I understand "clealiness" refers to imputed righteousness, while "Christian character perfection" refers to imparted righteousness.

Me too. But what does he mean? Can God justify imputing the righteousness of Christ to the sinner's account if he is practicing known sin? Ellen wrote:

But while God can be just, and yet justify the sinner through the merits of Christ, no man can cover his soul with the garments of Christ's righteousness while practicing known sins or neglecting known duties. God requires the entire surrender of the heart, before justification can take place; and in order for man to retain justification, there must be continual obedience, through active, living faith that works by love and purifies the soul. {FW 100.1}

This is what DA says:

"So Peter and his brethren had been washed in the great fountain opened for sin and uncleanness. Christ acknowledged them as His. But temptation had led them into evil, and they still needed His cleansing grace. When Jesus girded Himself with a towel to wash the dust from their feet, He desired by that very act to wash the alienation, jealousy, and pride from their hearts. This was of far more consequence than the washing of their dusty feet. With the spirit they then had, not one of them was prepared for communion with Christ. Until brought into a state of humility and love, they were not prepared to partake of the paschal supper, or to share in the memorial service which Christ was about to institute. Their hearts must be cleansed. Pride and self-seeking create dissension and hatred, but all this Jesus washed away in washing their feet. A change of feeling was brought about. Looking upon them, Jesus could say, 'Ye are clean.' Now there was union of heart, love for one another. They had become humble and teachable. Except Judas, each was ready to concede to another the highest place. Now with subdued and grateful hearts they could receive Christ's words." {DA 646.3}

See, I was right.

I think R's explanation is on the money. Think of it this way: Cleanliness in Christ before cleanliness through Christ.

Thomas, in what way do you think you were right?

Rosangela and Arnold, when do you think God justifies sinners - before or after the crucifixion of their old man habits and practices? Ellen wrote:

God requires the entire surrender of the heart, before justification can take place; and in order for man to retain justification, there must be continual obedience, through active, living faith that works by love and purifies the soul. (FW 100)

Every sin must be renounced as the hateful thing that crucified the Lord of life and glory, and the believer must have a progressive experience by continually doing the works of Christ. It is by continual surrender of the will, by continual obedience, that the blessing of justification is retained. (1SM 397)

Mike, Asschericks sermon did prove controversial.

Sometimes before, sometimes after. The crucifixion of the "old man habits and practices" is not the determining factor in justification. The FW 100 quote illustrates it perfectly:

Before justification happens, God requires crucifixion of the old man spirit. When one fully surrenders, whether or not he has full knowledge of every bad habit, he is justified.

To remain justified, one must remain fully surrendered to God. And when one is fully surrendered to God, he will follow Him wherever He goes. That is the ultimate motivation of the true believer - to be with God always. And how does that look from the outside? Continual obedience.

But that can only happen if one is fully surrendered and justified. Hence, cleanliness of heart (in Christ) precedes cleansing from every bad habit and practice.

What about you guys try to relate all this a little less to the novel-sized threads from before and a little more to what the linked sermonettes or others from the same source acctually says?