Sunday January 30, 2011
Special Post
I am taking the time to give to you something that I have been strongly impressed with this morning upon rising. I have often wondered at just what was the main point between the GCSDA church position and my position, as striving to be in perfect unity with the faith of the pioneers. My mind has been consumed with this for some time now, but this morning understanding has come.
It is the understanding of the absolute necessity of perfecting our Christian character, now, here, in this life, before death closes our probation forever.
Please click on the topic of “Perfection of Character,” here to the right, to access the wealth of information on this matter already posted.
The General Conference Seventh-Day Adventist church teaches that there is no perfection attainable in this life. There may be some who will claim that this is not so; however, it is not what you say, it is what I hear, and for my fifty years in the GCSDA church, this is what I have heard. I have asked many people questions about perfection, pastors, teachers, others, it makes no difference. Go into any SDA church and start asking about perfection and you will get the same answers, i.e., “We can not be perfect in this life.”
What this answer does is it give permission to sin; nay, verily, it makes sinning a necessity, an assumption seed is planted in the mind that, “I must sin, because it is part and parcel of this life.”
This is a device of Satan, which he uses to great advantage.
We must go to God for all our wisdom, all correct understanding. God has clearly defined these matters so that none need err. The great problem lies in man, standing up in pride of education and titles, to teach others and others accepting such, which God’s word condemns, without proving all things. (You can read about this in the book, “Studies in Christian Education,” by E. A. Sutherland. Education has been taken over by the Jesuits.)
Further, God has provided and preserved the original Spirit of Prophecy for the use of his people, who will be living through the closing scenes of this earth’s history, more clearly defining there the proper way to articulate these matters to avoid the sophistry of Satan; who now has one hundred times greater power to deceive (No. 23, p. 103) than when he deceived the angels in Heaven, and this, in the face of the fact that the human mind is more readily affected by Satan’s devices in these last days. (R&H, February 18, 1862)
Here is God, speaking through his servant, Ellen.
Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, or a day. It is a continual growth in grace. We know not one day how strong will be our conflict the next. Satan lives, and is active, and every day we need to earnestly cry to God for help and strength to resist him. As long as Satan reigns we shall have self to subdue, besetments to overcome, and there is no stopping place. There is no point to which we can come and say we have fully attained. [RH 05-06-62 para. 25] p. 23, Para. 6, [1862MS].
Phil. iii, 12: “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” [RH 05-06-62 para. 26] p. 23, Para. 7, [1862MS].
It is constantly an onward march. Jesus sits as a refiner and purifier of his people, and when his image is reflected in them perfectly, they are perfect and holy, and prepared for translation. A great work is required of the Christian. We are exhorted to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Here we see where the great labor rests. There is a constant work for the Christian. Every branch in the parent vine must derive life and strength from that vine, in order to yield fruit. Ellen G. White. [RH 05-06-62 para. 27] p. 23, Para. 8, [1862MS].
God tell us here, about the absolute necessity of perfecting our Christian character now.
I also saw that many did not realize what they must be in order to live in the sight of the Lord, without a High Priest in the Sanctuary, through the time of trouble. Those who receive the seal of the living God, and are protected in the time of trouble, must reflect the image of Jesus fully. p. 30, Para. 4, [CEV].
I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful, and were looking to the time of the “refreshing” and “latter rain” to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord, and to live in his sight. O, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the needful preparation, therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God. Those who refuse to be hewed by the prophets, and do not purify their souls in obeying the whole truth, and are willing to believe that their condition is far better than it really is, will come up to the time of the falling of the plagues, and then see that they needed to be hewed and squared for the building. But there will be no time then to do it; and no Mediator to plead their cause before the Father. Before this time, the awfully solemn declaration has gone forth, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” I saw that none could share the “refreshing,” unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, all pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action. We should, therefore, be drawing nearer and nearer to the Lord, and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. Let all remember that God is holy, and none but holy beings can ever dwell in his presence. p. 31, Para. 1, [CEV].
This is what it means to “Get Ready!” You must work on you. Your very life is at stake.
There is no time today for me to add any emphases, you will have to listen to the Holy Spirit and take these words from God and make of them what you will. I pray you will pray, for your very life.
God Bless your study