The Gospel for Both Dispensations,
March 23
Faith and the Gospel
Faith and the Gospel
Since the fall of Adam, it has been the fashion of the world to sin, and it is for our interest to know what sin is. John declares: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4.93The Youth’s Instructor, October 20, 1898.
God’s purpose is ... to save from sin.... The soul, corrupted and deformed, is to be purified, transformed.94Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 61.
Through the gospel, souls that are degraded and enslaved by Satan are to be redeemed to share the glorious liberty of the sons of God.95Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 60, 61.
The gospel is the power and wisdom of God.96Fundamentals of Christian Education, 262.
Christ had been sent to earth to represent God in character.... He Himself was the gospel.97The Review and Herald, July 7, 1896.
Many who claim to believe and to teach the gospel ... set aside the Old Testament Scriptures, of which Christ declared, “They are they which testify of me.” John 5:39. In rejecting the Old, they virtually reject the New; for both are parts of an inseparable whole. No man can rightly present the law of God without the gospel, or the gospel without the law. The law is the gospel embodied, and the gospel is the law unfolded. The law is the root, the gospel is the fragrant blossom and fruit which it bears.98Christ’s Object Lessons, 128.
He who proclaimed the law from Sinai, and delivered to Moses the precepts of the ritual law, is the same that spoke the sermon on the mount.... The teacher is the same in both dispensations. God’s claims are the same. The principles of His government are the same. For all proceed from Him “with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” 99Patriarchs and Prophets, 373.
The gospel of the New Testament is not the Old Testament standard lowered to meet the sinner and save him in his sins. God requires of all His subjects obedience, entire obedience to all His commandments.100SDA Bible Commentary 6:1072.
Since the fall of Adam, it has been the fashion of the world to sin, and it is for our interest to know what sin is. John declares: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4.93
The Youth’s Instructor, October 20, 1898.
God’s purpose is ... to save from sin.... The soul, corrupted and deformed, is to be purified, transformed.94
Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 61.
Through the gospel, souls that are degraded and enslaved by Satan are to be redeemed to share the glorious liberty of the sons of God.95
Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 60, 61.
The gospel is the power and wisdom of God.96
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 262.
Christ had been sent to earth to represent God in character.... He Himself was the gospel.97
The Review and Herald, July 7, 1896.
Many who claim to believe and to teach the gospel ... set aside the Old Testament Scriptures, of which Christ declared, “They are they which testify of me.” John 5:39. In rejecting the Old, they virtually reject the New; for both are parts of an inseparable whole. No man can rightly present the law of God without the gospel, or the gospel without the law. The law is the gospel embodied, and the gospel is the law unfolded. The law is the root, the gospel is the fragrant blossom and fruit which it bears.98
Christ’s Object Lessons, 128.
He who proclaimed the law from Sinai, and delivered to Moses the precepts of the ritual law, is the same that spoke the sermon on the mount.... The teacher is the same in both dispensations. God’s claims are the same. The principles of His government are the same. For all proceed from Him “with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” 99
Patriarchs and Prophets, 373.
The gospel of the New Testament is not the Old Testament standard lowered to meet the sinner and save him in his sins. God requires of all His subjects obedience, entire obedience to all His commandments.100
SDA Bible Commentary 6:1072.
Reaching Forward to Perfection, March 23
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48.
God intends that improvement shall be the lifework of all His followers and that it shall be guided and controlled by correct experience. The true man is one who is willing to sacrifice his own interest for the good of others and who exercises himself in binding up the brokenhearted. The true object of life has scarcely begun to be understood by many....
Intellect alone does not make the man, according to the divine standard. There is a power in intellect if sanctified and controlled by the Spirit of God. It is superior to riches and to physical power, yet it must be cultivated in order to make the man....
That which will bless humanity is spiritual life. If the man is in harmony with God, he will depend continually upon Him for strength. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” It is our lifework to be reaching forward to the perfection of Christian character, striving continually for conformity to the will of God. The efforts begun upon earth will continue through eternity. God’s standard of man is elevated to the highest meaning of the term, and if he acts up to his God-given manhood he will promote happiness in this life, which will lead to glory and an eternal reward in the life to come.
The members of the human family are entitled to the name of men and women only when they employ their talents, in every possible way, for the good of others. The life of Christ is before us as a pattern, and it is when ministering, like angels of mercy, to the wants of others that man is closely allied to God. It is the nature of Christianity to make happy families and happy society. Discord, selfishness, and strife will be put away from every man and woman who possesses the true spirit of Christ.
Those who are partakers of Christ’s love have no right to think that there is a limit to their influence and work in trying to benefit humanity. Did Christ become weary in His efforts to save fallen man? Our work is to be continuous and persevering. We shall find work to do until the Master shall bid us lay our armor at His feet. God is a moral governor, and we must wait, submissive to His will, ready and willing to spring to our duty whenever work needs to be done (Testimonies For The Church 4:519, 520).
Our Saviour took up the true relationship of a human being as the Son of God. We are sons and daughters of God.... We must follow where Christ leads the way. For 30 years He lived the life of a perfect man, meeting the highest standard of perfection (S.D.A. Bible Commentary 5:1085, 1086).