Counsel #7 — Jesus—Our All In All!

Picture: Counsel #7 — Jesus—Our All In All!CSL 97.1

Righteousness by faith^{[105]Righteousness by faith is believing and accepting the gift of salvation through Christ alone.} in Jesus is the best news ever for every aspiring overcomer!CSL 97.2

We simply cannot gain salvation by our own good works or human merit because we are marred by sin. The law, while revealing to us our own moral failures, also exposes our inability to fulfill its demands. Thus, salvation becomes an unattainable goal through human effort. However, there’s Good News! God's grace^{[106]The influence of God’s divine grace regenerates and makes holy the human heart, giving virtuous impulses and strength to endure trials and resist temptation.} intervenes through Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life and offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice. By faith, you can accept Christ's righteousness—His holiness and goodness—as your own and be clothed in His perfect character. When Jesus' perfect righteousness is credited to us, it's a gift of God's amazing grace, not something we earn.^{[107]“Only the covering which Christ Himself has provided can make us [able] to appear in God’s presence. This covering, the robe of His own righteousness, Christ will put upon every repenting, believing soul…. This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising. Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us.” Maranatha, p. 78}  CSL 97.3

Believe in God's extraordinary power to mold you into the image of Christ—perfect in every way. On your own, you cannot erase your sins or transform your heart. But through your surrender to God, trust that He accomplished this for you because of Christ's sacrifice.^{[108]https://youtu.be/Zo4iXBsikoc}CSL 97.4

“All of us have been sinful; even our best actions are filthy through and through. Because of our sins we are like leaves that wither and are blown away by the wind.” Isaiah 64:6 GNTCSL 97.5

“Christ’s righteousness can be bought only of Christ for a life of willing obedience.” Ellen White in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 88CSL 97.6

Reflect: How can you effectively communicate the message of righteousness by faith to others who may be struggling with guilt and condemnation?CSL 97.7