The high priest then asked Jesus of His disciples, and of His doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou Me? ask them which heard Me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. And when He had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest Thou the high priest so? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou Me?” John 18:19–23
What does this mean to you—transparent as the sunlight? Well, that is how Jesus was, wasn’t He? He didn’t insist on His own way. He didn’t manipulate or even clamor for His own rights. He just said, “everyone knows what I have said, I have said nothing in secret.” Furthermore, if He originated something that was true, He didn’t insist that people recognize that He owned that truth, for truth we never really own, as humans, do we? But rather, truth has to own us. Jesus though, was so selfless, that He gave all honour and glory to God, as being the source of truth—this even though all the Bible mentions Jesus as the source of truth for humanity. And indeed, the Father Himself acknowledges Jesus as God, also, and the source of truth for human beings.
In Proverbs chapter 8, Jesus is wisdom personified, in Colossians chapter 1, He is the hope of glory within the believers, and in John chapter 1, He was the word made flesh and we beheld His glory. So, what does all this mean for you and I? How do we stand in relation to the truth? Jesus clearly stated that He had done nothing in secret—all His teachings and what He stood for was a matter of public record, so they didn’t have to question Him about any of it. How we stand in relation to truth, well, that is how we will stand in eternity. People can say this in many ways—have you noticed? How do you stand in relation to the cross of Christ? How do you feel about the atonement? Who is Jesus to you? We, as Christians, are more than anything to be purveyors, agents of truth.
In this same context, Jesus saying to Pilate, “Those that are of the truth, hear My voice.” Do you hear His voice this morning? Then you will follow that voice. What if someone says something different than what is truth? Then, appeal to the rightful authority, that one of God’s voices here on Earth will end up saying the truth. For remember, please—how we stand in relation to the truth, is how we will stand in eternity. As transparent as the sunlight, remember?
“We must study the truth for ourselves. No living man should be relied upon to think for us. No matter who it is, or in what position he may be placed, we are not to look upon any man as a perfect criterion for us. We are to counsel together, and to be subject to one another; but at the same time we are to exercise the ability God has given us to learn what is truth. Each one of us must look to God for divine enlightenment. We must individually develop a character that will stand the test in the day of God. We must not become set in our ideas, and think that no one should interfere with our opinions. –The Review and Herald, June 18, 1889.” –Counsels to Writers and Editors, p. 45 (emphasis mine)
“Everything that Christians do should be as transparent as the sunlight. Truth is of God; deception, in every one of its myriad forms, is of Satan. . . . It is not a light or an easy thing to speak the exact truth. We cannot speak the truth unless we know the truth, and how often preconceived opinions, mental bias, imperfect knowledge, errors of judgment, prevent a right understanding of matters with which we have to do! We cannot speak the truth unless our minds are continually guided by Him who is truth.
“Through the apostle Paul, Christ bids us, ‘Let your speech be alway with grace’ (Colossians 4:6). ‘Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers’ (Ephesians 4:29). In the light of these Scriptures the words of Christ upon the mount are seen to condemn jesting, trifling, and unchaste conversation. They require that our words should be not only truthful, but pure.
“Those who have learned of Christ will ‘have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (chap. 5:11). In speech, as in life, they will be simple, straightforward, and true; for they are preparing for the fellowship of those holy ones in whose mouth ‘was found no guile’ (Revelation 14:5). –Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 66–69.” –Reflecting Christ, p. 71
“The Word of God does not repress man’s activity, but guides it in pure, holy channels. All the vigor of mind and soul is needed in the work of God, but it must be sanctified by His grace. All the confederacy of Satan, with his masterly intelligence, and with all the skill of thousands of years of practice, is engaged in luring men, even professed Christians, to follow his maxims. He will insinuate his own reasoning into human minds, leading men to believe that the worldly maxims and policy are correct, that when the objects to be gained are worthy in themselves, it is admissible to employ pretense, hypocrisy, and deceit in securing them.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 20, p. 384
“All their business transactions, whether with believers or unbelievers, should be as transparent as the sunlight. The fact that one is never detected in deception of fraud does not make him less guilty in the sight of God. That which God testifies of us when character is weighed in the golden scales of the sanctuary is to stand fast forever, unless the sad decision, ‘wanting’ is changed because of soul-repentance and transformation of character. Then pardon is written, and the promise is fulfilled, ‘a new heart will I give you.’” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 20, p. 384 (emphasis mine)
“The evil that led to Peter’s fall [in denying Christ at His trial] . . . is proving the ruin of thousands today. There is nothing so offensive to God or so dangerous to the human soul as pride and self-sufficiency. Of all sins it is the most hopeless, the most incurable.
“Peter’s fall was not instantaneous, but gradual. Self-confidence led him to the belief that he was saved, and step after step was taken in the downward path, until he could deny his Master. Never can we safely put confidence in self or feel, this side of heaven, that we are secure against temptation. Those who accept the Saviour, however sincere their conversion, should never be taught to say or to feel that they are saved. . . .
“This is misleading. Every one should be taught to cherish hope and faith; but even when we give ourselves to Christ and know that He accepts us, we are not beyond the reach of temptation. God’s Word declares, ‘Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried’ (Daniel 12:10). Only he who endures the trial will receive the crown of life (James 1:12).” –A New Life, p. 40–41
“Those who accept Christ, and in their first confidence say, I am saved, are in danger of trusting to themselves. They lose sight of their own weakness and their constant need of divine strength. They are unprepared for Satan’s devices, and under temptation many, like Peter, fall into the very depths of sin. We are admonished, ‘Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall’ (1 Corinthians 10:12). Our only safety is in constant distrust of self, and dependence on Christ. –A New Life, p. 41
“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12. The love of the truth=salvation. Living up to the light=christian maturity.
“There are many who profess Christ, but who never become mature Christians. They admit that man is fallen, that his faculties are weakened, that he is unfitted for moral achievement, but they say that Christ has borne all the burden, all the suffering, all the self-denial, and they are willing to let Him bear it. They say that there is nothing for them to do but to believe; but Christ said, ‘If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me’ (Matthew 16:24). Jesus kept the commandments of God. . . .
“We are never to rest in a satisfied condition, and cease to make advancement, saying, ‘I am saved.’ When this idea is entertained, the motives for watchfulness, for prayer, for earnest endeavor to press onward to higher attainments, cease to exist. No sanctified tongue will be found uttering these words till Christ shall come, and we enter in through the gates into the city of God. Then, with the utmost propriety, we may give glory to God and to the Lamb for eternal deliverance. As long as man is full of weakness—for of himself he cannot save his soul—he should never dare to say, ‘I am saved.’
“It is not he that putteth on the armor that can boast of the victory; for he has the battle to fight and the victory to win. It is he that endureth unto the end that shall be saved.” –A New Life, p. 41–42
“Just here we might distinguish between genuine and false sanctification. Sanctification does not consist in merely professing and teaching the Word of God, but in living in conformity to His will. Those who claim to be sinless, and make their boast of sanctification, are self-confident, and do not realize their peril. They anchor their souls upon the supposition that having once experienced the sanctifying power of God, they are in no danger of falling. While claiming to be rich and increased in goods, and in need of nothing, they know not that they are miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.
“But those who are truly sanctified have a sense of their own weakness. Feeling their need, they will go for light and grace and strength to Jesus, in whom all fullness dwells, and who alone can supply their wants. Conscious of their own imperfections, they seek to become more like Christ, and to live in accordance with the principles of His holy law. This continual sense of inefficiency will lead to such entire dependence upon God that His Spirit will be exemplified in them. The treasures of heaven will be opened to supply the wants of every hungering, thirsting soul. All of this character have the assurance of one day beholding the glory of that kingdom which as yet the imagination can only faintly grasp.
“Those who have felt the sanctifying and transforming power of God must not fall into the dangerous error of thinking that they are sinless, that they have reached the highest state of perfection, and are beyond the reach of temptation. The standard the Christian is to keep before him is the purity and loveliness of Christ’s character. Day by day he may be putting on new beauties, and reflecting to the world more and still more of the divine image.–Bible Echo, Feb. 21, 1898.” –Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 66 (emphasis mine)
“For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;). Romans 2:11–15. Do you notice here what the Apostle Paul is saying regarding salvation and what it is? It is letting God write the Ten commandments in our hearts and minds, for by it we will be judged. Also, we must live up to the light—for walking in the light is what salvation is.
“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:5–7. Do you remember how Jesus answered the High Priest’s questions about His disciples and His doctrine?
“Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou Me? ask them which heard Me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.” John 18:20–21. Jesus was completely transparent—just as you and I are supposed to be. May the good Lord help us to be truly transparent, for only in this way can He be our righteousness. May we live up to the light by walking in the light, then we can become one with Him who is the Light of the world. Then, as we trust in Him, we won’t be found saying, “I am saved,” but rather, “I am trusting Christ.” This means being completely transparent about our weakness, as we live up to every ray of light that the Lord has been pleased to place on our pathway. We will not ever say, or even think, that we are perfect, for as soon as we say this, we show ourselves to have left Christ behind. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1: 8–10
“God lives, and I am so glad of it. Our Saviour is not in Joseph’s tomb. He has risen, and has proclaimed over the rent sepulchre, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.’ Let us show by our actions that we are living by faith in him. We can call upon him for assistance. He is at our right hand to help us. Each one of you may know for yourself that you have a living Saviour, that he is your helper and your God. You need not stand where you say, ‘I do not know whether I am saved.’ Do you believe in Christ as your personal Saviour? If you do, then rejoice. We do not rejoice half as much as we should. This entire congregation should be filled with rejoicing because of the way in which God has been revealing himself in this meeting. God’s power has been seen, and his salvation is still to be revealed to his people. I see in Jesus a wonderful power and strength, and I want you to see this. Then your hearts will be as humble as the heart of a little child. Then you will not quarrel over who shall have the highest place or the highest wages. Your question will be, ‘How can I best serve my Lord?’” –General Conference Bulletin, April 10, 1901
Jerry Eaton