Lesson #5 (4th Quarter 2011): Old Testament Faith

The basis of God’s covenant with Abraham centered on God’s promises to him. God says to Abraham four times, “I will.” God’s promises to Abraham are amazing because they are completely one-sided. God does all the promising; Abraham promises nothing. This is the opposite of how most people try to relate to God. We usually promise we will serve Him, if only He will do something for us in return. But that is legalism. God did not ask Abraham to promise anything but to accept His promises by faith. Of course, that was no easy task, because Abraham had to learn to trust completely in God and not in himself (see Genesis 22). The call of Abraham illustrates, therefore, the essence of the gospel, which is salvation by faith.

Hebrews 11:8
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Hebrews 11:17
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

Hebrews 3:18-19
18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Abraham’s obedience was not the ground of his justification; it was, instead, the result.

I am uncomfortable with this, to say the least. If salvation was based solely on God's promises, then all would be saved. God wants everyone to be saved, and He has enough power to save everyone. So if salvation is dependent only on Him, then none would be lost. But we know that is not the case.

I have a problem with this as well. Justification comes through faith. Obedience is the fruit of faith. They do not cause each other

Abraham's part was to accept God's promises, but God's promises are conditioned to obedience.
However, isn't obedience different from promise? Can we promise to obey?

Ezekiel 36:27
I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

You are right. However, don't we often say we obey not in order to be saved, but because we were saved?

I don't see a problem with this statement, because the fact that you were saved implies you had the true faith.

Wouldn't this be a case of metonymy (substitution of cause for effect, proper name for one of its qualities, etc.) or synecdoche (substitution of a part for whole, species for genus, etc.)?

In the case where Abraham believed God would provide him an heir and it was counted as righteous - the question is, Did such belief involve obedience?

Maybe our obedience is simply accepting this promise from God. Obedience is, after all, a gift from God. It is something we receive from God. And when the true Christian offers his obedience, it must be cleansed by Christ's obedience.

If we do promise God to obey Him, it is like promising to give someone filthy rags. Not exactly enticing. That's exactly what the Israelites did at Sinai, thereby establishing the Old Covenant.

The basis of God’s covenant with Abraham centered on God’s promises to him. God says to Abraham four times, “I will.” God’s promises to Abraham are amazing because they are completely one-sided. God does all the promising; Abraham promises nothing. This is the opposite of how most people try to relate to God. We usually promise we will serve Him, if only He will do something for us in return. But that is legalism. God did not ask Abraham to promise anything but to accept His promises by faith. Of course, that was no easy task, because Abraham had to learn to trust completely in God and not in himself (see Genesis 22). The call of Abraham illustrates, therefore, the essence of the gospel, which is salvation by faith.

If we do promise God to obey Him, it is like promising to give someone filthy rags.

However, if the promise is made while abiding in Jesus and partaking of the divine nature - it is not a promise of filthy rags, rather it is the promise of "righteousness and true holiness" (Eph 4:24).

"What we need to repent for is the unrighteousness that we taint [the righteous results of abiding in Jesus] with." Where in the Bible is this idea explained? We're warned, "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as [Jesus] is righteous." "Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as [Jesus] is pure."

The religious services, the prayers, the praise, the penitent confession of sin ascend from true believers as incense to the heavenly sanctuary, but passing through the corrupt channels of humanity, they are so defiled that unless purified by blood, they can never be of value with God. They ascend not in spotless purity, and unless the Intercessor, who is at God's right hand, presents and purifies all by His righteousness, it is not acceptable to God. All incense from earthly tabernacles must be moist with the cleansing drops of the blood of Christ. He holds before the Father the censer of His own merits, in which there is no taint of earthly corruption. He gathers into this censer the prayers, the praise, and the confessions of His people, and with these He puts His own spotless righteousness. Then, perfumed with the merits of Christ's propitiation, the incense comes up before God wholly and entirely acceptable. Then gracious answers are returned. {1SM 344.2}

Galatians 5:16-17
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

Romans 7:18
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

Romans 7:25
So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

M: "What we need to repent for is the unrighteousness that we taint [the righteous results of abiding in Jesus] with." Where in the Bible is this idea explained? We're warned, "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as [Jesus] is righteous." "Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as [Jesus] is pure."

R: It is also written: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8).

Imported from a different thread: I'm talking about our righteousnesses, which are wrought in us as we abide in Jesus. They are filthy rags. We are prompted and empowered by the Spirit to do God's works, but they are tainted by sin when they pass through our corrupt channels of humanity. Even though they are done in faith, they can never be of value to God unless purified by Christ's blood and merits, covering our unavoidable deficiencies.

What do you think "have no sin" means?

Must we "have sin" to have "the truth in us"?

Arnold and Rosangela, I am beginning to believe you two believe born-again believers are incapable of experiencing "righteousness and true holiness".

You seem to believe the fruit of abiding in Jesus and partaking of the divine nature is sinful.

If so, how does it differ from other sins?

And, where in the Bible does it say Jesus perfumes our sins?

Did Ellen mean to say the religious services, the prayers, the praise, the penitent confession of sin of true believers are sinful and, therefore, require the covering blood and righteousness of Jesus to be acceptable to our heavenly Father?

You wrote, "our righteousnesses . . . are tainted by sin". What do you mean by "sin"?

And, where in the Bible does it say Jesus perfumes our sins?

M: Arnold and Rosangela, I am beginning to believe you two believe born-again believers are incapable of experiencing "righteousness and true holiness".

A: They are capable, but only by receiving it from God. It is imputed righteousness and holiness.

M: You seem to believe the fruit of abiding in Jesus and partaking of the divine nature is sinful.

A: I don't know if I would call it sinful, but it surely needs to be covered by Christ's righteousness in order to be acceptable to God.

M: If so, how does it differ from other sins?

A: These sins are unavoidable, and are covered by Christ's blood if the sinner is making every effort to obey. Other sins are avoidable.

The only definition of sin given in God's Word is transgression of the law. It is not excusable, and has no defense or justification. {PC 167.5}

There is no excuse for sinning. A holy temper, a Christlike life, is accessible to every repenting, believing child of God. {DA 311.3}

M: And, where in the Bible does it say Jesus perfumes our sins?

A: The altar of incense, the morning and evening sacrifices.

Unless their minds and hearts are filled with the pure, unselfish, sanctified love that Christ revealed, they will fall under Satan's power, and will do and say and write strange things, to deceive, if it were possible, the very elect. {RH, June 30, 1910 par. 14}

He that abideth in Christ is perfected in the love of God, and his purposes, thoughts, words, and actions are in harmony with the will of God expressed in the commandments of His law. There is nothing in the heart of the man who abides in Christ that is at war with any precept of God's law. {RC 59.4}

It was impossible for the sinner to keep the law of God, which was holy, just, and good; but this impossibility was removed by the impartation of the righteousness of Christ to the repenting, believing soul. The life and death of Christ in behalf of sinful man were for the purpose of restoring the sinner to God's favor, through imparting to him the righteousness that would meet the claims of the law, and find acceptance with the Father. . . Having suffered the full penalty for a guilty world, Jesus became the Mediator between God and man, to restore the repenting soul to favor with God by giving him grace to keep the law of the Most High. {ST, June 20, 1895 par. 8}

Everyone who by faith obeys God's commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression. {HP 146.5}

But every one who believes in Christ, every one who relies on the keeping power of a risen Saviour that has suffered the penalty pronounced upon the transgressor, every one who resists temptations and in the midst of evil strives to copy the pattern given in the Christ-life, will through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ become a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Those only who through faith in Christ obey all of God's commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression. {8MR 99.2}

M: And, where in the Bible does it say Jesus perfumes our sins?

R: Mike, the way you put it is hilarious. Jesus doesn't perfume our sins, He perfumes our good works, which, although prompted by His Spirit, are tainted by our sinful (selfish) nature. Another EGW quote says:


If these aren't sinful, why does she use the word "defiled" and says they are impure?

Everyone who by faith obeys God's commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression. {HP 146.5}

And what do the concepts of impurity and defilement mean?

"Everyone who by faith obeys God's commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression. {HP 146.5} I'm not sure EGW is speaking of this life here.

Mike, I understand you consider it completely impossible for you to unconsciously manifest a selfish attitude.

He who is trying to become holy by his own works in keeping the law, is attempting an impossibility. All that man can do without Christ is polluted with selfishness and sin. It is the grace of Christ alone, through faith, that can make us holy. {SC 59.4}

The spirit of unselfish labor for others gives depth, stability, and Christlike loveliness to the character, and brings peace and happiness to its possessor. The aspirations are elevated. There is no room for sloth or selfishness. Those who thus exercise the Christian graces will grow and will become strong to work for God. They will have clear spiritual perceptions, a steady, growing faith, and an increased power in prayer. The Spirit of God, moving upon their spirit, calls forth the sacred harmonies of the soul in answer to the divine touch. Those who thus devote themselves to unselfish effort for the good of others are most surely working out their own salvation. {SC 80.2}

No one can be omnipotent, but all can cleanse themselves from filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. God requires every soul to be pure and holy. We have hereditary tendencies to wrong. This is a part of self that no one need carry about. It is a weakness of humanity to pet selfishness, because it is a natural trait of character. But unless all selfishness is put away, unless self is crucified, we can never be holy as God is holy. There is in humanity a tendency to suspicious imagining, which circumstances quicken into lively growth. If this trait is indulged, it spoils the character and ruins the soul. {FLB 140.4}

This is our great need today in every church in our land. For "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). That which was objectionable in the character is purified from the soul by the love of Jesus. All selfishness is expelled, all envy, all evil-speaking, is rooted out, and a radical transformation is wrought in the heart. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22, 23). "The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace" (James 3:18). {YRP 289.3}

When the prophet Daniel beheld the glory surrounding the heavenly messenger that was sent unto him, he was overwhelmed with a sense of his own weakness and imperfection. Describing the effect of the wonderful scene, he says, "There remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength." Daniel 10:8. The soul thus touched will hate its selfishness, abhor its self-love, and will seek, through Christ's righteousness, for the purity of heart that is in harmony with the law of God and the character of Christ. {SC 29.2}

Certain sins of ignorance are possible while abiding in Jesus and partaking of the divine nature (i.e. keeping Sunday instead of the Sabbath day) - but selfish attitudes is not one of them.

Are you suggesting they are incapable of "experiencing it"? That is, Jesus can only impute it because they cannot in reality experience it?

M: Certain sins of ignorance are possible while abiding in Jesus and partaking of the divine nature (i.e. keeping Sunday instead of the Sabbath day) - but selfish attitudes is not one of them.

R: In this passage, EGW seems to say the opposite, and (notice the similarity of terms) she even says that what defiles James and John's love "by the earthliness of its human channel" is their selfishness: "Jesus bears tenderly with them, not rebuking their selfishness in seeking preference above their brethren. He reads their hearts, He knows the depth of their attachment to Him. Their love is not a mere human affection; though defiled by the earthliness of its human channel, it is an outflowing from the fountain of His own redeeming love. He will not rebuke, but deepen and purify. {DA 548.6}

It's strange that you quoted SC 29:2, because it contradicts your view. It's saying that Daniel had a sense of his selfishness. How do you interpret this?

Paul was convinced that if they could be brought to comprehend the amazing sacrifice made by the Majesty of heaven, all selfishness would be banished from their lives. {AA 333.1}

The contemplation of this love will cleanse the soul from all selfishness. {CH 222.2}

The servants of God are to be cleansed from all coldness, all selfishness. {CH 534.3}

It is to divest them of all selfishness, and bind them to God and to one another. {CS 16.2}

They realize that they are to live in this world the life that Jesus lived--a life free from all selfishness; and He enables them to bear witness for Him that draws souls to the cross of Calvary. {DG 81.4}

But unless all selfishness is put away, unless self is crucified, we can never be holy as God is holy. {FLB 140.4}

Are we emptying our hearts of all selfishness, and cleansing them, preparatory to receiving the latter rain from heaven? {HS 155.1}

Faith works by love, and purifies the soul from all selfishness. Thus the soul is perfected in love. {HP 110.2}

The Prince of heaven, the Commander of the heavenly hosts, stepped down from His high position, laid aside His royal robe and kingly crown, and clothed His divinity with humanity, that He might become the divine Teacher of all classes of men, and live before human beings a life free from all selfishness and sin, setting them an example of what, through His grace, they may become. {OFC 252.3}

There can be no self-seeking in the life of him who follows the Saviour. The true Christian banishes all selfishness from his heart. How can he live for self as he thinks of Christ hanging on the cross, giving His life for the life of the world? {OHC 287.4}

We are called upon to overcome in this life as Christ overcame. Heaven has provided us with abundant opportunities and privileges, so that we may overcome as Christ overcame, and sit down with Him on His throne. But in order to be overcomers, there must be in our lives no petting of fleshly inclinations. All selfishness must be cut out by the roots. {RC 287.6}

Bible conversion will lead to constant and abiding activity, which will be free from all selfishness, all self-exaltation, and all boastful claims of holiness. {SD 334.3}

Our souls must be purified from all selfishness; for God desires to use His people as representatives of the heavenly kingdom. {6T 190.3}

The Holy Spirit will take of the things of God and show them to him, and if he will receive them his character will be cleansed from all selfishness, and refined and purified for heaven. {TMK 106.2}

Now is the time for God's people to allow the Holy Spirit to make clean and thorough work, in order that all selfishness, all wrong, may be uprooted from their hearts. May the Lord help you and the whole church, is my prayer. {AU Gleaner, September 9, 1903 par. 7}

M: Arnold and Rosangela, I am beginning to believe you two believe born-again believers are incapable of experiencing "righteousness and true holiness".

A: They are capable, but only by receiving it from God. It is imputed righteousness and holiness.

M: Are you suggesting they are incapable of "experiencing it"? That is, Jesus can only impute it because they cannot in reality experience it?

A: Until we put on incorruption, we have corruption. Hence, the constant need for Christ's uncorrupted merits. The Bible and SOP are clear that the best we can offer are filthy rags, in need of cleansing.

Our righteousness (our works) are as filthy rags needing cleaning by the righteousness (works) of Christ.

M: Certain sins of ignorance are possible while abiding in Jesus and partaking of the divine nature (i.e. keeping Sunday instead of the Sabbath day) - but selfish attitudes is not one of them.

R: In this passage, EGW seems to say the opposite, and (notice the similarity of terms) she even says that what defiles James and John's love "by the earthliness of its human channel" is their selfishness: "Jesus bears tenderly with them, not rebuking their selfishness in seeking preference above their brethren. He reads their hearts, He knows the depth of their attachment to Him. Their love is not a mere human affection; though defiled by the earthliness of its human channel, it is an outflowing from the fountain of His own redeeming love. He will not rebuke, but deepen and purify. {DA 548.6}

It's strange that you quoted SC 29:2, because it contradicts your view. It's saying that Daniel had a sense of his selfishness. How do you interpret this?

Paul was convinced that if they could be brought to comprehend the amazing sacrifice made by the Majesty of heaven, all selfishness would be banished from their lives. {AA 333.1}

The contemplation of this love will cleanse the soul from all selfishness. {CH 222.2}

The servants of God are to be cleansed from all coldness, all selfishness. {CH 534.3}

It is to divest them of all selfishness, and bind them to God and to one another. {CS 16.2}

They realize that they are to live in this world the life that Jesus lived--a life free from all selfishness; and He enables them to bear witness for Him that draws souls to the cross of Calvary. {DG 81.4}

But unless all selfishness is put away, unless self is crucified, we can never be holy as God is holy. {FLB 140.4}

Are we emptying our hearts of all selfishness, and cleansing them, preparatory to receiving the latter rain from heaven? {HS 155.1}

Faith works by love, and purifies the soul from all selfishness. Thus the soul is perfected in love. {HP 110.2}

The Prince of heaven, the Commander of the heavenly hosts, stepped down from His high position, laid aside His royal robe and kingly crown, and clothed His divinity with humanity, that He might become the divine Teacher of all classes of men, and live before human beings a life free from all selfishness and sin, setting them an example of what, through His grace, they may become. {OFC 252.3}

There can be no self-seeking in the life of him who follows the Saviour. The true Christian banishes all selfishness from his heart. How can he live for self as he thinks of Christ hanging on the cross, giving His life for the life of the world? {OHC 287.4}

We are called upon to overcome in this life as Christ overcame. Heaven has provided us with abundant opportunities and privileges, so that we may overcome as Christ overcame, and sit down with Him on His throne. But in order to be overcomers, there must be in our lives no petting of fleshly inclinations. All selfishness must be cut out by the roots. {RC 287.6}

Bible conversion will lead to constant and abiding activity, which will be free from all selfishness, all self-exaltation, and all boastful claims of holiness. {SD 334.3}

Our souls must be purified from all selfishness; for God desires to use His people as representatives of the heavenly kingdom. {6T 190.3}

The Holy Spirit will take of the things of God and show them to him, and if he will receive them his character will be cleansed from all selfishness, and refined and purified for heaven. {TMK 106.2}

Now is the time for God's people to allow the Holy Spirit to make clean and thorough work, in order that all selfishness, all wrong, may be uprooted from their hearts. May the Lord help you and the whole church, is my prayer. {AU Gleaner, September 9, 1903 par. 7}

M: Arnold and Rosangela, I am beginning to believe you two believe born-again believers are incapable of experiencing "righteousness and true holiness".

A: They are capable, but only by receiving it from God. It is imputed righteousness and holiness.

M: Are you suggesting they are incapable of "experiencing it"? That is, Jesus can only impute it because they cannot in reality experience it?

A: Until we put on incorruption, we have corruption. Hence, the constant need for Christ's uncorrupted merits. The Bible and SOP are clear that the best we can offer are filthy rags, in need of cleansing.

In everything Christ sought first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and that which he did he commands his followers to do. This example he gave to the human race that they might in his strength render to God the obedience he requires, and in the end present themselves perfect before his throne. He was one with the Father. His life was a fulfilling of the law, a continual obedience to God's commands. {RH, October 2, 1900 par. 14}

The obedience of Christ to His Father was the same obedience that is required of man. Man cannot overcome Satan's temptations without divine power to combine with his instrumentality. So with Jesus Christ; He could lay hold of divine power. He came not to our world to give the obedience of a lesser God to a greater, but as a man to obey God's Holy Law, and in this way He is our example. The Lord Jesus came to our world, not to reveal what a God could do, but what a man could do, through faith in God's power to help in every emergency. Man is, through faith, to be a partaker in the divine nature, and to overcome every temptation wherewith he is beset. {OHC 48.3}

We need not place the obedience of Christ by itself as something for which He was particularly adapted, by His particular divine nature, for He stood before God as man's representative and tempted as man's substitute and surety. If Christ had a special power which it is not the privilege of man to have, Satan would have made capital of this matter. The work of Christ was to take from the claims of Satan his control of man, and He could do this only in the way that He came -a man, tempted as a man, rendering the obedience of a man. {3SM 139.3}

The law of God, if written in the heart, will bring the mind and will into subjection to the obedience of Christ. {3T 201.2} "When man places himself under the control of God, the will becomes firm and strong to do right, the heart is cleansed from selfishness and filled with Christ-like love. The mind yields to the authority of the law of love, and every thought is brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. The powers, hitherto "members of unrighteousness," and "servants of sin," are consecrated to the service of the God of love. {AUCR, June 1, 1900 par. 10}

There is no indication Ellen taught the righteous results of abiding in Jesus and partaking of the divine nature are "filthy rags" or "tainted with sin" and "selfishness".

Did you notice what she wrote about selfishness in the following passage: "All selfishness is expelled, all envy, all evil-speaking, is rooted out, and a radical transformation is wrought in the heart." You seem to think "all selfishness is expelled" in the radically transformed heart except for some aspects of selfishness. However, she wrote, "I write this to our people that they may see that it is not knowledge that they need, but new hearts, cleansed from all selfishness and covetousness." {SW 88.3} "When our hearts are emptied of all selfishness, and cleansed by the Spirit of Christ, we shall be vessels meet for the Master's use." {AUCR, August 1, 1902 par. 8} She also wrote:

M: There is no indication Ellen taught the righteous results of abiding in Jesus and partaking of the divine nature are "filthy rags" or "tainted with sin" and "selfishness".

A: Then why did she say they are of no value to God unless first purified by Christ's blood?

You cannot obtain heaven without earnest, persevering effort. As viewed in the light of heaven, your life hitherto has been aimless and nearly useless. You now have opportunity to redeem the time and to wash your robe of character in the blood of the Lamb. God will help you if you feel your need of His help. Your righteousness is of no value with God. It is only through the merits of Christ that you will be victor at last. And if you can be among those who shall be saved with an everlasting salvation, heaven will be cheap enough. {3T 338.1}

Having a sense of our companionship we would do the things that are pleasing in the sight of God. {ST, October 14, 1897 par. 8}

You must seek to help yourselves by doing those things that will be pleasing in the sight of God, who is too pure and holy to regard with approval anything like falsehood or deception. {3MR 54.1}

True faith leads away from selfish plans and from the self-pleasing life. Obedience, in order to be acceptable to God, must be the whole-souled obedience that Christ ever offered to the Father. {RH, August 2, 1906 par. 5}

The time has now come when we need to hide in the cleft of the Rock, and view the character of God. Enoch walked with God 300 years. He reflected upon God, he contemplated his character, and his life was well-pleasing in the sight of God. {4MR 411.4}

You should remember that it is not the large work which is the most pleasing to God; but the spirit which we possess in doing the work he gives. If we put our whole heart and soul into the work, and do everything with faithfulness, little though the work may be, it will be wholly acceptable in the sight of God, and will bring its reward. {PH107 2.2}

Our good works cannot atone for one sin. But Jesus knew this, and he came from Heaven to the earth to bring to us this divine help, that through his excellence of character, and through our faith in him, our human efforts would be acceptable with God, and we should finally be rewarded as our works have been. {HR, March 1, 1874 par. 8}

God is no respecter of persons. He that doeth righteousness is righteous. A mere profession is of no value, and knowledge is of worth only as it is used righteously. {TDG 78.3}

The religion that does not reveal itself in good works, in true righteousness and goodness, in saving the souls of poor sinners, is of no value in the estimation of God, and it will not save the souls of those who possess it. {RH, December 12, 1893 par. 2}

Your sins are reckoned to Jesus, his righteousness is imputed to you. For God "hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." Thus your prayers are accepted, becoming unto God a sweet-smelling savor in the beloved. Thus you enter into his rights, and become an heir with God and joint heir with Jesus Christ. You will enter into His victories, and the reward of eternal life will be given you. {PH096 78.1}

Your faith without obedience to God's holy law is of no value, but obedience to God and faith in the Great Sacrifice offered,-- that his blood was shed for you, and you will accept the righteousness of Christ,--will make you an overcomer. Put your trust in Jesus Christ, and he will bring you off more than conqueror. {YI, August 18, 1886 par. 7}

If we do God's will, we may accept large blessings as God's free gift, but not because of any merit in us; this is of no value. Do the work of Christ, and you will honor God and come off more than conquerors through Him that has loved us and given His life for us, that we should have life and salvation in Jesus Christ. {FW 27.2}

It is not the length of time we labor but our willingness and fidelity in the work that makes it acceptable to God. In all our service a full surrender of self is demanded. The smallest duty done in sincerity and self-forgetfulness is more pleasing to God than the greatest work when marred with self-seeking. He looks to see how much of the spirit of Christ we cherish, and how much of the likeness of Christ our work reveals. He regards more the love and faithfulness with which we work than the amount we do. Only when selfishness is dead, when strife for supremacy is banished, when gratitude fills the heart, and love makes fragrant the life--it is only then that Christ is abiding in the soul, and we are recognized as laborers together with God. {COL 402}

Neither prayer nor almsgiving has any virtue in itself to recommend the sinner to God; the grace of Christ, through His atoning sacrifice, can alone renew the heart and make our service acceptable to God. . . Such prayer from a sincere heart ascends as incense before the Lord; and offerings to His cause and gifts to the needy and suffering are a sacrifice well pleasing to Him. . . "an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God" . . . Thus while our gifts cannot recommend us to God or earn His favor, they are an evidence that we have received the grace of Christ. They are a test of the sincerity of our profession of love. {HP 306}

We are the living human agencies to represent in character Jesus Christ to the world. Not only did Christ give explicit rules showing how we may become obedient children, but He showed us in His own life and character just how to do those things which are right and acceptable with God, so there is no excuse why we should not do those things which are pleasing in His sight. {LHU 169.4}

We are ever to be thankful that Jesus has proved to us by actual facts that man can keep the commandments of God, giving contradiction to Satan's falsehood that man cannot keep them. The Great Teacher came to our world to stand at the head of humanity, to thus elevate and sanctify humanity by His holy obedience to all of God's requirements showing it is possible to obey all the commandments of God. He has demonstrated that a lifelong obedience is possible. Thus He gives men to the world, as the Father gave the Son, to exemplify in their life the life of Jesus Christ. {LHU 169.5}

Not only did Christ give explicit rules showing how we may become obedient children, but He showed us in His own life and character just how to do those things which are right and acceptable with God, so there is no excuse why we should not do those things which are pleasing in His sight. . . . {OFC 310.3}

The great Teacher came to our world to stand at the head of humanity, to thus elevate and sanctify humanity by His holy obedience to all of God’s requirements, showing it is possible to obey all the commandments of God. He has demonstrated that a lifelong obedience is possible. Thus He gives chosen, representative men to the world, as the Father gave the Son, to exemplify in their life the life of Jesus Christ. {OFC 310.4}

In Him was found the perfect ideal. To reveal this ideal as the only true standard for attainment; to show what every human being might become; what, through the indwelling of humanity by divinity, all who received Him would become—for this, Christ came to the world. He came to show how men are to be trained as befits the sons of God; how on earth they are to practice the principles and to live the life of heaven. {OFC 310.5}

Our condition through sin has become preternatural, and the power that restores us must be supernatural, else it has no value. There is but one power that can break the hold of evil from the hearts of men, and that is the power of God in Jesus Christ. Only through the blood of the Crucified One is there cleansing from sin. His grace alone can enable us to resist and subdue the tendencies of our fallen nature. {8T 291.3}

M: Did you notice what she wrote about selfishness in the following passage: "All selfishness is expelled, all envy, all evil-speaking, is rooted out, and a radical transformation is wrought in the heart." You seem to think "all selfishness is expelled" in the radically transformed heart except for some aspects of selfishness. However, she wrote, "I write this to our people that they may see that it is not knowledge that they need, but new hearts, cleansed from all selfishness and covetousness." {SW 88.3} "When our hearts are emptied of all selfishness, and cleansed by the Spirit of Christ, we shall be vessels meet for the Master's use." {AUCR, August 1, 1902 par. 8} She also wrote:

R: Self, selfishness, or the sinful nature, is crucified, not completely eliminated, and it can sometimes manifest itself - consciously or unconsciously. Take a look at this passage:

The children of God will be stirred in spirit by the doings of these unworthy members, and they will desire to do something to cleanse the church, that its members may be a light to shine in the world; but even under these circumstances, let them be careful to heed the words of the great Teacher: "Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them." There is such a thing as zeal not according to knowledge; and could all the circumstances be opened which surround these souls, the zealous church-members might have their ideas modified, and be led to pursue an entirely different course. They would see that a work devolved upon them to seek and save instead of to destroy, to manifest longsuffering, gentleness, patience, and love, to those whose character and life are below the standard. To cut them off from the church would, perhaps, extinguish their last hope. And who can determine how God looks upon these manifestly erring ones? In many cases it is evident that those who are most zealous to see the church without blemish, have serious defects of character which they do not discern. Because of their own mistakes and failings, unconsciously to themselves, they may be doing greater harm than the one they judge unworthy to remain in fellowship with the church. {RH, January 10, 1893 par. 3}

Arnold and Rosangela, do you agree the quotes I posted above say the Father is well-pleased with the righteous results of abiding in Jesus?

God's ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." This command is a promise. The plan of redemption contemplates our complete recovery from the power of Satan. Christ always separates the contrite soul from sin. He came to destroy the works of the devil, and He has made provision that the Holy Spirit shall be imparted to every repentant soul, to keep him from sinning. {DA 311.2}

All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us. {DA 668.3}

When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan. But unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall be dominated by the wicked one. We must inevitably be under the control of the one or the other of the two great powers that are contending for the supremacy of the world. It is not necessary for us deliberately to choose the service of the kingdom of darkness in order to come under its dominion. We have only to neglect to ally ourselves with the kingdom of light. If we do not co-operate with the heavenly agencies, Satan will take possession of the heart, and will make it his abiding place. The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual communion, we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end. {DA 324.1}