The Meaning of God's Pardoning Love, Part 2
By Ellen G. White
Many think that they must wait for a special impulse in order that they
may come to Christ; but it is necessary only to come in sincerity of purpose,
deciding to accept the offers of mercy and grace that have been extended
to us. We are to say: "Christ died to save me. The Lord's desire
is that I should be saved, and I will come to Jesus just as I am without
delay. I will venture upon the promise. As Christ draws me, I will respond."
The apostle says, "With the heart man believeth unto righteousness"
(Rom. 10:10). No one can believe with the heart unto righteousness, and
obtain justification by faith, while continuing the practice of those
things which the Word of God forbids, or while neglecting any known duty.
Genuine faith will be manifested in good works; for good works are the
fruits of faith. As God works in the heart, and man surrenders his will
to God, and cooperates with God, he works out in the life what God works
in by the Holy Spirit, and there is harmony between the purpose of the
heart and the practice of the life. Every sin must be renounced as the
hateful thing that crucified the Lord of life and glory, and the believer
must have a progressive experience by continually doing the works of Christ.
It is by continual surrender of the will, by continual obedience, that
the blessing of justification is retained.
Those who are justified by faith must have a heart to keep the way of
the Lord. It is an evidence that a man is not justified by faith when
his works do not correspond to his profession. James says, "Seest
thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was his faith made
perfect?" (James 2:22). The faith that does not produce good works
does not justify the soul. "Ye see then how that by works a man is
justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:24). "Abraham believed
God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Rom. 4:3).
Imputation of the righteousness of Christ comes through justifying faith,
and is the justification for which Paul so earnestly contends. He says:
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified
in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness
of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the
prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ
unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for
all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely
by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God
hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare
his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the
forbearance of God. . . . Do we then make void the law through faith?
God forbid: yea, we establish the law" (Rom. 3:20-31).
Grace is unmerited favor, and the believer is justified without any merit
of his own, without any claim to offer to God. He is justified through
the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, who stands in the courts of heaven
as the sinner's substitute and surety. But while he is justified because
of the merit of Christ, he is not free to work unrighteousness. Faith
works by love and purifies the soul. Faith buds and blossoms and bears
a harvest of precious fruit. Where faith is, good works appear. The sick
are visited, the poor are cared for, the fatherless and the widows are
not neglected, the naked are clothed, the destitute are fed. Christ went
about doing good, and when men are united with Him, they love the children
of God, and meekness and truth guide their footsteps. The expression of
the countenance reveals their experience, and men take knowledge of them
that they have been with Jesus and learned of Him. Christ and the believer
become one, and His beauty of character is revealed in those who are vitally
connected with the Source of power and love. Christ is the great depositary
of justifying righteousness and sanctifying grace.
All may come to Him, and receive of His fullness. He says, "Come
unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"
(Matt. 11:28). Then why not cast aside all unbelief and heed the words
of Jesus? You want rest; you long for peace. Then say from the heart,
"Lord Jesus, I come, because Thou hast given me this invitation."
Believe in Him with steadfast faith, and He will save you. Have you been
looking unto Jesus, who is the author and finisher of your faith? Have
you been beholding Him who is full of truth and grace? Have you accepted
the peace which Christ alone can give? If you have not, then yield to
Him, and through His grace seek for a character that will be noble and
elevated. Seek for a constant, resolute, cheerful spirit. Feed on Christ,
who is the bread of life, and you will manifest His loveliness of character
and spirit.
First published in April 1893, and reprinted in Selected Messages, Book
1, pp. 396-398.
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|  God's
Word Our Assurance
Christ
Our Righteousness A Morning Talk
Through
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Through
Faith Alone Part 2
What
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Seek
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Seek
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"Let
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Ellen
G. White's Last Recorded Letter
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A
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How
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How
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"Ye
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"Ye
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"Ye
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"I
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Working
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A
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The
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God's
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A
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Ask
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The
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The
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Christ
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True
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Little
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