I would like us to do a study on "born again."

quote:

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John 3:3 "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

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It is obvious from the above reference that we must be born again.

At what point in our life are we actually "born again"?

_________________________
In His Love,Mercy & Grace

Daryl

If we use the sanctuary model to help guide us I believe we can come up with an accurate answer to your question.

We sin outside the walls of the sanctuary. During this time the Holy Spirit is influencing and impressing us to approach the gate of the sanctuary where we get a glimpse of Jesus in the outer court on the altar of sacrifice.

We are motivated to give up certain sins as we behold Christ and Him crucified. At this point, however, we are depending on our own will-power to leave off sin. Not until we come to the place where we are willing to totally give up our sinful traits of character do we actually crucify the old man.

Once we make a choice to completely submit and surrender ourselves to the plan of salvation we experience death to sin, self and Satan. We are buried, baptized and born again in the laver. We are born again babes. We begin at conversion where Christ began at conception.

Born again believers then move into the holy place. They do not and cannot sin while walking in the holy place in the Spirit and mind of the new man. Sin happens outside the sanctuary, not in the holy place. Repentance and cleansing happens in the outer court.

To be born again means to be born again. As I see it, a born again person is not an amalgamation of sin and righteousness. The new man is a radically new person. "Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Cor 5:17. The seed of the new man "cannot sin." 1 John 3:9. The "old man" is dead, and the new man is "created in righteousnes and true holiness." Eph 4:24.

To sin we must resurrect the old man. Sin cannot happen in the mind of the new man. In order to sin we must revert back to the mind of the old man. We always have the freedom to choose life in the mind of the old man.

We obtain justification in the outer court, and we maintain it in the holy place. Both are necessary for Jesus to justify us. Justification accommodates sins pardoned, and sins committed unwittingly. Jesus cannot justify someone who refuses to confess and forsake a certain sin. No one can experience rebirth if they refuse to separate from sin.

Sanctification happens in the holy place. It is the life long process of growing in grace and maturing in the fruit of the Spirit. It includes becoming more and more like Jesus, not less and less like Satan. Sanctification has nothing to do with sinning and repenting.

There is no such thing as an unknown moral defect of character for a Spirit-filled, born again Christian who is walking in the Spirit and mind of the new man. Thus, there is no such thing as God gradually exposing defects of character over a period of a lifetime. God does not hide from us our character imperfections.

Conversion is a process and a product. During the process of conversion we are in the outer court, during which time the Holy Spirit impresses us to give up all moral defects of character. Depending on the person this process may take several months to several years. Many people never do complete this phase of the process.

Once we finally come to the point where we would rather die than to recrucify Christ over and over again, the old man habits of sin die and we are born again a new man in Christ. We are not born again morally mature. But we are born again morally complete.

The sinless seed of the new man comes complete with all the fruit of the Spirit. Not one is missing. As we walk in the Spirit and mind of the new man we gradually grow in grace and mature in the fruit of the Spirit. We duplicate the example of baby Jesus as He grew from childhhod to manhood. Our growth is not measured in terms of sinfulness, but rather in depth and degree of righteousness.

Do we have to be perfect before we can be born again? Morally perfect - Yes. Mentally and physically perfect - No. By moral perfection I mean we cannot cling to any moral defect of character and hope to experience the miracle of rebirth. By mental perfection I mean there may be certain non-moral aspects of salvation that we may not understand when we're born again.

For example, we may not realize that the seventh day is the Sabbath day to keep holy. Or we may not know about health reform, or the 2300 day prophecy, etc. God winks at this ignorance. But once we become aware of these kinds of truths we must turn to the Spirit for the power to incorporate theminto our life.

Physical perfection comes at the end of time when Jesus returns in the clouds of glory. In the meantime, we must partake of the divine nature in order to resist the unholy clamorings of our sinful flesh nature. It is not a sin to possess sinful flesh, but we must trust in God to live without giving up and giving in to the sinful desires of our fallen flesh nature.

When are we considered born again? When we reject sin and crucify our old man habits of sin. Then we experience the miracle of rebirth, and are empowerd from within to live without sin and to mature in the fruit of the Spirit while imitating the example of Jesus.

How do the rest of you see it?

I only have time to ask one question today.
I've heard the sanctuary used for various things. Can you clarify, Mike, probably from SOP where it is used as a map for an individual's salvation? I feel I need to grasp this concept better. Thanks.

Zyph, good question. It's something I've taken for granted. Psalm 77:13 says, "Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary." Also, there's a compilation of EGW material in a book called... uh, I forget.

Edward, can you supply the quotes?

Zyph,

A good starter for the message in the sanctuary, is a simple illustrated study put together by Amazing Facts and can be found at the following URL. This is 8 pages that you can download and study. I have copied this many times and given it out to those that want to study this subject. It will stimulate an interest in digging deeply into this, but a great place to start.
www.aloha.net/~mikesch/temple.htm

good studying. God Bless

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"None but those who have fortified their mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict." GC 593, 594 (1911).
-END-

I am not familiar with the concept, Sanctuary as a model of conversion, refresh my memory. Might be a new line of study ??? What phrase do you need looked up ?

The best I understand John 1:12-13 sums it up.

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

When we receive Jesus we are born again. To put away known sins is to follow Him. Before we can tell that God is calling and before we can tell we are responding the Divine wind is blowing and new life beginning. Physical birth is not new life, conception is. Birth comes 9 months later, and does no good if the baby does not breath and eat. The object of physical birth is full growth & starting the cycle over(having kids).

Spiritual conception happens before human knowledge of it begins, it is subconscious. New Birth happens as we receive Jesus. The breathing & eating is in following Jesus & eating the Words of God (reading & doing).
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I cheated & typed in "is born again" in the EGW CD Rom.
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When truth becomes an abiding principle in the life, the soul is "born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." This new birth is the result of receiving Christ as the Word of God. When by the Holy Spirit divine truths are impressed upon the heart, new conceptions are awakened, and the energies hitherto dormant are aroused to co-operate with God. {AA 520.1}
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The very work that Christ declared necessary in the case of Nicodemus is the very work that needs to be done for those men who think that everything pertaining to religion must be done in a precise, methodical way. They need to be born again; and how the new birth is accomplished matters not, so long as the heart is renewed. When the prayer is sincerely offered, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me," the voice of the Lord answers, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them." The renewed heart will have no plants of selfishness to cultivate. Pride will be seen in its sinfulness, and will be expelled. It is not for the human clay to find fault with the molding process of the potter, but to submit to be molded in any way. Every soul must submit to the Lord before he can be made a vessel unto honor, to be filled with the renewing, sanctifying grace of Christ. {RH, May 5, 1896 par. 5}
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The new birth is accomplished by the reception of the word of God; but those who belittle the word of God, those who cast contempt upon the law of Jehovah, place themselves under the banner of the prince of darkness. Satan began the work of rebellion in heaven by opposition to the constitution and government of God; and this is the manner of work he has carried on ever since the fall of man. Through the agency of evil men he seeks to make void the law of the Most High. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." Christ vindicated and honored the law of God, declaring that upon the principles of the Ten Commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Those who manifest disrespect for the law of Jehovah, make it evident that they have not been born again, and the truth does not abide in them. {ST, April 30, 1896 par. 2}
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The minds of many are clouded with unbelief because those who unite with the church as the chosen of God do not reveal the virtues that are the fruits of the Spirit. Joining the church is not a sure evidence that a man has joined himself to Christ. The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ. {12MR 51.1}

Thousands who claim to be religious are not Christians. Paul was very strict in carrying out his religion, but he was not a Christian until Christ revealed Himself to him and talked with him, showing him that he was persecuting his Master in the person of His saints. Then Paul was converted. He became one of the sect he had despised and hated; and for his love of Christ he received the same cruel treatment that he had once cooperated with others in giving. {12MR 51.2}
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In His interview with Nicodemus, an influential member of the Sanhedrin, Christ struck down deep to foundation principles. He said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." The new birth is the beginning of a new life, a new shining forth of light because of a change in the character. The old life of selfishness has died, and the Christ-life is revealed. This is the first preparation essential for men and women who desire to be laborers together with God in medical missionary work. {17MR 359.2}
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"this is the new birth"-1 hit

"By looking constantly to Jesus, from morn till eve, with the eye of faith, we shall be strengthened. God will make the most precious revelations to His hungering, thirsting people. They will find that Christ is a personal Savior. They feed upon His word, for it is spirit and life. This word kills the natural, earthly nature, and a new life in Christ Jesus is created. The Holy Spirit comes as a Comforter to them. Love takes the place of hatred, and the heart receives the mold of the divine similitude. The image of Christ is reproduced in the human agent, and by the transforming efficacy of the grace of Christ he becomes a new creature. "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:12,13). This is the new birth. {10MR 166.1}
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"until the grace of Christ" - 5 or 6 hits

"Those who would work in God's service must not be seeking worldly gratification and selfish indulgence. The physicians in our institutions must be imbued with the living principles of health reform. Men will never be truly temperate until the grace of Christ is an abiding principle in the heart. All the pledges in the world will not make you or your wife health reformers. No mere restriction of your diet will cure your diseased appetite. Brother and Sister ----- will not practice temperance in all things until their hearts are transformed by the grace of God. {CD 35.2}

Circumstances cannot work reforms. Christianity proposes a reformation in the heart. What Christ works within, will be worked out under the dictation of a converted intellect. The plan of beginning outside and trying to work inward has always failed, and always will fail. God's plan with you is to begin at the very seat of all difficulties, the heart, and then from out of the heart will issue the principles of righteousness; the reformation will be outward as well as inward. {CD 35.3}
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Those who would work in God's service must not be seeking worldly gratification and selfish indulgence. The physicians in our institutions must be imbued with the living principles of health reform. Men will never be truly temperate until the grace of Christ is an abiding principle in the heart. All the pledges in the world will not make you or your wife health reformers. No mere restriction of your diet will cure your diseased appetite. Brother and Sister Maxson will not practice temperance in all things until their hearts are transformed by the grace of God and they shall wear Christ's yoke and have Christ's meekness and lowliness of heart. {20MR 112.3}

Circumstances cannot work reforms. Christianity proposes a reformation in the heart. What Christ works within, will be worked out under the dictation of a converted intellect. The plan of beginning outside and trying to work inward has always failed, and always will fail. {20MR 112.4}

Standing as you do, my brother and sister, God's plan with you is to begin at the very seat of all difficulties, the heart, and then from out of the heart will issue the principles of righteousness; the reformation will be outward as well as inward. {20MR 112.5}

God's way is to give man something he has not. But you have said, I want it not. God's way is to make man something he is not. Man's way is to get an easy place, and indulge appetite and selfish ambition. God's plan is to set man to work in reformatory lines, then he will learn by experience how long he has pampered fleshly appetites, and ministered to his own temperament, bringing weakness upon himself. God's way is to work in power. He gives the grace if the sick man realizes that he needs it. Man is too often satisfied to treat himself according to the methods of quackery, and he vindicates his manner of working as right. God proposes to purify and refine the defiled soul; then He will implant in the heart His own righteousness and peace and health, and man becomes complete in Him. Then the issues of life, proceeding from the heart, are represented as a well of water, springing up into everlasting life. {20MR 112.6}

This is the kingdom of God within you. Day by day men are revealing whether the kingdom of God is within them. If Christ rules in their hearts, they are gaining strength of principle, power, ability to stand as faithful sentinels, true reformers; for there can be no reform unless there is thorough cooperation with Jesus Christ. {20MR 113.1}

Through the grace of Christ men are to use their God-given faculties to reform themselves. By this self-denying action, which the Lord of heaven looks upon with approval, they gain victories over their wrong hereditary and cultivated tendencies. Then like Daniel they make impressions upon other hearts that will never be effaced. The influence will be carried to all parts of the world. {20MR 113.2}

Men are taking sides, according to their choice. These that are feeding on the Word of God will show this by their practice; they are on the Lord's side, seeking by precept and example to reform the world. All that have refused to be taught of God hold the traditions of men. They at last pass over on the side of the enemy, against God, and are written, Antichrist. The people of God, who understand our position in this world's history, are, with ears open and hearts softened and subdued, pressing together in unity, one with Jesus Christ. Those who will not practice the lessons of Christ, but keep themselves in hand, to mold themselves, find in Antichrist the center of their union. While the two parties stand in collision, the Lord will appear, and shine before His ancients gloriously. He will set up a kingdom that shall stand forever. {20MR 113.3}
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Perhaps it will help to try - " Conversion is" 96 - hits

"Candidates who have grown to manhood and womanhood should understand their duty better than do the younger ones; but the pastor of the church has a duty to do for these souls. Have they wrong habits and practices? It is the duty of the pastor to have special meetings with them. Give them Bible readings, converse and pray with them, and plainly show the claims of the Lord upon them. Read to them the teaching of the Bible in regard to conversion. Show what is the fruit of conversion, the evidence that they love God. Show that true conversion is a change of heart, of thoughts and purposes. Evil habits are to be given up. The sins of evil-speaking, of jealousy, of disobedience, are to be put away. A warfare must be waged against every evil trait of character. Then the believing one can understandingly take to himself the promise, "Ask, and it shall be given you." Matt. 7:7. --Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 95. (1900) {Ev 311.1}
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Conversion is a work that most do not appreciate. It is not a small matter to transform an earthly, sin-loving mind and bring it to understand the unspeakable love of Christ, the charms of His grace, and the excellency of God, so that the soul shall be imbued with divine love and captivated with the heavenly mysteries. When he understands these things, his former life appears disgusting and hateful. He hates sin, and, breaking his heart before God, he embraces Christ as the life and joy of the soul. He renounces his former pleasures. He has a new mind, new affections, new interest, new will; his sorrows, and desires, and love are all new. . . . Heaven, which once possessed no charms, is now viewed in its riches and glory; and he contemplates it as his future home, where he shall see, love, and praise the One who hath redeemed him by His precious blood. The works of holiness, which appeared wearisome, are now his delight. The Word of God, which was dull and uninteresting, is now chosen as his study, the man of his counsel. It is as a letter written to him from God, bearing the inscription of the Eternal. His thoughts, his words, and his deeds are brought to this rule and tested. He trembles at the commands and threatenings which it contains, while he firmly grasps its promises and strengthens his soul by appropriating them to himself. {FLB 139.2}

When the transforming grace of Christ is upon the heart, a righteous indignation will take possession of the soul because the sinner has so long neglected the great salvation that God has provided for him. He will then surrender himself, body, soul, and spirit, to God and will withdraw from companionship with Satan, through the grace given him of God. {FLB 139.3}

All need to understand the process of conversion. The fruit is seen in the changed life. {FLB 139.4}

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None are living Christians unless they have a daily experience in the things of God and daily practice self-denial, cheerfully bearing the cross and following Christ. Every living Christian will advance daily in the divine life. As he advances toward perfection, he experiences a conversion to God every day; and this conversion is not completed until he attains to perfection of Christian character, a full preparation for the finishing touch of immortality. . . . {AG 291.4}

Religion is not merely an emotion, a feeling. It is a principle which is interwoven with all the daily duties and transactions of life. . . . It is continuance in well-doing that will form characters for heaven. {AG 291.5}

We must live for Christ minute by minute, hour by hour, and day by day; then Christ will dwell in us, and when we meet together, His love will be in our hearts, welling up like a spring in the desert, refreshing all, and making those who are ready to perish, eager to drink of the waters of life. {AG 291.6}
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For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Eph. 2:8. {AG 319.1}

The apostle desired those to whom he was writing to remember that they must reveal in their lives the glorious change wrought in them by Christ's transforming grace. They were to be lights in the world, by their purified, sanctified characters exerting an influence counter to the influence of satanic agencies. They were ever to remember the words, "Not of yourselves." They could not change their own hearts. And when by their efforts souls were led from the ranks of Satan to take their stand for Christ, they were not to claim any credit for the transformation wrought. {AG 319.2}

God calls upon all who will to come and drink of the waters of life freely. The power of God is the one element of efficiency in the grand work of obtaining the victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil. It is in accordance with the divine plan that we follow every ray of light given of God. Man can accomplish nothing without God, and God has arranged His plans so as to accomplish nothing in the restoration of the human race without the cooperation of the human with the divine. The part man is required to sustain is immeasurably small, yet in the plan of God it is just that part that is needed to make the work a success. {AG 319.3}

The great change that is seen in the life of a sinner after conversion is not brought about by any human goodness. . . . {AG 319.4}

He who is rich in mercy has imparted His grace to us. Then let praise and thanksgiving ascend to Him, because He has become our Saviour. Let His love, filling our hearts and minds, flow forth from our lives in rich currents of grace. When we were dead in trespasses and sins, He quickened us into spiritual life. He brought grace and pardon, filling the soul with new life. Thus the sinner passes from death to life. He now takes up his new duties in Christ's service. His life becomes true and strong, filled with good works. "Because I live," Christ said, "ye shall live also." . . . {AG 319.5}

There will be no second probation. Now, while it is called today, if we will hear the voice of the Lord, and turn fully to Him, He will have mercy upon us, and abundantly pardon. {AG 319.6}
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

I'de better quit copying, pasteing & posting.......lots & lots & lots . I highly reccomend getting an EGW CD Rom (3.0 Library Edition is more user friendly & cheaper - demand a printed manual.)

Oh Well ...JUST ONE MORE [A double quote]

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Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19. {HP 20.1}

In order to be saved, we must know by experience the meaning of true conversion. It is a fearful mistake for men and women to go on day by day professing to be Christians yet having no right to the name. In God's sight profession is nothing, position is nothing. He asks, Is the life in harmony with My precepts? There are many who suppose that they are converted but who are not able to bear the test of character presented in the Word of God. . . . {HP 20.2}

Conversion is a change of heart, a turning from unrighteousness to righteousness. Relying upon the merits of Christ, exercising true faith in Him, the repentant sinner receives pardon for sin. As he ceases to do evil and learns to do well, he grows in grace and in the knowledge of God. He sees that in order to follow Jesus he must separate from the world, and after counting the cost, he looks upon all as loss if he may but win Christ. He enlists in His army and bravely and cheerfully engages in the warfare, fighting against natural inclinations and selfish desires and bringing the will into subjection to the will of Christ. Daily he seeks the Lord for grace, and he is strengthened and helped. Self once reigned in his heart, and worldly pleasure was his delight. Now self is dethroned, and God reigns supreme. His life reveals the fruit of righteousness. The sins he once loved he now hates. Firmly and resolutely he follows in the path of holiness. This is genuine conversion. . . . {HP 20.3}

Let us not forget that in his conversion and sanctification man must cooperate with God. "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling," the Word declares. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Phil. 2:12, 13). Man cannot transform himself by the exercise of his will. He possesses no power by which this change may be affected. The renewing energy must come from God. The change can be made only by the Holy Spirit. He who would be saved, high or low, rich or poor, must submit to the working of this power. {HP 20.4}

Chap. 15 - God's Grace Transforms the Life

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. John 3:7. {HP 21.1}

The great truth of the conversion of the heart by the Holy Spirit is presented in Christ's words to Nicodemus: "Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born from above {margin}, he cannot see the kingdom of God. . . . That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:3-6). {HP 21.2}

It is by the renewing of the heart that the grace of God works to transform the life. No mere external change is sufficient to bring us into harmony with God. There are many who try to reform by correcting this bad habit or that bad habit, and they hope in this way to become Christians, but they are beginning in the wrong place. Our first work is with the heart. . . . {HP 21.3}

The leaven of truth works secretly, silently, steadily, to transform the soul. The natural inclinations are softened and subdued. New thoughts, new feelings, new motives, are implanted. A new standard of character is set up--the life of Christ. The mind is changed; the faculties are aroused to action in new lines. Man is not endowed with new faculties, but the faculties he has are sanctified. The conscience is awakened. {HP 21.4}

The Scriptures are the great agency in this transformation of character. Christ prayed, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17). If studied and obeyed, the Word of God works in the heart, subduing every unholy attribute. The Holy Spirit comes to convict of sin, and the faith that springs up in the heart works by love to Christ, conforming us, body, soul, and spirit, to His will. {HP 21.5}

A man sees his danger. He sees that he needs a change of character, a change of heart. He is stirred; his fears are aroused. The Spirit of God is working in him, and with fear and trembling he works for himself, seeking to find out his defects of character and to see what he can do to bring about the needed change in his life. . . . He confesses his sins to God, and if he has injured anyone, he confesses the wrong to the one he has injured. . . . He acts in harmony with the Spirit's working, and his conversion is genuine. {HP 21.6}

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Edward F Sutton

[This message has been edited by Edward F Sutton (edited August 27, 2001).]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am very convinced, from the quotes Edward just shared, that Ellen White believed in a radical conversion from a life of sin to a life without sin. Or did I miss something?

I heard her say that unless we come to the place where we covet nothing but Christ and His righteousness that it is a mistake to claim to be Christian. I don't think she's talking about those moments of weakness when we fall back into sin, but rather I believe she is talking about the general trend of choice and character development.

A genuine born again Christian will not secretly cling to some pet darling sin. Nor will they often manifest a spirit of pride, selfishness, impatience, or vain glory. Nor will they be pre-occupied with their Spirit-powered good fruit. While walking in the Spirit and mind of the new man they do not and cannot commit a known moral sin. See 1 John 3:9. That's good news to me.

I believe if God's people understood the truth about genuine conversion they would do far more fighting the good fight of faith and far less sinning and repenting. We sin without a fight because we fight without a faith. How sad.

All the power of heaven is at our disposal to make us more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. Sin loses all it's power and appeal at the Cross. Are you tempted? Cling to the Cross of Calvary. Camp at the Cross until the love of Jesus fills your soul with hope and victory. And believe that victory is possible and beautiful.

Jesus will never leave you, nor forsake you. Stay close to Jesus, even if it means you must sweat great drops of blood in order not to crucify Him afresh. Thank you, Lord. Enlighten and empower your people to fight the good fight of faith, is my prayer. Amen!

By the way, if the sanctuary doesn't teach us how Jesus saves us from a life of sin, then what does it teach? Ellen White's masterpiece volume - The Great Controversy - goes into great detail on how the sanctuary symbolizes salvation. But I still can't remember the title of that one compilation that deals specifically with this topic. Sorry.

As to your last post Mike, I think that is a new topic! Feel free to start one if you desire.

I was reading Hebrews 6 this morning wherein Paul states that the foundation of following Christ is repentance and faith in God. Built on that are the doctrines of baptism, etc (v.2 - sorry I can't remember the rest). Upon this foundation we are to build perfection. Without this foundation, we cannot ever hope to become perfect. It is a continual work. If we should ever reach a point where we say "I have become perfect" and sit back to enjoy it, we will grieve the Spirit and fall away.

Perfection is possible only through Christ. I cannot achieve perfection alone, only Christ in me can achieve Perfection in me. It is the point where others look at me and see Him that I am perfect.

One of our speakers at campmeeting spoke about being born again. I will look up my notes when I get home and share with you more tomorrow.

Anyway, those are just my thoughts on the matter this morning.

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Sarah Moss
Psalms 103 - I am blessed!

Thank you, Sarah, for re-emphasizing that we cannot achieve freedom from sin, and that we must rather receive it as gift from God through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Moral perfection isn't something we achieve, not even by cooperating with the Holy Spirit. Instead, it's what we "receive" as a gift from God. We "cease from sin" when we "crucify the old man" habts of sin, and "walk in the Spirit" and mind of the "new man" in "heavenly places." See 1 Peter 4:1,2; Rom 6:6; Gal 5:16; Eph 4:24 and Eph 2:4-6.

Once converted and born again a new man in Christ, the Holy Spirit then empowers us from within to mature in the fruit of the Spirit. We don't gradually accumulate them over a period of lifetime, so that by the time we are old we have finally arrived. What does take a lifetime of living is the process of maturing in the fruit of the Spirit. This process is eternal, and not even in heaven or the new earth will we ever say - I am completely mature and further growth in grace is now impossible.

Note these EGW quotes:

"The life of the vine will be manifest in fragrant fruit on the branches. "He that abideth in Me," said Jesus, "and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing." When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing." {DA 676.4}

"God will accept only those who are determined to aim high. He places every human agent under obligation to do his best. Moral perfection is required of all. Never should we lower the standard of righteousness in order to accommodate inherited or cultivated tendencies to wrong-doing. We need to understand that imperfection of character is sin. All
righteous attributes of character dwell in God as a perfect, harmonious whole, and every one who receives Christ as a personal Saviour is privileged to possess these attributes." {COL 330.2}

Amen! Although some people might feel these thoughts are threatening. I, myself, take them as the promises of God. Good news. It does not take God our entire lifetime to empower us to live without the burden of committing known sin. Of course, we will not be preoccupied with our righteousness, the righteousness of Christ reproduced through us, rather our eyes are upon Jesus and His wonderful love for us. We cannot experience the joy of salvation apart from abiding in Christ as He abided in the Father.