Counsel #6 — Forgiven And Declared Righteous

Picture: Counsel #6 — Forgiven And Declared RighteousCCW 59.1

In 2015 and 2016, several Western countries faced a strange crisis. ISIS, a terrorist group based in Syria, radicalized many young people and persuaded them to leave their comfortable lives in exchange for bloodshed and violence. A few years later, some tried to return home. But it wasn’t that easy. Their only hope was for a judge to take pity on them and pardon them—declare them innocent even though they weren’t. While human judges aren’t usually willing or able to pardon, God is! Through His gift of righteousness and pardon, we can become innocent.^{[82]https://adventistreview.org/magazine-article/how-can-we-be-just-before-god/}CCW 59.2

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJVCCW 59.3

“The poor in spirit are those who claim no personal merit, and boast of no virtue in themselves. Realizing their utter helplessness, and deeply convicted of sin, they put no faith in mere outward ceremonies, but cast themselves upon Jesus who is all-righteous and all-compassionate. The Christian can only rise through humility. The proud heart strives in vain to earn salvation by good works; for though one cannot be saved without good works, yet these alone will not suffice to win eternal life. After he has done all he can, Christ must impute to him his own righteousness.” Ellen White in The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, p. 204.2CCW 59.4

Reflect: How does understanding your helplessness without God’s forgiveness and power change your actions and focus?CCW 59.5