It is a great blessing to see those who understand what it means to be a converted Christian. For 35 years I have listened to the most persuasive teachings that are directly opposing what we read today. Every chapter in this most beautiful revelation of our God is designed that we may understand the power of God's grace to change us today and every day if we will come to Jesus just as we are and give Him the whole heart holding nothing back. This is His great desire and His promise if we will learn of Him.
It is such a great temptation to discouragement when we hear over and over Satan's great deceptions so cleverly disguised that most cannot see the poison. But, we are never discouraged because we know the end of the story. God allows heresies into the church that we might understand who is teaching the truth. The wise will understand this is God's church and it will be revived.
If those who were born and reared in His church will not be revived, then He will bring in those who will surrender all in response to His grace. But, He does not bring many in because many would see the hypocrisy, leave, and never come back.
In the Sermon on the Mount He sought to undo the work that had been wrought by false education, and to give His hearers a right conception of His kingdom and of His own character. Yet He did not make a direct attack on the errors of the people. He saw the misery of the world on account of sin, yet He did not present before them a vivid delineation of their wretchedness. He taught them of something infinitely better than they had known. Without combating their ideas of the kingdom of God, He told them the conditions of entrance therein, leaving them to draw their own conclusions as to its nature. The truths He taught are no less important to us than to the multitude that followed Him. We no less than they need to learn the foundation principles of the kingdom of God.
We ought not ignore what we are being told. A Laodicean people need to "learn the foundation principles" of Christianity. Why? Because "we", God's church does not understand His principles any more than did Israel. Why do so few understand and why so much enmity towards those who would teach the principles put forth by Jesus in His sermon on the mount. Why are there so many who have been ordained ministers in God's church reject perfection of Christian character? Why do they not accept the truths so graciously poured out in abundance through a modern day prophet confirming the same truths revealed in Scripture?
The highest evidence of nobility in a Christian is self-control. He who under abuse or cruelty fails to maintain a calm and trustful spirit robs God of His right to reveal in him His own perfection of character.
This is the "impartation" of Christ's righteousness to those who surrender the whole heart to God. It is His character to be revealed in the lives of those who are truly repentant Christians. The idea that God does not transform sinners into saints, or that He only does this for those living after probation closes is s most sinister teaching robbing many of the love, joy, and peace God offers at the beginning of the converted Christians experience.
We do not believe in "holy flesh," but we do believe in holiness of heart. All who love Jesus with the whole heart have received a new heart that has been purified from sin and is holy. We who have surrendered all to Christ are partakers of God's divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). When the Holy Spirit take possession of the heart, we are indeed partakers of Him and all of the fruits of the Spirit, not one will be missing.
Brothers Beacon and Philip have shared this important statement:
True character is not shaped from without, and put on; it radiates from within. If we wish to direct others in the path of righteousness, the principles of righteousness must be enshrined in our own hearts. Our profession of faith may proclaim the theory of religion, but it is our practical piety that holds forth the word of truth. The consistent life, the holy conversation, the unswerving integrity, the active, benevolent spirit, the godly example,—these are the mediums through which light is conveyed to the world. {DA 307.1}
Again, this not the "imputed" righteousness that stands in place of our character, no, this is the imparted righteousness that is being reflected our own character. How did we receive His righteousness? He gives it to all who will give Him their sin polluted heart. What an exchange!!
How many times do we hear that we are sinful and cannot obey all the law, that our righteousness is as filthy rags? This is said in an attempt to excuse sin and have salvation while sinning a known sin. Those who teach such a lie will not enter heaven unless they repent of leading others to perdition.
Those who disobey the commandments of God, and teach others to do so, are condemned by Christ. The Saviour’s life of obedience maintained the claims of the law; it proved that the law could be kept in humanity, and showed the excellence of character that obedience would develop. All who obey as He did are likewise declaring that the law is “holy, and just, and good.” Romans 7:12. On the other hand, all who break God’s commandments are sustaining Satan’s claim that the law is unjust, and cannot be obeyed. Thus they second the deceptions of the great adversary, and cast dishonor upon God. They are the children of the wicked one, who was the first rebel against God’s law. To admit them into heaven would again bring in the elements of discord and rebellion, and imperil the well-being of the universe. No man who willfully disregards one principle of the law shall enter the kingdom of heaven.
How many times do we have to hear about our character revealing the character of our God? Why so many times you may ask? Why do you think?
For through fellowship with God men become workers together with Him in presenting His character in humanity.
Don't be discouraged. God has promised us this experience and told us how to obtain it. Buy of Him gold tried in the fire, white raiment, and eye salve. He offers them freely.
By the life we live through the grace of Christ the character is formed. The original loveliness begins to be restored to the soul. The attributes of the character of Christ are imparted, and the image of the Divine begins to shine forth. The faces of men and women who walk and work with God express the peace of heaven.
There's that hated word, character. Character that comes from God, from allowing His grace into our hearts. We do not get grace for tomorrow, but only for today. Tomorrow if we want more, He will give to all who seek it.
And only those who live the life of Christ are His co-workers. If one sin is cherished in the soul, or one wrong practice retained in the life, the whole being is contaminated. The man becomes an instrument of unrighteousness.
How many are still reading? Most will have long since quit. But, those who are seeking truth that they may live it, will spend that thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Christ, for that is where we find grace to transform the character.
The righteousness which Christ taught is conformity of heart and life to the revealed will of God. Sinful men can become righteous only as they have faith in God and maintain a vital connection with Him. Then true godliness will elevate the thoughts and ennoble the life. Then the external forms of religion accord with the Christian’s internal purity.
Why take the time to share so much? Because we were told that we need to understand the principles of our faith today just as Israel needed these truths. I take the counsel to heart and for many years have presented these truths just as they are presented to us. This is what is needed to bring about revival and reformation in God's church. Jesus was trying to save the lost, so must we repeat His Words to a backsliding church.
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” This command is a promise. The plan of redemption contemplates our complete recovery from the power of Satan. Christ always separates the contrite soul from sin. He came to destroy the works of the devil, and He has made provision that the Holy Spirit shall be imparted to every repentant soul, to keep him from sinning.
Amen!! Can the truth be presented any better? No, I think not. I could quit right now, but that would be contrary to the Spirit. We need to make it more plain that none can make excuses for their defects of character. So many teach that we cannot overcome our defects of character, that it is the "substitution" of Christ's righteousness that entitles us to heaven. Some teach that at the end, then God will wave a wand and in one fell swoop will perfect the character of those who are still living.
The tempter’s agency is not to be accounted an excuse for one wrong act. Satan is jubilant when he hears the professed followers of Christ making excuses for their deformity of character. It is these excuses that lead to sin. There is no excuse for sinning. A holy temper, a Christlike life, is accessible to every repenting, believing child of God. {DA 311.3}
The ideal of Christian character is Christlikeness. As the Son of man was perfect in His life, so His followers are to be perfect in their life. Jesus was in all things made like unto His brethren. He became flesh, even as we are. He was hungry and thirsty and weary. He was sustained by food and refreshed by sleep. He shared the lot of man; yet He was the blameless Son of God. He was God in the flesh. His character is to be ours. The Lord says of those who believe in Him, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16.
The Bible is right, it is indeed a narrow steep road to heaven. But, all may find success in Christ Jesus. There is no excuse for sin since our heavenly Father at great expense and risk allowed His innocent Son to come to this dark spot in the universe a helpless baby subject the weakness of humanity to fight the battle of life as we must fight it at the risk of failure and eternal loss.
But Christ reaches us where we are. He took our nature and overcame, that we through taking His nature might overcome. Made “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (Romans 8:3), He lived a sinless life. Now by His divinity He lays hold upon the throne of heaven, while by His humanity He reaches us. He bids us by faith in Him attain to the glory of the character of God. Therefore are we to be perfect, even as our “Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Did you understand this? He took our nature! And, we may have His nature (2 Peter 1:4). Amazing truth that is so very rare to hear from the pulpits in His church or books being published on His presses!
The great Master Artist has taken thought for the lilies, making them so beautiful that they outshine the glory of Solomon. How much more does He care for man, who is the image and glory of God. He longs to see His children reveal a character after His similitude. As the sunbeam imparts to the flowers their varied and delicate tints, so does God impart to the soul the beauty of His own character.
Amen!! You and I can reveal His character. He loves us so very much! He wants so very much for us to experience the joy of being His witness that Satan has lied about His character. You can prove Satan wrong by keep His law of love, that which Satan says is impossible!
The good tree will produce good fruit. If the fruit is unpalatable and worthless, the tree is evil. So the fruit borne in the life testifies as to the condition of the heart and the excellence of the character. Good works can never purchase salvation, but they are an evidence of the faith that acts by love and purifies the soul.
We do not need to translate what Jesus said on the mount. We only need the Holy Spirit and a willing heart to understand such simple truth.
It is not enough, He says, for you to hear My words. By obedience you must make them the foundation of your character. Self is but shifting sand. If you build upon human theories and inventions, your house will fall. By the winds of temptation, the tempests of trial, it will be swept away. But these principles that I have given will endure. Receive Me; build on My words. {DA 314.3}
“Everyone therefore which heareth these words of Mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, which built his house upon the rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock.” Matthew 7:24, 25
May our lives be transformed daily that we be faithful witnesses for our Lord Jesus and our heavenly Father!