righteousness

Our God is a Consuming Fire

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The Lord is coming. He is coming with power and great glory. And “our God is a consuming fire” [Hebrews 12:29]. Of the times and seasons, you have no need that I should speak; for yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction cometh upon them, and they shall not escape [1 Thessalonians 5:2,3]. And though it is true that of the times and seasons you need not that I should speak, there is that connected with His coming, of which it is altogether essential to speak, and to think upon, all the time; and that is, the effect of His coming; for He comes “in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” And all these will be “punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.” II Thessalonians 1:8, 9.

Yet again it is written: “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. … And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity.” Isaiah 13:9, 11. And “who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth?” Malachi 3:2. …

When He comes, he is no more of a respecter of persons than before He comes. “There is no respect of persons with God” (Acts 10:34). Just as certainly … we shall see Him as He is, so certainly will we all—each one of us—be dealt with as we are. There is no change of character, there is no room for change in us in that day. …

It is not upon men themselves that God’s wrath is visited; but upon the sins of men, and upon men only as they are identified with their sins. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven,” not against all ungodly men, not against all unrighteous men, but “against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.” Romans 1:18. And only as the man clings to his ungodliness, only as he holds down the truth in unrighteousness, shall it be that the wrath of God will be revealed from heaven against him: and even then not against him primarily, but against the sin to which he clings, and will not leave. And as he has thus made his choice, clinging fast to his choice, he must take the consequences of his choice, when his choice shall have reached its ultimate. So it is written, and I read it again, “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth [who hold down, who press back the truth] in unrighteousness.”

“Then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: even Him, whose coming is a after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” [II Thessalonians 2:8–12]. “Believed not the truth.” They knew of it; it was presented to them; their hearts told them, the Spirit of God told them, that it was the truth; their own consciences approved of it all: but they would not believe the truth; they “had pleasure in unrighteousness,” and held down, and pressed back, the truth in unrighteousness; and “for this cause” it is that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven, and strikes them.

Yet, as already stated, the wrath of God is not primarily against them, but against the thing which they love; against the thing which they cling to, and will not be separated from. And at last, in that great day when the judgment is set, and on the right and on the left are all the people who have ever lived, those on the left will depart “into everlasting fire, prepared”— not for them, but “for the devil and his angels” [Matthew 25:41]. The Lord has done His utmost that they might never see it. He gave His Son to save them, that they might never know it. It was not prepared for them. He does not desire that they should be lost; but they have to go there because they are the company which they have chosen; that is the place with which they have connected themselves, and from which they would not be separated. Therefore, He says, “depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”

Not prepared for you. God in that day—the Lord Jesus Christ in that hour—when that word shall be spoken, will be just as sorrowful as He was in the hour of the cross. He will be just as sorry that these have to go into that place, which was not prepared for them, as He was in the hour of the cross. It is not His pleasure that any should be there. They are there because of that sin to which they have inseparably joined themselves. And that being their irrevocable choice, they simply have the opportunity now of receiving indeed, and to the full, that which they have chosen. … God has done all that He could do, but they would not have it. …

“Taking vengeance on them that know not God” [II Thessalonians 1:8]. They had an opportunity to know God. Multitudes professed that they did know God, but in their works they denied Him. They had the form of godliness—the profession—but they denied the power thereof. … “In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts … reprobate concerning the faith” (11 Timothy 3:1–6, 8). And destruction comes to them, not because they had no chance, but because they despised all the chances they had: not because they had no opportunity to know God, but because they rejected every opportunity that God ever gave them to find Him out, and know Him when He revealed himself.

God is altogether clear; for Jesus said: “If any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him.” John 12:47, 48. …

“If any man hear My words”—that word is the word of God. It is the word of life of God, … eternal is the life of God. … “ If any man hear My words, and believe not;” and “he that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words,” … and when he rejects the word, he rejects eternal life. … It is his own choice to reject eternal life; and in rejecting that, he chooses death. … God did all that He could: He set eternal life before him; He surrounded him with every possible inducement. … He rejected the word, and in rejecting the word of eternal life, he rejected eternal life; and in that he chose eternal death. And when he receives eternal death, it is only what he chose. He himself is the only one who counted himself worthy of it.

When Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch, and the Jews contradicted and blasphemed against those things which were spoken by Paul and Barnabas to the Gentiles, these men of God waxed bold, and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” Acts 13:46. … It was not said, We judge you unworthy of eternal life. No; you “judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life.” Every man who meets destruction passes upon himself the judgment of that destruction.

All the Scripture is founded upon this thought—that it is not against the person—but against the thing to which the person has fastened himself, that the wrath of God comes. Then as the Lord executes vengeance primarily only against sin, as His wrath is only against ungodliness and unrighteousness, and He has done everything He could to get the people to separate from sin, then in that burning day when He comes, and reveals Himself to the world, and the world sees Him as He is, it will still be only sin against which He will execute vengeance.

What more could God do than He did do to take away sin? He gave his only begotten Son; Christ gave himself, that whosoever would believe on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). He pledges Himself to every soul who will believe, that he shall not perish. … To every soul in this world, wicked as he may be, God’s message is that He has made the provision, He has established the thing, and so firmly fixed it that just as certainly as a soul believes in Jesus Christ, that soul “shall not perish.” …

Destruction of sin is the only way of salvation. His name shall be called “Jesus; for He shall save His people from their sins” [Matthew 1:21]. So when I accept his offer, as certainly as I believe in Jesus I shall not perish. And in that, I accept the provision that I will let sin go. I agree that I am willing to be separated from the sin, and that I will separate from sin. Listen: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him that the body of sin might be destroyed.” Then the object of the cross of Christ is the destruction of sin. Never miss that thought. Hold fast to it forever: the cross of Jesus Christ—the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the object of it—is the destruction of sin. Thank the Lord, that object will be accomplished. Now let us read the whole verse: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:6. Not only is there destruction of sin, but freedom from the service of sin. “For sin shall not have dominion over you.” Verse 14. …

“For he that is dead is freed from sin” [verse 7]. He who is crucified, he who has accepted the death of Jesus Christ, and is crucified with Him, he it is that is freed from sin.

“Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him” [verse 8]. … As certainly as we live with Him, we live with Him free from sin.

“Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him” [verse 9]. … It had the dominion, because He gave Himself up in surrender to the dominion of death; but death could not hold Him, because He was separated from sin. Neither can death hold anybody else; even though it has dominion, it can not hold the man who is free from sin.

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you” [verses 11–14].

There the apostle says that sin shall not have dominion over you. Let not sin therefore reign in your flesh, in your members. … “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” The next verse reads: “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” [verses 16–18].

The cross of Christ gives not only freedom from sin, but makes men servants of righteousness. The next verse tells us that the service of righteousness is “unto holiness” [verse 19]; the end of holiness is everlasting life; and without holiness “no man shall see the Lord” [Hebrews 12:14].

Then it is perfectly plain, as plain as ABC, that the only true preparation for the coming of the Lord is separation from sin. It makes no difference how much we talk about the coming of the Lord; nor how much we preach the signs of the times; nor how much we prepare for it otherwise, though we sell all we have, and give to the poor—if we are not separating from sin, making it our constant consideration to be absolutely separated from sin, and to be servants of righteousness unto holiness, we are not making preparation for the coming of the Lord at all: our profession is all a fraud. We may not be working it as a fraud; but we are inflicting upon ourselves a fraud. It may be that we are deceiving ourselves by it; but that makes no difference: if our constant consideration is not entire separation from sin, our profession is a fraud.

The profession of being a Seventh-day Adventist, looking for the coming of the Lord, telling people that the coming of the Lord is near, watching the signs of the times—all this is right, absolutely and forever right. But, though I have all this, and have not that one thing—the sole ambition to be completely separated from sin, and from the service of sin—my profession of the Adventist faith is a fraud; for if I am not separated from sin, I cannot meet the Lord at all in peace. Therefore if my sole ambition is not separation from sin, and from the service of it, I am not preparing at all to meet the Lord. …

Are you preparing to meet the Lord, whom, without holiness, no man shall see? … Are you ready to meet the Lord? Of the times and seasons, you have no need that I speak to you. … Are you separated from sin? And being separated from sin, are you ready to meet the Lord? Our God is a consuming fire. …

Do you not remember that the Word not only says that we shall see Him, but see Him as He is? … John saw Him as He is—saw Him as we shall see Him … “His eyes were as a flame of fire.” “His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and “His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength” [Revelation 1:14–16]. His raiment was “white as snow, so as no fuller on earth can white them,” “as white as the light” [Mark 9:3; Matthew 17:21]—the whiteness of piercing, consuming brightness. And that is He as He is when He comes; and without holiness no man shall see Him. Without separation from sin, no man shall stand. …

Look at yourself and your record, and I will look at myself and my record. We will look at the evil traits that are in us, at the struggles we have made, and the longing we have had to overcome these besetments, and to separate ourselves from all the evil, that we might indeed be ready. Where is there time to get ourselves ready? In the short time that intervenes between now and that day—is there time? and if so, when shall be that time when you and I shall have that thing so accomplished, shall have so separated ourselves from sin that we shall be ready to meet Him in flaming fire? The answer is, Never. That time will never, never come.

What, then, shall we do? Do not misunderstand. I did not say that the time will never come when we could be separated from sin. I said, Look at yourself, and I will look at myself, and we will see what we are, how full of evil traits, and what little progress we have made in this work of overcoming, and ask the question, When will the time ever come when you and I shall have so separated ourselves from sin that we can meet Him in flaming fire? It is that time which I say will never, never come.

But, bless the Lord! there is time to be separated from sin. No time will ever come when we can do this work ourselves; but the time is now, JUST NOW, to be separated from sin. The time to be separated from sin is right now, and that now is all the time; for “now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation” [II Corinthians 6:2]. Only God can separate us from sin; He will do it, and He will do it just now. Bless His name!

Yet, what every one must understand is this: the only way that God does, or can, separate anybody from sin is by that very consuming fire of His presence. The only way, therefore, in which you and I can ever be so separated from sin as to meet God as He is, in the flaming fire that He is, in that great day, is to meet Him TODAY as He is, in the consuming fire that He is. … “I will not leave you comfortless: I will COME TO YOU.” John 14:18. But do not forget that whether He comes to you or to me now, or whether He comes to other people in that great day, He comes only as a consuming fire.

Listen: “If any man hear My voice, and open the door,”—what does He say?—“I will come in to him” [Revelation 3:20]. … And “He is a consuming fire” and when He comes in to you, that coming will consume all the sin in you, so that when He comes in the clouds of heaven in flaming fire, you can meet Him in joy in the consuming fire that He is.

Then do you hear His voice? “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I WILL COME INTO HIM.” Ibid. Do you hear His voice? Then swing open wide the door, and keep it everlastingly open. Bid Him welcome, in the consuming fire that He is: and that flaming fire of his presence will consume sin in all your being, and so will thoroughly cleanse and prepare you to meet Him in flaming fire in that great day.

When I meet Him today “in a flaming fire, “when I welcome Him today “a consuming fire” in me, shall I be afraid to meet Him in flaming fire in that day—No; I shall be accustomed to it; and knowing what a blessed thing it is to become familiar with meeting Him as “a consuming fire,” knowing what a blessing that has brought to me today, I shall be delighted to meet Him on that other day, when He shall be revealed from heaven in flaming fire. “Our God is a consuming fire.” Bless the Lord!

“Who may abide the day of His coming? Who shall stand when he appeareth? for He is like a refiner’s FIRE” [Malachi 3:21]. Good. Then when I meet Him now, in the consuming fire that He is, I meet Him in a fire that is refining, that purifies. “And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness” [verse 3]. That is separation from sin; that is purification from sin. And that sets us where we offer an offering unto the Lord in righteousness: we become the servants of righteousness unto holiness, that we may meet the Lord. So, then, bless the Lord that He is a consuming fire—that He is as a refiner’s fire.

Look again at that expression in Revelation: “His eyes were as a flame of fire.” In that day His eyes will rest upon each one of us, and He will look clear through us. … What will that look do for everyone who is wrapped up, body and soul, in sin?—It will consume the sin and the sinner with it; because he would not be separated from the sin. And today, just now, those eyes are the same that they will be in that day. Today His eyes are as a flame of fire; and “all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” [Hebrews 4:13]. … As all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do, whether we will have to do with Him or not, why not accept the fact, choose to have it so, and on our part open up everything to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do? … Those eyes of living flame will look clear through us, and will consume away all the sin, and all the dross; and will refine us so that He shall see in us the image of Himself.

It is written that we are to serve the Lord “as of sincerity.” Sincere is genuine; it is true; it is as strained honey. Originally, it is honey strained, and strained again, over and over, until, holding up the honey to the light, it is found to be sine-cera—“without wax,” no trace of cera to be seen floating in it. That is what He says you and I are to be as certainly as we are Christians. God cleanses us in the blood of Christ, and holds us up in the light of the Lord, and the world can see only the light. And so, “ye are the light of the world” [Mathew 5:14]. Here, again, is the word of the Lord: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me.” Psalm 139:23, 24. That is the word given to us for today and for all time. Another word goes right along with it: “O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

“Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising … and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid Thine hand upon me.” Another translation has it: “Thou has compassed me all around; and holdest Thine hand over me.” Verses 1–5. That is a fact. He has compassed us all around, and His hand is over us. Whether we accept it or not, is another matter; but that is the fact with every man in all this wide world. That is how it is that all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

Then when it is a fact that He has searched us, and known us, and does search out and know us all the time, why not accept it as a fact, and have the benefit of it? Why not present to Him the word, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts”? What for?— “And see if there be any wicked way in me.” O that sets me before His face; for His glorious eyes of light to look upon me, and to shine through me, as the fire, searching out if there be any wicked way in me! And having searched it out, and being a consuming fire, He consumes it all away, and leads me in the way everlasting. …

Therefore … let it never escape from your thought that “our God is a consuming fire;” and that the sure way to escape from that consuming fire in that great day when there will be no chance to change, and no time to choose, is to choose today the blessed change that is wrought, by welcoming freely, gladly, into the life, our God, who is a consuming fire.

I remember the word that was spoken to Moses. As Moses had come nearer and nearer to God, he said at last: “I beseech thee, show me Thy glory” [Exodus 33:18]. That is exactly what appears in the coming great day that is at hand: He comes “in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” [Matthew 24:30]. His glory covers the heavens in that day, and the earth is filled with His praise. In that day He is “wrapped in a blaze of boundless glory,” “and every eye shall see Him” [Revelation 1:7]. But who shall endure it? … Only those who have prayed, and now pray, that Christian prayer, “I beseech Thee, show me Thy glory.”

When Moses prayed that blessed Christian prayer, the Lord said: “There is a place by Me, … and I will put thee in a cleft of the rock,” “and I will make all My goodness pass before thee.” “And it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by,” I “will cover thee with My hand. And I will take away My hand,” and you shall see Me. Exodus 33:21-23. So, though every man should dread the terror of the consuming glory of the Lord in that great day, there is today a place by Him. … Come, and stand in this place by Him, in the very presence of the flaming glory. Do not be afraid. Moses was not able to bear the fulness of that consuming glory that day; but the Lord, in his love, covered him with His hand, and protected him from the effects of that glory, which he was unable to bear.

The great trouble in that great day is that the people are not able to bear the glory. The kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, the chief men and the captains, and every bondman, and every freeman flee to the rocks and mountains to hide themselves, and say to the rocks and mountains, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand” [Revelation 6:16, 17]? The blazing glory of God will shine upon the earth, and these people cannot bear it.

But today do not be afraid. He says: “There is a place by Me” there is a place “in a cleft of the rock” … and I “will cover thee with My hand,” so that you can bear the blaze, and the purifying power, of My glory. And that consuming fire of My presence shall consume away all the sin. I “will cover thee with My hand,”—I will protect you even from that weakness which, in you, makes you unable to bear the fullness of My glory. And when He takes away His hand in that great day, those who have dwelt by His side, and been purified by living in this consuming fire until they are made white and tried, can look upon His unveiled face. In the full brightness of His glory, we shall look upon Him, and see Him as He is.

And that is where we are now, to look. With open face we can look, even now, into His face. For, in the flesh of Jesus Christ, God has veiled the annihilating power of the glory of His face; for, having shined into our hearts, He gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. In looking into the face of Jesus Christ, we see the face of God, and “we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory, to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Then let every soul welcome the glorious message that God sends to the world, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost” [John 20:22]; welcome that blessed Spirit that works this change by which we are changed from glory to glory, and made ready to meet Him in that great day of glory; and welcome not only the Holy Spirit, but covet earnestly the best gifts, which the Holy Spirit brings when He comes. Desire spiritual gifts; for these are to bring us to perfection in Christ Jesus. Only in this way shall we be made perfect in Christ Jesus; and in Christ be made ready to meet Him as He is.

God is a consuming fire; and I am glad of it. Our God is coming; and I am glad of it. He is coming in flaming fire; and I am glad of it. He is coming in all His glory; and I am glad of it. I am sorry that there will be anybody upon whom He will have to take vengeance; but I am glad that the day is coming when all sin will be swept away by our God, who is a consuming fire. …

Are you ready to meet Him in that day? If not, He says to you today, “There is a place by Me.” Come today, and stand in this place by Me. I will reveal to you all My glory; “I will make all My goodness pass before thee.” And where there is any defect in you that cannot just now bear the deeply consuming fire of this glory, I “will cover thee with My hand” until it is all over: so that I may separate you from all sin, and save you in that day of glory.

O, then, welcome Him who is a consuming fire! Dwell in His presence. Open up the life. Recognize the fact that He is a consuming fire—that He is never anything else. Then rejoice in that today. Dwell in that consuming fire today. And when that great day breaks upon the earth, in all His glory, we shall also rejoice in that day. Then we shall stand and say, “Lo, this is our God.” But what! with the mountains hurling through the air; every island fleeing out of its place; the earth coming up from beneath; the heavens departing as a scroll, with a noise that is more than deafening; and flaming fire all around, His face as the sun, His eyes as a flame of fire—in all this shall we rejoice?—Yes, bless the Lord! We shall rejoice, because “this is our God.” We have seen Him before; we have lived with Him; we have welcomed His consuming presence; we have welcomed the living flame of which His eyes are as a flaming fire, that they should pierce us through, and search out any wicked way in us. We know what blessing and joy were brought into our lives when His consuming glory purified us from sin and from sinning, and made us the servants of righteousness unto holiness. And knowing what blessedness that was, we exclaim, in the fullness of perfect joy, “Lo, this is our God” indeed. We see Him now, more fully than before. That means more blessing still. “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:9.

Sermon preached at the Battle Creek Tabernacle, October 22, 1898, and found in The Review and Herald, January 24 and 31, 1899.

Principles of True Righteousness

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Those who put their trust and hope in Jesus will find that, day by day, their walk with Him will become closer and less in the world.

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5, is one of the most misunderstood messages that He gave. Some believe that it summarizes God’s plan of salvation, that those desiring to be in heaven must obey the rules. Others believe it has no significance today, but that it will apply at some future time during religious trial and persecution.

The key is found in verse 20: “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” The theme is righteousness.

The Pharisees taught a superficial, external righteousness based on law, but Jesus described a righteousness that comes from within, in the heart. Where the Pharisees were so concerned about minute details of conduct, tithing, fasting, and presenting themselves in holy robes, they neglected the major issues of character.

The lessons that Jesus taught to His followers and recorded in the Gospels were foreign to the rules they had come to believe necessary to be saved.

In the Beatitudes and the pictures of the believer, if you do not fix the inside, it does not matter what you do to the outside; it is not going to work. The crowd’s attention was fixed upon Jesus as He spoke the first word: “Blessed” Matthew 5:3. This was a powerful word to those who heard that day, one they had never heard from the Pharisees. To them it meant divine joy and perfect happiness. It was not a word used for humans; it described the kind of joy experienced only by the gods or the dead. “Blessed” implied an inner satisfaction and sufficiency that did not depend on outward circumstances for happiness. Jesus presented to them a message that would enter their hearts.

There are four attitudes described in Matthew 5 that are common among men and women today.

  1. Attitude toward self

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Verse 3. To be poor in spirit means to be humble, to have a correct estimate of self.

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:3. It is not for anyone to consider himself any better than others, as all are equal in God’s sight. Jesus died for all. Attitude makes the difference; we must look at others with the sympathy and love with which God sees us. This does not mean to be without a backbone or have false humility saying, “I am not worth anything!” To be “poor in spirit” exhibits honesty and acceptance of self, putting into practice the best of one’s ability to the glory of God without self-praise and self-assertion that is common in the world.

  1. Attitude toward sin

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Verses 4–6.

Meekness is not weakness, for both Moses and Jesus were meek men. The word translated “meek” was used by the Greeks to describe a horse that had been broken. It refers to power under control.

In Numbers 12:3 describing Moses, it says, “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” Moses surrendered his faculties to God, which enabled him to complete the assignments that God gave him. We also can become conquers over our own problems by surrendering our powers to God.

“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.” Matthew 11:29. This is the rest and contentment that Jesus had as He surrendered totally to His Father. This is available to all today. We struggle with the righteousness issue because we are not able to totally surrender. We mourn over our sins and think we need to have some control, but rest comes only after total submission and being under the control of God.

While the Pharisees claimed to be defenders of the law of Moses, they forced people to comply with those laws, demonstrating that they did not reflect the character of Jesus.

  1. Attitude toward the Lord

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:7–9. We experience God’s mercy when we trust Christ. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:4–9.

In very simple words that means that no matter how hard you try you will not achieve righteousness. No matter how hard you work or how dedicated you are to work, or how much you volunteer for work, you just do not have what it takes and never will—only Jesus has it. It is only through Him that we can reach that righteousness. It is only through Jesus Christ and Him in us that we can do anything. His righteousness is a free gift, His life in us. It is through Christ that we attain to eternal life.

  1. Attitude toward the world

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:10–14.

Sadly, this experience is often repeated in our church today. Many say, How dare these people come in here to worship; he is a tax collector. I am better; I fast twice a week; I pay tithe; I pray; what are they doing here? This is an attitude problem. In the story it was the man who humbled himself who went home justified, rejoicing with peace in his heart.

All need the infilling of Christ in the heart to have peace. It is in Christ that all become equal.

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:10–16.

It is not easy to be a dedicated Christian. Our society is not friendly to Christianity. If it is not friendly to God, it will not be friendly to God’s people either. There is a conflict between the principles of Christianity and the world—conflicting attitudes.

The amusements and fashions of the world do not reflect Christ’s righteousness. There is no Christianity in these things. As your plans for each day are consecrated to God to be carried out or given up as His providence indicates, your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ. [See Steps to Christ, 70.] The Beatitudes represent an outlook radically different from that presented by the world. The world praises pride and not humility. Where the world endorses sin, especially if you can “get away with it,” God seeks to reconcile His enemies and make them His children. The world is at war with God so it must be expected that those living godly will be persecuted (II Timothy 3:12). But be sure that suffering is not due to personal foolishness or disobedience.

We are told: “All who serve God with purity of soul will know that He is jealous that His honor should be preserved. Many of the most glorious revelations recorded in the Bible were made by the Lord in the darkest days of the church’s history. The Lord has given these revelations of His glory in order that men may be deeply impressed regarding the sacredness of His service. Impressions have been made that should bear with solemn force on the mind, showing that God is God, and that He has not lost His glory. He requires the utmost fidelity in His service today. The impression must be left on human minds that the Lord God is holy, and that He will vindicate His glory.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1160.

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:31–33.

Note, seek first the kingdom of heaven and righteousness, the righteousness of Jesus, will be provided. There is absolutely nothing we can do to earn righteousness; we simply do not have what it takes to gain righteousness.

“Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.” Isaiah 51:7.

“And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us.” Deuteronomy 6:25.

This instruction applies to you and me. We need to be willing to submit to Him. We must be willing to give all to Jesus in order to receive His righteousness. We have none of our own.

Christ’s righteousness, the wedding garment (Matthew 22:11, 12), the robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10), is the covering necessary to inherit the mansions that Christ is preparing in heaven. He went to prepare a place for us, and when He comes again He has promised to take us home with Him.

The indwelling of Christ transforms sinful man into humble, obedient and faithful people.

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17–20.

In the law of Moses, God revealed His standard for holy living. The Pharisees defended it and sought to obey it, but Jesus said that the true righteousness that pleases God must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. To the common people, the scribes and Pharisees were the holiest men in the community! If they had not attained, what hope was there for anybody else?

Jesus made it clear that He had come to honor the law and help God’s people to love it, learn it, and live it but He would not accept the artificial righteousness of the religious leaders that was merely an external masquerade. Their religion was a dead ritual, not a living relationship. It was artificial and did not reproduce itself in others in a living way but promoted pride instead of humility and led to bondage instead of liberty.

We can fulfill the Law by yielding to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to work in our lives. The Holy Spirit enables us to daily experience the “righteousness of the law.” This does not mean we live sinlessly perfect lives, but it does mean that Christ lives out His life through us by the power of His Spirit (Galatians 2:20).

Within the Beatitudes, we see the perfect character of Jesus Christ. While Jesus never had to mourn over His own sins, He was still a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” Isaiah 53:3. He never had to hunger and thirst after righteousness since He was the holy Son of God, but He did delight in the Father’s will and find His satisfaction in doing it (John 4:34). The only way we can experience the righteousness of the Beatitudes is through the power of Christ.

How do we get victory? By allowing Jesus to purify the desires of the heart and bring into subjection the actions of the body. “And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:30.

Obviously, this is not talking about literal surgery; for this would not solve the problem in the heart. Concerning sin, the eye and the hand are usually the two “culprits.” Jesus said, “Deal immediately and decisively with sin! Don’t taper off—cut off!” Spiritual surgery is more important than physical surgery, for the sins of the body can lead to eternal judgment. We think of passages like, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.” Colossians 3:5, 6.

“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Romans 6:13.

We are never to retaliate. Jesus replaced a law with an attitude: be willing to suffer loss yourself rather than cause another to suffer. Of course, He applied this to personal insults, not to groups or nations. The person who retaliates only makes himself and the offender feel worse; and the result is a settled war and not peace.

In order to “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39), we must stay where we are and not run away. This demands both faith and love. It also means that we will be hurt, but it is better to be hurt on the outside than to be harmed on the inside. It further means that we should try to help the sinner. We are vulnerable, because he may attack us anew; but we are also victorious, because Jesus is on our side, helping us and building our characters. Psychologists tell us that violence is born of weakness, not strength. It is the strong man who can love and suffer hurt; it is the weak man who thinks only of himself and hurts others to protect himself. He hurts others; then runs away to protect himself.

We are to love our enemies. Nowhere did the law teach hatred for one’s enemies. Passages like Exodus 23:4, 5 indicate just the opposite! Jesus defined our enemies as those who curse us, hate us, and exploit us selfishly. Since Christian love is an act of the will, and not simply an emotion, He has the right to command us to love our enemies. After all, He loved us when we were His enemies (Romans 5:10). We may show this love by blessing those who curse us, doing good to them, and praying for them. Praying for our enemies makes it easier to love them. It takes the “poison” out of our attitude.

There are several reasons given for Jesus’ admonition:

This love is a mark of maturity, proving that we are sons of the Father, and not just little children.

It is Godlike. The Father shares His good things with those who oppose Him. Matthew 5:45 suggests that our love “creates a climate” of blessings that makes it easy to win our enemies and make them our friends. Love is like the sunshine and rain that the Father sends so graciously.

It is a testimony to others. “What do ye more than others” (Matthew 5:47)? is a good question. God expects us to live on a much higher plane than the lost people of the world who return good for good and evil for evil. As Christians, we must return good for evil as an investment of love. We must remember that God is holy and we must do all we can to preserve His glory.

We rob ourselves of today’s joys when we worry about tomorrow. Worrying about tomorrow does not help either tomorrow or today. If anything, it robs us of our effectiveness today—which means we will be even less effective tomorrow. Someone has said that the average person is crucifying himself between two thieves: the regrets of yesterday and the worries about tomorrow. It is right to plan for the future and even to save for the future. In II Corinthians 12:14 it states, “Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.” There is also counsel in 1 Timothy 5:8, which says, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” It is a sin to worry about the future and permit tomorrow to rob today of its blessings.

There are three things that point the way to victory:

Having faith in God to meet our needs. “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” Matthew 6:30.

Trust in our heavenly Father, knowing that He cares for His children. “(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” Matthew 6:32.

Putting God first. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33. We must put God’s will first in our lives so that He might be glorified. If we have faith in our Father and put Him first, He will meet our needs.

All hypocrisy and anxiety must be put away. Hypocrisy and anxiety are sins. If we practice the true righteousness of the kingdom, we will avoid these sins and everything that goes against God’s word and allow the righteousness of Christ to be totally reproduced in us. The Lord said that without Him, no one can see the Father.

The number one priority in life is to have the righteousness of Christ. We each need to surrender all of our ways into the hands of our Redeemer right now while time lasts.

Pastor Domingo Nuñez is director of Outreach Ministry for Steps to Life. He is involved in the coordination of world mission projects and he travels extensively, encouraging the many home churches supported by Steps to Life. He may be contacted at: 316-788-5559 or by email at: domingonunez@stepstolife.org.

Counterfeit Godliness

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This world is full of counterfeits. It seems for everything, from industry to churches, someone has made a counterfeit and endeavors to present their product as the real thing. So, beware of counterfeit faith. Because of a desire for truth, we often listen to presentations on many topics to clarify different issues, but be careful.

About two days before the Passover during which He was crucified, Jesus was up on the Mount of Olives with His disciples. They asked Him a question regarding the time of His coming and what would be the signs. When Jesus answered them He mentioned nothing of the signs but said, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” Matthew 24:4. In other words, Jesus warned them that there will be many counterfeits at the end time, and unless you know the truth, you will be deceived.

“From the very beginning of the great controversy in heaven it has been Satan’s purpose to overthrow the law of God. It was to accomplish this that he entered upon his rebellion against the Creator, and though he was cast out of heaven he has continued the same warfare upon the earth. To deceive men, and thus lead them to transgress God’s law, is the object which he has steadfastly pursued. …

“So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true, that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested.” The Great Controversy, 582, 593.

Let us use this method to test the very first deception to man. It is written, “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Genesis 2:16, 17. Adam and Eve were not ignorant of the fallen angel from heaven. Angels had instructed them and warned them about Satan. They knew that the devil did not have free reign in the Garden but was restricted to one place. They had been given freedom to eat of the fruit of the trees with the only exception being the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It was forbidden fruit for them.

Anyone who knows anything of the Bible knows the story of Genesis 3. One day Eve strayed away from Adam and came close to the tree. “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.” Verse 1. This was a very light greeting. Australians might say, “Hi there!” Americans might say, “How are you doing?” “Yea!” Satan carefully drew Eve in to create a conversation with her, to catch her off guard and manipulate her thinking. “Hello there!” “Hath God said … .” He punched the point in right there, and then he put his twist on everything. In fact, he put the question in such a way that it needed a response and forced Eve, in a sense, to communicate with him. He knew very well that she was not supposed to be there, but he quickly occupied her, putting thoughts into her mind. “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said … .” Verses 1–3. Had she maintained what “God hath said,” she would have had no problem.

This point needs to be clearly understood. The devil is the only one who promises eternal life in disobedience. The devil says you can believe God, but you can also disobey Him and still be saved. It is the devil’s philosophy that he has promoted from the beginning. His sole objective is to overthrow the law of God, which will lead you to transgress it. If you forget the counterfeit in the beginning, your whole theology will be jeopardized.

The serpent spoke to Eve’s curiosity, for she had never heard a serpent in the garden speak. That was the beginning of the deception. She thought the serpent was so smart. He captivated her thinking to reach all of her senses. He reached her sense of sight, hearing and touch. Now to convince her to taste, and he would win! Her thoughts were manipulated to bypass her intellectual reasoning, the power of the will to make decisions. She should have stayed with, “God said.” The serpent changed her thinking and then hit her with the punch line, “If you eat it, you will be like God.” The devil had reached her emotions. Me, like God? She stopped considering the word of God, “You shall surely die.” Overtaken by emotion, she lost her reasoning and finally she ate. From there you know what happened. That is why we are still here. Please understand, the devil is the only one who promises eternal life in disobedience.

Ellen G. White, in The Signs of the Times, May 28, 1894, says, “Before the last developments of the work of apostasy there will be a confusion of faith. There will not be clear and definite ideas concerning the mystery of God. One truth after another will be corrupted.” Every wind of doctrine will blow.

When a young lady who works at a bank, was asked if she knew how to detect a counterfeit bill, she answered that there is only one secret. Study the genuine and when you know what that looks like, every counterfeit bill that comes to the bank stands out as fake. That’s a good principle.

If you look at James 2:17 in any way other than how it is translated in the King James Version, perhaps it may impress you differently. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” Moving the two words being alone to its right setting, a stronger statement is made. “Even so faith being alone, if it hath not works, is dead.”

The belief prevailing in many churches today is that all you have to do is have faith alone. Faith is the channel, but faith alone is eternal death. There is no salvation in faith alone. James makes that very clear.

Once we know the truth, we can more easily recognize the error. Our works are the fruit of our faith. Obedience is the fruit of faith. We must make sure that we know the truth so we will detect the counterfeit when it comes. Faith without obedience is not faith. These two cannot be separated. Anyone who says they have faith in God—and who truly has that faith—will always be willing to obey Him.

No assurance of salvation is promised to anyone,—whether a pastor, a theologian, or lay person—who professes to have faith but refuses to obey God. Salvation can only be received by obedience. Thus faith without the works is eternal death.

The story of Joseph while working in Potiphar’s home illustrates this. While Potiphar was away, his wife tempted Joseph. Satan dearly wanted Joseph to fall by removing from him what up to this point had been unfailing obedience. However, to sustain his justification, he had to run away from the temptation and not transgress the law of God. There was no doubt that Joseph believed in God, but had he not resisted the proposition of Potipher’s wife, his faith would have been dead faith. He had to add works to his faith. In this instance, the works was to flee from the temptation.

“Obedience is the fruit of faith.” Steps to Christ, 461. Scripture and Spirit of Prophecy are in harmony with one another, as both were inspired by the same Spirit. “John did not teach that salvation was to be earned by obedience; but that obedience was the fruit of faith and love.” The Acts of the Apostles, 563. Ellen White says it over and over again that obedience, or works, is the fruit of faith, the fruit of love. In other words, loving obedience has to come first before salvation is assured.

Ellen White states that, “Genuine faith will be manifested in good works; for good works are the fruits of faith. … It is by continual surrender of the will, by continual obedience, that the blessing of justification is retained.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 397. Joseph fled temptation so that “the blessing of justification” was “retained.”

In order to resist temptation, we need to be faithful to obey God. It does not happen once only, as “once saved, always saved.” It is a continual effort. The counterfeit that I want you to take note of is this:

  • Belief No. 1 – Obedience is the fruit of faith. (TRUE)
  • Belief No. 2 – Obedience is the fruit of salvation. (FALSE)

You must be able to detect the counterfeit when it comes. When somebody says to you that obedience is the fruit of salvation, or works is the fruit of salvation, immediately, if you are familiar with the true, you can detect the counterfeit, for obedience or works is not the fruit of salvation.

“The condition of eternal life is now just what it always has been—just what it was in Paradise before the fall of our first parents—perfect obedience to the law of God, perfect righteousness.” Steps to Christ, 62. Therefore, if obedience is a condition, then obedience has to precede or come before salvation is assured. Obedience cannot come after salvation. Obedience is the fruit of faith; obedience is not the fruit of salvation.

There are several evil effects of the teaching that with faith only, you are saved, and that obedience is the fruit of salvation.

  • This counterfeit belief teaches that the law has been done away at the cross and we just have to have faith. We stand up against those who preach this. But when teachings like this come to us, we don’t recognize it to be true.
  • The evil effect of this belief is that it teaches that one is saved in sin instead of from sin. The effect is that sin can be excused, and that is why we find sin prevailing in church today. The rate of divorce in the church right now is almost the same as the rate outside in the world. That’s why many of the churches now see no problem with having homosexual priests or officers in the church. The standard of truth is lowered.
  • This teaching immortalizes sin. In other words, you can continue to sin and still merit salvation.
  • This teaching declares that anyone who professes to believe in Christ will be saved the moment he or she says, “I believe in Jesus Christ.” There is no self-denial. There is no obedience. This teaching apparently declares that the devil is justified and can be taken back to heaven. James 2:19 states that the devil believes in God. So if we continue to teach that once we have faith, we’re saved, we must accept that the devil and his angels will also be saved. We contradict ourselves if we say otherwise.

“As we approach the close of time, as the people of God stand upon the borders of the heavenly Canaan, Satan will, as of old, redouble his efforts to prevent them from entering the goodly land.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 457. He’s doing it right now. As the devil doubles up his efforts, we also need two or three times more of the Spirit of God.

In Revelation 2:1, it says, “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write: These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.” And verse 6 says, “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” God is saying, “You, in the church of Ephesus, you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans. I also hate it.”

Revelation 2:12 says, “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith He which hath the sharp sword with two edges.” The angel spoke to the church in Pergamos, and verse 15 says, “So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.” There are some that are still believing in the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. This same doctrine of the Nicolaitans is now largely taught, that the gospel of Christ has made the law of God of no effect. The law is done away and that by believing we are released from the necessity of being doers of the word. This is the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which Christ so unsparingly condemned.

The doctrine of the Nicolaitans is the doctrine of faith only and this has done away with the law of God. In the book of Revelation, right at the end time, God says that He hates this doctrine.

“I [Ellen White] was attending a meeting, and a large congregation were present. In my dream you were presenting the subject of faith and the imputed righteousness of Christ by faith. You repeated several times that works amounted to nothing, that there were no conditions [in other words, salvation was unconditional]. The matter was presented in that light that I knew minds would be confused, and would not receive the correct impression in reference to faith and works, and I decided to write to you. You state this matter too strongly. There are conditions to our receiving justification and sanctification, and the righteousness of Christ. I know your meaning, but you leave a wrong impression upon many minds. While good works will not save even one soul, yet it is impossible for even one soul to be saved without good works.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 377.

“John did not teach that salvation was to be earned by obedience; but that obedience was the fruit of faith and love. ‘Ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins,’ he said, ‘and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him.’ I John 3:5, 6. If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in the heart, our feelings, our thoughts, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God. The sanctified heart is in harmony with the precepts of God’s law.” The Acts of the Apostles, 563.

“We do not earn salvation by our obedience, for salvation is the free gift of God, to be received by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith. ‘Ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not’ (I John 3:5, 6). Here is the true test. If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in us, our feelings, our thoughts, our purposes, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God as expressed in the precepts of His holy law. ‘Little children, let no man deceive you; he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous’ (verse 7). Righteousness is defined by the standard of God’s holy law, as expressed in the ten precepts given on Sinai.” Reflecting Christ, 274.

If I have a glass that contains 99 percent water and 1 percent of poison, the whole glass is poisoned. Truth and error mixed together is no more truth. It is a counterfeit. Today you will hear truth mixed with error prevailing everywhere—not only in America, but worldwide. It is a counterfeit, nonetheless. Faith alone is a counterfeit and is not justification by faith, as appealing as it may sound.

“The desire for an easy religion that requires no striving, no self-denial, no divorce from the follies of the world, has made the doctrine of faith, and faith only, a popular doctrine; but what saith the word of God? Says the apostle James: ‘What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? … Wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? … Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.’ James 2:14–24.” The Great Controversy, 472. The two go together and cannot be separated.

The Jewish people in the time of Christ did not have faith. They did not believe in Christ and had no faith in Him, their religion was one of works alone. Today, we have the opposite extreme of faith alone. We have gone from one extreme to another, entirely missing the truth. Our religion must be balanced but so many theologians attack works. Works are good, if they are wrought through the channel of faith and love to God. It is not a heresy, and it is not Pharisaical. (See James 2:14–24.)

“There are grand truths, long hidden under the rubbish of error, that are to be revealed to the people. The doctrine of justification by faith has been lost sight of by many who have professed to believe the third angel’s message. The Holiness people have gone to great extremes on this point. With great zeal they have taught, ‘Only believe in Christ, and be saved; but away with the law of God.’ This is not the teaching of the word of God. There is no foundation for such a faith. This is not precious gem of truth that God has given to His people for this time. This doctrine misleads honest souls.” The Review and Herald, August 13, 1889.

“As the storm approaches [talking about the time that is coming], a large class who have professed faith in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition.” The Great Controversy, 608.

If as a church we continue to believe in faith only, the result will be that a large class will abandon the truth when the storm comes. They will become the enemies of those who have recognized the counterfeit.

In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” I’ve heard a lot of people say, “As long as I accept Jesus Christ, I’m okay.” No one can accept Jesus Christ without truth, because He is the truth; He is the way. So when we accept Jesus Christ, we must accept His way, too. We must accept His conditions.

A few years back when my two girls were very small, they were getting ready to go to school, so when school started, I took time off from work in the morning and I held their hands because the buses were running on the road along with cars, and it was pretty unsafe for them to cross on their own. And they were little and they were going for the first time to school so I wanted to train them.

So I held their hands and I stood on the side of the road and I said, “Take note of what I’m going to say. I want you to look to the left and to the right; look to the left, and look to the right.” Now they don’t have a crossing guard on the road where I come from. You have to find your own way across the road. So I told them to look to the left and look to the right. When it is clear, you can go.

I continued to give them instructions and told them that if you do cross without looking to the right or to the left you will surely die. As I said it, I was crying. You see, the command was full of love. I didn’t give that command to kill them; I wanted to save their lives.

Holding their hands I made everything clear and took them across. I said, “Good bye,” and they left. For three days during that first week, we went through the same routine. Look to the left, look to the right; if you don’t look, you will surely die. And just because I said, “You will surely die,” somebody may say that I am mean. No, I said it because I love them, I don’t want them to die.

And when God said to Adam and Eve, “the day you eat thereof, you will surely die,” He had never intended to kill them. He was just telling them the consequence of eating from that tree: they would die. They would kill themselves. It was because of God’s love for them that He gave them such a dire warning. He did not want them to die. How sad that people can’t see that and as a result, misrepresent God! They see the command as a set of rules. They can’t see God’s loving protection in the command.

When we say we have faith in Jesus Christ, when we love Him, we recognize that obedience to the law of God is not something that is burdensome. Instead, we see the grace of God in providing boundaries for our protection, not wanting that any should die.

We see the love of God and His grace in sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross of Calvary. That very act of obedience unto death affirms the fact that obedience is a condition to eternal life. When we truly love God we will have faith in Him and obey Him. Salvation then will be assured.

Metusela Albert was a guest speaker at Steps to Life camp meeting in 2007. Any comments may be sent by email at: landmarks@stepstolife.org.

Married to the Wrong Man

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Two young ministers, A. T. Jones and E. J. Waggoner, presented messages to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1888 on the subject of righteousness by faith. The message was presented at a Minneapolis, Minnesota, camp meeting where all the conference leaders were present, and as the meeting began, a spirit developed that was not welcoming the Jones and Waggoner message. After this camp meeting, Ellen White had opportunity to address the righteousness by faith message: “I have had the question asked, What do you think of this light that these men are presenting? Why, I have been presenting it to you for the last forty-five years—the matchless charms of Christ. This is what I have been trying to present before your minds. When Brother Waggoner brought out these ideas in Minneapolis, it was the first clear teaching on this subject from any human lips I had heard … . I have said to myself, It is because God has presented it to me in vision that I see it so clearly, and they cannot see it because they have never had it presented to them as I have. And when another presented it, every fiber of my heart said, Amen.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, 219.

The message given in 1888 was rejected, maybe because of selfishness, perhaps because some of those church leaders had not developed a converted heart and mind, able to be open enough to evaluate the message on its own merit instead of having a closed mind and rejecting it.

Mrs. White stated that, “The present message—justification by faith—is a message from God; it bears the divine credentials, for its fruit is unto holiness. Some who greatly need the precious truth that was presented before them, we fear did not receive its benefit. They did not open the door of their hearts to welcome Jesus as a heavenly guest, and they have suffered great loss. There is indeed a narrow way in which we must walk; the cross is presented at every step. We must learn to live by faith; then the darkest hours will be brightened by the blessed beams of the Sun of Righteousness.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 359.

“The reactions to the emphasis on this vital truth were mixed. At the 1893 general conference session, A. T. Jones, speaking of the reception of the truths set forth at Minneapolis, reported: ‘I know that some there accepted it; others rejected it entirely. You know the same thing. Others tried to stand half way between, and get it that way.’—General Conference Bulletin, 1893, 185.” “A Statement Presenting the Historical Backgrounds,” Ibid., Book 3, 158, 159.

The Jones/Waggoner message was really a message that will help us understand what it takes to be married with Christ. “Christ met and worked with all classes of human beings, seeking to save that which was lost. Will you who shall connect with men of different organisms and different temperaments, put on Christ, and respect one another as you desire to be respected?

“They must not put on their citizen’s dress, but the wedding garment. They have been married to Christ, and the robe of His righteousness is to clothe them. The church is the bride of Christ, and her members are to yoke up with their Leader.” The Gospel Herald, May 28, 1902.

The righteousness by faith message, Mrs. White said, needs to be repeated again before the Second Coming of Christ. “We are now living in a most perilous time, and not one of us should be tardy in seeking a preparation for the coming of Christ. … It will be too late to seek for the righteousness of Christ when the guests are called in and examined. Now is the time to put on the righteousness of Christ—the wedding garment that will fit you to enter into the marriage supper of the Lamb.” The Youth’s Instructor, January 16, 1896.

We need to understand what love is, and if that love develops and comes alive in our lives, we will together be waiting for the Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour. But we need to find the code that will make us penetrate more deeply for the love of God and for Him to penetrate into our hearts and minds, able to have more control over our emotions, our feelings, our ways. Sometimes we want to do things that we should not do, but we should pray that we will be what Christ wants us to be for Him, not what we want to be.

To forfeit our own will is hard, but God will never allow us to do something that we are not capable of doing. He knows our heart, our mind, our capabilities; He knows what we can do and gives the power to do it.

Romans 7:1–7 gives the foundation of the message of this article. Once the foundation is laid, we can start building our building. Christ is the architect and will be the One to employ the workers who will do God’s will.

“Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed [or free] from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married [or capable, allowed to be married] to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ, that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruits unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”

Christians, especially Seventh-day Adventists, read these passages and will not quite allow the Holy Spirit to assist us, to amplify the Scriptures, to be able to understand the very large picture of this passage. That was exactly what the Holy Spirit and angels from heaven inspired the minds and the hearts of Jones and Waggoner to present, a message to the people to bring a picture so wide and so open and so big that they could allow the Scriptures to come alive.

Some of the people, perhaps the ones who were really looking for a way to surrender themselves to God and to have a converted life and a connection with the Lord, found the message refreshing, but others who were not willing to give up their own lifestyle or their habits said, “This is nonsense!” So, they rejected it. They believed that the Lord knows why they do what they do and eat and drink what they do and they don’t need to hear any type of message that tells them what to do.

All they want to know and be told is, “God loves me.” Of course He does love us, because He gave His life for us. Is that not obvious, is that not sufficient; isn’t that enough for us to understand the love of God?

An evil spirit was manifested in 1888. It was the type of spirit that crowds or clouds the minds of those who hear to fail in receiving the message. Sister White rebuked it saying that spirit is not from God but is of Satan. So we are going to look at the views and what that message was.

First of all, in these seven verses of Romans 7, we are going to look at four subjects—Number 1 is the flesh. Number 2 is the woman. Number 3 is the law. Number 4 is Christ or the second husband.

The law spoken of in these verses is the law of sin. We are bound to the law, which is sin, and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). By nature we are married to the flesh, and we have no trouble at all satisfying all of the cravings and the desires of our flesh.

So as a Christian bound to the husband, the flesh, we go about satisfying the husband, pleasing our flesh. Since we are married to the flesh, and the law says we are bound together, we are one flesh. For that reason many Christians today have so much trouble and struggle to develop their relationship with the Lord, walking along the narrow path, because they are still married to their first husband.

That is the problem. Because we are selfish, pathetic individuals, we are married to the flesh, and we give the flesh whatever it wants. The Scripture says that those who are walking after the flesh, satisfy the flesh, but not the Spirit. But those who walk after the Spirit satisfy the Spirit and the flesh has no more control over the mind.

Many of us allow the body to control the mind, not the mind to control the body, because we are married to the flesh. When we allow the Holy Spirit to control the mind, this flesh has no more control. Paul “charges the Galatians to ‘walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.’ Galatians 5:16, 17. … After mentioning the fruits of the Spirit, … he adds, ‘And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.’ Verse 24.” Counsels on Health, 69.

So we often find ourselves living a miserable life never satisfied, entertaining ourselves and consuming things of the world to fulfill the cravings of the appetite of the flesh while continuing to feel empty.

When Jesus spoke, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15), He was saying, “If you love Me, and we are going to be married together, you will keep the laws of My Father, because of the laws that I am bound to My Father in love. If you love Me, you will keep the commandments.” The law of God is holy (Romans 7:12), and whosoever abides in the law will be holy.

Satan leads us to think that we are no longer under any law, but we are under grace. “It is the sophistry of Satan that the death of Christ brought in grace to take the place of the law. The death of Jesus did not change, or annul, or lessen in the slightest degree, the law of ten commandments. That precious grace offered to men through a Saviour’s blood, establishes the law of God. Since the fall of man, God’s moral government and His grace are inseparable. They go hand in hand through all dispensations. ‘Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.’ Psalm 85:10.” The Faith I Live By, 89.

Satan offers grace without laws, but that is a very misleading doctrine that has been spread. Isaiah 65 and 66, very clearly state that we are going to keep the Sabbath, which is part of the commandments, and the Bible is very clear that God’s law will still be kept in heaven. Who are they who have the “patience of the saints” (Revelation 14:12) and “keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17)? These are those who continue to keep the commandments of God.

In Romans 7, Paul is talking about the law of sin. If we are bound to our first husband, then we are married to the flesh. Many Christians desire the marriage Christ offers but are still married to the flesh. They become frustrated, feel unhappy, sad and depressed that they no longer find pleasure in entertainments. They try to find a way to satisfy the cravings of the flesh and retire to being slaves to that type of lifestyle.

How can we be released from that bondage? The Bible gives the answer in verses 3 and 4. When Jesus comes into our lives with compassion, understanding, love, and a willingness to give to us His life, and we say, “I want You in my life. I want to marry You.” The Lord says, “I can’t marry you because you’re married to the flesh; you have another master. I will not share; you must die to the flesh, then we can be one.”

The bottom line is that a lot of Christians today are walking into the world believing they are married to Christ when, in fact, they are not. They are married to themselves, to what they eat and drink, the movies they watch and those with whom they hang out and find their pleasure. The husband that they claim to have is not Christ but the husband of flesh. While living under this bondage it is impossible to bring fruits of righteousness unto God, but only fruits unto death.

The law condemns us, but the love of God gives us freedom in Christ Jesus. The question is: Do you really want that freedom? Do you hunger and thirst for it, or do you want both husbands in your life?

You cannot have two husbands. Either you are married to Christ or you are married to the flesh; you cannot have both. True freedom only comes through deliverance from the law of sin.

Consecrate yourself to God and the spirit of Christ will take control over your life and you will become a collaborator with Christ. To be totally surrendered to Him we will receive peace and protection and know the love of God, the pure agape love from heaven. Only then can you be complete in Him.

We each need to say unto God, “Lord, help me to make once in my life the right decision, the right move that can be this marriage for eternity, and You will be the last husband in my life. [Spiritually speaking, the last husband.] I make that decision to be faithful unto You and obedient unto You. I will not bring shame unto You; I will respect You, and I will obey Your word when You say what to do, because You know what is best in my life.”

There will be trouble; there will be tribulation, but the Bible is very clear: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1, 2.

Pastor Domingo Nuñez is director of Outreach Ministry for Steps to Life. He is involved in the coordination of world mission projects and he travels extensively, encouraging the many home churches supported by Steps to Life. He may be contacted at: 316-788-5559 or by email at: domingonunez@stepstolife.org.

Spiritual Insight – The Proof is in the Life

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Like the wind, which is invisible, yet the effects of which are plainly seen and felt, is the Spirit of God in its work upon the human heart. That regenerating power, which no human eye can see, begets a new life in the soul; it creates a new being in the image of God. While the work of the Spirit is silent and imperceptible, its effects are manifest. If your heart has been renewed by the Spirit of God, your life will bear witness to the fact. How? A change will be seen in your character. Not by occasional good deeds and occasional misdeeds, but by the tendency of your habitual words and acts. …

When the principle of love is implanted in your heart, [then] the new-covenant promise is fulfilled. “I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them” (Hebrews 10:16). And if the law is written in the heart, will it not shape the life? Obedience—the service and allegiance of love—is the true sign of discipleship. … Instead of releasing man from obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience.

We do not earn salvation by our obedience; for salvation is the free gift of God, to be received by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith. … If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in us, feelings, our thoughts, our purposes, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God as expressed in the precepts of His holy law. …

The condition of eternal life is now just what it always has been—just what it was in Paradise before the fall of our first parents—perfect obedience to the law of God, perfect righteousness. If eternal life were granted on any condition short of this, then the happiness of the whole universe would be imperiled. The way would be open for sin, with all its train of woe and misery, to be immortalized. …

We have no righteousness of our own with which to meet the claims of the law of God. But Christ has made a way of escape for us. He lived on earth amid trials and temptations such as we have to meet. He lived a sinless life. He died for us, and now He offers to take our sins and give us His righteousness. If you give yourself to Him, and accept Him as your Saviour, then, sinful as your life may have been, for His sake you are accounted righteous. Christ’s character stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned.

More than this, Christ changes the heart. He abides in your heart by faith. You are to maintain this connection with Christ by faith and the continual surrender of your will to Him; and so long as you do this, He will work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. So you may say, “The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). … Then with Christ working in you, you will manifest the same spirit and do the same good works—works of righteousness, obedience.

Steps to Christ, 57–62.

Inspiration – Joshua and the Angel

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If the veil which separates the visible from the invisible world could be lifted, and the people of God could behold the great controversy that is going on between Christ and holy angels and Satan and his evil hosts concerning the redemption of man; if they could understand the wonderful work of God for the rescue of souls from the bondage of sin, and the constant exercise of His power for their protection from the malice of the evil one, they would be better prepared to withstand the devices of Satan. Their minds would be solemnized in view of the vast extent and importance of the plan of redemption and the greatness of the work before them as colaborers with Christ. They would be humbled, yet encouraged, knowing that all heaven is interested in their salvation.

A most forcible and impressive illustration of the work of Satan and the work of Christ, and the power of our Mediator to vanquish the accuser of His people, is given in the prophecy of Zechariah. In holy vision the prophet beholds Joshua the high priest, “clothed with filthy garments” (Zechariah 3:3), standing before the Angel of the Lord, entreating the mercy of God in behalf of his people who are in deep affliction. Satan stands at his right hand to resist him. The high priest cannot defend himself or his people from Satan’s accusations. He does not claim that Israel are free from fault. In his filthy garments, symbolizing the sins of the people, which he bears as their representative, he stands before the Angel, confessing their guilt, yet pointing to their repentance and humiliation, relying upon the mercy of a sin-pardoning Redeemer and in faith claiming the promises of God.

Then the Angel, who is Christ Himself, the Saviour of sinners, puts to silence the accuser of His people, declaring: “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” (Zechariah 3:2)? As the intercession of Joshua is accepted, the command is given, “Take away the filthy garments from him,” and to Joshua the Angel declares, “Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” “So they set a fair miter upon his head, and clothed him with garments” (Zechariah 3:4, 5). His own sins and those of his people were pardoned. Israel was clothed with “change of raiment”—the righteousness of Christ imputed to them.

As Satan accused Joshua and his people, so in all ages he accuses those who are seeking the mercy and favor of God. In the Revelation he is declared to be the “accuser of our brethren,” “which accused them before our God day and night” (Revelation 12:10). The controversy is repeated over every soul that is rescued from the power of evil and whose name is registered in the Lamb’s book of life. Never is one received from the family of Satan into the family of God without exciting the determined resistance of the wicked one. Satan’s accusations against those who seek the Lord are not prompted by displeasure at their sins. He exults in their defective characters. Only through their transgression of God’s law can he obtain power over them. His accusations arise solely from his enmity to Christ. Through the plan of salvation, Jesus is breaking Satan’s hold upon the human family and rescuing souls from his power. All the hatred and malignity of the archrebel is stirred as he beholds the evidence of Christ’s supremacy, and with fiendish power and cunning he works to wrest from Him the remnant of the children of men who have accepted His salvation.

He leads men into skepticism, causing them to lose confidence in God and to separate from His love; he tempts them to break His law, and then he claims them as his captives and contests the right of Christ to take them from him. He knows that those who seek God earnestly for pardon and grace will obtain it; therefore he presents their sins before them to discourage them. He is constantly seeking occasion against those who are trying to obey God. Even their best and most acceptable services he seeks to make appear corrupt. By countless devices, the most subtle and the most cruel, he endeavors to secure their condemnation.

Man cannot meet these charges himself. In his sin-stained garments, confessing his guilt, he stands before God. But Jesus our Advocate presents an effectual plea in behalf of all who by repentance and faith have committed the keeping of their souls to Him. He pleads their cause and vanquishes their accuser by the mighty arguments of Calvary. His perfect obedience to God’s law, even unto the death of the cross, has given Him all power in heaven and in earth, and He claims of His Father mercy and reconciliation for guilty man. To the accuser of His people He declares: “ ‘The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan.’ These are the purchase of My blood, brands plucked from the burning” (Zechariah 3:2). Those who rely upon Him in faith receive the comforting assurance: “Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment” (Zechariah 3:4).

All that have put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness will stand before Him as chosen and faithful and true. Satan has no power to pluck them out of the hand of Christ. Not one soul that in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy’s power. His word is pledged: “Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me” (Isaiah 27:5). The promise given to Joshua is made to all: “If thou wilt keep My charge, … I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by” (Zechariah 3:7). Angels of God will walk on either side of them, even in this world, and they will stand at last among the angels that surround the throne of God.

The fact that the acknowledged people of God are represented as standing before the Lord in filthy garments should lead to humility and deep searching of heart on the part of all who profess His name. Those who are indeed purifying their souls by obeying the truth will have a most humble opinion of themselves. The more closely they view the spotless character of Christ, the stronger will be their desire to be conformed to His image, and the less will they see of purity or holiness in themselves. But while we should realize our sinful condition, we are to rely upon Christ as our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption. We cannot answer the charges of Satan against us. Christ alone can make an effectual plea in our behalf. He is able to silence the accuser with arguments founded not upon our merits, but on His own.

Counsels for the Church, 350–352.

The Latter Rain

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The latter rain is a most important topic for our generation, because Jesus Christ must come soon. With so many personal as well as world problems the only answer is the coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14. The only thing holding back Christ’s coming is our witness to all nations. I would like to devote my whole life and all that I have to hasten that day.

According to Colossians 1:23, the apostle Paul said that this gospel has been preached to the whole world. That was written 30 or 40 years after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because of persecution, the early Christians had been scattered, and the gospel of the kingdom was preached in the whole world; truth was available for any seeking soul.

A life witness, powered by the unction of the Holy Spirit, is what we need. We live in a very unique generation with technology capable of communicating information worldwide in seconds. Even countries that were previously difficult to evangelize now have the opportunity to hear truthful messages via Internet broadcasting from many ministries.

China is now producing their own programs that are having a tremendous impact on many people in that country. The Lord has convicted my heart to work for the Korean and Chinese-speaking people for whom our ministry is responsible. God has been working tremendous miracles through Light for Life Ministry. It is no human achievement, but purely the work of holy angels and the Spirit. More than 20,000 Sunday church pastors in the United States are regularly receiving materials, including magazines and DVDs. Up to 100,000 DVDs and CDs are being sent to China every month. Most of these are targeting Sunday church people. It is nothing short of a miracle that this amount of literature can be distributed. The last events of this earth are going to happen very rapidly, and this world’s history is not going to last much longer.

With so many of the devil’s sophistries, erroneous doctrines and teachings, many human hearts are becoming depraved. But the power of the Holy Spirit is breaking through the darkness to reach those whose hearts are yearning, and there are many people who are really seeking for the truth.

“To Jesus, who emptied Himself for the salvation of lost humanity, the Holy Spirit was given without measure. So it will be given to every follower of Jesus Christ.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 20.

This promise is for all who claim to be followers of Jesus. But what does it mean to empty ourselves? It is not to become a programmed robot or machine without personal characteristics or personality, but to be willing to dethrone self from our life and allow the Holy Spirit to control our thoughts and feelings in righteousness.

We are born with a sinful, selfish nature, and the only thing we can do is to have the desire to be born again and be willing to respond to God’s Spirit and daily receive new dew from heaven which will imbue with new motivations, new thoughts, new desires and new plans. This is available right now, not tomorrow, not months from now, but today! “Do not love the world or the things of the world. If you do, there is no love of the Father in you.” I John 2:15, literal translation. Pray today to be given new motivation, new desires, and Jesus will answer your prayer.

There is not much time to waste. Our life duty is to hasten the coming of Jesus Christ. The same measure of the Spirit given to Jesus—without measure—is promised to every follower of Christ when the whole heart is surrendered.

To surrender is just an empty expression to many Christians. We talk about it often, but what difference does it make when trials come or when a problem arises? How does it make a difference when we interact with other people in our jobs or businesses? How does being surrendered to Christ affect our plans and conversation when around those who do not know the truth of the Three Angels’ Messages?

God allows us to face the stumbling blocks of troubles and trials to expose the hidden things of the heart. These trials expose the true heart desire and what we are willing to surrender for the cause of God’s work, and whether or not we are willing to pay any cost to follow Jesus Christ all the way. To walk the narrow road surrendering self is not a natural desire, but one that comes only when the heart is purified.

Would you, like the widow who gave her last mite, give your entire savings if the Lord required it? What if Jesus asked you to devote all of your talents to God, even though you could make millions of dollars with them, what would you do? If we had been willing to empty ourselves of pride and surrender all to God to be used as a living testimony, a living vessel and instrument to hasten Jesus Christ’s coming, He could have come a long time ago and we would be in heaven.

In my travels throughout many different parts of the world, I have seen many people suffering. There is much sorrow and sadness. It hurts my heart deeply when I think of some of our leaders who are still locked in jail. Many brothers and sisters in China are working under the pressure of persecution every day. Many people sacrifice themselves and their finances to print and distribute materials and books to people to hasten Jesus’ coming.

The latter rain experience is the anointing of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. “That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.” Acts 10:37, 38.

After Jesus was baptized, He was anointed for His messiahship by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The world, the angels and the whole universe were witness when the Father said: “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17. Jesus’ sole mission was to separate humanity from their sins. The latter rain experience is an anointing, it is a commission to a special task, a sealing of the Father to give the final message to the world.

Consider the anointing of John the Baptist. “For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.” Luke 1:15. He was filled with the Holy Ghost even when He was in His mother’s womb! He was chosen, delegated, commissioned, anointed for a special task. That is the purpose of the latter rain. Are you ready to receive this anointing and have a special commission, or task, coming down from heaven? Our Father is yearning and heaven is yearning for Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour to return for His people.

Heaven is anxious for a people to be ready for this commission. “And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:16, 17.

The Lord gave me a new kind of life after my open-heart surgery. I heard from my doctors that my chance of survival was very dismal, yet the Lord gave me perfect recovery. I knew immediately that I was given this new opportunity and new life to start preaching again. I knew that Light for Life Ministry had a last portion to accomplish by the power and unction of the Holy Spirit to prepare a people to receive the latter rain and to go out and become harvesters.

Friends, it is time to bring in the harvesters. It is time to bring in the eleventh hour workers, so they can be ready to receive the latter rain power that will empower them to go out and give the loud cry so the work can be finished and we can go home.

God has a plan for your life just as John the Baptist was chosen and anointed from his mother’s womb. Your life has been destined; God has called you for a special task. We call ourselves Seventh-day Adventists, and we are a people of prophecy with a special commission to finish the work of the gospel so we can go home.

I make this appeal to you with all my heart. As John the Baptist was called to prepare the way before the Messiah, we are chosen to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. “And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us.” Luke 1:76–78.

We are to prepare people for a Most Holy Place cleansing experience by helping them understand and receive righteousness by faith, so they can experience a continuous overcoming of sin. I yearn for the day that God’s people will stand together as a square on the sea of glass with palm branches in their hands praising God. This is the true spiritual Israel, the overcomers. Verse 79 says, “To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

“The soul of the prophet [John the Baptist], emptied of self, was filled with the light of the divine. As he witnessed to the Saviour’s glory, his words were almost a counterpart of those that Christ Himself had spoken in His interview with Nicodemus. John said, ‘He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: He that cometh from heaven is above all. … For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him’ (John 3:31).” The Desire of Ages, 181.

Our experience is to be the same as Christ who could say, “I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me.” John 5:30. To Him it is declared, “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest iniquity: therefore God, even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.” Psalm 45:7. This experience of Jesus Christ should be the experience of all believers. When this experience comes, we will be endowed from heaven with the Spirit of God without measure. That is the latter rain.

Many voices are heard saying that to receive the latter rain we should be kind, merciful and more meek, being careful of our words and actions and do more evangelistic work. Of course this would be the result, but most of all we should behold Jesus, empty ourselves of self and give our all for God for the salvation of humanity. All thoughts and desires must be captivated for that work. That is our work and my desire, to give all to Jesus. Nothing else is important in my life.

“So with the followers of Christ. We can receive of heaven’s light only as we are willing to be emptied of self. We cannot discern the character of God, or accept Christ by faith, unless we consent to the bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ. To all who do this the Holy Spirit is given without measure.” The Desire of Ages, 181. \

What a promise!

Mary, the mother of Jesus and her cousin, Elizabeth, were two godly mothers who surrendered themselves to God’s service and were given the honor of bearing their two special sons. An angel visited Mary to prepare her for her mission of bringing forth Jesus, and to convince her, she was told that her relative, Elizabeth, who was an old lady, had conceived a child, and it was in its sixth month. After those words, Mary submitted herself and said, “Be it unto me according to Thy word.” Luke 1:38.

Once she accepted God’s will to conceive the Son of God in her own womb, she stood up and went to Elizabeth’s house, and they stayed together there for three months. Their conversation during that time must have been on the miraculous working of God in their lives and the special mission they and their sons were to accomplish. Is this the subject of your conversations now? Are your thoughts on the Lord and what He has done and is about to do in the world?

“I saw that none could share the ‘refreshing’ unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action. We should, therefore, be drawing nearer and nearer to the Lord and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord.” Early Writings, 71.

Every besetment, every possible sentiment we still have lingering in our sinful nature is to be overcome. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken. When a glass is shaken, any dirt that has settled on the bottom will muddy the water. Are there any hidden sins in your life that need to be removed? They all must go, with all pride, in order to be ready and prepared to receive the latter rain. It will take a complete emptying of self! Our self-esteem should only be in our confidence in Jesus Christ and what He has done for us. We should know our God and have the assurance of salvation and forgiveness.

Pride that desires the admiration of others must go. It is an emotion that blocks the Holy Spirit from flowing into the heart. Pride is a very dangerous enemy and was the cause of Lucifer’s rebellion against God, turning him into the devil.

The gift of righteousness by faith is available daily from Jesus to enable us to overcome sin. The Holy Spirit plants a renewed motivation every day, together with the power to respond to the call. That is the righteousness by faith experience.

In 1844, when the early Adventist believers expected Jesus to come, they prayed every morning. They would not eat their breakfast until they received the assurance that their sins were forgiven. That should be our experience today. We are so in need of the latter rain. It is the most crucial need at this time, for we must be about our Father’s business.

Light for Life Ministry is committed to work for the Chinese-speaking people. Today, one person out of every three in the world speaks Chinese. Please remember the work that we have undertaken and pray for us.

The latter rain is about to fall. If you plan on being part of this great work in the end time, now is the time to give it all; place all you have and all you are on the altar and become a burned offering acceptable to the Lord. Only when we die to self can God use us in a wonderful way. Let’s get ready so we can go home!

Pastor David Kang is the director of Light for Life United States Ministry operating out of Fort Lee, New Jersey. His sermons are broadcast weekly on New York and Virginia Korean television stations. Pastor Kang also frequently travels to Asia where he trains pastors who often work “underground.” Pastor Kang may be contacted by email at: landmarks@stepstolife.org.

Who Shall Enter the Pearly Gates?

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In the parable of the marriage feast in Matthew 22:14, Jesus makes the statement, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” I was thinking of that and a quote came to my mind from Ellen G. White where she said over a hundred years ago, that if Jesus was to return today, not one in twenty would be ready to meet their Lord. That means 100 are called, but not even five of 100, are chosen. It almost sounds like this is kind of unfair, but is God unfair or unjust? No! What is the reason that so many are invited and only a few are finally selected? God is the one who is sending out the invitation and He is the One who makes the decision as to who shall enter the pearly gates.

I first want to ask the question, what kind of God do we serve? Is He merciful? Is He long-suffering? Is He kind? Is He just? Is He fair? In Acts 10:34, it says, “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, ‘Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.’” God is not looking at my position; He is not looking at my profession; He is not looking at my good looks or bad looks; He is not looking at my wealth or lack of wealth; He is not looking at my status or worldly accomplishments; at my intelligence or church office. The next verse makes it a little clearer, “But in every nation he that feareth Him and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.” These are exactly the same qualifications of the same message which is preached in the First Angel’s message in Revelation 14:7. It says there, “Fear God, and give glory to him.”

What Is God Like

Moses wanted to know what God was like. Moses said, “I beseech thee, show me thy glory.” Exodus 33:18. Was that a good request? He wanted to know what God was like. We read in Exodus 34:5-7, “And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.’” It is good to know that He is a God who is merciful. However, in the next verse it says, “That will by no means clear the guilty.” Even though He is merciful, long-suffering and kind, yet, He is also just.

In Micah 7:18 it says, “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in mercy.” He loves to do it. Should not we also delight in mercy? “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3, 4. God wants everyone to be saved. He wants everyone to learn truth and to accept Him and to have salvation. This shows us His desires and what He is like.

God Wants You Eternally Saved

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11. Again, God does not want anyone to be lost, rather He wants every single person to have salvation. That is why He sends the invitation to all.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. Over and over again the Bible tells us that the Lord wants every single person to be saved. He has this desire because He wants us to live with Him. One of the greatest truths is that God is merciful and gracious, and one proof is that you and I are still here today so that we can receive a message of invitation. God is merciful, He is still waiting, He is still pleading. He does not want us to be lost.

The Wedding Feast

In Matthew 22:1-14 we read a parable about a wedding feast. “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants [that was the first time] to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.” A king’s invitation is refused. “Again, [a second time] he sent forth other servants, saying, ‘Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.’ But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But saith he to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.’” Now comes the third call. “’Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.’ So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, ‘Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.’”

Why Will So Many People Refuse a Free Gift?

If the Lord called so many people and sent out all the invitations, what is the reason that only a few are responding? “The Word of God plainly tells us that few will be saved, and that the greater number of those, even, who are called will prove themselves unworthy of everlasting life. They will have no part in heaven, but will have their portion with Satan, and experience the second death.” Testimonies to the Church, vol. 2, 293, 294

In Testimonies to the Church, vol. 5, 50, it says, “Many hear the invitation of mercy, are tested and proved; but few are sealed with the seal of the living God. Few will humble themselves as a little child, that they may enter the kingdom of heaven.” Pride makes it difficult to humble ourselves. The reason it is so difficult is because of self. Self is not dead, and it must be crucified.

Make Your Calling and Election Sure

“Probationary time is granted us, opportunities and privileges are given us to make our calling and election sure.” Review and Herald, November 22, 1898. We need to feed upon Jesus. We need to look beyond like Abraham. He looked at the city whose builder was God.

In Psalm 90:12 it says, “Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” When you realize that everything you have here is only for a short time, you start thinking about things which are eternal. Review and Herald, May 8, 1900, says, “’Many are called, but few are chosen.’ This is a true statement of the final outcome. Man is very dear to the heart of God, and all are invited to this feast. But many come not having on the wedding garment. They do not accept Christ’s righteousness. They have not repented and made peace with God. They have not received his free gift.” Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:20, “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

True or Artificial Righteousness?

The Pharisees had righteousness, but what kind of righteousness did they have? “The rabbis counted their righteousness a passport to heaven, but Jesus declared it to be insufficient and unworthy. External ceremonies and a theoretical knowledge of truth constituted Pharisaical righteousness. While they were punctilious in ritual observances, their lives were immoral and debased. Their so-called righteousness could never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Desire of Ages, 309

“The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ’s day was that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness.” Desire of Ages, 309. Many today believe this, but it is not true. Jesus says it is unacceptable. “Men may profess faith in the truth; but if it does not make them sincere, kind, patient, forbearing, heavenly-minded, it is a curse to its possessors and through their influence it is a curse to the world.” Desire of Ages, 310

“’Many are called,’ Christ said, ‘But few are chosen.’ If we would remember that we are on test and trial before the heavenly universe, that God is proving us to see what spirit we are, there would be more serious contemplation, more earnest prayer.” Signs of the Times, August 9, 1899. We are living in the day of the investigative judgment. We are living in the time of probation. We are living in the time when God is testing us to reveal what character we have developed.

The Bible simply states in Matthew 22:3, that after the invited guests received the first invitation, they would not come. They were not interested, is what they were saying. Do you think people know what they missed? No, they did not. They had no idea what they missed, and that is why they refused.

Excuses

In Luke 14:18-20, talking about the same parable, we are told, “They all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it.’” That is kind of foolish, because he had already bought it. He should have looked at it before he bought it. But he said he had bought a piece of ground and wanted to look at it. “And another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them.’” Today we probably would say, “We bought a car and we have to try it out.” “And another said, ‘I have married a wife.’” He should have brought her with him. Why are people making excuses? They are simply not interested. There is actually nothing wrong with all these things that the people did. What is wrong is their priorities. Jesus said to seek heaven first. After they were invited the second time, they went further and became more bold. Now they start making fun of the whole thing. They even went so far as to start persecuting the ones who preached the message killing some as they become more bold and hard.

Jesus said, “Many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” Matthew 19:30. “Many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 8:11, 12. What a sad situation. The nation of Israel, chosen by God to be missionaries to the world, and He said that they would be in outer darkness.

The Wedding Garment

“When the wedding was furnished with guests, the king came in to see the guests, he saw there was a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, ‘Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?’” Matthew 22:10, 11. What was his answer? Nothing. He had nothing to say. He was invited, and he knew what he was doing, because he was invited and accepted the invitation, but he refused the wedding garment. “By the wedding garment in the parable is represented the pure, spotless character which Christ’s true followers will possess.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 310. That is a requirement; the pure, spotless character of Jesus Christ.

“Are you ready? Have you the wedding garment on? That garment will never cover deceit, impurity, corruption, or hypocrisy.” Testimonies to the Church, vol. 5, 220. “It is character that decides destiny.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 74. “It is not money or land or position, but the possession of a Christlike character that will open to us the gates of paradise.” Christian Service, 247

What are True Christians Like?

What is a Christlike character? A Christlike character is “purity, refinement, peace, and love.” Counsels on Stewardship, 113. “Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, faith, and charity are the elements of a Christlike character.” Reflecting Christ, 173. “When the Holy Spirit is abiding in the heart, it will lead the human agent to see his own defects of character, to pity the weakness of others, to forgive as he wishes to be forgiven. He will be pitiful, courteous, Christlike.” The Faith I Live By, 53. “No rebuffs, no harsh, stinging, condemnatory words will come from our lips.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 17, 204. “Those who profess to be followers of Christ, and are at the same time rough, unkind, and uncourteous, in words or deportment, have not learned of Jesus. A blustering, overbearing, faultfinding man is not a Christian; for to be a Christian is to be Christlike.” Reflecting Christ, 305

A holy temper, and Christlike life is not only accessible, it is attainable; and my friends, it is also mandatory. The Bible says in Hebrews 12:14, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” The decision is ours. Let us accept the wedding garment on God’s simple condition of obedience. “The white garment is purity of character, the righteousness of Christ imparted to the sinner. This is indeed a garment of heavenly texture, that can be bought only of Christ for a life of willing obedience.” Testimonies to the Church, vol. 4, 88. Many are called, many are invited, but few are chosen. The outcome is based solely on a personally acquired Christlike character, and this is the only condition. If we are like Christ, we will be chosen. God has given us the power, He has given us the promise, He has given the help. May God help us as we do this with a humble heart, is my prayer.

The End

Bible Study Guides – Faith and Righteous

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January 26, 2014 – February 1, 2014

The Gospel Potential

Key Text

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” I John 5:4.

Study Help: Gospel Workers, 51–54; 259–269.

Introduction

“Faith is needed in the smaller no less than in the greater affairs of life. In all our daily interests and occupations the sustaining strength of God becomes real to us through an abiding trust.” Education, 255.

1 GRASPING THE GREAT PRINCIPLES

  • In what is revealed the righteousness of God and how is this demonstrated in the life of the just? Romans 1:17.

Note: “The work of transformation from unholiness to holiness is a continuous one. Day by day God labors for man’s sanctification, and man is to co-operate with Him, putting forth persevering efforts in the cultivation of right habits. He is to add grace to grace; and as he thus works on the plan of addition, God works for him on the plan of multiplication. Our Saviour is always ready to hear and answer the prayer of the contrite heart, and grace and peace are multiplied to His faithful ones. Gladly He grants them the blessings they need in their struggle against the evils that beset them.” The Acts of the Apostles, 532.

  • How did Abel show that he was righteous? Hebrew 11:4.

Note: “Abel grasped the great principles of redemption. He saw himself a sinner, and he saw sin and its penalty, death, standing between his soul and communion with God. He brought the slain victim, the sacrificed life, thus acknowledging the claims of the law that had been transgressed. Through the shed blood he looked to the future sacrifice, Christ dying on the cross of Calvary; and trusting in the atonement that was there to be made, he had the witness that he was righteous, and his offering accepted.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 72.

“Abel was determined to worship God according to the directions God had given. This displeased Cain. He thought that his own plans were best, and that the Lord would come to his terms. Cain in his offering did not acknowledge his dependence upon Christ. He thought that his father Adam had been treated harshly in being expelled from Eden. The idea of keeping that sin ever before the mind, and offering the blood of the slain lamb as a confession of entire dependence upon a power outside of himself, was torture to the high spirit of Cain. Being the eldest, he thought that Abel should follow his example.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 77, 78.

2 A PERSONAL WALK

  • What does the Scripture say about the life of Enoch and how was he rewarded? Hebrews 11:5, 6.

Note: “Did he [Enoch] see God by his side? Only by faith. He knew that the Lord was there, and he adhered steadfastly to the principles of truth. We, too, are to walk with God. When we do this, our faces will be lighted up by the brightness of His presence, and when we meet one another, we shall speak of His power, saying, Praise God. Good is the Lord, and good is the word of the Lord.

“We can have what Enoch had. We can have Christ as our constant companion. Enoch walked with God, and when assailed by the tempter, he could talk with God about it. He had no ‘It is written’ as we have, but he had a knowledge of his heavenly Companion. He made God his Counsellor, and was closely bound up with Jesus. And Enoch was honored in this course. He was translated to heaven without seeing death. And those who will be translated at the close of time, will be those who commune with God on earth. Those who make manifest that their life is hid with Christ in God will ever be representing Him in all their life-practices. Selfishness will be cut out by the roots.

“Let us realize the weakness of humanity, and see where man fails in his self-sufficiency. We shall then be filled with a desire to be just what God desires us to be—pure, noble, sanctified. We shall hunger and thirst after the righteousness of Christ. To be like God will be the one desire of the soul.

“This is the desire that filled Enoch’s heart.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 1, 1087.

3 THE ATTRIBUTE THAT MOVES THE HEART

  • What motivated Noah to build the ark? Hebrew 11:7.

Note: “While Noah was giving his warning message to the world, his works testified of his sincerity. It was thus that his faith was perfected and made evident. He gave the world an example of believing just what God says. All that he possessed, he invested in the ark. As he began to construct that immense boat on dry ground, multitudes came from every direction to see the strange sight and to hear the earnest, fervent words of the singular preacher. Every blow struck upon the ark was a witness to the people.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 95.

“How often those who trusted the word of God, though in themselves utterly helpless, have withstood the power of the whole world—Enoch, pure in heart, holy in life, holding fast his faith in the triumph of righteousness against a corrupt and scoffing generation; Noah and his household against the men of his time, men of the greatest physical and mental strength and the most debased in morals; the children of Israel at the Red Sea, a helpless, terrified multitude of slaves, against the mightiest army of the mightiest nation on the globe; David, a shepherd lad, having God’s promise of the throne, against Saul, the established monarch, bent on holding fast his power; Shadrach and his companions in the fire, and Nebuchadnezzar on the throne; Daniel among the lions, his enemies in the high places of the kingdom; Jesus on the cross, and the Jewish priests and rulers forcing even the Roman governor to work their will; Paul in chains led to a criminal’s death, Nero the despot of a world empire.

“Such examples are not found in the Bible only. They abound in every record of human progress. The Vaudois and the Huguenots, Wycliffe and Huss, Jerome and Luther, Tyndale and Knox, Zinzendorf and Wesley, with multitudes of others, have witnessed to the power of God’s word against human power and policy in support of evil. These are the world’s true nobility. This is its royal line. In this line the youth of today are called to take their places.

“Faith is needed in the smaller no less than in the greater affairs of life. In all our daily interests and occupations the sustaining strength of God becomes real to us through an abiding trust.” Education, 254, 255.

4 FAITH IN THE POWER

  • How does Paul describe the gospel to all who believe? Romans 1:16.
  • The righteousness of God is His perfect will, or a transcript of His character, so what constitutes unrighteousness? I John 5:17, first part.
  • In Whom only should our faith be and why? Acts 4:12; Hebrews 7:25; I Timothy 2:5.

Note: “God is approached through Jesus Christ, the Mediator, the only way through which He forgives sins. God cannot forgive sins at the expense of His justice, His holiness, and His truth. But He does forgive sins and that fully. There are no sins He will not forgive in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the sinner’s only hope, and if he rests here in sincere faith, he is sure of pardon and that full and free. There is only one channel and that is accessible to all, and through that channel a rich and abundant forgiveness awaits the penitent, contrite soul and the darkest sins are forgiven.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 912, 913.

5 VICTORY

  • Describe the event leading up to the walls of Jericho falling down and what actually caused them to fall. Hebrews 11:30.
  • Why were the Scriptures written? Romans 15:4.
  • What did Enoch, Noah, Abel and many others have in common that enabled them victory in this life? Explain in your own words I John 5:1–5.

Note: “The work of conquering evil is to be done through faith. Those who go into the battlefield will find that they must put on the whole armor of God. The shield of faith will be their defense and will enable them to be more than conquerors. Nothing else will avail but this—faith in the Lord of hosts, and obedience to His orders. Vast armies furnished with every other facility will avail nothing in the last great conflict. Without faith, an angel host could not help. Living faith alone will make them invincible and enable them to stand in the evil day, steadfast, unmovable, holding the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students, 182, 183.

Additional Reading

“The greatest victories gained for the cause of God are not the result of labored argument, ample facilities, wide influence, or abundance of means; they are gained in the audience chamber with God, when with earnest, agonizing faith men lay hold upon the mighty arm of power.

“True faith and true prayer—how strong they are! They are as two arms by which the human suppliant lays hold upon the power of Infinite Love. Faith is trusting in God—believing that He loves us, and knows what is for our best good. Thus, instead of our own way, it leads us to choose His way. In place of our ignorance, it accepts His wisdom; in place of our weakness, His strength; in place of our sinfulness, His righteousness. Our lives, ourselves, are already His; faith acknowledges His ownership, and accepts its blessings. Truth, uprightness, purity, are pointed out as secrets of life’s success. It is faith that puts us in possession of these. Every good impulse or aspiration is the gift of God; faith receives from God the life that alone can produce true growth and efficiency.

“ ‘This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith’ (I John 5:4). It is faith that enables us to look beyond the present, with its burdens and cares, to the great hereafter, where all that now perplexes us shall be made plain. Faith sees Jesus standing as our Mediator at the right hand of God. Faith beholds the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for those who love Him. Faith sees the robe and crown prepared for the overcomer, and hears the song of the redeemed.

“Perfect faith, the surrender of self to God, simple trust in His pledged word, should be a part of every minister’s experience. Only as a minister has this experience can he make the subject of faith plain to the doubting and distrustful.

“Faith is not feeling. ‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen’ (Hebrews 11:1). True faith is in no sense allied to presumption. Only he who has true faith is secure against presumption, for presumption is Satan’s counterfeit of faith.

“Faith claims God’s promises and brings forth fruit in obedience. Presumption also claims the promises, but uses them as Satan did, to excuse transgression. Faith would have led our first parents to trust the love of God and to obey His commands. Presumption led them to transgress His law, believing that His great love would save them from the consequences of their sin. It is not faith that claims the favor of Heaven without complying with the conditions on which mercy is to be granted. Genuine faith has its foundation in the promises and provisions of the Scriptures.” Gospel Workers, 259, 260.

 

Bible Study Guides – No Excuse for Spiritual Weakness

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March 16, 2014 – March 22, 2014

Key Text

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it. If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:13–15.

Study Help: Faith and Works, 91–94; The Review and Herald, July 1, 1890.

Introduction

“If there were greater humility, greater simplicity, and unfaltering confidence in the name that is above every name, if we imitated the divine Pattern that has been given us, would we not receive the blessings promised?” The Review and Herald, July 1, 1890.

1 UNFALTERING CONFIDENCE

  • In John 14:13–15 it makes a statement. Is it true or false?

Note: “Is this promise true, or is it false? If it is false, then our lack of spiritual strength is excusable. But is it not true? Is it not the word of God? And is not our present condition wholly without reason? If there were greater humility, greater simplicity, and unfaltering confidence in the name that is above every name, if we imitated the divine Pattern that has been given us, would we not receive the blessings promised? It is our privilege to tell the Lord, with the simplicity of a little child, exactly what we want. We may state to Him our temporal matters, asking Him for bread and raiment, as well as for the bread of life and the robe of Christ’s righteousness. Your Heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things; and you are invited to ask Him concerning them.” The Review and Herald, July 1, 1890.

  • Explain what our conduct is to be, Christ’s promise to us and what are we to boldly say? Hebrews 13:5, 6.
  • Is the Lord willing that any of us should perish? Of what are we to become knowledgeable? II Peter 3:9; I Timothy 2:4.

2 SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED

  • What does the Bible say regarding Christ’s righteousness being imputed to us? Romans 4:11, 22; James 2:23.

Note: “The Lord is our helper. It is not His good pleasure that any should perish, but rather that all should come to a knowledge of the truth and be saved. God will not withhold from man the fulfillment of the only real hope he can have in the world. Jesus says, ‘Without Me, ye can do nothing’ (John 15:5, last part); but in Him, and through His righteousness imputed unto us, we may do all things. The work of the Spirit of God will stand forever, but the works of men will perish.” The Review and Herald, July 1, 1890.

  • What is it that the natural man cannot receive? Why? I Corinthians 2:12–14.

Note: “Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. To the worldly-wise the workings of the Spirit of God that leads to confession and acknowledgement of sin and to the acceptance of the truth as it is in Jesus, appear as foolishness. They cannot reason out the “whys” and “wherefores” of its operation any better than did Nicodemus, and they ridicule and denounce the work of God; their human wisdom cannot interpret it.” The Review and Herald, July 1, 1890.

  • To whom are we to be looking and why? Hebrews 12:2; Ephesians 2:8, 9.

Note: “Those who trust wholly in the righteousness of Christ, looking to Him in living faith, know the Spirit of Christ, and are known of Christ. Simple faith enables the believer to reckon himself dead indeed unto sin, and alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. We are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God. Should we try to unfold these precious promises to the worldly wise, they would but ridicule us; for ‘the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned’ (I Corinthians 2:14).” The Review and Herald, July 1, 1890.

  • When Jesus was about to ascend, what did He say to His disciples? John 14:16, 17, 21.

Note: “Our Saviour declares that the world cannot receive the spirit of truth. They cannot discern the truth, for they discern not Christ, the author of truth. Lukewarm disciples, cold-hearted professors, who are not imbued with the Spirit of Christ, are not able to discern the preciousness of His righteousness; but they go about to establish their own righteousness. The world seeks the things of the world—business, worldly honor, display, selfish gratification. Christ seeks to break this spell which holds men away from Him. He seeks to call men’s attention to the world to come, that Satan has managed to eclipse by his own shadow. Christ brings the eternal world within the range of men’s vision, He presents its attractions before them, tells them that He will prepare mansions for them, and will come again and receive them unto Himself. It is the design of Satan so to fill the mind with inordinate love of sensual things, that the love of God and the desire for heaven shall be expelled from the heart.” The Review and Herald, July 1, 1890.

3 DISTRACTIONS

  • What warning is given to us that we may not be distracted from heaven’s treasure? Matthew 6:19.

Note: “He [God] points out their peril in lavishing affection upon useless and dangerous objects. He seeks to draw the mind away from the earthly to the heavenly, that we may not waste time, talent, and opportunity, upon things that are altogether vanity. …

“Our Saviour is constantly working to save men from the devices of Satan, that they may not cheat themselves out of eternal happiness by setting their hearts upon earthly gain.” The Review and Herald, July 1, 1890.

  • What are we to be doing in order to lay hold on eternal life? I Timothy 6:19.

Note: “He whose heart is centered upon the treasures of eternal interest, will have a right hold from above, and will appreciate every earthly good as a gift from God, and will enjoy earthly blessings with a superior relish. The only safe place to deposit our treasures is in the bank of heaven. Every deposit made in this bank will accumulate abundant interest; you will be laying up in store for yourselves against the time to come.” The Review and Herald, July 1, 1890.

4 PRIORITY IN OUR LIVES

  • Explain what happened in the following two verses: Luke 19:13, 14.

Note: “God calls upon those to whom He has intrusted His goods to acquit themselves as faithful stewards. The Lord would have all things of temporal interest occupy a secondary place in the heart and thoughts; but Satan would have the matters of the earth take the first place in our lives. The Lord would have us approve the things that are excellent. He shows us the conflict in which we must engage, reveals the character and plan of redemption. He lays open before you the perils you will meet, the self-denial that will be required, and He bids you count the cost, assuring you that if you zealously engage in the conflict, divine power will combine with human effort. … The Christian must contend with supernatural forces, but he is not to be left alone to engage in the conflict. The Saviour is the captain of his salvation, and with Him man may be more than conqueror.” The Review and Herald, July 1, 1890.

  • To where are we to look and trust? II Corinthians 4:18; 5:1; Proverbs 3:5, 6.

Note: “The vast confederacy of evil is arrayed against those who would overcome; but Christ would have us look to the things that are not seen, to the armies of heaven that encamp round about those who love God, to deliver them. The angels of heaven are interested in behalf of men. The power of Omnipotence is at the service of those who trust in God. The Father accepts the righteousness of Christ in behalf of His followers, and they are surrounded with light and holiness which Satan cannot penetrate. The voice of the Captain of our salvation speaks to His followers, saying, ‘Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33). I am your defense; advance to victory.” The Review and Herald, July 1, 1890.

  • What is provided through Jesus? Hebrews 2:17.

Note: “Through Christ, restoration as well as reconciliation is provided for man. The gulf that was made by sin has been spanned by the cross of Calvary. A full, complete ransom has been paid by Jesus, by virtue of which the sinner is pardoned, and the justice of the law is maintained. All who believe that Christ is the atoning sacrifice may come and receive pardon for their sins; for through the merit of Christ, communication has been opened between God and man. God can accept me as His child, and I can claim Him and rejoice in Him as my loving Father. We must center our hopes of heaven upon Christ alone, because He is our substitute and surety.” The Review and Herald, July 1, 1890.

5 FAITH NEEDED

  • What do the Scriptures say about Abraham and righteousness? Romans 4:3–5.

Note: “Righteousness is obedience to the law. The law demands righteousness, and this the sinner owes to the law; but he is incapable of rendering it. The only way in which he can attain to righteousness is through faith. By faith he can bring to God the merits of Christ, and the Lord places the obedience of His Son to the sinner’s account. Christ’s righteousness is accepted in place of man’s failure, and God receives, pardons, justifies, the repentant, believing soul, treats him as though he were righteous, and loves him as He loves His Son. This is how faith is accounted righteousness; and the pardoned soul goes on from grace to grace, from light to a greater light. He can say with rejoicing, ‘Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life’ (Titus 3:5–7).” The Review and Herald, November 4, 1890.

  • Why do we need faith? Hebrews 11:6.

Note: “Genuine faith appropriates the righteousness of Christ, and the sinner is made an overcomer with Christ; for he is made a partaker of the divine nature, and thus divinity and humanity are combined. …

“He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law, is attempting an impossibility. Man cannot be saved without obedience, but his works should not be of himself; Christ should work in him to will and to do of His good pleasure. …

“Without faith it is impossible to please God. Living faith enables its possessor to lay hold on the merits of Christ, enables him to derive great comfort and satisfaction from the plan of salvation.” The Review and Herald, July 1, 1890.

Studies compiled by Judy Hallingstad. Judy is part of the LandMarks team and can be contacted by email at: judyhallingstad@stepstolife.org.