us.

Tempted by our natural, sinful nature to sin and enticed to sin by the devil and influenced by the world around us, we must understand our natural, sinful nature because it has everything to do with our eternal destiny.

Paul wrote this interesting statement, “I have been crucified with Christ; 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 for me.” Galatians 2:20

Anatomy of a Crucifixion

One of the most horrible forms of death ever invented by the devil was crucifixion; not actually death, it is a living death. A person can live, hanging on a cross, for days.

The apostle James was crucified, but while on the cross, he preached for two or three days before he died to the people who came to see him die. So, a cross did not mean death right away. Unable to do anything because the person is nailed to it, a crucifixion does not injure any of the vital organs of the body. The heart will still beat. The brain continues to function, as do the liver and kidneys. The nails are strategically placed so that when they are driven into the flesh, major arteries are missed, so there is minimal blood loss. And by pushing up against the cross, your lungs will still inhale and exhale air. Soon enough, however, the legs of the person being crucified are almost always broken so that he can no longer push up, and eventually he would die from a slow, agonizing asphyxiation. This was the fate of the two thieves who died with Christ.

Paul says, I am crucified with Christ so I am no longer alive, it is Christ who lives in me. The consequence of this relationship—my death and His life—is that my natural, sinful self must die, and, by faith in Jesus Christ, I am given the ability to live His life of righteousness in place of my life of selfishness and sinfulness.

Anatomy of Dying and yet Living

Paul’s main point in Galatians 2:20 is that he has died. He no longer lives the life he once lived, driven by his natural, sinful nature. That life was gone, and in its place, Paul accepted Christ as the Ruler of his heart. Paul knew that he could not continue to live as he had been living. His life had to be changed, and this Paul could not do alone.

While hanging on the cross, Jesus was mocked. The people jeered, “Come down and save Yourself. He says He can save us, but He can’t even save Himself.” Little did they know that what they meant as a taunt, Christ could have done. They didn’t believe in Him, that was obvious. They had rejected Him and the gift of salvation He offered by dying on the cross. He could have summoned the entire heavenly host, who waited for just such a moment, to take Him back to heaven, leaving mankind to fend for itself and eventually to destroy itself. This world, all of us living in it, are safe today with the opportunity of salvation still available because Jesus wouldn’t come down from the cross.

Jesus had to die to pay the penalty demanded by sin (Romans 6:23), but it is equally important to understand that He lived His life to show us the only true example of victory in living a righteous life.

Anatomy of Trouble

We, however, want to be in charge, and that, my friend, is when the trouble starts.

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, John Harvey Kellogg was a leading Adventist physician. The world’s most famous people of the time came to the Battle Creek Sanitarium to be healed from their diseases by Dr. Kellogg; and what he did was marvelous. He became renowned throughout the world for His work. Sadly, however, it was this worldly fame that caused him to spiritually lose his way.

In 1887, Mrs. White wrote to him, “The Christian’s life is a strangely-mingled scene of sorrows and joys, disappointments and hopes, fears and confidence. There will be much dissatisfaction with self, as he views his own heart so deeply stirred, surged with passion that it seems to bear all before it and then follows remorse and sorrow and repentance followed by peace and deep hidden joys, because he knows as his faith grasps the promises that are revealed in God’s word that he has the forgiving love of a longsuffering Saviour. And that Saviour he seeks to bring into his life, weave into his character.

“It is these revealings, these discoveries of God’s goodness that makes the soul humble and leads it to cry out in gratitude, I live, yet not I, for Christ liveth in me, we have reason to be comforted. Severe outward trials may press around the soul where Jesus lives. Let us turn to Him, for the consolations He has promised for us in His word.

“The nether springs of hope and comfort may appear to fail us, but the upper springs which feed the river of God are full of supply and can never be dried up. God would have you [Kellogg] look away from the cause of your afflictions [mainly coming from leading ministers and leaders in the church] to Him who is the owner of soul, body, and spirit. He is the lover of the soul. He knows the value of the soul. He is the true vine, and we are the branches. We shall have no spiritual nourishment only as we draw it from Jesus who is the true life of the soul.” Battle Creek Letters, 8, 9

There were significant differences between Adventism and Dr. Kellogg’s personal theological beliefs, and these differences caused issues between him and the Adventist church. His book The Living Temple was sharply criticized by Mrs. White because of his pantheistic ideas as stated in the book. By 1907, conflicts between Dr. Kellogg, A. G. Daniells, and others in the church, led to Dr. Kellogg being disfellowshipped, and resulted in a schism in the church. Dr. Kellogg retained control of the Battle Creek Sanitarium and the American Medical Missionary College, while continuing to promote Adventist health ideas at those institutions. (wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Harvey_Kellogg)

The Anatomy of Repetition

Passion comes. Desire is strong. So easily swayed by the desire within to sin and enticed from without by the excitement of the world to sin. But then, recrimination: Why did I do that? Why did I say that? Why did I think that? Why did that happen? I didn’t mean it. Lord, I’m so sorry, please forgive me. I won’t do it again. But even sorrow and repentance mean little if there is no transformation in the life—sin, confess, repent, repeat.

How do we reach the point where we stop this continual up and down experience? How do we submit to the transformation wrought by love?

Jesus said, “ ‘When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.  Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So, shall it also be with this wicked generation.” ’ ” Matthew 12:43–45

Jesus is talking in these texts about the man who listened to the preaching of John the Baptist and Jesus. He is touched by what he heard and influenced to determinedly remove from his life the evil spirit that had long controlled him. He praised God for His love and grace, and sought to follow Him only, allowing the Holy Spirit to control his life.

As long as the man praises God and surrenders himself to the Holy Spirit, the evil spirit stays away. But one day, the evil spirit came back to check on the man. He finds that he no longer praises God. The Holy Spirit is gone. This man had not entered into a covenant relationship with God even though he has had a lot of religious influence in his life. Sadly, the evil spirit finds the house is empty, and so he comes back, but not alone. The text says that he came back with seven evil spirit friends. Together, they all move in with the man, making the man worse now that he was before.

“We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual communion, we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end.” The Desire of Ages, 324

Who Can Help?

There are two supernatural powers seeking for control of the world and all who live in it. As we approach the end of time, this spiritual battle becomes fiercer and more bitter. Spiritual war, for the souls and bodies of men and women is taking place all over the world. This spiritual war is between Christ and Satan—the heavenly host and the host of darkness, the servants of Christ and the servants of Satan. Unless we are connected with divinity, the devil will be in control of us. Moment by moment we must be fully surrendered to Christ or we will be overcome, at the mercy of the enemy and doing his bidding in the end. We are not able to deal with our own fallen, sinful nature alone. We must have divine help.

“All have the same sinful nature. All are liable to make mistakes. No one is perfect. The Lord Jesus died for the erring, that they might be forgiven. It is not our work to condemn … but to save.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 18, 334, 335

“The work of repairing souls broken down through errors, through manifest sin, is the most difficult we can do. Some pet sin has been cultivated which has taken the lines of control, one bad habit has not been vigorously fought and conquered, and oh, how hard [it is] to efface the bruises that soul has sustained.” The Upward Look, 162

Here are represented those who are spiritually sick, having been overtaken by some type of sinful habit that has control of their mind.

“As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all gone out of the way; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.’ ” Romans 3:10, 11

Everyone wants to help someone in need, but they interpret experiences with a filter made up of their own background, training, and life experiences. One of the biggest problems in helping the sick is that few understand the spiritual component of the problems we face. Jesus, the Spirit of Prophecy, the apostles all teach that if some pet sin has taken control of a person’s life, they can never be free unless they are set free by divine power.

A psychologist wants to shape the mind to understand why a man has a sinful habit and what exercises can be used to gain control over it.

A nutritionist wants to plan a diet that will make him healthier in order to fight the habit.

A physical therapist wants to use therapy to make him stronger in the fight against the habit.

A surgeon wants to operate and remove the sinful habit.

An internist wants to use medicine to destroy the habit.

But if we are truly to overcome our sinful nature and besetting sins, there is only One to whom we must turn.

“To the careless, the indifferent, the unconcerned, those standing on the precipice of ruin, Christ says: Open the door of your heart; give Me entrance, and I will make you a child of God. I will transform your weak, sinful nature into the divine image, giving it beauty and perfection.” That I May Know Him, 106

“Our lifework now should be to prepare for eternity. We know not how soon our lifework here may close, and how essential that our low, sinful nature should be overcome, and we conform to the image of Christ.” This Day With God, 117

Is There Any Way Out?

The law of God cannot help us, because we are unable to keep it in our sinful nature. So, is there any way out? Yes, there is. Our low, sinful nature must be overcome. Revelation 2, 3, and 21 repeatedly show us the necessity of overcoming.

Jesus says if we will let Him into our lives, He will change our hearts and minds, transform our sinful nature. “The sinful nature is to be kept under the control of the Spirit of God.” General Conference Daily Bulletin, February 6, 1893

I am stuck. I cannot control my sinful nature. I cannot control my own tongue or my own thoughts. I cannot control my affections, passions, or desires, and the Bible is very clear that it is impossible for me alone to control them. I cannot keep the law of God in my sinful nature except if I am under the control of the Holy Spirit.

“ ‘Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.’ ” John 15:4, 5

“When He [God] gave Jesus to our world, He included all heaven in that one gift. He did not leave us to retain our defects and deformities of character, or to serve Him as best we could in the corruption of our sinful nature. He has made provision that we may be complete in His Son, not having our own righteousness, but the righteousness of Christ.” The Review and Herald, March 18, 1902

“He takes away the destructive tendencies of the sinful nature and brings the human agency into His service.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 18, 208

Just Quit or Struggle

There are people in this world who have tremendous willpower when it comes to making changes in their life. A smoker might decide that this is his last cigarette and he will never smoke again. And he is successful. Or the person who decides they just weigh too much and want to lose weight and live a healthy life. They make a diet plan, follow it each day, sticking to it until the desired weight loss has been achieved.

However, another smoker may awaken every day for the rest of his life fighting against that deep desire for just one cigarette, or an obese individual will struggle each day to stay committed to the effort of losing weight and keeping it off. For these individuals, they fight against a besetting sin, the one they just cannot overcome alone.

“God has not left us to battle with evil in our own finite strength [because we cannot win]. Whatever may be our inherited or cultivated tendencies to wrong, we can overcome through the power that He is ready to impart.” The Ministry of Healing, 176, 177

“The converting power of God can transform inherited and cultivated tendencies; for the religion of Jesus is uplifting.” The Review and Herald, April 13, 1897

The Deplorable Effects of the Original Apostasy

Because of the garment of light, Adam and Eve were enabled to read the message of God in every plant, flower, and leaf. They could understand the wisdom of God in everything in nature. But when they ate the forbidden fruit, that garment of light was removed and they were no longer able to interpret or understand God’s wisdom. Where they had loved and respected one another, they now began to reproach each other. The sacred unity that had existed between Adam and Eve was destroyed.

“The experience of Adam is a constant warning and reproof to us. We are not to turn aside from the word of God under any circumstances; but the Lord compels obedience from no one. He gives the human agent all the help that he requires to be an overcomer, but leaves him free to place himself, with his inherited and cultivated tendencies, under the control and guidance of the Holy Spirit, or to follow his own imaginations which are only evil, and that continually.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 4, 198

“One of the deplorable effects of the original apostasy was the loss of man’s power to govern his own heart.” Ibid., Vol. 8, 208. Our promises are like ropes of sand (Steps to Christ). A rope of sand doesn’t hold anything. Your promises are like ropes of sand and you find that you can’t control your thoughts, your passions, your affections; you can’t control anything. A person just feels helpless. Inspiration says that was one of the most awful things that happened at the original apostasy. We lost the ability to control our own heart.

God gives us the free will to choose to place our whole being under the guidance and control of the Holy Spirit or to follow our own imaginations. Without a connection with God, it is absolutely certain that we will sin.

“Many are inquiring, ‘How am I to make the surrender of myself to God?’ You desire to give yourself to Him, but you are weak in moral power, in slavery to doubt, and controlled by the habits of your life of sin. Your promises and resolutions are like ropes of sand. You cannot control your thoughts, your impulses, your affections. The knowledge of your broken promises and forfeited pledges weakens your confidence in your own sincerity, and causes you to feel that God cannot accept you; but you need not despair. What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will. The power of choice God has given to men; it is theirs to exercise. You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself give to God its affections; but you can choose to serve Him. You can give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus, your whole nature will be brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ; your affections will be centered upon Him, your thoughts will be in harmony with Him.

“Desires for goodness and holiness are right as far as they go; but if you stop here, they will avail nothing. Many will be lost while hoping and desiring to be Christians. They do not come to the point of yielding the will to God. They do not now choose to be Christians.

“Through the right exercise of the will, an entire change may be made in your life. By yielding up your will to Christ, you ally yourself with the power that is above all principalities and powers. You will have strength from above to hold you steadfast, and thus through constant surrender to God you will be enabled to live the new life, even the life of faith.” Steps to Christ, 47, 48

Few Agree

Paul wrote about our inherited and cultivated tendencies to evil many times (Romans 6, 7, and 9; Galatians 6).

Theologians (Adventists and other churches alike) disagree, argue, debate, and write conflicting articles about mankind’s dilemma regarding his inherited, sinful nature and the sinful traits he cultivates throughout his life. The conclusion? We cannot control ourselves and keep the law of God. The answer? To be under the control of the Holy Spirit.

Still Waiting

Strife and contention throughout Adventism are signs that, as Paul writes, happen when we are still carnal, in the flesh, not walking in the Spirit. We must come to a place where we plead with the Spirit to show us the sins we must overcome, helping us to recognize that we cannot overcome them alone. Our prayer must be one of surrender, asking the Holy Spirit to intervene in our lives.

We talk about probation closing soon, about the time of trouble, about Sunday laws, about Jesus’ coming. We are waiting for the latter rain, but we cannot expect the latter rain to fall until we have received the early rain, and we will not receive the early rain until we are fully surrendered to God and the Holy Spirit holds control of our lives.

We cannot read the heart, but we can look at the fruit. We are in a desperate situation. The early rain has not fallen on those who are still at variance and in contention. We must crucify self and accept Christ living within us.

“The Holy Spirit is to do its work upon mind and character, exerting an influence upon thoughts and actions. If received, cultivated, and appreciated, it will always be reformatory, refining, elevating, and ennobling. He who always aims for entire conformity to God’s will, who does not follow his own natural inclinations, will allow the Holy Spirit to improve and mold and fashion his character upon a plan and model different from his own inherited and cultivated tendencies, changing him to another man.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 19, 23

We have inherited and cultivated tendencies to evil that we cannot change and we cannot with this nature keep the law of God. We cannot keep the law of God unless we are crucified with Christ, and the Holy Spirit comes into our minds and makes us into a different person, transforming our nature. That’s what the early rain of the Holy Spirit is about, the character change that happens in a person when they accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

Pastor John J. Grosboll is the Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be reached by email at historic@stepstolife.org or by telephone at 316-788-5559.