When born-again believers abide in Jesus and partake of the divine nature they, like Jesus, are empowered by the Holy Spirit to "work the works of God". Their fruit is "perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." To say they are "sinful beings" rather than "saints" seems inarticulate.

Yes, law and justice is perfectly satisfied with the fruit of born-again believers who are abiding in Jesus and partaking of the divine nature. "Holiness finds that it has nothing more to require." {COL 162.4} It doesn't matter that "all have sinned" or that "there is none righteous" because the blood and righteousness of Jesus atones for past sins. "Christ's character stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned." {SC 62.2}

Then salvation is by faith + works - faith at justification and works for sanctification?
Besides, what you are saying is that after justification you can equal the Pattern, since your works are perfect.

A couple of passages which deal with this:

Many feel that their faults of character make it impossible for them to meet the standard that Christ has erected, but all that such ones have to do is to humble themselves at every step under the mighty hand of God. Christ does not estimate the man by the amount of work he does, but by the spirit in which the work is performed. When He sees men lifting the burdens, trying to carry them in lowliness of mind, with distrust of self and with reliance upon Him, He adds to their work His perfection and sufficiency, and it is accepted of the Father. We are accepted in the Beloved. The sinner's defects are covered by the perfection and fullness of the Lord our Righteousness. Those who with sincere will, with contrite heart, are putting forth humble efforts to live up to the requirements of God, are looked upon by the Father with pitying, tender love; He regards such as obedient children, and the righteousness of Christ is imputed unto them. {HP 23.4, 5}

Before the believer is held out the wonderful possibility of being like Christ, obedient to all the principles of the law. But of himself man is utterly unable to reach this condition. The holiness that God's word declares he must have before he can be saved is the result of the working of divine grace as he bows in submission to the discipline and restraining influences of the Spirit of truth. Man's obedience can be made perfect only by the incense of Christ's righteousness, which fills with divine fragrance every act of obedience. The part of the Christian is to persevere in overcoming every fault. Constantly he is to pray to the Saviour to heal the disorders of his sin-sick soul. He has not the wisdom or the strength to overcome; these belong to the Lord, and He bestows them on those who in humiliation and contrition seek Him for help. {AA 532.1}

Rosangela, I agree with the quotes you posted. Please note she never refers to the righteousness of saints as sinful. The fact Jesus sweetens it with His fragrance is not the same thing as saying it is sinful. The difference has to do with maturation - not sinfulness.


"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." You seem to be saying, No, they will not be in harmony.

"He adds to their work His perfection and sufficiency"
"The sinner's defects are covered by the perfection and fullness of the Lord our Righteousness"
"our feelings, our thoughts, our purposes, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God"

Yes, in harmony, but apparently, still needing Christ's imputed righteousness, still falling short.

I am not disputing the necessity of Jesus' fragrance. However, please note "falls so far short" (from the quote you posted) isn't the same as saying their Spirit-powered obedience and righteousness is sinful. Paul wrote, "For the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." 1 Cor 3:17. And Peter wrote, "As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16.

Isn't falling short of meeting the requirements of God's law the very definition of sin?

I don't see how her statement ("falls so far short") can mean they fall short in the sense their Spirit-powered righteousness is a sin. Must born-again believers repent of the righteousness they experience while abiding in Jesus and partaking of the divine nature?

She's pretty clear that these people are seeking for holiness and delight in God's law. Yet, they fall short. There's really not a lot of wiggle room there.

Is repentance needed? Well, do we need to repent for falling short of meeting the law's requirements? Yes.