“For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Romans 7:9-12 KJV.
“Many of the revivals which have occurred since 1844, in the churches that have rejected the Advent truth, are similar in character to those more extensive movements to be witnessed in the future. The excitement manifested is well adapted to mislead the unwary; yet none need be deceived. In the light of God’s word it is not difficult to determine the nature of these religious movements. The history of God’s dealings with his people in the past testifies that his Spirit is not poured out upon those who neglect or oppose the warnings sent them by his servants. And by the rule which Christ himself has given, ‘Ye shall know them by their fruits,’ it is evident that these movements are not the work of the Spirit of God.
The scriptural doctrine of conversion has been almost wholly lost sight of. Christ declared to Nicodemus, ‘Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ The heart must be renewed by divine grace, man must have a new life from above, or his profession of godliness will avail nothing.
The apostle Paul, in relating his experience, presents an important truth concerning the work to be wrought in conversion. He says, ‘I was alive without the law once,’—he felt no condemnation; but when the commandment came, ‘when the law of God was urged upon his conscience,’ sin revived, and I died.’ Then he saw himself a sinner, condemned by the divine law. Mark, it was Paul, and not the law, that died. He says, further, ‘I had not known sin, but by the law; for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.’ a The commandment which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.’ The law which promised life to the obedient, pronounced death upon the transgressor. ‘Wherefore,’ he says, ‘the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.’
How wide the contrast between these words of Paul and those that come from many of the pulpits of to-day. The people are taught that obedience to God’s law is not necessary to salvation; that they have only to believe in Jesus, and they are safe. Without the law, men have no conviction of sin, and feel no need of repentance. Not seeing their lost condition as violators of God’s law, they do not feel their need of the atoning blood of Christ as their only hope of salvation.
The law of God is an agent in every genuine conversion. There can be no true repentance without conviction of sin. The Scriptures declare that ‘sin is the transgression of the law,’ and that ‘by the law is the knowledge of sin.’ In order to see his guilt, the sinner must test his character by God’s great standard of righteousness. To discover his defects, he must look into the mirror of the divine statutes. But while the law reveals his sins, it provides no remedy. The gospel of Christ alone can offer pardon. In order to stand forgiven, the sinner must exercise repentance toward God, whose law has been transgressed, and faith in Christ, his atoning sacrifice. Without true repentance, there can be no true conversion. Many are deceived here, and too often their entire experience proves to be a deception. This is why so many who are joined to the church have never been joined to Christ.” EGW. SOP, Vol 4, 1884, pp. 296-298.
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EG White and the SDA pioneers rejected the trinity doctrine, Sunday sacredness, and other unscriptural teachings. They believed in the One True God and His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ and their Holy Spirit. They published this truth in their Fundamental Principles of 1872 and 1889. They have no creed except the Scriptures alone. EG White never changed this Biblical SDA faith. She died in 1915.
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I fully appreciate your support and prayers for this Ministry. Thank you so much.
Sincerely in the Blessed Hope.