The World Wide Web dictionary’s explanation of the two qualities of law is here laid out. “The letter of the law versus the spirit of the law is an idiomatic antithesis (natural opposites). When one obeys the letter of the law but not the spirit, one is obeying the literal interpretation of the words (the “letter”) of the law, but not necessarily the intent of those who wrote the law. Conversely, when one obeys the spirit of the law but not the letter, one is doing what the authors of the law intended, though not necessarily adhering to the literal wording.” – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_and_spirit_of_the_law#:~:
Paul, in the word of God, states: “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6. In ancient times, under the old covenant, the Law was written on stone. It was “obey and live”! Today this covenant is written in the heart. Its spiritual requirements are, however, no less. Its claims are just as binding. Its demands are still perfect obedience. Paul put the same idea of “obey and live” this way: “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:13. Same mandate.
“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. He demands now as ever perfect righteousness as the only title to heaven.” –The Review and Herald, September 21, 1886
Today we will seek to open to view the spiritual nature of the law of God.
Let us first consider the character of the law. Paul says it is holy, just, and good. The psalmist says: “The Law of the Lord is perfect.” Psalm 19:7. Therefore, the law’s intention is to “love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves. Without the exercise of this love, the highest profession of faith is mere hypocrisy. ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor thyself. On these two commandments,’ says Christ ‘hang all the law and the prophets’ (Matthew 22:37–40).” –Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 218
This, therefore, is God’s spiritual law; it was His intention for the law to be carried out in the lives of humanity. The letter of the law is the literally written code and must not be confused with the spiritual requirements of the law. Too often professed commandment keepers seek to live the letter of the law and are oblivious of the spirit of the law and its far-reaching nature. It may come as a shock to many when it is realized too late that the spirit of the law and its requirements go way beyond the letter, and that the binding claims of the law must be satisfied. It behooves professed commandment keepers to truly put an even greater effort in seeking first “the kingdom of God, and His righteousness.” Matthew 6:33
The spirituality of the law calls for absolute obedience. Any deviation is considered a sin, and since sin is a transgression of the law, “whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law” (1 John 3:4); and because “all unrighteousness is sin,” (1 John 5:17) it stands to reason that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). In other words, the said law will not tolerate sin.
States E.G. White: “The transgression of God’s law in a single instance, in the smallest particular, is sin. And the non-execution of the penalty of that sin would be a crime in the divine administration. God is a judge, the avenger of justice, which is the habitation and foundation of His throne. He cannot dispense with His law, He cannot do away with its smallest item in order to meet and pardon sin. The rectitude and justice and moral excellence of the law must be maintained and vindicated before the heavenly universe and the worlds unfallen.” –Manuscript 21, p. 194
The said writer continued in another place: “By this law, which governs angels, which demands purity in the most secret thoughts, desires, and dispositions, and which shall ‘stand fast forever’ (Psalm 111:8), all the world is to be judged in the rapidly approaching day of God. Transgressors may flatter themselves that the Most High does not know, that the Almighty does not consider; He will not always bear with them. Soon they will receive the reward of their doings, the death that is the wages of sin.” –Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 220
Agrees the Psalmist: “I have seen an end of all perfection: but Thy commandment is exceeding broad.” Psalm 119 :96. “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is the truth.” Psalm 119:142
Christ, in His Sermon on the Mount, sought to bring to the forefront the spiritual nature of the law and its consequences if a legal render only is given. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill, and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca [vain fellow], shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matthew 5:21–22, 27–28
“Christ illustrates the nature of true religion. He shows that it consists not in systems, creeds, or rites, but in the performance of loving deeds” –The Desire of Ages, p. 497
“He shows how far-reaching their principles are, and exposes the fatal mistake of the Jews in their outward show of obedience. He declares that by the evil thought or lustful look the law of God is transgressed. One who becomes a party to the least injustice is breaking the law and degrading his own moral nature. Murder first exists in the mind. He who gives hatred a place in his heart is setting his feet in the path of the murderer.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 310
- J. Waggoner, in his “Christ and His Righteousness” 1888 study, made this remark: “Take the first commandment, ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.’ The apostle tells us of some ‘whose gods is their belly.’ Philippians 3:19. But gluttony and intemperance are self-murder, and so we find that the first commandment runs through to the sixth. This is not all, however, for he tells us that covetousness is idolatry. Colossians 3:5. The tenth commandment cannot be violated without violating the first and second. In other words, the tenth commandment coincides with the first, and we find that the decalogue is a circle having a circumference as great as the universe and containing within it the moral duty of every creature. In short, it is the measure of the righteousness of God, who inhabits eternity.” –Christ and His Righteousness, E.J. Waggoner, p. 51
James adds: “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” James 2:10–11
Here is the sum of what is being brought to bear which brings out the point clearly: “Says the psalmist, ‘The law of the LORD is perfect’ Psalm 19:7. How wonderful in its simplicity, its comprehensiveness and perfection. . . . It is so brief that we can easily commit every precept to memory, and yet so far-reaching as to express the whole will of God, and to take cognizance, not only of the outward actions, but of the thoughts and intents, the desires and emotions, of the heart. Human laws cannot do this. They can deal with the outward actions only. A man may be a transgressor, and yet conceal his misdeeds from human eyes; he may be a criminal—a thief, a murderer, or an adulterer—but so long as he is not discovered, the law cannot condemn him as guilty. The law of God takes notes of the jealousy, envy, hatred, malignity, revenge, lust, and ambition that surge through the soul, but have not found expression in outward action, because the opportunity, not the will, has been wanting. And these sinful emotions will be brought into the account in the day when ‘God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.’ Ecclesiastes 12:14). –Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 217
Many “small sins”—as it were “little foxes,” are passed over lightly. Year after year many are palliating with sin—adding sin to sin so readily—unsuspecting its large wages, without understanding the gravity of the claims of the law, and are in danger of being weighed in the balance and found wanting on that day when indeed “God shall bring every work into judgment.” Ecclesiastes 12:14
Oh, that this is directed to every professed commandment keeper. To the youth, Solomon declared, “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that in all of these things God will bring thee to judgment.” Ecclesiastes 11:9. He admonished, “put away evil from thy flesh.” (v. 10)
For years many have been hearing the Word, hearing that perfect obedience is the requirement of the law. Yet they continue to not see the utter sinfulness of sin. Not seeking with all the heart to obtain this prerequisite to heaven-perfect obedience. Saith James: “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being
not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:23–25
Our deeds are all meticulously being recorded in the books of heaven for weal or woe. Here is a most fearsome statement by E. G. White: “God’s law reaches the feelings and motives, as well as the outward acts. It reveals the secrets of the heart, flashing light upon things before buried in darkness. God knows every thought, every purpose, every plan, every motive. The books of heaven record the sins that would have been committed had there been opportunity. God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing. By His law He measures the character of every man. As the artist transfers to the canvas the features of the face, so the features of each individual character are transferred to the books of heaven. God has a perfect photograph of every man’s character, and this photograph He compares with His law.” –The Signs of the Times, July 31, 1901
She continues in another place: “The condemning power of the law of God extends, not only to the things we do, but to the things we do not do. We are not to justify ourselves in omitting to do the things that God requires. We must not only cease to do evil, but we must learn to do well. God has given us powers to be exercised in good works; and if these powers are not put to use, we shall certainly be set down as wicked and slothful servants. We may not have committed grievous sins; such offenses may not stand registered against us in the book of God; but the fact that our deeds are not recorded as pure, good, elevated, and noble, showing that we have not improved our entrusted talents, places us under condemnation.” –Selected Messages, bk.1, p. 220
Do you and I understand our obligation to this law? That it is not just adhering to the letter? God requires far more than the outward rendering. After reading all the above statements and recognizing the strong demands of the law, it is incumbent on all who are mindful of the binding claims of the law to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness…” Matthew 6:33
On the one end of the spectrum, we may have a zeal for God but that will not be adequate; it will not satisfy the binding claims of the law-perfect obedience. This was Ancient Israel’s mistake. Says Paul, bemoaning Israel’s ignorance: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:1–3
This is also applicable to leading men! Paul, in his day, saw the double standard; he saw the pretentious piety—a people who prided themselves as commandment keepers, yet privately the law was continuously being transgressed. Paul was constantly seeking to bring about the true nature of the law. Sadly, the spirit of the law was a road less traveled.
Said he to those who considered themselves as deeply religious: “Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, And knowest His will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou, not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou, commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.” Romans 2:17–24
“Men in responsible positions, teaching the claims of God’s law, whose mouths are filled with arguments in vindication of His law, against which Satan has made such a raid—over such he sets his hellish powers and his agencies at work and overthrows them upon the weak points in their character, knowing that he who offends on one point is guilty of all, thus obtaining complete mastery over the entire man. Mind, soul, body, and conscience are involved in the ruin. If he be a messenger of righteousness and has had great light, or if the Lord has used him as His special worker in the cause of truth, then how great is the triumph of Satan! How he exults! How God is dishonored!” –The Adventist Home, p. 327
Today the narrow look of the law, or worse yet, sinful practices are now so entrenched and are such a part of the professed Israel of God that it is not looked upon with any great length as of a sinful act; many no longer see the utter sinfulness of sin—remorse is lacking as sin continues. Rarely, leading men now call sin by its right name. In olden days, prophets after prophets were sent to warn the people to cry aloud, to spare not, to lift up their voice like a trumpet, to show the people their transgression (Isaiah 58:1). In Christ’s time, He used as an object lesson the Pharisee that went into the church to pray, boldly presenting his self-righteous deeds.
Oh, church member, what is written against your name? Do you know that the stiff penalty of the law will be meted out if action is not taken to obtain perfection of character? Angels are perhaps amazed as to what they must record. Love, which is the fulfilling of the law as per God’s intention—first to Him and our fellow human being—is given little place in daily life. Each for himself. In the meanwhile, the spirituality of the law considers what is hardly noticeable.
One more Spirit of Prophecy statement will suffice to prove that obedience to the law of God is mandatory, as it were, obligatory.
“The law of God, as presented in the Scriptures, is broad in its requirements. Every principle is holy, just, and good. The law lays men under obligation to God; it reaches to the thoughts and feelings; and it will produce conviction of sin in every one who is sensible of having transgressed its requirements. If the law extended to the outward conduct only, men would not be guilty in their wrong thoughts, desires, and designs. But the law requires that the soul itself be pure and the mind holy, that the thoughts and feelings may be in accordance with the standard of love and righteousness.” –Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 211
Dear Reader, after reading these statements, can you and I honestly say that we are keeping God’s commandments perfectly?
Paul, at his conversion, saw the commandment in its all-encompassing character for what it was. The pen of inspiration wrote: “As far as outward acts where concerned—he was ‘blameless’ (Philippians 3:6); but when the spiritual character of the law was discerned, when he looked into the holy mirror, he saw himself a sinner. Judged by a human standard, he had abstained from sin, but when he looked into the depths of God’s law, and saw himself as God saw him, he bowed in humiliation and confessed his guilt. He did not go away from the mirror and forget what manner of man he was, but he exercised genuine repentance toward God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. He was washed, he was cleansed. He says, ‘I had not known lust, except the law had said, thou shalt not covet. . . . For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1076
“The apostle Paul, in relating his experience, presents an important truth concerning the work to be wrought in conversion. He says. ‘I was alive without the law once,’—he felt no condemnation; ‘but when the commandment came,’ when the law of God was urged upon his conscience, ‘sin revived, and I died.’ [Romans 7:9.] Then he saw himself a sinner, condemned by the divine law. –The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, p. 297
This is the point that each professed commandment keeper must reach. He or she, after looking squarely at the far-reaching claims of the law must, like Paul, see himself a sinner as God sees him. We cannot change the fact that the law of God is the righteousness of God and demands perfect obedience. It will not bend. It is in its right to condemn, but we can find out how to satisfy its demands.
Today the true nature of the commandment is herein being brought to you and me. We can look into this master mirror and walk away, or we can seek this righteousness that is of God and truly seek the righteousness that heaven accepts.
The question now is, how? How can we who are “carnal, sold under sin” (Romans 7:14) have this righteousness that the law demands? As it is, we are carnal, and the law is spiritual. Can the natural man walk in perfect obedience? Can you? Can I? Truly this is certainly a dichotomy—so to speak—a contradiction. We must keep the law perfectly, without which no one can see the Lord, yet we have not the ability to. We are fundamentally fallen creatures, with a natural propensity to sin, a natural bent to evil. “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” Jeremiah 13:23. Sadly, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:10
How then can it be bridged? Looking at this we could throw our arms up and say, “what’s the use”? But is there a way out of this quagmire? Does the Bible speak of any such righteous persons? Yes! Isaiah spoke of such, says he, “Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is My law.” Isaiah 51:7. John, in His vision, saw such, “Here” writes he, “is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God…” Revelation 14:12
There, therefore, is a righteousness that can be had. It is for us to seek it out. We go to the word of God “for therein is the righteousness of God revealed.” Romans 1:17. We read: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the
law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3: 19–20
In other words, while the law is the righteousness of God it cannot justify the sinner. It cannot pardon. We must, therefore, go to the next verse (v. 21) to find further truth. We read; “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets.” An amazing turn! Lets read on to get this awe-inspiring, full truth: “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. . . . Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:22–26, 28
Surely, a new day has dawned. Here stands an incredible paradigm shift—a model that equally satisfies the claims of the law—Christ becoming our righteousness.
Through faith, we can have the same genuine thing—righteousness! Affirms the pen of inspiration: “The law demands righteousness, and this the sinner owes to the law; but he is incapable of rendering it. The only way in which he can attain to righteousness is through faith. By faith he can bring to God the merits of Christ, and the Lord places the obedience of His Son to the sinner’s account. Christ’s righteousness is accepted in place of man’s failure, and God receives, pardons, justifies, the repentant, believing soul, treats him as though he were righteous, and loves him as He loves His Son. This is how faith is accounted righteousness.” –The Review and Herald, November 4, 1890
Truly marvelous grace of our loving Lord! Righteousness is imputed to us and obtaining it is by faith. This is what was said of Abraham. He believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Now, it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed unto him, but for us also to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification. Here it is—justification by faith. We are told that, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17
“Faith is the condition upon which God has seen it fit to promise pardon to sinners; not that there is any virtue in faith whereby salvation is merited, but because faith can lay hold of the merits of Christ, the remedy provided for sin. Faith can present Christ’s perfect obedience instead of the sinner’s transgression and defection. When the sinner believes that Christ is his personal Saviour, then according to His unfailing promises God pardons his sin, and justifies him freely. The repentant soul realizes that his justification comes because Christ, as his substitute and surety, has died for him, is his atonement and righteousness.” –Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 366–367
Says Jeremiah in prophetic tones: “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jeremiah 23:6. Praise God! Through faith, we have the genuine thing—righteousness—one that satisfies the demands of the law.
Without a doubt, “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Psalm 85:10. Really and truly “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
But, where is the law? One may ask, is it not the righteousness of God? E. J. Waggoner put forward this particularly good point: “The law” he asserts, “is not ignored by this process. Note carefully: Who gave the law? Christ. How did He speak it? ‘as one having authority’ even as God. The law springs from Him the same as from the Father and is simply a declaration of the righteousness of His character. Therefore, the righteousness which comes by the faith of Jesus Christ is the same righteousness that is epitomized in the law; and this is further proved by the fact that it is ‘witnessed by the law.’” He continues “…There is in the transaction no ground for finding fault. God is just and at the same time the Justifier of him that believeth in Jesus. In Jesus dwells all the fullness of the Godhead; He is equal with the Father in every respect in every attribute. Consequently, the redemption that is in Him is infinite.” –Christ and His Righteousness, E. J. Waggoner, p. 61–63
Paul asked: “Do we then make the law void through faith?” He answers, “God forbid: we establish the law.” Romans 3:31. This refutes all arguments that the law is nailed to the cross. Many misinterpret Romans 10:4, namely: “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness.” His death did not “end” the law, so to speak, void it. The word “end” in the Greek translation is “Telos” and has a few meanings: “end”, “goal”, “objective;” but according to one source, a clearer statement in the Italian translation, “Diodati”, reads: “Christ is the goal of the law for righteousness.” His goal was to essentially carry out the true intention of the law. Christ’s death in no way nullifies the law. He came to establish it—to make it honorable. He stated: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Matthew 5:17
Dear Reader, righteousness has now been imputed to us. Says the psalmist, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit is no guile.” Psalm 32:1–2
Affirms the Spirit of Prophecy: “…It is the Father’s prerogative to forgive our transgressions and sins, because Christ has taken upon Himself our guilt and reprieved us, imputing to us His own righteousness. His sacrifice satisfies fully the demands of justice. . . . God’s boundless mercy is exercised toward those who are wholly undeserving. He forgives transgressions and sins for the sake of Jesus, who has become the propitiation for our sins. Through faith in Christ, the guilty transgressor is brought into favor with God and into the strong hope of life eternal.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 9, p. 301. “If we comply with the conditions the Lord has made, we shall secure our election to salvation. Perfect obedience to His commandments is the evidence that we love God, and are not hardened in sin.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1079
So then, “As the penitent sinner, contrite before God, discerns Christ atonement in his behalf, and accepts this atonement as his only hope in this life and the future life, his sins are pardoned. This is justification by faith. Every believing soul is to conform his will entirely to God’s will, and keep in a state of repentance and contrition, exercising faith in the atoning merits of the Redeemer, and advancing from strength to strength, from glory to glory.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 9, p. 301
Repentance and obedience are the work of the Holy Spirit. Says Christ: “And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” John 16:8. “It is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin. If the sinner responds to the quickening influence of the Spirit, he will be brought to repentance and aroused to the importance of obeying the divine requirements. . . . Having brought conviction of sin, and presented before the mind the standard of righteousness, the Holy Spirit withdraws the affections from the things of this earth and fills the soul with a desire for holiness.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 52–53
The faith of Jesus becomes yours, then will surely be fulfilled these sublime words: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12. His character would have been fully formed in the one who fully enters this experience. In His life, He manifested genuine love. Declares the Spirit of Prophecy: “Genuine faith always works by love. When you look to Calvary it is not just to quiet your soul in the nonperformance of duty. . . but to create faith in Jesus, faith that will work, purifying the soul from the slime of selfishness. When we lay hold of Christ by faith, our work has just begun. Every man has corrupt and sinful habits that must be overcome by vigorous warfare. Every soul is required to fight the fight of faith. If one is a follower of Christ, he cannot be sharp in deal, he cannot be hardhearted, devoid of sympathy. He cannot be coarse in his speech. He cannot be full of pomposity and self-esteem. He cannot be overbearing, nor can he use harsh words, and censure and condemn. The labor of love springs from the work of faith. . . . While it is true that our busy activities will not in themselves ensure salvation, it is also true that faith which unites us to Christ will stir the soul to activity.” –Selected Messages, bk. 2, p. 20
Declares Paul: “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:8–10
“In closing, The question now is, how do we truly attain unto this perfection that we are required to have? Affirms the Spirit of Prophecy: “‘We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord’ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Christ is the sinner’s advocate. Those who accept His gospel behold Him with open face. They see the relation of His mission to the law, and they acknowledge God’s wisdom and glory as revealed by the Saviour. The glory of Christ is revealed in the law, which is a transcript of His character, and His transforming efficacy is felt upon the soul until men become changed to His likeness. They are made partakers of the divine nature, and grow more and more like their Saviour, advancing step by step in conformity to the will of God, till they reach perfection.” –Selected Messages, bk., 1, p. 240
Rose Powell