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Selected Messages Book 1
God’s law cannot be rightly presented to man apart from the divine
Author. The messenger should be able to say, “In the law is God’s
will; come, see for yourselves that the law is what Paul declared it to
be—‘holy, and just, and good.’ “It reproves sin, it condemns the sinner,
but it shows him his need of Christ, with whom is plenteous mercy
and goodness and truth. Though the law cannot remit the penalty
for sin, but charges the sinner with all his debt, Christ has promised
abundant pardon to all who repent, and believe in His mercy. The love
of God is extended in abundance to the repenting, believing soul. The
brand of sin upon the soul can be effaced only through the blood of the
atoning Sacrifice. No less an offering was required than the sacrifice
of Him who was equal with the Father. The work of Christ—His life,
humiliation, death, and intercession for lost man—magnifies the law,
and makes it honorable.
Many sermons preached upon the claims of the law have been
without Christ, and this lack has made the truth inefficient in convert-
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ing souls. Without the grace of Christ it is impossible to take one step
in obedience to the law of God. Then how necessary that the sinner
hear of the love and power of his Redeemer and Friend! While the
ambassador for Christ should plainly declare the claims of the law, he
should make it understood that none can be justified without the aton-
ing sacrifice of Christ. Without Christ there can be only condemnation
and a fearful looking for a fiery indignation, and final separation from
the presence of God. But he whose eyes have been opened to see the
love of Christ, will behold the character of God as full of love and
compassion. God will not appear as a tyrannical, relentless being, but
as a father longing to embrace his repenting son. The sinner will cry
with the psalmist, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord
pitieth them that fear him” (
Psalm 103:13
). All despair is swept from
the soul when Christ is seen in His true character.
The Third Angel’s Message in Verity
Some of our brethren have expressed fears that we shall dwell
too much upon the subject of justification by faith, but I hope and
pray that none will be needlessly alarmed; for there is no danger in
presenting this doctrine as it is set forth in the Scriptures. If there had
not been a remissness in the past to properly instruct the people of