(1 John 2:4.) Faith Manifested by Works of Obedience—God requires at this time just what He required of the holy pair in Eden, perfect obedience to His requirements. His law remains the same in all ages. The great standard of righteousness presented in the Old Testament is not lowered in the New. It is not the work of the gospel to weaken the claims of God′s holy law, but to bring men up where they can keep its precepts.
(6BC 1073.1)
MC
VC
The faith in Christ which saves the soul is not what it is represented to be by many. “Believe, believe,” is their cry; “only believe in Christ, and you will be saved. It is all you have to do.” While true faith trusts wholly in Christ for salvation, it will lead to perfect conformity to the law of God. Faith is manifested by works. And the apostle John declares, “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar”(1 John 2:4) (The Review and Herald, October 5, 1886).
(6BC 1073.2)
MC
VC
Disconnect the Law and the Gospel?—The enemy has ever labored to disconnect the law and the gospel. They go hand in hand (Manuscript 11, 1893).
(6BC 1073.3)
MC
VC
We honor both the Father and the Son when we talk about the law. The Father gave us the law, and the Son died to magnify it and make it honorable (Manuscript 5, 1885).
(6BC 1073.4)
MC
VC
It is impossible for us to exalt the law of Jehovah unless we take hold of the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Manuscript 5, 1889).
(6BC 1073.5)
MC
VC
The law of Jehovah is the tree, the gospel is the fragrant blossoms and fruit which it bears (Letter 119, 1897).
(6BC 1073.6)
MC
VC
3-5 (chs. 3:28; 5:1; Ephesians 2:8). Faith Lays Hold of Christ′s Righteousness—Faith is the condition upon which God has seen fit to promise pardon to sinners; not that there is any virtue in faith whereby salvation is merited, but because faith can lay hold of the merits of Christ, the remedy provided for sin. Faith can present Christ′s perfect obedience instead of the sinner′s transgression and defection. When the sinner believes that Christ is his personal Saviour, then according to His unfailing promises, God pardons his sin and justifies him freely. The repentant soul realizes that his justification comes because Christ, as his substitute and surety, has died for him, is his atonement and righteousness.
(6BC 1073.7)
MC
VC
“Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”Romans 4:3. 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 (The Review and Herald, November 4, 1890).
(6BC 1073.8)
MC
VC
1 (chs 3:19-28; 4:3-5; Galatians 2:16; Hebrews 11:1; see EGW comment on Galatians 5:6). Faith the Means, Not the End—Faith is not the ground of our salvation, but it is the great blessing—the eye that sees, the ear that hears, the feet that run, the hand that grasps. It is the means, not the end. If Christ gave His life to save sinners, why shall I not take that blessing? My faith grasps it, and thus my faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. Thus resting and believing, I have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ (Letter 329a, 1905).
(6BC 1073.9)
MC
VC
(2 Corinthians 5:7.) Faith and Feeling Distinct—Faith and feeling are as distinct as the east is from the west. Faith is not dependent on feeling. We must earnestly cry to God in faith, feeling or no feeling, and then live our prayers. Our assurance and evidence is God′s word, and after we have asked we must believe without doubting. “I praise Thee, O God, I praise Thee. Thou hast not failed me in the performance of Thy word. Thou has revealed Thyself unto me, and I am Thine to do Thy will” (Letter 7, 1892).
(6BC 1073.10)
MC
VC
All who seek to sustain the doctrine of election, once in grace, always in grace, do this against a plain, “Thus saith the Lord.” ... [Ezekiel 18:21; 33:13 quoted.]
(6BC 1115.1)
MC
VC
Those who have been truly converted have been buried with Christ in the likeness of His death, and raised from the watery grave in the likeness of His resurrection, to walk in newness of life. By faithful obedience to the truth they are to make their calling and election sure (Manuscript 57, 1900).
(6BC 1115.2)
MC
VC
6 (Ephesians 2:7; see EGW comment on Matthew 3:16, 17; Luke 17:10; Ephesians 1:20, 21; Hebrews 4:15, 16; 9:24). Exalting Christ′s Character—The most gifted men on the earth could all find abundant employment, from now until the judgment, for all their God-given powers, in exalting the character of Christ. But they would still fail to present Him as He is. The mysteries of redemption, embracing Christ′s divine-human character, His incarnation, His atonement for sin, could employ the pens and the highest mental powers of the wisest men from now until Christ shall be revealed in the clouds of heaven in power and great glory. But though these men should seek with all their power to give a representation of Christ and His work, the representation would fall far short of the reality....
(6BC 1115.3)
MC
VC
The theme of redemption will employ the minds and tongues of the redeemed through everlasting ages. The reflection of the glory of God will shine forth forever and ever from the Saviour′s face (Letter 280, 1904).
(6BC 1115.4) 2 I
MC
VC
20, 21. (verse 6; Hebrews 1:3). Accepted in the Beloved—The Father gave all honor to His Son, seating Him at His right hand, far above all principalities and powers. He expressed His great joy and delight in receiving the crucified One, and crowning Him with glory and honor.
(6BC 1115.10)
MC
VC
And all the favors He has shown to His Son in His acceptance of the great atonement, are shown to His people. Those who have united their interests in love with Christ are accepted in the Beloved. They suffered with Christ in His deepest humiliation, and His glorification is of great interest to them, because they are accepted in Him. God loves them as He loves His Son. Christ, Emmanuel, stands between God and the believer, revealing the glory of God to His chosen ones, and covering their defects and transgressions with the garments of His own spotless righteousness (Manuscript 128, 1897).
(6BC 1115.11)
MC
VC
4-6. Quickening Power of Christ—[Ephesians 2:4-6 quoted.] As God raised Christ from the dead, that He might bring life and immortality to light through the gospel, and thus save His people from their sins, so Christ has raised fallen human beings from spiritual death, quickening them with His life, filling their hearts with hope and joy (Manuscript 89, 1903).
(6BC 1115.13)
MC
VC
7 (see EGW comment on Ephesians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 13:12). A Theme for Study in Eternity—It will take the whole of eternity for man to understand the plan of redemption. It will open to him line upon line; here a little and there a little (Manuscript 21, 1895).
(6BC 1115.15)
MC
VC
The great change that is seen in the life of a sinner after his conversion is not brought about through any human goodness; therefore all human boasting is entirely out of place (Manuscript 36, 1904).
(6BC 1115.19)
MC
VC
14-16 (Colossians 2:14-17; see EGW comment on Acts 15:1, 5). Ceremonies End at the Cross—The ceremonies connected with the services of the temple, prefiguring Christ in types and shadows, were taken away at the time of the crucifixion, because on the cross type met antitype in the death of the true and perfect offering, the Lamb of God (Manuscript 72, 1901).
(6BC 1115.21)
MC
VC