Meeting the Divine Standard
It is essential to keep constantly and prayerfully in mind God's standard and requirements for His people, in order that our lives may stand the great test for eternity.
The book of Romans is!, chiefly occupied with the presentation of God's provision for complete victory over sin. We cannot mistake the apostle Paul's purpose in his introduction of the sixth chapter, when he asks, " Shall we continue in sin? " and no other subject is introduced until we reach chapter nine. The entire discussion of chapters six, seven, and eight centers around the answer to this question. Perhaps it would be more accurate to state that the direct answer to the question is found in the two words of verse 2 of the sixth chapter, " God forbid; " and that the remainder of the three chapters is devoted to a clear presentation of the provision which God has made for the complete deliverance of His children from both the condemnation and the dominion of sin. The very first statement following the direct answer, shows how inconsistent it is to think that a child born into the family of God, is supposed to keep right on sinning, the same as before he became a member of the heavenly family, " How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? "
" The law reveals to man his sins, but it provides no remedy. While it promises life to the obedient, it declares that death is the portion of the transgressor. The gospel of Christ alone can free him from the condemnation or the defilement of sin. He must exercise repentance toward God, whose law has been transgressed; and faith in Christ, his atoning sacrifice. Thus he obtains remission of sins that are past,' and becomes a partaker of the divine nature. He is a child of God, having received the spirit of adoption, whereby he cries, Abba, Father.'
" Is he now free to transgress God's law? Says Paul: Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? ' And John declares, This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.' In the new birth, the heart is brought into harmony with God, as it is brought into accord with His law. When this mighty change has taken place in the sinner, he has passed from death unto life, from sin unto holiness, from transgression and rebellion to obedience and loyalty. The old life of alienation from God has ended; the new life of reconciliation, of faith and love, has begun. Then the righteousness of the law' will be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.' And the language of the soul will be, ' 0 how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the day.' "—" The Great Controversy," pp. 467, 468.
We should not overlook the distinction between committing sin and continuing in sin. There is no person in the world who can rightfully say that never will he sin again, for there is no individual who knows what he may do in the future, and no one can keep from sinning except as he, by the grace of God, surrenders his will and appropriates the keeping power of God by faith moment by moment. But every Christian can, and should, say in all sincerity that he, by the grace of God, does not intend or expect to sin again. It is our attitude of choice and faith which enables God to carry out in our lives His purpose of complete victory over sin. Even then there may be many failures, until our faith fully appropriates the experience of perfection which is for us.
" There are those who have known the pardoning love of Christ, and who really desire to be children of God, yet they realize that their character is imperfect, their life faulty, and they are ready to doubt whether their hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. To such I would say, Do not draw back in despair. We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes; but we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, nor forsaken and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Said the beloved John, ' These things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.' And do not forget the words of Christ, ' The Father Himself loveth you.' He desires to restore you to Himself, to see His own purity and holiness reflected in you. And if you will but yield yourself to Him, He that hath begun a good work in you will carry it forward to the day of Jesus Christ. Pray more fervently; believe, more fully. As we come to distrust our own power, let us trust the power of our Redeemer, and we shall praise Him who is the health of our countenance."—" Steps to Christ" (pocket edition), p. 64.
God gives us these comforting and reassuring words to encourage us at times when we are overcome and humiliated by our failures; but by no means are they to be made an excuse for continuing in sin. We must ever keep in mind God's ideal for His children,—" dead to sin," serving no " longer therein; " and we must earnestly pray and co-operate with Him as He makes the ideal a reality to us.
We may well meditate earnestly on the following statement:
" While we cannot claim perfection of the flesh, we may have Christian perfection of the soul. Through the sacrifice made in our behalf, sins may be perfectly forgiven. Our dependence is not in what man can do; it is in what God can do for man through Christ. When we surrender ourselves wholly to God, and fully believe, the blood of Christ cleanses from all sin. The conscience can be freed from condemnation. Through faith in His blood, all may be made perfect in Christ Jesus. Thank God that we are not dealing with impossibilities. We may claim sanctification. We may enjoy the favor of God. We are not to be anxious about what Christ and God think of us, but about what God thinks of Christ our substitute. Ye are accepted in the Beloved. The Lord shows to the repenting, believing one that Christ accepts the surrender of the soul to be molded and fashioned after His own likeness."— Mrs. E. G. White, in the General Conference Bulletin, April 17, 1891.
Meade Macguire.
Far Eastern Division.
A Confidential Word to Ministers Only
The Bible workers of this movement the world around, began on January 1, at 12 noon, a daily, milted prayer season — a brief pause wherever they may be — for concerted intercession over personal needs and for divine blessing upon the sisterhood of Bible workers. This action has gripped me. It is an advance move that we ministers may well ponder. It becomes to me an awakening and needed call to prayer. Many of us seem almost too busy to pray. We are so busy working for God that talking with Him has been crowded into a desperately small compass. Honestly, aren't most of us engaged largely in what, in the apostolic church, was the work of deacons — the serving " of tables " ? In this " back to the apostolic practice " movement, is there not a challenge to the ministry lest we fail to " give ourselves " " to prayer and the ministry of the word " ? Pentecostal results will come only by a return to Pentecostal conditions and practices. The hour has come for a recovery of the almost lost art and passion for prayer. Prayer moves things. It brings about the operation of the Holy Spirit, which in turn is the one instrument that transforms lives and will finish our allotted task. This is a call to prayer, prevailing prayer with God in 1929. Brethren, what do you say?
L. E. F.
