Saturday, January 10, 2009


THE 144,000 – Part 1
by Elder Lawrence Nelson

This sermon is part of a series entitled Christ our Righteousness
There are many questions concerning the 144,000. Some can be answered others cannot. For instance, is the 144,000 a literal or a symbolic number? Are the 144,000 sealed before or after the latter rain. Will the 144,00 convert a great multitude to God's truth? Why will the 144,000 be translated without dying? What are the character developments that are necessary to become a part of the 144,000?
In this presentation we will not dabble into speculation nor will we claim any new light. But we will search for what has been revealed in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. First let us seek for divine guidance. Oh loving Father, we believe the end to be very near. Through Thy Holy Spirit Thou hast revealed knowledge of a very special group of saints, described as the 144,000, who are to reveal to the universe that Thy eternal law can be kept, when a person joins his humanity with the power of divinity. Therefore, these 144,000 individuals have fully experienced justification and sanctification in Christ our Righteousness. So please, dear Father, help us to understand what the necessary character developments are for an individual to become worthy to be counted as a part of the 144,000. This we ask in the name of Thy dear Son, Amen.
Now, first of all, let us turn to scripture. We read of the 144,000 in Revelation 7:2-4,13,14 and Revelation 14:1-5. "And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
"And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said unto me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
"And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God."
Now I must be very frank with you, for there are various members of our faith who are heard declaring that the 144,000 are no different from any other generation of God's people. They say God does not have two different standards, one for the 144,000 and one for all other generations. This is absurd they insist. The 144,000 will be different only in that they will be alive when Jesus comes.
Now is this really true, or will the 144,000 be in some respect different; and if so, what will make them different? First of all we want to establish a very important truth. It is true that God does not have a different standard of salvation for the translated living and another for the resurrected, dead saints. Those who die must, at death, be right with God. They must be both justified and sanctified. As individuals they must stop committing known sin, and invite Christ to dwell in their heart by faith, and to give them the needed power to willingly obey their Lord. They will have been washing their robes of character and making them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Although the standard of salvation for both the living last generation, and the dead saints is the same, yet there is a difference. Why? - Because the severe end-time trials and great tribulations that they will pass through, such as experienced by no other generation, will develop in the 144,000 living saints characters that will become more like Christ's character than that of any prior generation of saints. They will reach a character maturity that will reveal that they have won the battle over evil. See Great Controversy p.415 for further detail.
So intense will become their hatred of sin that they would rather die than sin. The difference will not be in the standard of salvation but in the degree of character development to which they will attain. God has given us some Bible examples for this very purpose so that we can clarify and better understand this difference.
Let us begin with the example of Moses. I am going to read from Prophets and Kings p. 174, "Moses, wearied with forty years of wandering and unbelief, lost for a moment his hold on Infinite Power. He failed just on the borders of the Promised Land."
Now, I like the way Leola Rosenvold expresses the personal lesson we should learn from the experience of Moses, when he sinned by taking the glory from Christ in producing water from the rock. I am quoting from her book, The Remedy p. 98: "Christ uses the life of Moses as an object lesson to help us understand that there will be a difference in the experience between those who die and are resurrected, and those who are translated. Just one sin, which was immediately repented of, kept Moses from being translated, but it did not keep him from being resurrected.
"'Satan had been trying to find something wherewith to accuse Moses before the angels. He exulted at his success in leading him to displease God, and he told the angels that he could overcome the Saviour of the world when He should come to redeem man. For his transgression, Moses came under the power of Satan - the dominion of death. Had he remained steadfast, the Lord would have brought him to the Promised Land, and would then have translated him to heaven without his seeing death.' Early Writings p. 164.
"'Had not the life of Moses been marred with that one sin, in failing to give God the glory of bringing water from the rock at Kadesh, he would have entered the Promised Land, and would have been translated to heaven without seeing death.' Patriarchs and Prophets p. 478."
Now we know that in the lifetime of Moses he committed more than one sin. In fact, he even murdered a man; he killed an Egyptian. Though he had confessed and forsaken his sins, God uses this one sin which he knowingly committed on the banks of the Jordan River just before crossing into the Promised Land, to teach or impress us with the fact that the living saints must make an end of sin in their lives before they enter heavenly Canaan.
Now nothing could be more plainly stated. Though God had planned on translating Moses to heaven without seeing death, he was not then ready to be a type of those who would be ready to be translated. He must die. Soon after this Moses did die, but after a few days God resurrected him. He was taken to heaven to become a type of the resurrected saints of God; a type of those repentant ones who will not be required to go through the special end-time circumstances and great tribulations.
Now on the other hand, Enoch was a type of the living saints. Of the 144,000 listen to his record: The Bible says that he walked with God for 300 years before he was translated. Genesis 5:21,22. In the book, Reflecting Christ p. 307 we read, "Enoch was a marked character, and many look upon his life as something far above what the generality of mortals can ever reach. But Enoch's life and character, which were so holy that he was translated to heaven without seeing death, represent the lives and characters of all who will be translated when Christ comes."
In Gospel Workers p. 54 we read, "'By faith, Enoch was translated that he should not see death;...for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.' To such communion God is calling us. As was Enoch's so must be their holiness of character who shall be redeemed from among men at the Lord's second coming." This is such an important, provoking statement I must repeat that last sentence again. "As was Enoch's, so must be their holiness of character who shall be redeemed from among men at the Lord's second coming."
Elijah was also a type of the 144,000. He was a man of strong faith. He demonstrated this in the happenings of Mount Carmel that are recorded in 1 Kings 18. However, after his lofty experience I read in Prophets and Kings p. 161, "Depression seized him.... While under the inspiration of the Almighty, he had stood the severest trial of faith; but in this trial of discouragement, with Jezebel's threat sounding in his ears,...he lost his hold on God."
"Elijah should not have fled from his post of duty." Prophets and Kings p. 160. The inspired Word says, "Despondency is sinful and unreasonable." Ibid. p.164. So Elijah sinned for "in a moment of weariness [he] allowed the fear of death to overcome his faith in God." Ibid. p. 174.
Let's think this through. What was the difference between the sin of Moses and that of Elijah? While Moses committed sin just before he was to pass over into the Promised Land, not so in the experience of Elijah. As did Moses, he repented immediately but he did not die soon thereafter. He lived on and demonstrated his strong faith in the Lord, which he quickly regained and maintained. God sent him back to Israel to finish bringing about a religious revival and a transformation in the land. When God finally asked him to call Elisha, a farm laborer to replace himself, he spent some time teaching Elisha. He went from place to place with him, and from school to school teaching him how to give the help that each needed.
Therefore Elijah spent a number of years demonstrating that he was a loyal, holy servant of the Lord before he was translated. This is why God could declare, "Elijah was a type of the saints who will be living on the earth at the time of the second advent of Christ and who will be 'changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump,' without tasting of death. 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52." Prophets and Kings p. 227.
Why is it necessary for the living saints who will be translated to be different in respect to their character developments? To have characters so mature that they will never again sin? What will make this maturity an absolute necessity? - First, they will be forced to meet the supreme test – that of a papal image of the beast. Secondly, after probation closes, they must be prepared to live sinlessly without a mediator in the sanctuary in heaven.
Now let us consider the first test – the image of the beast. Some church members may have wondered, why is the Sunday sabbath, brought about by the image of the beast, to be the great test for the people of God by which their eternal destiny will be decided? Wouldn't we naturally assume that this crisis would be a test for the world, for the unbelievers and the undecided?
The truth is that when God's people are faced with this great test they will be forced to make an immediate choice between life or death, as it were. Between obedience or disobedience. If their characters were not already developed to the point to where they would rather die than sin, they would undoubtedly choose to sin and thus come under Satan's black banner. When brought to the test, God's people will either receive the seal of God or the mark of the papal beast. Thus their eternal destiny will be forever decided.
I want to read to you from Bible Commentaries, Volume 7, p. 976: "The Lord has shown me clearly that the image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided. . . . [Rev. 13:11-17 quoted.] . . . This is the test that the people of God must have before they are sealed. All who proved their loyalty to God by observing His law, and refusing to accept a spurious sabbath, will rank under the banner of the Lord God Jehovah, and will receive the seal of the living God. Those who yield the truth of heavenly origin and accept the Sunday sabbath, will receive the mark of the beast." Letter 11, 1890.
Now, concerning the second reason, the close of probation. The saints who are to be translated must live through the final time of trouble, referred to as the time of Jacob's trouble, without a mediator in the heavenly sanctuary. Probation will have closed for this wicked, old world. Are we aware of just what this means? It means that if a saint were to sin after probation closes there would be no forgiveness available. I don't believe any of us now living fully realize what it will mean to live on this earth in such a chaotic condition and under such pressure of a death sentence without an intercessor.
In Great Controversy p. 425 are these words, "Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their character must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort they must conquer in the battle with evil."
Christ is our only example of a man who lived on earth without an intercessor; and what was the experience of Christ while he was on this earth? – Great Controversy p. 623 says, "Christ declared of Himself, 'The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.' John 14:30. Satan could find nothing in the Son of God that would enable him to gain the victory. He had kept His Father's commandments, and there was no sin in Him that Satan could use to his advantage. This is the condition in which those must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble."
Now I trust that this is causing you and me to do some very serious thinking. In order for anyone to live on this earth without a mediator, such a one must attain to the same sinless condition lived my Christ while He was on this earth.
Let's consider for a moment Christ in Gethsemane. In Desire of Ages p. 686,687 we are told, "Christ was now standing in a different attitude from that in which he had ever stood before....Hitherto He had been an intercessor for others; now He longed to have an intercessor for Himself. As Christ felt His unity with the Father broken up, He feared that in His human nature He would be unable to endure the coming conflict with the power of darkness....With the issues of the conflict before Him Christ's soul was filled with dread of separation from God. Satan told Him that if He became the surety for a sinful world, that the separation would be eternal. He would be identified with Satan's kingdom, and would nevermore be one with God." So likewise, when probation closes, the saints will find themselves in a different position than they have ever been before.
How will they be enabled? - Actually it will be by following Christ's earthly example. "Christ left his heavenly home, and came to this world, to show that only by being connected with divinity can man keep the law of God. In itself humanity is tainted and corrupted; but Christ brought moral power to man, and those who live in communion with him overcome as he overcame. We are not left in this world as orphans." Signs of the Times, December 3, 1896. Praise God! I like that!
Unless the saints follow the example of Christ in joining their humanity with divinity they would be among the lost who will be consumed at Christ's coming. It is absolutely imperative that they have this special preparation for God's glory destroys all sin and sinners. Sin cannot exist in the visible presence of God for God's glory is a consuming fire.
The Bible is very clear in stating that the very presence of God will consume all who are found clinging to sin. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 tells us, "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming." As Christ nears this earth, his very presence will consume the sinner while consuming their sins.
Therefore it is evident that all sin must be removed from the 144,000 in the days of preparation before they are sealed. That is this time in which we are living. For we are living in the preparation time. Times are tense. There is still opportunity, praise God, for us to prepare. Would to God that the ministers in God's pulpits today would preach soul-stirring messages filled with divine conviction that would move the listener to sense the enormity of the sin problem, causing them to fall on their knees pleading with God for victory. Believe me, friend, this is no time for "Celebration" with tame messages to satisfy the sinful nature, such as teaching congregations that they can continue sinning until Jesus comes.
Rather than representing so-called "attractive errors" ministers should listen to and heed the council of Joel found in Joel 2:1,16,17, "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests and the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord."
My beloved fellow ministers, this is the weeping time; a time for us to weep between the porch and the altar for all the sins that are being committed in the church. Certainly this is not a time for Celebration, and for entertainment, or for preaching frivolous or smooth sermons to tickle the ear of the flocks. Rather, we ministers should sound such an alarming message that will awaken the members of our churches from their Laodicean slumber to their need to sigh and cry for their own sins, as well as those of their fellow church members.
Ellen White informs us, "The abominations for which the faithful ones were sighing and crying were all that could be discerned by finite eyes, but by far the worst sins, those which provoked the jealousy of the pure and holy God, were unrevealed. The great Searcher of the hearts knoweth every sin committed in secret by the workers of iniquities." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, p. 211.
So God admonishes us to, "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins." Isaiah 58:1. Ellen White asks, "What are you doing, brethren, in the great work of preparation? Those who are uniting with the world are receiving the worldly mold and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are distrustful of self, who are humbling themselves before God and purifying their souls by obeying the truth - these are receiving the heavenly mold and preparing for the seal of God in their foreheads. When the decree goes forth and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, p. 216. This, dear friends, is God's last-day preparation message. It is urgent, for time is short.
Before I close I will relate a true story. An Adventist lady, whom I will call Rachel, lived in Oregon. She was studying God's Word with a very godly woman. Now Rachel had a certain problem, in so far as our health reform message is concerned. Her teacher pointed out to her that the Spirit of Prophecy clearly reveals that no one will be among the living translated saints who was indulging in this certain vice. Now this shook Rachel up and for two weeks she abstained. But then, forgetting her reform, she went back to the old practice with this comment, "I decided that I would go ahead and indulge myself and prepare to be among the resurrected dead rather than striving to be among the living who will be translated."
What a dangerous reasoning! We are living in the end time, and God calls us to make preparation appropriate for the time in which we live. Surely we do not have the option of making such a choice as did Rachel. Rachel failed to realize that the standard of salvation is exactly the same for the dead as for the living. All known sins must be repented of and put away before death or before translation. If a certain practice is a sin for a living saint, one that would keep him from being translated, after one recognizes its sinfulness if he should continue in this practice would he be eligible to be among the resurrected saints? This would be very questionable.
In this end time we are admonished, "Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand." Review and Herald, March 9, 1905.
In closing I will reaffirm the words of Ezekiel the prophet as he appeals to ministers and laymen alike. To everyone, both the saints who will be among the living, and those who will die in the Lord Ezekiel's message from the Lord has the same urgency, as do the messages of Joel and Isaiah. Ezekiel 18:30-32 says, "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye."
Let us pray. Oh God, our Father, we tremble as we sense the coming battle just before us. We see ourselves as hopeless without Thy divine help. So Father, awaken us to fully comprehend how we can daily join our humanity with Thine divinity so that we may experience complete victory over sin through Christ our Righteousness. We must have the assurance, as Enoch, that he pleased God. And we ask this in the name of Jesus, Thy dear Son, Amen.
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Friday, January 9, 2009


ARE WE PROPERLY CLOTHED?
by Elder Lawrence Nelson

This sermon is part of a series entitled Christ our Righteousness
Dearly beloved, let us begin by reading the Word of God in Revelation 3:17, 18. It says, "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see."
These startling words of Christ are spoken in love to those dwelling in Laodicea who profess to be among God's remnant. Could it be possible that some of us could be deceived as to our spiritual condition? Such an alarming description given by our Savior, who discerns the secrets of the heart, calls for some serious thinking. Listen, I'm quoting, "What is it that constitutes the nakedness and wretchedness of those that feel rich and increased with goods? It is the want of the righteousness of Christ. In their own righteousness they are represented as clothed with filthy rags, and yet in this condition they flatter themselves that they are clothed upon with Christ's righteousness. Could deception be greater?" This Day With God p. 228.
Please join me as we take this deception problem to God in prayer. Oh loving Father, in Thy holy Word, and through Thy last-day messenger, the Holy Spirit has aroused us to ask, "Lord, could you mean this deception could apply to this speaker, and to some of those listening to this sermon?" If we know our hearts, we have a desire to be ready for Thy coming. But divine inspiration reveals that some of us are clothed improperly for this great event. Some even totally naked and know it not. In Thy name we pray that Thou will reveal to each of us the garments which must be put on and worn daily if we expect to be ready for the wedding ceremony, and ready to live with Thee in heaven. This we ask in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Now to begin, first a question: What is it going to take to awaken our sleepy heads from our deception that we may comprehend how God sees most of us? In Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, p. 84 we read, "The knowledge of our state as God views it, seems to be hidden from us. We see, but perceive not; we hear, but do not understand; we rest as unconcerned as if the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, rested upon our sanctuary. We profess to know God, and to believe the truth, but in works deny Him. Our deeds are directly adverse to the principles of truth and righteousness, by which we profess to be governed."
Sadly, rather than accepting Christ's righteousness, many within the church today have done exactly as did Adam and Eve in their disobedience - "They have sewed together fig leaves to cover the nakedness by transgression. They have worn the garments of their own devising; by works of their own they have tried to cover their sins, and make themselves acceptable with God." Christ Object Lessons p. 311.
But praise God, He is ready, if we are ready, to awaken all lukewarm believers and help them to see the necessity of changes that must be made in their lives if they will be properly clothed. This is no small matter. In fact, it is a life and death issue. Just listen to this quote, "He (God) is waiting to strip them of their garments stained and polluted with sin, and to put upon them the white robes of righteousness; He bids them live and not die." Faith I Live By p. 134.
Now, since God is just waiting to put upon us the white robes of Christ's righteousness, why are we so reluctant to accept His precious gift? The Bible has the answer. Because we are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked." Revelation 3:17.
Let me ask you, have you ever really seen such a person? I have. Let me tell you about it. On one of my visits to Africa I was scheduled to spend thirty days in the Cameroon's visiting every outpost. As we started out by Volkswagen, we had some eight flat tires in just a few miles. Our tires were absolutely useless. I suggested we return to the capital city and try to find some other used tires since new tires were unavailable. We searched for several hours through a huge pile of old, used tires until we finally found four that we hoped would do the job.
As these tires were being put on the car I decided to see the little town. Believe me, it was only a few blocks in size. As I was walking slowly, looking in the shops, the smell was anything but pleasant for beside the narrow sidewalk ran an open sewer ditch. Suddenly I smelled a stench I could hardly stand. But where was it coming from?
As I turned a corner I almost bumped into him. I hesitate to describe what I saw. There he stood, about 6'4" tall, dirty, covered with mud and filth. I could hardly stand the odor and yet there he was stark naked, not even a loincloth on, and on his stomach and sides large ulcers, some as large as six inches across and puss was oozing out. Some of his toes were missing for he was filled with leprosy. Also I noticed that half of his fingers had been eaten away. But when I looked at his face I was really shocked, for the leprosy had eaten away both eyeballs – only the sockets remained – and part of his nose was missing. What a shocking experience! I shall never forget such a man in such a hopeless condition.
Now the scriptures describe what God sees in many of us as believers today. I am reading Isaiah 1:5,6, "Why should ye be stricken any more? Ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment."
Yet there is hope. While we have failed to grasp God's grace and strength provided through Christ, none are so sinful that they cannot find strength, purity and righteousness in Jesus who died for us. The True Witness not only points out our Laodicean spiritual disease, but He offers the remedy. We are invited to come to Him and buy the white raiment of His righteousness, that we might be clothed with the robes of His righteousness so that the shame of our nakedness will not appear.
How do we buy Christ's white raiment? - "When the work of repentance is earnest and deep, the individual member of the church will buy the rich goods of heaven. Oh, how many behold things in a perverted light, in the light which Satan would have them see." Bible Commentaries, Volume 7, p. 961.
If only we could see ourselves as God sees us, not as Satan wishes us to see ourselves, then through earnest repentance we could buy the remedy for the Laodicean condition. The True Witness exhorts us to "be zealous and therefore repent." Revelation 3:19. The white raiment of Christ's righteousness is often referred to in inspired writings as a robe or as robes in the plural. In truth, Christ has only one righteousness, but His righteousness is applied to man in two different ways – imputed and imparted. These are given to man for two different purposes.
Messages to Young People p. 35 states, "The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed; the righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven, the second is our fitness for heaven." Thus the robes of righteousness that Christ provides for repentant man consists of 1) justifying righteousness and 2) sanctifying grace.
Inspiration often uses the plural noun when speaking of Christ's robes of righteousness. I will refer to a few. Great Controversy p. 415 tells us, "Christ could stoop to raise unnumbered multitudes from the abyss of ruin and clothe them with the spotless garments of His righteousness." Revelation 16:15 says, "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." In Sons and Daughters of God p. 368 we read, "Only those who are clothed in the garments of His righteousness will be able to endure the glory of His presence when He shall appear with power and great glory."
You notice from these quotations that "garments" is in the plural. We might think of the imputed robe of Christ's righteousness as being the foundation garment, for we must receive it first. This robe signifies that the believer has confessed, repented of, and forsaken his sins; that he has been forgiven or justified. Christ has entered his heart to dwell there by faith.
Immediately after we are clothed with this robe, Christ places upon man His imparted robe of righteousness. Christ's imparted righteousness signifies that the believer is being sanctified; that his character is being fitted for heaven. Christ, with man's cooperation, is living out His life within. This outer garment of sanctifying righteousness is often referred to in Inspired writings as "the wedding garment." All who attain to these two robes of divine righteousness are properly clothed and ready for the coming of the bridegroom to the wedding. Without these two divine garments no man can see God and live.
Our next Bible verse introduces to us a different part of God's truth as mentioned before. It declares that man has a part to act in wearing the robes of Christ's righteousness. In Revelation 7:14 we are told, "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
Now the question arises, "What robes does man wash? And how does he wash them?" We need not wash the imputed robe of Christ's righteousness for it is spotless. "It is the righteousness of Christ that makes the penitent sinner acceptable to God and works his justification. However sinful has been his life, if he believes in Jesus as his personal Saviour, he stands before God in the spotless robes of Christ's imputed righteousness." Signs of the Times, July 4, 1892.
Neither do men wash Christ's robes of imparted righteousness for it too is spotless. When it comes to sanctification, we find that during sanctification the imparted righteousness of Christ is to become part of man's very own character for it is the character of man that must be fitted for heaven. This is not done instantaneously. Verily, it is the work of a lifetime, be it long or short.
At the new birth, Christ imputes and imparts His righteousness to the believer. Both are spotless robes. The repentant one is now ready for Christ to come just as was the thief on the cross. But then, during sanctification, man's character is to be developed to recognize and resist sin and temptation in its many forms, and to become more and more Christ-like every day. This requires cooperation between Christ and man, for Christ does not furnish a man with a ready-made, spotless character. God furnishes the talents and His imparted righteous building-blocks. But we build the character. For further study I suggest you read Christ Object Lessons p. 331.
Let me illustrate. For some years now I have been wearing one suit for preaching engagements. The other day, my wife, Dean, told me it was time to get a new suit. We went shopping for a new one. Fortunately we found a department store that had a sale on men's clothing. Surprisingly, the first suit that the salesman showed me was exactly what I wanted.
As I put the suit on I felt there was a problem, and probably the need for an alteration, for the suit felt slightly snug. But the tailor, after careful examination said, "No, it doesn't need to be altered. The suit is a perfect fit exactly as it is, but you must lose about 10 pounds." I agreed and purchased the suit, and I am cooperating by reducing my weight and then the suit will fit properly.
This is a striking illustration of how we are to cooperate with God. He does not alter His character requirements, we must develop characters that fit His divine pattern. In our human, defective, stained and polluted robes of character we are to wash in the blood of the Lamb every day. As we continue to wash, God accounts our character as perfect in Christ. So, washing our garments is a very important work.
Listen as I read from Testimonies for the Church, Volume 3, p. 183, "The provision has been made for us to wash. The fountain has been prepared at infinite expense, and the burden of washing rests upon us, who are imperfect before God. The Lord does not propose to remove these spots of defilement without our doing anything on our part. We must wash our robes in the blood of the Lamb. We may lay hold of the merits of the blood of Christ by faith, and through His grace and power we may have strength to overcome our errors, our sins, our imperfections of character, and come off victorious, having washed our robes in the blood of the Lamb."
In this process there is a work for ministers and others to do. "We should teach those who are filthy how to cast away their old, sin-stained garments of character, and how to put on Christ's righteousness." The Southern Work p. 27. We should also teach men that if they cooperate with the divine, the divine will cooperate with them and they will come off victoriously. "The whole purpose in giving His Son for the sins of the world is that man may be saved, not in transgression and unrighteousness but in forsaking sin, washing his robes of character, and making them white in the blood of the Lamb. He proposes to remove from man the offensive thing that He hates, but man must cooperate with him in the work. Sin must be given up, hated, and the righteousness of Christ must be accepted by faith. Thus will the divine cooperate with the human." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 4, p. 632.
Repentant sinners also need to be informed that God has given detailed instructions to them as to how to wash their robes. In Signs of the Times, August 1, 1878 Ellen White declares, "Here is a work for man to do. He must face the mirror of God's law, discern the defects in his moral character and put away his sins, washing his robes of character in the blood of the Lamb. Envy, pride, malice, deceit, strife, crime will be cleansed from the heart that is recipient of the love of Christ, and cherishes the hope of being made like him when we shall see him as he is."
Review and Herald, August 5, 1897 tells us, "The Lord would have us wash our robes of character now, remove every stain in the blood of the Lamb…. We need to have higher and more distinct views of the character of Christ, to lead us to copy his example. We need to better understand what constitutes a pure religious life. We must learn to be Christ-like in disposition and character." In these quotations which I have read, we are told how to wash our robes, for God would have us 1) to face the mirror of God's law, 2) identify our sins 3) put our sins away and 4) learn to be Christ-like in character.
When must this be done? - Now. Now. Day by day. "A probation is granted us in which to wash our robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. Who is doing this work? Who is separating himself from sin and selfishness?" Bible Commentaries, Volume 7, p. 960. Again we read, "Now we have the precious opportunity of washing our robes of character in the blood of the Lamb till they are spotless in his purity." Signs of the Times, December 22, 1887.
Concerning the wedding garment, we will quickly note that the wedding garment and our robes of character are one and the same thing. "The wedding garment in the parable is represented as a pure, spotless character which Christ's true followers will possess." Christ Object Lessons p. 310. The wedding garment represents the character which all must possess who shall be accounted fit guests for the wedding. "The parable of the wedding garments open before us a lesson of the highest consequence." Christ Object Lessons p. 307.
What happens to the man who comes to the wedding feast without a wedding garment? These are "they who would not put off the garment of earth in order to be clothed with the robe of heaven." Christ Object Lessons p. 318. In Matthew 23:13 we read of the king who declares of these, "Bind him hand and foot and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
How different the experience will be for those that have put on the wedding garment. Revelation 19:7, 8 says, "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." These are qualified to become the bride of Christ. "Clothed in the glorious apparel of Christ's righteousness, they have a place at the King's feast. They have a right to join the blood-washed throng." Christ Object Lessons p. 315. Why? Because they have washed their robes of character; their wedding garments. They are a blood-washed throng.
So we see that this parable of the wedding garment, as told by Jesus, contains a lesson of the highest consequence. "The wedding garment represents the character which all must possess who shall be accounted fit guests for the wedding." Christ Object Lessons p. 307. After the marriage, these fit guests will have a home with their King forever and ever. "If we now wash our robes of character at this fountain, God will give us a place in the mansions that are being prepared for those who love Him." Signs of the Times, November 22, 1905.
Now Inspiration asks some very serious questions which we must all, sooner or later, be prepared to answer. Are you keeping your garments unspotted from the world as you read in James 1:27? "Have you been washing your robes of character and making them white in the blood of the Lamb; or are you defiling your robes of character with moral pollution?" Testimonies to Ministers p. 442.
Now we will turn back to the topic of our preparation for the glorious coming of our King to the wedding. The prophet Malachi brings to light a time of special preparation for God's people who are to face the exceedingly turbulent times of the end. God will give them special help for this special time. As they are washing their garments of character in the blood of the Lamb, God will come to their aid even as a refiner's fire and as fuller's soap.
Listen as I read this glorious promise recorded in Malachi 3:1-3 , "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness."
Most of us seem to understand what is meant by the refiner's fire; the process whereby gold and silver are refined and purified. But just what is the significance of the fuller's soap? In Bible times, a fuller was a person who laundered, or whitened cloth or clothing. Webster's Dictionary states that fuller's soap is extracted from a certain type of clay. "Fuller's earth is a highly absorbent substance composed of clay and silica material, either natural or artificial, used for taking grease out of cloth. Fuller's herb," says Webster's "is a plant formerly used for taking stains out of cloth."
In several places in the scriptures a fuller's field is said to be located at the end of a conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field. See Isaiah 7:3. The field was located in a place where the fuller could get not only the necessary detergent, clay substance and needed bleach and herbs, but also an abundance of pure water. It was thus he was able to achieve fantastically white, bright, spotless cloth and clothing.
We can readily appreciate what a great help fuller's soap, God's special cleansing grace, would be in the washing of our garments and character. Listen as Mark vividly describes the garment of Jesus on the Mount when He was transfigured before some of his disciples in Mark 9:3, "And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them."
We can scarcely imagine the whiteness of Christ's garment. However Jesus has opened an abundant fountain of His blood for us in which to wash our garments of character. He promises to supply fuller's soap in abundance. Praise His name! His provisions are complete. We need only to cooperate. We are now in the time of the judgement. In Review and Herald, May 9, 1893 after penning these three verses in Malachi, Ellen White explains: "The coming of Christ which is here referred to is not his second advent to this earth, but his coming to the investigative judgment in the most holy place of the sanctuary in heaven. Thus the message is especially to us, who are living in the time of the judgment."
For emphasis permit me to repeat that last phrase, "The message of Malachi is especially to us who are living in the time of the judgment." That time is now! The time of the judgment spoken here, that began in 1844, had a two-fold purpose: 1) To accomplish the investigative judgment 2) Through a special work of putting away sin, to prepare a people to be able to stand when He appeareth.
To the members of God's church, I will say, "We are the modern sons of Levi, brought to life in Malachi. If we are to abide the day of His coming, our garments of character must be refined, purified, and purged. Why? - So that we may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness."
Listen as we read from Great Controversy p. 425. In this first paragraph Ellen White first quotes Malachi 3:1-3, then she follows with this vivid description, "Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God, and their own diligent effort, they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God's people upon earth. This work is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14.
"When this work shall have been accomplished, the followers of Christ will be ready for His appearing. 'Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord as in the days of old as in former years.' Malachi 3:4 Then the church which our Lord at His coming is to receive unto Himself will be a 'glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.' Ephesians 5:27. 'Then, she will look forth as the morning, fair as the noon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.' Song of Solomon 6:10." What a solemn time in which to live.
A time when a whole group from among God's professed people, through the grace of God and their own diligent efforts, must be conquerors in the battle with evil. For it will be necessary for them to stand before God during the time of final trouble without a mediator in the heavenly sanctuary. This means that if they were to sin, there would be no forgiveness available. No other people will have lived under such condition as this, but we need not be discouraged, however, for God is our Helper. What a Savior, our Lord!
What a glorious future we have to look forward to! A few words of warning and admonition from Inspiration would be appropriate before we leave the call for a special preparation. Proceeding each of the following passages, Ellen White first quotes Malachi 3:1-3, "Soon every man will be judged according to his deeds. Wake up, my brethren, before Christ comes to your name in the record books of heaven, and passes judgment upon every unchristlike word and deed." Kress Collection p. 95.
In Review and Herald, December 1, 1896 in connections with these verses, Ellen White declares, "A message which is as a two-edged sword must be given to the people, to clear away the evils that are seen among them. A living testimony that will awaken the paralyzed conscience is to be borne." But alas, at such a time when Jesus wants to come to take unto Himself a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing as we read in Ephesians 5:27, what is the condition of this people? - He finds them in a condition of self-deception thinking that they are properly clothed when they are actually wretched, miserable, poor, and blind, and naked. Rather than being among those who are deceived and spiritually paralyzed, let us determine to be one of God's messengers to bear His special awakening message though it may be unflattering as the Laodicean message and as piercing as a two-edged sword.
With Ellen White let us sound the alarm, "Wake up, my brethren, get ready! get ready! get ready! In a view given June 27, 1850, my accompanying angel said, 'Time is almost finished. Do you reflect the lovely image of Jesus as you should?' Then I was pointed to the earth and saw that there would have to be a getting ready among those who have of late embraced the third angel's message. Said the angel, Get ready, get ready, get ready. Ye will have to die a greater death to the world than ye have ever died. I saw that there was a great work to do for them and but a little time in which to do it." Early Writings p. 64.
Now before we close, permit me to give one more important point. All need to understand the answer to the question, "What does it actually mean to be clothed in the garments of Christ's righteousness; to be clothed in the white raiment that is offered in Revelation 3?" I will let Inspiration answer: "When we submit ourselves to Christ the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged to His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garments of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, nor the nakedness and the deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah." Christ Object Lessons p. 312.
When the Lord dwells in our hearts we think the thoughts of God and do the works of God. After reading these Inspired messages let us ask ourselves, "Am I properly clothed?" If we are not, we need to heed the words of the angel, "Get ready, get ready, get ready."
Let us pray. Oh God, Today may we hear Thy knocking loud and clear at the door of our hearts. And by Thy grace may we open the door to personal communion with Thee. We pray that we may so live that Thou canst place Thy divine apparel upon each of us so that we can overcome and be fit to live with Thee here, and in Thy kingdom. For we ask this in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
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Thursday, January 8, 2009


IMPUTED AND IMPARTEDBy: Elder Lawrence NelsonThis sermon is part of a series entitled Christ our Righteousness
Christ our Righteousness – imputed and imparted. These two words, imputed and imparted, are seldom used these days yet they are so meaningful in God's plan of salvation. The Lord has impressed me to devote this entire tape to an understanding of imputed and imparted righteousness so we may be ready to meet Jesus when He comes.
As we read this statement in the Review and Herald, June 4, 1895 by Ellen White, we can see that there is a vast difference between imputed and imparted righteousness. "The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed; the righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven, the second is our fitness for heaven."
Let us seek the help of God in understanding this precious gift of Christ's righteousness which justifies and sanctifies. Please join with me in prayer. Oh Loving Father, In our previous tape of this series we learned the precious truth that, because of the righteousness of Christ, we may begin eternal life here and now. For this we praise His name, and in this message we plead that the Holy Spirit will help us to comprehend how we may have a title and a fitness for heaven and be prepared to live in the land made new with Jesus. For we ask this in the name of His dear Son, Amen.
Turning to Ephesians 5: 27 I read concerning Christ's church, "That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." I think that each of us have at some time visited a home where the carpets were spotless and had just been vacuumed. The walls had recently been painted and there were no dirty dishes in the sink. How beautiful the windows are – they are so clean that they just sparkle in the sunlight. In the bedroom the bedspread lies without a wrinkle. In fact, the entire house is so clean and inviting that you would like to live there.
Now in this Bible verse we find God is describing His church. Not the carpets, nor the windows, nor the furnishings, for we are the church He is describing. As individuals God has a final objective for each of His people. He wants every member to become holy and without blemish. When this objective is realized His church will become glorious, without spot or wrinkle. Praise God! This will be accomplished, for we read in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification."
Now before we study imputed and imparted righteousness, let us study the process of sanctification for sanctification is the means which He will use to accomplish His glorious purpose for His church. God's sanctification process brings holiness within us and holiness is righteousness. Let me be a little more specific. A righteous person is an individual who has experienced the giving of himself wholly and without reserve both in mind and body to God so that through the power of the Holy Spirit God is able to transform the character to become spotless in Christ Jesus.
Now how can I make this process so simple that even the children can understand? I'll use a Bible illustration to accomplish this. Let's take the example of John, a disciple of Christ. Usually we think of him as a most loving disciple; and artists always seem to picture John as leaning on the bosom of the Savior, looking up into the face of Jesus with tenderness and with love and compassion.
But I've got news for you. This was not the nature of John's character when Jesus called him to be a disciple. The Spirit of Prophecy describes John as having a violent spirit. You and I are acquainted with violence. We lock our car doors and make sure the windows are up when we travel through some of our large cities. One never knows when some thug will try to open your car door when you stop at a traffic light and they will thrust a gun in your face.
John had a violent spirit which Jesus was able to change. The Savior daily warned, cautioned and reproved John. And how did John react to such reproof? He discovered his deficiencies and he humbled himself. John resisted his evil tendencies and used every possible energy to overcome. Slowly, but surely, John made progress. He yielded his resentful, ambitious temper to the molding power of Christ.
Tell me, is there anyone of you listening who is struggling with an evil temper? Don't give up! God can give you the victory just as John obtained a loving character. The secret key to John's change of character is found in the fact that he desired to be like Jesus. He wanted the love of Christ to completely transform him. Thus God was able to do a work of sanctification within him. And the results were amazing.
This "Son of Thunder" as the Bible describes him in Mark 3:17 was someone to fear. As I studied his life I felt that before he met Jesus he was the kind of a fellow that if you saw him coming down the street toward you, your first thought would be, "I'll turn down this side street and avoid meeting him," for you never knew what he might do.
Praise God, John permitted Christ to completely change his life. Later in life God was able to give him a divine revelation in which he beheld the ascended Redeemer in heaven. Christ was able to give him a mighty revelation of end-time events revealing to him the final destruction of Satan's kingdom. It was the sanctifying power of God that changed John from a violent sinner to a loving saint.
Now in contrast, let's examine the life of another disciple, Judas. This fellow attained only a form of godliness in his daily walk with Jesus. Judas likewise observed the same patience, meekness and tenderness expressed by Jesus; but Judas would not humble himself. Instead of desiring a change in his life he resisted the divine love. He refused to acknowledge his failures.
John and Judas represent the two classes of individuals that are found in God's church today. Both classes profess to believe. While John warred earnestly against his faults, Judas daily violated his conscience. He yielded to temptation rather than yield his will to Christ. In doing so, he refused the wisdom of heaven. Judas chose to walk in darkness. Secretly he cherished evil desires, even covetousness; filling his mind with sullen thoughts. Worst of all, he harbored doubt as to whether Christ was the Son of God.
Will you permit me to pause here for a moment and briefly talk about doubt? Some years ago when I was the youth director of the Southern Union I often met a young man by the name of Walter Rae. He was a young minister who attended worker's meetings where I spoke. I discovered that between meetings he liked to gather a group of the young ministers around him and tell them of his latest discoveries in the writings of Ellen White in which she had used the same words as some other author in her writings; thus creating doubt about her inspired writings.
I took this young man aside and told him that if he continued to cast doubts upon her writings that some day he would lose confidence and become an enemy of God's truth. How well I remember his answer, "Why, Elder Nelson, I believe Ellen White's writings. She was a prophet of God. I would never, never turn against her writings." But I firmly insisted, "If you continue to dwell upon doubt, mark my words, you will someday become an enemy of God's mouthpiece."
Now you know what took place after years of such doubt. He finally wrote the book, The White Lie, denying the validity of the ministry and the writings of Ellen White. I plead with you, you cannot harbor doubt and remain committed to God. So it was with Judas. He continued to doubt Christ's claim to be the Son of God and Satan finally gained a full control of Judas even while he was a professed believer and one of His disciples.
I hope my comparison of these two disciples has alarmed you for both had the same opportunity to study the divine pattern. Both were daily associated with Christ. Both listened to Christ's teachings. Both possessed serious defects in their characters. Both had the same access to divine power. But mark the difference. John surrendered his life to become more and more like Jesus. He became a "doer" of the Word. John became sanctified through his faith in Christ, while on the other hand Judas resisted the transforming power of grace and was finally brought into the bondage of Satan while still professing to be a disciple of Christ.
Forgive me, but I must ask you this question, "Are you a John or a Judas?" I know you have been attracted to Jesus or you would not be listening to this message. You have become a professed believer in Him. So you are actually a disciple of Christ. But I must ask you again, "Are you a John or a Judas?" Oh how I trust that you are a John in your daily life, that you are permitting Christ's righteousness to daily sanctify you by His transforming grace.
As students of the Word, when we want an example of what sanctification can accomplish we look to John, who by experience, teaches in his book of 1 John 3:3, "Every man that that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." Such an experience is accomplished through submission to the will of God. This is why John said in 1 John 2:6, "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk, even as he walked." We must never be satisfied with empty profession, for sanctification can be summarized in these words found in Acts of the Apostles p. 559, "As God is holy in His sphere, so fallen man, through faith in Christ, is to be holy in his sphere."
The secret of attaining such a goal in this life is to be continually abiding in the love of God. John learned this by experience. In 1 John 4:16 we read, "We know and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." Yes, it's that simple. When Christ abides in the heart the life will reveal practical godliness. The character will become purified. Pure doctrine will blend with works of righteousness. Heavenly precepts will mingle with holy practice. This is what we call sanctification. Beloved, it is a life-long experience.
Reading from Acts of the Apostles p. 560, 561, "Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, a day, but of a lifetime. It is not gained by a happy flight of feeling, but is the result of constantly dying to sin, constantly living for Christ. Wrongs cannot be righted nor reformation wrought in the character by feeble, intermittent efforts. It is only by long, persevering effort, sore discipline, and stern conflict that we shall overcome. We know not one day how strong will be the conflict the next. So long as Satan reigns, we shall have self to subdue, besetting sins to overcome; so long as life shall last there will be no stopping place, no point where we can reach and say, I have fully attained. Sanctification is the result of a life long obedience."
Such an experience demands that we fully trust in Christ. I continue quoting, "So will it be with all who behold Christ. The nearer we come to Jesus the more closely we discern the purity of his character, the more clearly shall we see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the less will we feel like exalting ourselves. There will be a continual reaching out of the soul after God. A continual, earnest, heart-breaking confession of sin and humbling of the heart before Him. At every step in our Christian experience our repentance will deepen. We shall know that our sufficiency is in Christ alone and shall make the apostle's confession our own, 'I know that in me (that is in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing. God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the world is crucified onto me and I unto the world.' Romans 7:18 and Galatians 6:14."
Now this brings us to the core of our subject. In this salvation process, what is the difference between imputed and imparted righteousness? Inspiration answers this question with the clearest definition I've ever found. Review and Herald, June 4, 1895, "The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed; the righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven, the second is our fitness for heaven."
Now let us define the meaning of these two words. Imputed means to instantly credit to one's account. Imparted means to give daily from ones abundance to another. Imputed takes place instantly, imparted takes place continually, even for a lifetime.
Now we are ready to closely examine the phrase "imputed righteousness." This is the term used to explain what takes place when we ask God for forgiveness for past sins that we have confessed. Because He instantly justifies us by imputing Christ's righteousness to our record of sins; therefore we can stand before God as though we have never sinned, and because of this God gives us a title to heaven. Praise the Lord!
Permit me to illustrate further for I want you to grasp what is actually involved by using this allegory of myself. Let's say I am a young, married man with a wife and two small children to support. But I have a problem – I've lost my job. I'm having difficulty finding another. In the meantime the house rent is in arrears, and my wife tells me there is no more food in the house; the cupboards are bare. The children are hungry.
Fortunately I have a small savings account so I go to the bank to get some money to buy food and pay some of the pressing bills. I stand in line waiting my turn. Finally I go up to the window with my withdrawal slip in my hand. I have signed my name and I hand it to the teller asking for $100.00. But the lady behind the window has a strange look on her face. In fact she looks troubled. Finally she says, "Mr. Nelson, I can't give you the $100.00 because you have already overdrawn your account in this bank for $100.00. In fact, you owe the bank $100.00."
"What!" I'm stunned. I had no idea I was that bad off. Not only am I out of a job and I have many bills, like the house rent, now I owe the bank! Today my children are hungry. What am I going to do?!?
In back of me, in the same line, is a very godly man who knows me, for I have worked for him from time to time. God has greatly blessed this gentleman with much, and he has helped many in their time of need. Seeing my dilemma he steps forward and speaks to the teller and says, "Take a hundred dollars out of my account and credit it to this man's account." I can hardly believe my ears! Instantly I don't owe the bank a penny. My account is paid in full. This friend has imputed credit from his account to my account. In other words he gave me something that is not my own, yet when it was credited to my account it canceled my debt. I turn around with a big smile and a handshake. I thank this godly gentleman and walk out of the bank.
Then I stand there. It's almost too good to believe. As I pause to grasp the situation and decide what to do to get some food for my family, this same kind, loving man comes up and puts his arm around my shoulder. With the other hand he places a $100.00 bill in my hand and says, "Mr. Nelson, you are still in need. Your children are hungry. Go to the market and buy the needed food." How can I show my gratitude and my thanks to this man?
Now in this allegory we have discovered the meaning of imputed and imparted righteousness. This man tells me that I am in need of much more help. He told me, "This is what I want you to do. Each morning, call me on the telephone and tell me how much you need for that day as long as you are in need of help." Thus my daily needs were met by this good man. He imparted to me each day just what I needed to meet my necessities. I want to cooperate with him by calling him daily and then by taking care of my business needs such as shopping. Praise God!
This is exactly how God provides for the sinner's need. Not only does He instantly impute forgiveness for our sins of the past, while canceling my debt, but He covers these sins with Christ's righteousness. This gives me a title to heaven. Yet we need something more. We need the imparted righteousness of Christ for a daily sanctification. For when the righteousness of Christ is applied to our hearts it gives us power to daily overcome all temptations and sins. Furthermore, through this sanctification process, we become victorious Christians. For the Holy Spirit is able to daily fit us for heaven where we will never sin again.
Christ demonstrated in His daily life while He was on earth how this is to take place. "Christ's humanity was united with Divinity, and in this strength he would bear all the temptations that Satan would bring against Him, and yet, keep His soul untainted by sin. And this power to overcome He would give to every son and daughter of Adam who accepts by faith the righteous attributes of His character.... He showed that the sinner, by repentance, and the exercise of faith in the righteousness of Christ can be reconciled to God and become a partaker of the divine nature, overcoming the corruption which is in the world through lust." Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 223,224.
What a power this is that is available to all of us! I continue reading, "Men may have a power to resist evil - a power that neither earth or death nor hell can master; a power that will place them where they may overcome as Christ overcame. Divinity and humanity may be combined in them." Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 409.
Now let us recall the story of the ten virgins. Ellen White tells us in Christ Object Lessons p. 406, "The story of the ten virgins illustrates the experience of the church that shall live just before His second coming." That refers to you and me.
I am reading from Matthew 25:1-10, "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut."
Though not apparent at first, there is a vast difference in the two groups, the wise and the foolish. Review and Herald, September 17, 1895 says and I quote, "The foolish virgins do not represent those who are hypocritical. They had a regard for the truth, they advocated the truth, they were intending to go forth to meet the bridegroom. They are attached to those to believe the truth and go with them having lamps, which represent a knowledge of the truth. When there was a revival in the church their feelings were stirred, but they failed to have oil in their vessels because they did not bring the principles of godliness into their daily life and character. They did not fall upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and permit their old nature to be broken up.... Practical piety will not be obtained by giving the grand truths of the Bible a place in the outer courts of the heart. The religion of the Bible must be brought into the large and little affairs of life. It must furnish the powerful motives and principles that will regulate the Christian's character and course of action."
In this same passage the wise virgins are described as follows, "Those who earnestly search the scriptures with much prayer, who rely upon God with firm faith, who obey the commandments, will be among those who are represented as the wise virgins."
The wise virgins keep God's commandments through faith. The foolish virgins were not truly born again; their old natures were not broken up. They had neither imputed nor imparted righteousness. They may have had periods in their lives when they were justified and being sanctified but they did not continue. In Christ Object Lessons p. 411 we read, "The foolish virgins have been content with a superficial work. They do not know God." They have not the indwelling Holy Spirit to furnish the powerful motives and principles that would influence their action and change their characters. Alas, while they love the truth, had good intentions and even taught the truth, they did not follow the example that Jesus had demonstrated for us.
Now let us consider the foolish virgins further down the stream of time. We will note that the difference between the two groups widens and becomes more apparent. During the "tarrying time" the lamps of the foolish virgins grew dim and went out. If the lamps in the parable represent a knowledge of the truth as stated by Ellen White, what then does this mean?
Ellen White tells us that the foolish virgins become agents of Satan to utter his falsehoods and transmit his darkness. Listen, "The enemy has men in our ranks (did you hear that!) through whom he works that the light which God has permitted to shine upon the heart, and illuminate the chambers of the mind may be darkened. There are persons who have received the precious light of the righteousness of Christ but they do not act upon it. They are foolish virgins. They prefer the sophistry of the enemy rather than the plain 'thus saith the Lord.' When the blessings of God rested upon them, that they might become a channel of light, they did not go forward from light to a greater light. They permitted doubt and unbelief to come in so that the truth which they had seen becomes uncertain to them." Review and Herald, August 19, 1890.
"Those who hide their light will soon lose all power to shine. They are represented by the foolish virgins and when the crisis comes and the last call is made, 'Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him,' they will find that while they have been mingling with the world their light has gone out. They did not continue to provide themselves with the oil of grace. The peace and safety cry hush them to slumber and made them careless in regard to their light." Manuscript 4, 1898.
The lives of John the Beloved and Judas, the betrayer, are an excellent illustration of the experience of the wise and foolish virgins. Though the foolish virgins had heard the precious message of the righteousness of faith, of justification and sanctification by faith, they had not acted upon it. As we near the end of time the foolish virgins in the church grow more and more careless as they mingle with the world and allow doubt and unbelief to ensnare them. Not until the crisis came suddenly upon them did they realize that their lamps of truth had gone out; that the truth which they had once embraced had become to them obscure and uncertain.
Instead of presenting truth to the world they had been proclaiming Satan's errors such as the New Theology and that which takes place in Celebration. Is not this the part of the parable of the ten virgins being fulfilled in our very midst this very day? Just as did Judas, the foolish virgins ended up by betraying their Lord. "Testing times come to all. How do we conduct ourselves under the testing and proving of God? Do our lamps go out or will we still keep them burning?" Review and Herald, September 17, 1895.
Consider the facts; the five wise virgins had extra oil for their lamps. When asked by the foolish virgins to give them some of their oil, they refused. Why? - Because the oil of the Holy Spirit changes the character by its sanctifying process. Therefore, the wise virgins had been fitted for heaven and were ready for the bridegroom. Testimonies to Ministers p. 234 tells us, "The oil is the righteousness of Christ. It represents character, and character is not transferable." Now you can understand why the wise virgins could not give of their oil. Our fitness for heaven is obtained through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is a life-long process in which Christ's righteousness is imparted to our characters daily, just as the need arises. This is a personal experience and cannot be transferred.
Beloved, I speak frankly. Husbands, you cannot go to heaven on your wife's character. And wives, you cannot go to heaven on your husband's character. And children, are you listening? When you reach the age of accountability you cannot go to heaven on your parents' characters. You must also have a daily infusion of the imparted righteousness of Christ in an experience with Jesus.
I feel like shouting this far and wide and praising God, for He has provided for each of us complete salvation. It is found in imputed righteousness, which is instantly available when we ask for forgiveness of past confessed sins, and He will impart His righteousness for our daily needs when we ask in faith. Ellen White expressed this correctly in Bible Commentaries, Volume 6, p. 1092, "Christ bears the penalty of man's past transgressions (that's imputed righteousness) and by imparting to man His righteousness makes it possible for man to keep God's law."
Beloved, are you a wise virgin? Are you aware of these precious gifts of righteousness? Are you daily pleading with God for His righteousness? Are you permitting the imparted righteousness to daily transform your character? Are you living each day in anticipation of the soon-coming Saviour; when you may go to heaven with Him because you are fit to live in the presence of the sinless, holy angels where you will never sin? Remember, this ultimate experience will take place for the wise virgins when the latter rain is poured out, for this will fit them for translation. Testimonies for the Church, Volume 1, 187 encourages us, "Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, [the Holy Spirit] and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation."
Now I close with these sobering words, "The heavenly character must be acquired on earth, or it can never be acquired at all." Maranatha p. 46.
Let us pray. Dear Father, please reveal any unconfessed sins to us that we may claim Thy imputed righteousness to cover such sins by being repentant and asking for forgiveness. We beseech thee to daily give us a fitness for heaven through thy imparted righteousness that we may be among the wise virgins and become fitted to live without sinning. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
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Wednesday, January 7, 2009

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
by Elder Lawrence Nelson

This sermon is part of a series entitled Christ our Righteousness
Christ Our Righteousness. In this message we will be discussing the subject of justification by faith. Today numerous errors are being circulated among God's people regarding justification by faith, sanctification and other salvation doctrines. As a result many members are being misled and captivated by gross errors most of which have originated in the churches of the world which we know as Babylon.
Concerning justification, the servant of the Lord has told us, "The enemy of man and God is not willing that this truth should be clearly presented; for he knows that if the people receive it fully, his power will be broken." Review and Herald, September 3, 1889. Is it any wonder then, that Satan has infiltrated God's true church with some of his ministers whom he has inspired to preach a false justification by faith?
Recently I found these alarming inspired passages concerning righteousness by faith. "There is not one in one hundred (now notice that – not one in one hundred) who understands for himself the Bible truth on this subject that is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare." Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 360. And then this quote, "Our churches are dying for the want of teaching on the subject of righteousness by faith in Christ." This Day With God p. 93.
These very disturbing facts have led me to prepare this series of messages. First let us note that strange as it may seem, the teaching and preaching of error to our people can at times result in a great blessing. I think I can hear you say, "Brother Nelson, how could this be possible?" Let us take courage from the following counsel from the Lord. "Every time that error is advanced, it will work for good to those who sincerely love God; for when the truth is shadowed by error, those whom the Lord has made His sentinels will make the truth sharper and clearer. They will search the Scriptures for evidence of their faith. The advancement of error is the call for God's servants to arouse, and place the truth in bold relief." Signs of the Times, January 6, 1898. This we shall endeavor to do, for it is my greatest desire, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to be a watchman for God.
Let us pray. Loving Father, the gospel of justification by faith is such a precious message. Help us in this presentation to proclaim this glorious truth so loud and so clear that all who listen will be 100% sure that this doctrine of justification by faith is clearly understood, clearly believed and experienced. And we ask this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
The scriptures introduce the basis, or the foundation, upon which justification by faith rest by explaining what Christ wants to do for us. John 1:29 says, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 6:33 tells us, "For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world." In John 3:17 we read, "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
That which Christ has provided for us, and wants to do for us, is the basis or foundation of justification by faith. Now as we begin this study we need to know not only what the basis is upon which justification is possible, but also what the conditions for receiving justification are.
But first, let us study more about the basis. In the Bible both Adam and Christ represent the human race. Therefore, what spiritually occurred with Adam and Christ has to do with everyone born into this world. For example, when Adam, the representative of our race, was tempted by Satan to rebel against God, and in doing so sinned, he brought death upon himself and all his descendents. When Christ became our representative by coming to earth in human flesh though the miracle of the Holy Spirit, He likewise was tempted by the devil to sin. But He did not rebel as Adam did. He obeyed God. He never sinned. And because of His victory over Satan He was able and willing to die for our sins so that the sentence of death, through Adam, could be reversed to eternal life if we accept Christ's death in our place.
The result of Adam's sin was that all mankind have likewise sinned and received the death penalty. But, praise God, the Son of God chose to take the place of Adam, as head and representative of the human race, and by His death on the cross He paid the penalty of our death sentence providing an offer of redemption to all who will believe in Him. We read in John 3:16,17, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
Throughout the entire Word of God this basis for justification by faith is confirmed. For example let us read Romans 5:12, 17-19 which says, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men in condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."
Now the Spirit of Prophecy, which is always in harmony with God's Word, likewise teaches that Jesus, in order to save us, took the place of Adam as our representative. "Jesus humbled himself, clothing his divinity with humanity, in order that he might stand as the head and representative of the human family." Signs of the Times, January 16, 1896. So much for the basis upon which justification is built.
Now let us consider the conditions upon which justification by faith and sanctification are possible for individuals. Did I hear someone ask, "Are there conditions for a man to be justified? Is not justification a free gift?" From New Zealand Ellen White wrote to A.T. Jones. He was one of the two men who presented the truth of Righteousness by Faith to God's church in 1888. But by the year 1893 he had begun to proclaim over and over, "There are no conditions." The Lord showed his mistake to Ellen White in a vision. Her letter to Jones, from which the following sentence is taken, is recorded in Selected Message, Book 1, p. 377. "There are conditions to our receiving justification and sanctification, and the righteousness of Christ."
To meet the conditions does not mean that we make a payment for our salvation. Man's works either before or after justification are valueless in themselves. They cannot purchase salvation. Salvation is a free gift but God says, only to those who meet the conditions. Adam chose to believe the lie of Satan. He rebelled against his Maker by sinning. He accepted the conditions for believing the lie of Satan that he would become as the gods. He ignored God's truth that the wages of sin is death. But, when we choose to obey what Christ says this process is reversed. We reject Satan and accept the following conditions laid down by Christ in order that we might escape death and receive eternal life.
There are five conditions:
1. We accept by faith Christ's substitutionary sacrifice on Calvary's cross for us.
2. We surrender completely, repent and confess our sins to God.
3. We believe that God forgives our individual sins.
4. We personally experience the gift of Justification by Faith by being born again.
5. We abide in Christ through a continual, loving relationship of trust and obedience. This fifth
condition results in our sanctification.
Now we will discuss these five conditions one at a time. Let's take Condition #1 which requires that we believe and personally accept Christ's sacrifice. As this topic unfolds we shall observe that there is more to the term "believe" than many have supposed. In fact all five of the listed conditions are embodied in the words, "Whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life."
To believe entails more than a mere verbal or intellectual ascent. We need to understand what took place as a result of Christ's death on the cross. For instance we read in Romans 6:23, "The wages of sin is death." Christ died to pay the wages of your sin and mine, which is death. But which death are we talking about - the first or the second death? God's Word will give us the answer.
Revelation 20:6 says, "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power." And why does the second death have no power? - Because Jesus died the second death for those who believe in Him and accept Him as their substitute. Praise God! What a Savior who would die in our place. He died that we might have, not eternal death but, eternal life.
Condition #2 is surrender. This involves repentance, death to self and sin and confession. In Acts 2:38 we learn that we must repent. "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission on sins." Now notice the importance that Ellen White gives to this condition. "Repent, repent, repent, was the message wrung out by John the Baptist in the wilderness. Christ's message to the people was, 'Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish.' Luke 13:5. And the apostles were commanded to preach everywhere that men should repent." Selected Messages, Book 2, p. 19.
But take note, can we repent in our own strength? - No way! Through His servant the Lord says, "Who is desirous of becoming truly repentant? What must he do? He must come to Jesus, just as he is, without delay. He must believe that the word of Christ is true, and, believing the promise, ask, that he may receive. When sincere desire prompts men to pray, they will not pray in vain. The Lord will fulfil His word, and will give the Holy Spirit to lead to repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 393.
We must also confess our sins. 1 John 1:9 tells us, "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The same condition existed in Old Testament times. 2 Chronicles 7:14 we read, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins." Isn't that beautiful?
How important are these conditions? Pay close attention to this, "Those who have not humbled their souls before God in acknowledging their guilt, have not yet fulfilled the first condition for acceptance. If we have not experienced that repentance which is not to be repented of, and have not with true humiliation of soul and brokeness of spirit confessed our sins, abhorring our iniquity, we have never truly sought for the forgiveness of sin; and if we have never sought, we have never found the peace of God. The only reason why we do not have remission of sins that are past is that we are not willing to humble our hearts and comply with the conditions of the word of truth." Steps to Christ p. 37,38.
Now let's consider Condition #3 which reveals that we must believe that God forgives our sins. Remember there are conditions to be met before we can truly believe that He has done this. Listen to the following, "Man must be emptied of self before he can be, in the fullest sense, a believer in Jesus." Desire of Ages p. 280. This is very important. For Jesus says to the unforgiven, "I never knew you." Why? - "You have not exercised genuine repentance toward God for the transgression of His holy law, and you cannot have genuine faith in Me, for it was My mission to exalt God's law." Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 239.
"To believe in Jesus is to take Him as your Redeemer, as our Pattern." This Day With God p. 299. After we have met these specified conditions so that we can truly believe in Christ, then we can believe, "The moment we ask for forgiveness in contrition and sincerity, God forgives. Oh, what a glorious truth! Preach it, pray it, sing it." Signs of the Times, September 4, 1893.
And so speaking plainly, we are justified by faith in Christ, who died for us. Faith in itself does not save us. It is faith in the Son of God that saves. Permit me to state this in the words of Elder John Janiuk in his book The Great Controversy End Game, Book 2, p. 3 this understanding, "When you and I, by faith through repentance, confession, surrender, accept Christ's death on the cross for us and His righteousness as our substitute and our Savior, then God accepts us because we accept His Son. He sees us as if we had never sinned and He accepts us as if we are sinless. This is the heart of justification by faith." How beautifully that is stated!
Condition #4 states that we must experience the New Birth. Christ told Nicodemus that before you can see the kingdom of God you must be born again. When God forgives a man He provides him with a new heart, a new birth. In Ezekiel 36:26 we read, "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."
Many do not realize that justification by faith includes the New Birth which is a new mind. For Inspiration clearly reveals this truth, "To be pardoned in the way that Christ pardons, is not only to be forgiven, but to be renewed in the spirit of our mind." Review and Herald, August 19, 1890.
This takes place when we come to the Lord just as David did after he had sinned with Bathsheba. Consider his prayer in Psalm 51:2,7,10, "Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."
Ellen White comments on David's experience. She said, "But forgiveness has a broader meaning than many suppose.... God's forgiveness is not merely a judicial act by which He sets us free from condemnation. It is not only forgiveness for sin, but reclaiming from sin. (I like that!) It is the outflow of redeeming love that transforms the heart. David had the true conception of forgiveness when he prayed, 'Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.'" Mount of Blessings p. 114. When God forgives, He also cleanses the soul and creates a new heart in which Christ can dwell. Isn't that marvelous?
How do we receive such righteousness? "We receive righteousness by receiving Him (Jesus)." Mount of Blessings p. 18. So, when we die to self, the New Birth brings Christ, with His Righteousness, into our hearts to dwell therein. In Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, p. 46 it tells us, We "are not reconciled to God, neither can be, until self is crucified and Christ lives in the heart by faith." What a wonderful experience to all who are willing to die to self. Then we can say, "Christ is my righteousness."
I hope we are beginning to get a clearer picture of justification by faith. Ellen White wrote in Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 360, "When the doctrine of justification by faith was presented it...came to many as water comes to the thirsty traveler."
In my younger days I often hiked in the desert. I well remember once when I was completely out of water and desperate. Then I suddenly discovered a very small stream trickling into the sand. It was coming from a far-off mountain but just enough to quench my thirst. How thankful I was to God for finding the water. When we discover the marvelous truth of justification by faith we too will exclaim with Ellen White, "The sweetest melodies that come from God through human lips—justification by faith, and the righteousness of Christ." Testimonies for the Church, Volume 6, p. 426.
At justification, heavenly peace floods the soul. Paul tells us in Romans 5:1, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Oh what a glorious truth! When we are justified we stand faultless before God. But you ask, "How can this be?" This is because we are clothed in the beautiful garments of Christ's Righteousness.
Bible Commentaries, Volume 6, p. 1070 states, "When the penitent sinner, contrite before God, discerns Christ's atonement in his behalf, and accepts this atonement as his only hope in this life and the future life, his sins are pardoned. This is justification by faith…. Pardon and justification are one and the same thing. Through faith, the believer passes from the position of a rebel, a child of sin and Satan, to the position of a loyal subject of Christ Jesus, not because of an inherent goodness, but because Christ receives him as His child by adoption….Thus man, pardoned, and clothed with the beautiful garments of Christ's righteousness, stands faultless before God."
The more we understand about righteousness by faith the more glorious it becomes. But remember, "Without the transforming process which can come alone through divine power, the original propensities to sin are left in the heart in all their strength, to forge new chains, to impose a slavery that can never be broken by human power. But men can never enter heaven with their old tastes, inclinations, idols, ideas, and theories." Review and Herald, August 19, 1890.
Praise the Lord that through justification through faith in which we are forgiven and renewed the image of Christ is stamped upon the mind, heart and soul making it possible for man to have the mind of Christ as did the Apostle Paul. Only a holy person can enter heaven. Did I hear you ask, "How can a man be holy?" Listen to this quote from Christ Object Lessons p. 163, "As the sinner drawn by the power of Christ approaches the uplifted cross, and prostrates himself before it, there is a new creation. A new heart is given him. He becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus. Holiness finds that it has nothing more to require. God Himself, 'is the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.' Romans 3:26. This reception of a new heart and the righteousness of Christ is what makes a man holy. Can you imagine of a born-again man, it is said, that holiness finds that it has nothing more to require?"
Could we ask for anything more? But don't forget a man will not feel that he himself is holy, nor say he is holy, yet this is how God looks upon him because of Christ - His righteousness is accounted to him. Further by this same process he is made fit for heaven - born again and converted which are one and the same. Listen to this quote, "When the sinner is converted he receives the Holy Spirit, that makes him a child of God, and fits him for the society of the redeemed and the angelic host. He is made a joint heir with Christ." Steps to Christ p. 12.
"The grace of Christ purifies while it pardons and fits men for a holy heaven." That I May Know Him p. 336. It is Christ's indwelling righteousness that both justifies and fits men for heaven. "Christ in you the hope of glory," Colossians 1:27. When justification is completed sanctification has just begun. Jesus begins to live out His life within man imparting His righteousness; making him more and still more fit for heaven as he develops a character according to the pattern, Christ Jesus.
The experience of the apostle Paul will be our daily experience. In Galatians 2:20 it says, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Isn't all of this good news or should I say thrilling news, exciting news?
In forgiving our past disobedience the obedience of Christ is placed to the account of the repentant sinner. Just as if he were himself who had obeyed. "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 obtain 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 the place of man's failure, and God receives, pardons, justifies the repentant, believing soul, and treats him as though he were righteous and loves him as He loves His Son." Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 367.
Did you catch the significance of that last line? I repeat, "God receives, pardons, justifies the repentant, believing soul, and treats him as though he were righteous and loves him as He loves His own Son." Why does God loves us such? - Is it not that through the Spirit, God's Son dwells within the heart of man? Then when God looks at man's heart He sees not man's filthy rags of disobedience but the righteousness of His own Son dwelling there within the heart. Oh what a God! God loves us as He loved His Son. Incomprehensible! But beloved, it's true! O what a salvation!
The true Christian does not work to be saved. He works the works of Christ because he is saved. Such an experience fills the heart with unspeakable joy and peace. He is having a true and living relationship with his Savior – an experience that makes it possible for him to achieve victory over every temptation and sin. What assurance that brings to man.
"If you are right with God today, you are ready if Christ should come today." Heavenly Places p. 227. Don't you like that kind of assurance? But how can I know that Jesus with His righteousness is living within my heart and my mind? In the Review and Herald, June 4, 1895 we are told, "Righteousness within is testified to by righteousness without."
Now we come to the last condition which is continual obedience. It is through obedience that we may maintain our sanctified state. But there is more. We also learned that continual obedience is the only way we can retain our justified state as well. In Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 366, it says, "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."
Now for one more grand truth: Did you know that as long as we maintain our justification and our sanctification that our eternal life has already begun for us here and now? Oh friend, this is for real! 1 John 5:12 says, "He that has the Son hath life." Desire of Ages p. 388 tells us, "It is through the Spirit that Christ dwells in us; and the Spirit of God, received into the heart by faith, is the beginning of life eternal." What a glorious truth. Beloved, this is exciting, good news.
This truth is further confirmed by the prophet, John. I'm reading from 1 John 5:11-13, "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; and that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
No wonder Paul exclaimed in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." No wonder Ellen White proclaims, "Preach it, pray it, sing it."
Let us pray. O Loving Father, may each of us today experience this living justification by faith because Christ lives within our hearts. For we ask it in the name of our precious Savior, Amen.
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