Unfortunately, the picture that is often presented is that "Anyone who keeps the commandments is a LEGALIST". And when we SDA's present the Sabbath truth, then we are accused of being "Saved by our works."
It is noteworthy that Ephesians 2:8-9 says " For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
NOT of works lest any man should boast."
Hurrah! BUT the thought does NOT stop there, does it?
Let's look at verse 10 "For WE are His WORKmanship, created unto Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
In other words, our good works are the FRUIT of the Holy Spirit.
I would ask that NO one think that I am ganging up against Kellee, or those who do NOT agree with my theology. I would humbly ask, however, that "we" read ALL of Holy Writ.
In 1 Peter 1:16 , we read "Because it is written, 'BE YE HOLY, for I am holy.'"
To me the implication is clear. Our God is calling for a HOLY people. And when we further compare Scripture we discover that "God's followers will see His face Rev.22:4). How can practicing sinners be in the very presence of a Holy God?. It is NOT possible!
Remember Rev 14:1-5 which describes the 144,00 who SDA's believe will be/are the reighteous living when Jesus returns again. Notice verse 5 "And in their mouth is NO guile: for they are WITHOUT FAULT before the throne of God."
My friends this group of people are righteous (meaning they do NOT sin).
Conversely in 2 Thess.2:8, the Bible tells us that "the WICKED are destroyed by the brightness of His (Jesus) coming. WHy because they are Commandment-Breakers, practicing sinners.
And ultimately, we are admonished in 1 John 2:1 , John the Revelator says "My little children, these things write I unto you, THAT YE (you) SIN NOT."
1 John3"4 tells us "Whosoever committeth sin transgresses also the law: FOR SIN IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW."
Who has trouble keeping God's 10 Commandment Law? do you have difficulty with Bowing down before idols, or making graven images? How about swearing, or stealing, or murder, adultery, bearing false witness or coveting? oh yes, the Sabbath--the old Jewish law..surely God doesn't expect us to refrain from doing our pleasure, after all we can keep any day , right?
Of course Jesus took us a little further on this, in regards to looking with lust, or hating our brethern.
My friends, I BELIEVE that God SAYS what He means, and Means WHAT HE SAYS.
And if we would all follow the counsel God has given us, we would not be in the confusion that is threatening to divide us. SOP "WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR FOR THE FUTURE EXCEPT WE FORGET HOW GOD HAS LED US IN THE PAST" still holds true today.
My God is not going to ask me to do something that He knows is impossible for me to do! When we are born again, we allow God to lead us, and show us where we need to make corrections.
1 John1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
If we just follow this verse, we will be sinning and confessing, sinning and confessing, etc. THERE is MORE to do.
In Proverbs 28:13, we read these words "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: BUT whoso confesseth AND FORSAKETH them shall have mercy."
FORSAKE means "GIVE THEM TO JESUS"! Bid your sins "Goodbye".Philippians 4:13 tells us "I can do ALL THINGS through Christ which (WHO) strenthens ME." Ask Jesus for help in overcoming a particular sin. Let your prayer be :
Father I lay all my plans at your feet. Use me today in YOUR sevice, and make me wholly thine."
Will Jesus come into Your life and make you new again?
YES we are saved by grace through FAITH, but look at 1 John5:4 "FOR whosoever is BORN OF GODovercometh the world: AND THIS IS THE VICTORY THAT OVERCOMETH THE WORLD, EVEN OUR FAITH!"
Belief in Jesus is NOT ENOUGH!. All we have to do is read what James 2:19 says "Thou believest there is one God; thou doest well: THE DEVILS ALSO BELIEVE AND TREMBLE."
Now it would seem to me IF all is needed is BELIEF, why tremble? Obviously belief is NOT enough!
Brothers and Sisters, if we are going to quote and utilize scripture, WE NEED TO "rightly divide the Word of God" 2 Tim.2:12.
Don't forget, the devil knows Scripture also, and IF we are not diligent seekers for truth, we are going to be led "down the primrose path to destruction."
It is imperative that we study as we have never studied before, "Lest Satan should get an advantage over us:for WE ARE NOT IGNORANT of his devices." 2 Cor.2:11.
GC516 "There is NOTHING that the great deceiver fears so much as that WE shall become acquainted with his devices."
GC587 "It is ONE of Satan's DEVICES to combine with falsehood just enough truth to give it plausibility."
And unfortunately this is what is happening among God's people today...the mixing of error with truth.
And until we learn to teach what the Holy Spirit teaches us, "comparing spiritual things with spiritual (things), (1 Cor.2:13) we will be as fools and reliant upon the arm of flesh rather than trusting in God." (Jer.17:5)
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Keep "the" faith,BUT pass it around!
Bro. Laurie
[This message has been edited by Laurie Mosher (edited 11-06-2000).]