“Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.” Psalm 119:142 KJV.
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17 KJV.
“‘The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.’ In the new birth, the heart is renewed by divine grace, and brought into harmony with God as it is brought into subjection to his law. When this mighty change has taken place in the sinner, he has passed from death unto life, from sin unto holiness, from transgression and rebellion to obedience and loyalty. The old life of alienation from God has ended; the new life of reconciliation, of faith and love, has begun. Then will ‘the righteousness of the law ‘be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
The doctrine of sanctification, or perfect holiness, which fills a prominent place in some of the religious movements of the day, is among the causes that have rendered modern revivals so ineffectual. True sanctification is a Bible doctrine. The apostle Paul declared to the Thessalonian church, ‘This is the will of God, even your sanctification.’ And again he prayed, ‘The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ But the sanctification now so widely advocated is not that brought to view in the Scriptures. It is false in theory, and dangerous in its practical results.
Its advocates teach that the law of God is a grievous yoke, and that by faith in Christ, men are released from all obligation to keep his Father’s commandments. Bible sanctification is a conformity to the will of God, attained by rendering obedience to his law, through faith in his Son. Our Saviour prayed for his disciples, ‘Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.’ There is no genuine sanctification except through obedience to the truth; and the psalmist declares, ‘Thy law is the truth.’ The law of God is the only standard of moral perfection. That law was exemplified in the life of Christ. He says, ‘I have kept my Father’s commandments.’ And the apostle John affirms, ‘He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.’ And again, ‘This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.’ Those who love God will love his commandments also. The truly sanctified heart is in harmony with the divine precepts; for they are ‘holy, and just, and good.’
It is only when the law of God is set aside, and men have no Standard of right, no means to detect sin, that erring mortals can claim perfect holiness. But let none deceive themselves with the belief that God will accept and bless them while they are willfully violating one of his requirements. The commission of a known sin silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit, and separates the soul from God. Jesus cannot abide in the heart that disregards the divine law. God will honor those only who honor him. ‘Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law.’ ‘Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not; whosoever sinneth [transgresseth the law] hath not seen him, neither known him.’ Though John in his epistles treats so fully upon love, yet he does not hesitate to reveal the true character of that class who claim to be sanctified while living in transgression of the law of God: ‘He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.’ EGW, SOP, Vol 4, 1884, pp. 298-300.
A wonderful preparation day to you! I will be joining our regular Bible study with brethren in Australia and Philippines tonight via Zoom. Tomorrow we will continue our study of Revelation 7 via Zoom at 11am US Eastern Daylight Saving Time. You can join us too with our regular prayer meeting every Wednesday 8:00pm.
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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.