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The Complete Saviour, May 22
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the
gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8
.
The thought that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, not because of any
merit on our part, but as a free gift from God, is a precious thought. The enemy of
God and man 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. If he can control minds
so that doubt and unbelief and darkness shall compose the experience of those who
claim to be the children of God, he can overcome them with temptation.
That simple faith which takes God at His word should be encouraged. God’s
people must have that faith which will lay hold of divine power; “for by grace are ye
saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (
Ephesians 2:8
).
Those who believe that God for Christ’s sake has forgiven their sins, should not,
through temptation, fail to press on to fight the good fight of faith. Their faith should
grow stronger until their Christian life, as well as their words, shall declare, “The
blood of Jesus Christ ... cleanseth us from all sin” (
1 John 1:7
).
If we would have the spirit and power of the third angel’s message, we must
present the law and the gospel together, for they go hand in hand. As a power from
beneath is stirring up the children of disobedience to make void the law of God,
and to trample upon the truth that Christ is our righteousness, a power from above
is moving upon the hearts of those who are loyal to exalt the law, and to lift up
Jesus as a complete Saviour. Unless divine power is brought into the experience of
the people of God, false theories and ideas will take minds captive, Christ and His
righteousness will be dropped out of the experience of many, and their faith will be
without power or life....
The people must be instructed that Christ is unto them salvation and righteous-
ness. It is Satan’s studied purpose to keep souls from believing in Christ as their
only hope; for the blood of Christ that cleanseth from all sin is efficacious in behalf
of those only who believe in its merit, and who present it before the Father as did
Abel in his offering....
The burden of our message is not only the commandments of God, but the faith
of Jesus. A bright light shines upon our pathway today, and it leads to increased
faith in Jesus. We must receive every ray of light, and walk in it.... As increased
light is given, men must be reformed, elevated, and refined by it (
Gospel Workers,
161, 162
).
Then you will have right to the tree of life, and eat of the leaves and immortal
fruit ... and live for ever in perfect happiness (
Youth’s Instructor, August 1, 1852
).
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