Chapter 7—The Basis of God’s Decision

Far more important than when God will decide is how He will decide our destiny. What standard does He use and how will He determine whether or not that standard has been met? Ellen White answers these questions for us. The standard, she says, is “the law of God...by which the characters and the lives of men will be tested in the judgment” (The Great Controversy, 482). In support of her position she quotes Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14, James 2:12, and Romans 2:12-16. She is also quick to point out that faith in Jesus Christ is essential in order for men to be able to keep God’s law and that “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (The Great Controversy, 436).IJWEGW 9.2

Since all men are different, and no two people have identical heredity and backgrounds, God does not expect the same response from one as from another. Ellen White states:IJWEGW 9.3

“He has given light and life to all, and according to the measure of light given, each is to be judged.”—The Desire of Ages, 210.

“Those who have an opportunity to hear the truth, and yet take no pains to hear or understand it, thinking that if they do not hear, they will not be accountable, will be judged guilty before God the same as if they had heard and rejected.... Jesus has made atonement for all sins of ignorance, but there is no provision made for willful blindness.”—513C 1145.

“None will be condemned for not heeding light and knowledge that they never had, and they could not obtain.”—513C 1145. (See also Testimonies for the Church 2:691.)

When Ellen White speaks of light that is brought to an individual, she specifies that it is not light unless he understands it. “We shall not be held accountable,” she states, “for the light that has not reached our perception, but for that which we have resisted and refused” (The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 5:1145). Again, she declares that it is “the truth that has reached their understanding, the light that has shone in the soul” that will condemn sinners in the judgment (The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 5:1145).IJWEGW 9.4

On such a basis, there is hope even for those in heathen lands who have never had the opportunity of hearing the gospel. Ellen White unequivocally declares:IJWEGW 9.5

“Among the heathen are those who worship God ignorantly, those to whom the light is never brought by human instrumentality,

yet they will not perish. Though ignorant of the written law of God, they have heard His voice speaking to them in nature, and have done the things that the law required. Their works are evidence that the Holy Spirit has touched their hearts, and they are recognized as the children of God.IJWEGW 10.1

“How surprised and gladdened will be the lowly among the nations, and among the heathen, to hear from the lips of the Saviour, ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me’! How glad will be the heart of Infinite Love as His followers look up with surprise and joy at His words of approval.”—The Desire of Ages, 638.

Again and again, she emphasizes the importance of our attitude toward the needy and the suffering. She states:IJWEGW 10.2

“At the last day the final decision by the Judge of all the earth will turn upon our interest in, and practical labor for, the needy, the oppressed, the tempted. You cannot always pass these by on the other side, and yourselves find entrance as redeemed sinners into the city of God.”—The Review and Herald, October 30, 1886, p. 738.

“He has plainly stated that the decisions of the last day will turn upon the question of practical benevolence.”—The Review and Herald, July 11, 1899, p. 437.

“When the nations are gathered before Him, there will be but two classes, and their eternal destiny will be determined by what they have done or have neglected to do for Him in the person of the poor and suffering.”—The Desire of Ages, 637.

Ellen White promises us that “The Judge of all the earth will render a just decision. He will not be bribed; He cannot be deceived” (In Heavenly Places, 360). We are admonished, “See that you have the oil of grace in your hearts,” for “the possession of this will make every difference with you in the judgment” (The Review and Herald, March 7, 1894, p. 194). We are reminded, too, that it is “only the work accomplished by much prayer, which is sanctified by the merit of Christ,” that “will stand the test of the judgment” (Christian Service, 263).IJWEGW 10.3