Anonymous wrote:

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So far I have the concept TJ says the law of love is the basis of our design and how we were to operate. Sin messed that up, and man has replaced it with a legal / penal system of law that man says (or implies) is God's operational law for us i.e. you break My law and sin (legal) and I will punish you (penal). It aligns with what you quoted from a 2019 article. Somehow TJ has misstated the legal/penal system - it almost seems as though he has used a Roman Catholic system and asserts that is how everyone sees it, including the Bible. For believers who grew up in families that were dysfunctional with a punitive relationship model, the "God doesn't punish" concept is appealing, but is a false view of His character.

I'm not sure whether I totally understand what is being said here, but thought I would pass along a few quotes that seem to be relevant.

(1)

The law of love being the foundation of the government of God, the happiness of all created beings depended upon their perfect accord with its great principles of righteousness.  God desires from all His creatures the service of love -- homage that springs from an intelligent appreciation of His character.  He takes no pleasure in a forced allegiance, and to all He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him voluntary service.  {GC 493.2} 

But there was one that chose to pervert this freedom.  Sin originated with him who, next to Christ, had been most honored of God and who stood highest in power and glory among the inhabitants of heaven.  Before his fall, Lucifer was first of the covering cherubs, holy and undefiled.  "Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.  Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering ... Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.  Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." Ezekiel 28:12-15.  {GC 493.3}

(2)

Could those whose lives have been spent in rebellion against God be suddenly transported to heaven and witness the high, the holy state of perfection that ever exists there, -- every soul filled with love, every countenance beaming with joy, enrapturing music in melodious strains rising in honor of God and the Lamb, and ceaseless streams of light flowing upon the redeemed from the face of Him who sitteth upon the throne, -- could those whose hearts are filled with hatred of God, of truth and holiness, mingle with the heavenly throng and join their songs of praise?  Could they endure the glory of God and the Lamb?  No, no; years of probation were granted them, that they might form characters for heaven; but they have never trained the mind to love purity; they have never learned the language of heaven, and now it is too late.  A life of rebellion against God has unfitted them for heaven.  Its purity, holiness, and peace would be torture to them; the glory of God would be a consuming fire.  They would long to flee from that holy place.  They would welcome destruction, that they might be hidden from the face of Him who died to redeem them.  The destiny of the wicked is fixed by their own choice.  Their exclusion from heaven is voluntary with themselves, and just and merciful on the part of God.  {GC 542.2}

(3)

So long as all created beings acknowledged the allegiance of love, there was perfect harmony throughout the universe of God.  It was the joy of the heavenly host to fulfill the purpose of their Creator.  They delighted in reflecting His glory and showing forth His praise.  And while love to God was supreme, love for one another was confiding and unselfish.  There was no note of discord to mar the celestial harmonies.  But a change came over this happy state.  There was one who perverted the freedom that God had granted to His creatures.  Sin originated with him who, next to Christ, had been most honored of God and was highest in power and glory among the inhabitants of heaven.  Lucifer, "son of the morning," was first of the covering cherubs, holy and undefiled.  He stood in the presence of the great Creator, and the ceaseless beams of glory enshrouding the eternal God rested upon him.  "Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.  Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering ... Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.  Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." Ezekiel 28:12-15.  {PP 35.1}