In a separate topic, Shireen made this statement, in reference to the first quote below (OHC 50):
"This appears to be a promise of faith and works combined. It doesn't indicate faith only as in Martin Luther's justification by faith alone."
I will try to tie this down as best I can.
In the first place, the Bible repeatedly says that we are not justified by works, and Paul's writings are an example of this (Romans 3:28, Galatians 2:16).
However, if we then look at James, there is a central passage where he makes the point that faith without works is dead, and that we are justified by works and not by faith only (James 2:17-24).
How do we reconcile these passages? The best way I know of doing so is by means of an approach that the Spirit of Prophecy describes as "Christ in the law" (see second quote below).
We as humans can have some success in obeying the law outwardly, without Christ, but the Bible makes plain that the real gospel is within the heart (Luke 17:21). Nicodemus was a good man, but Christ told him that he needed a new heart, and needed to be born again (John 3:3). Christ made plain in the Sermon on the Mount that outward behavior is only part of a larger package, and used the example of adultery in making this point (Matthew 5:27-28).
We may have some success at keeping the law outwardly, all by ourselves, but we cannot hope to do so inwardly, and Paul makes this clear in a very central passage (Romans 8:1-4). We need to appropriate the merits of Christ, and bring Him into our heart (Revelation 3:20-22).
When we talk about faith, we do not mean that faith has some intrinsic value by itself, but rather, that our faith lays hold of Christ's merits and victory (see third quote below), and He fills our hearts, and gives us the inward victory over sin. Through Christ, we overcome just as He overcame (Revelation 3:21).
If we have faith, and continually lay hold of Christ's merits, we can indeed have the victory, and will end up obeying the law not only outwardly, but inwardly as well. This appears to be the point that James is making -- if we claim to have faith, but it's not manifested in a changed life, then there's a really basic disconnect somewhere. Neither faith nor works have any intrinsic merits within themselves, but are simply part of a complete package based on our heart relationship with Christ.
We see this package described in Paul's writings, where he repeatedly talks about working in cooperation with divine forces, empowered by love and grace (Galatians 5:6, Colossians 1:27-29, 1 Corinthians 15:10).
It might be useful to work through a simple example in this area. Suppose that I go to my local supermarket, and am walking the aisles, and I see a large candy bar that I'm tempted to steal, but I grit my teeth and somehow manage to leave the store without the candy bar.
Is this a desirable outcome? Yes, in some ways -- I avoid the risk of getting caught shoplifting, and furthermore, this behavior supports the civil order of my local society, in that life would be chaotic if everyone stole from supermarkets.
What about the spiritual angle here? The eighth commandment says not to steal, and I've obeyed this commandment outwardly. But is outward obedience good enough? The Bible indicates otherwise. What if my heart doesn't match my outward behavior? It seems like only part of the issue has been resolved.
In my long-term experience, the spiritual model of "Christ in the law" is a very rich one, and it appears to be the underpinning for the distinctive faith that we hold. I believe strongly in our various doctrines, but they start to unravel if this core foundation is lost sight of.
The fourth and fifth quotes below talk specifically about this, for example in linking the third angel's message with the righteousness of Christ.
(1)
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25.
Christ is the connecting link between God and man. He has promised His personal intercession by employing His name. He places the whole virtue of His righteousness on the side of the suppliant. Christ pleads for man, and man, in need of divine help, pleads for himself in the presence of God, using the power of the influence of the One who gave His life for the world. As we acknowledge before God our appreciation of Christ's merits, fragrance is given to our intercessions. Oh, who can value this great mercy and love! As we approach God through the virtue of Christ's merits, we are clothed with His priestly vestments. He places us close by His side, encircling us with His human arm, while with His divine arm He grasps the throne of the Infinite. He puts His merits, as sweet incense, in a censer in our hands, in order to encourage our petitions. He promises to hear and answer our supplications. (Our High Calling, page 50)
(2)
There are many outside our people who are in the favor of God, because they have lived up to all the light that God has given them. For nearly two years we have been urging the people to come up and accept the light and the truth concerning the righteousness of Christ, and they do not know whether to come and take hold of this precious truth or not. They are bound about with their own ideas. They do not let the Saviour in. I have done what I could to present the matter. I can speak to the ear, but I cannot speak to the heart. Shall we not arise, and get out of this position of unbelief? Shall we not bruise Satan under our feet? I beseech of you, Come up where the living waters flow.
Yesterday morning I arose with an agony upon my soul, and I could only say, "Lord, thou knowest all about it. My heart is burdened, and thou knowest that I cannot bear this load. I must have more help than I yet have had. Thou knowest that when I see men taking positions contrary to thy word, I am crushed under the load, and I can do nothing without thy help." It seemed that as I prayed a wave of light fell about me, and a voice said, "I will be with thee to strengthen thee." Since then I have been resting in Jesus. I can hide in him. I am not going to carry this load any longer. I shall lay it down at the feet of my Redeemer.
Brethren, shall we not all of us leave our loads there? and when we leave this meeting, may it be with the truth burning in our souls like fire shut up in our bones. You will meet with those who will say, "You are too much excited over this matter. You are too much in earnest. You should not be reaching for the righteousness of Christ, and making so much of that. You should preach the law." As a people, we have preached the law until we are as dry as the hills of Gilboa that had neither dew nor rain. We must preach Christ in the law, and there will be sap and nourishment in the preaching that will be as food to the famishing flock of God. We must not trust in our own merits at all, but in the merits of Jesus of Nazareth. Our eyes must be anointed with eye-salve. We must draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to us, if we come in his own appointed way. O that you may go forth as the disciples did after the day of Pentecost, and then your testimony will have a living ring, and souls will be converted to God. (Ellen White 1888 Materials, page 560)
(3)
Without the grace of Christ, the sinner is in a hopeless condition; nothing can be done for him; but through divine grace, supernatural power is imparted to the man, and works in mind and heart and character. It is through the impartation of the grace of Christ that sin is discerned in its hateful nature, and finally driven from the soul temple. It is through grace that we are brought into fellowship with Christ, to be associated with him in the work of salvation. Faith is the condition upon which God has seen 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. (Review & Herald, November 4, 1890)
(4)
Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel's message, and I have answered, "It is the third angel's message in verity".
This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure. (Evangelism, page 190)
(5)
The end is near! We have not a moment to lose! Light is to shine forth from God's people in clear, distinct rays, bringing Jesus before the churches and before the world. Our work is not to be restricted to those who already know the truth; our field is the world. The instrumentalities to be used are those souls who gladly receive the light of truth which God communicates to them. These are God's agencies for communicating the knowledge of truth to the world. If through the grace of Christ his people will become new bottles, he will fill them with the new wine. God will give additional light, and old truths will be recovered, and replaced in the frame-work of truth; and wherever the laborers go, they will triumph. As Christ's ambassadors, they are to search the Scriptures, to seek for the truths that have been hidden beneath the rubbish of error. And every ray of light received is to be communicated to others. One interest will prevail, one subject will swallow up every other, -- Christ our righteousness. (Ellen White 1888 Materials, page 765)
