Righteousness by faith Ellen g white quotes
Let no one take the limited, narrow position that any of the works of man can help in the least possible way to liquidate the debt of his transgression. This is a fatal deception. If you would understand it, you must cease haggling over your pet ideas, and with humble hearts survey the atonement. This matter is so dimly comprehended that thousands upon thousands claiming to be sons of God are children of the wicked one, because they will depend on their own works. God always demanded good works, the law demands it, but because man placed himself in sin where his good works were valueless, Jesus’ righteousness alone can avail. 1 sm Ch 37 The present message - justification by faith - is a message from God; it bears the divine credentials, for its fruit is unto holiness." - The Review and Herald, September 3, 1889. COR 73.5 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, seemed a precious thought." - The Review and Herald, September 3, 1889 COR 73.6 The sweetest melodies that come from human lips, - justification by faith, and the righteousness of Christ." - . COR 73.7 Justification by faith is God's way of saving sinners; His way of convicting sinners of their guilt, their condemnation, and their utterly undone and lost condition. It is also God's way of canceling their guilt, delivering them from the condemnation of His divine law, and giving them a new and right standing before Him and His holy law. Justification by faith is God's way of changing weak, sinful, defeated men and women into strong, righteous, victorious Christians. COR 65.1 This wondrous transformation can be wrought only by the grace and power of God, and it is wrought for those only who lay hold of Christ as their substitute, their surety, their Redeemer. Therefore, it is said that they "keep the faith of Jesus." This reveals the secret of their rich, deep experience. They laid hold of the faith of Jesus, - that faith by which He triumphed over the powers of darkness. COR 66.3 To fail to enter into this experience, will be to miss the real, vital, redeeming virtue of the third angel's message. Unless this experience is gained, the believer will have only the theory, the doctrines, the forms and activities, of the message. That will prove a fatal and awful mistake. The theory, the doctrines, even the most earnest activities of the message, cannot save from sin, nor prepare the heart to meet God in judgment. COR 68.4 "The sum and substance of the whole matter of Christian grace and experience is contained in believing on Christ, in knowing God and His Son whom He hath sent." "Religion means the abiding of Christ in the heart, and where He is, the soul goes on in spiritual activity, ever growing in grace, ever going on to perfection." -0 The Review and Herald, May 24, 1892. COR 74.3 "Many present the doctrines and theories of our faith; but their presentation is as salt without savor; for the Holy Spirit is not working through their faithless ministry. They have not opened the heart to receive the grace of Christ; they know not the operation of the Spirit; they are as meal without leaven; for there is no working principle in all their labor, and they fail to win souls to Christ. They do not appropriate the righteousness of Christ; it is a robe unworn by them, a fullness unknown, a fountain untouched." - The Review and Herald, November 29, 1892. COR 77.3 Our doctrines may be correct; we may hate false doctrine, and may not receive those who are not true to principle; we may labor with untiring energy; but even this is not sufficient.... A belief in the theory of the truth is not enough. To present this theory to unbelievers does not constitute you a witness for Christ." - The Review and Herald, February 3, 1891. COR 78.4 "The trouble with our work has been that we have been content to present a cold theory of the truth." - The Review and Herald, May 28, 1889. COR 79.1 "How much more power would attend the preaching of the word today, if men dwelt less upon the theories and arguments of men, and far more upon the lessons of Christ, and upon practical godliness." - The Review and Herald, January 7, 1890. COR 79 The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ's day was, that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness. In all human experience a theoretical knowledge of the truth has been proved to be insufficient for the saving of the soul. It does not bring forth the fruits of righteousness. A jealous regard for what is termed theological truth, often accompanies a hatred of genuine truth as made manifest in life. The darkest chapters of history are burdened with the record of crimes committed by bigoted religionists. The Pharisees claimed to be children of Abraham, and boasted of their possession of the oracles of God; yet these advantages did not preserve them from selfishness, malignity, greed for gain, and the basest hypocrisy. They thought themselves the greatest religionists of the world, but their so - called orthodoxy led them to crucify the Lord of glory. COR 79.5 "The same danger still exists. Many take it for granted that they are Christians, simply because they subscribe to certain theological tenets. But they have not brought the truth into practical life. They have not believed and loved it, therefore they have not received the power and grace that come through sanctification of the truth. Men may profess faith in the truth; but if it does not make them sincere, kind, patient, forbearing, heavenly - minded, it is a curse to its possessors, and thr!ough their influence it is a curse to the world." - The Desire of Ages, 309, 310. COR 80.1 "In the lives of many of those whose names are on the church books there has been no genuine change. The truth has been kept in the outer court. There has been no genuine conversion, no positive work of grace done in the heart. Their desire to do God's will is based upon their own inclination, not upon the deep conviction of the Holy Spirit. Their conduct is not brought into harmony with the law of God. They profess to accept Christ as their Saviour, but they do not believe that He will give them power to overcome their sins. They have not a personal acquaintance with a living Saviour, and their characters reveal many blemishes." - The Review and Herald, July 7, 1904. COR 81.1 "A cold, legal religion can never lead souls to Christ; for it is a loveless, Christless religion." - The Review and Herald, March 20, 1894. COR 82.1 "The saving salt is the pure first love, the love of Jesus, the gold tried in the fire. When this is left out of the religious experience, Jesus is not there; the light, the sunshine of His presence, is not there. What, then, is the religion worth? - Just as much as the salt that has lost its savor. It is a loveless religion. Then there is an effort to supply the lack by busy activity, a zeal that is Christless" - The Review and Herald, February 9, 1892. COR 82.2 "It is possible to be a formal, partial believer, and yet be found wanting, and lose eternal life. It is possible to practice some of the Bible injunctions, and be regarded as a Christian, and yet perish because you are lacking in essential qualifications that constitute Christian character." - The Review and Herald, January 11, 1887. COR 82.4 "To subscribe the name to a church creed is not of the least value to anyone if the heart is not truly changed.... Men may be church members, and may apparently work earnestly, performing a round of duties from year to year, and yet be unconverted." - The Review and Herald, February 14, 1899. COR 83.1 "While we are incased in self - righteousness, and trust in ceremonies, and depend on rigid rules, we cannot do the work for this time." - The Review and Herald, May 6, 1890. COR 84.2 Chapter 9 - The Great Truth Lost Sight Of That such a fundamental, all - embracing truth as imputed righteousness - justification by faith should be lost sight of by many professing godliness and entrusted with Heaven's final message to a dying world, seems incredible; but such, we are plainly told, is a fact. COR 87.1 "The doctrine of justification by faith has been lost sight of by many who have professed to believe the third angel's message." - The Review and Herald, August 13, 1889. COR 87.2 "There is not one in one hundred who understands for himself the Bible truth on this subject [justification by faith] that is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare."- The Review and Herald, September 3, 1889. COR 87.3 "What is it that constitutes the wretchedness, the nakedness, of those who feel rich and increased with goods? It is the want of the righteousness of Christ. In their own righteousness they are represented as clothed with filthy rags, and yet in this condition they flatter themselves that they are clothed upon with Christ's righteousness. Could deception be greater?" - The Review and Herald, August 7, 1894. COR 90.2 "This I do know, that our churches are dying for the want of teaching on the subject of righteousness by faith in Christ, and on kindred truths." - Gospel Workers, 301. COR 93.4 "We have transgressed the law of God, and by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified. The best efforts that man in his own strength can make, are valueless to meet the holy and just law that he has transgressed; but through faith in Christ he may claim the righteousness of the Son of God as all - sufficient. COR 96.6 "Christ satisfied the demands of the law in His human nature. COR 96.7 "He bore the curse of the law for the sinner, made an atonement for him, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. COR 96.8 "He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law, is attempting an impossibility. COR 96.10 "Man cannot be saved without obedience, but his works should not be of himself; Christ should work in him to will and to do of His good pleasure." - The Review and Herald, July 1, 1890. COR 97.1 The third angel’s message is the proclamation of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ. The commandments of God have been proclaimed, but the faith of Jesus Christ has not been proclaimed by Seventh-day Adventists as of equal importance, the law and the gospel going hand in hand. I cannot find language to express this subject in its fullness. 1888 217.3 “The faith of Jesus.” It is talked of, but not understood. What constitutes the faith of Jesus, that belongs, to the third angel’s message? Jesus becoming our sin-bearer that He might become our sin-pardoning Saviour. He was treated as we deserve to be treated. He came to our world and took our sins that we might take His righteousness. Faith in the ability of Christ to save us amply and fully and entirely is the faith of Jesus. 1888 217.4 By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Mark 16:16. "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." John 1:12. "With the heart man believeth unto righteousness." Romans 10:10. "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." John 6:29. Faith works. Time would fail to tell of those "who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, ... out of weakness were made strong," etc. Hebrews 11:33, 34. Men WOR 18.4 Christ dwells in the heart by faith (Ephesians 3:17), and because he is our righteousness, "he also is become my salvation" (Isaiah 12:2 WOR 18.4
