I realize the word merit is not a word used by the Bible writers but nevertheless it should be understood that it is there by implication. Are you familiar with DAubignés History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century? If not I invite you to get a copy of it and read it. You will find that Mrs. White did not invent the doctrine that there is salvation for you but only through the MERITS of Jesus Christ. T.M.97. Luther and several other reformers often spoke of the merits of Christ. In fact, salvation through the merits of Jesus Christ alone was the true light that had dawned upon them. See G.C.74. Please let me share a few statements from Daubignes book. Do not look for salvation in your own strength or in your good works, but in the MERITS of Christ and in Gods grace. Martin Luther, p.78. Anselm of Canterbury laid down, as the very essence of Christianity, the doctrines of the incarnation and atonement, and in a work, in which he teaches us how to die, he says to the departing soul, Look only to the MERITS of Jesus Christ. p.31. Calvin said, Father, we had devised for ourselves many useless follies, but You have placed Your Word before me like a torch, and You have touched my heart in order that I may hold in abomination all other MERITS save those of Jesus. Martyn, Vol.3,ch.13; G.C.221. How long will you hate and despise the messengers of Gods righteousness. God has given them His message. They bear the Word of the Lord: There is SALVATION for you but ONLY through the MERITS OF JESUS CHRIST. The grace of the Holy Spirit has been offered to you again and again. Testimonies to Ministers,96,97. If we stop to really think about it, all the religions of this world have the merits of the creature as their foundation. They all teach in one way or another salvation through the merits of the creature. Satan knows that it is only through the merits of Christs infinite sacrifice that salvation is gained. So what does he do? He directs the eyes of the people to the merits of the creature and thus frustrate the plan of redemption. Christ and His all-sufficient merits is the subject that should swallow up every other. Some have asked, What are the merits of Christ? What do you mean by the merits of Christ? So, as you can see, the enemy has done his nefarious work. No wonder the Bible says that the whole world is in captivity to him. I was watching National Geographic one day. On this particular show, the heroic deeds of a brave fireman were featured and he was given a beautiful badge on which were inscribed these words: MERIT FOR SERVICE AWARD. I was raised being taught to trust in the merits of the virgin Mary and in the merits of the so-called saints and even in the merits of my own good works. Yet only the merits of Christ avail with God! Since men ascribe merits to their fellowmen for their courageous, heroic or holy deeds, must not the infinite sacrifice of the worlds Redeemer be full of divine merits in the eyes of the Father and in the eyes of the holy angels and in the eyes of the unnumbered worlds throughout immensity? So much so that we are told that we are to hold in abomination all other MERITS save those of Jesus. See G.C.221. When we seek to gain Heaven through the MERITS of Christ the soul makes progress. E.G. White, Faith & Works,94. We see in the midst of the throne One bearing in hands and feet and side the marks of the suffering endured to reconcile man to God. We see a Father, infinite, dwelling in light unapproachable, yet receiving us to Himself through the MERITS of His Son. E.G. White, Acts of the Apostles,333. John, while in vision, saw a company clothed in white robes. They were seen in the Temple of God. This will be the result for all who will lay hold of the MERITS of Christ and wash their robes in His blood. E.G. White, Our Father Cares, p.339. Lay hold by faith of the MERITS of Christ and the soul-cleansing BLOOD will be applied. Faith and Works, p.94 Here are three more statements that really nail the matter of salvation in clear, distinct lines: We see in the midst of the throne One bearing in hands and feet and side the marks of the suffering endured to reconcile man to God. We see a Father, infinite, dwelling in light unapproachable, yet receiving us to Himself through the MERITS of His Son. E.G. White, Acts of the Apostles,333. John, while in vision, saw a company clothed in white robes. They were seen in the Temple of God. This will be the result for all who will lay hold of the MERITS of Christ and wash their robes in His blood. E.G. White, Our Father Cares, p.339. Lay hold by faith of the MERITS of Christ and the soul-cleansing BLOOD will be applied. Faith and Works, p.94.
Posted on: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 18:47:48 +0000
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