August 4, 1898

Counting the Cost—No. 3

EGW

The atonement of Christ has been made to save all the sons and daughters of Adam from the penalty of the violated law, on condition that they repent of their transgressions, and are converted through the exercise of faith in Christ. The Lord God of heaven is to be glorified by the obedience of His subjects. This wonderful plan of salvation devised in heaven was not to vindicate transgression. In satisfying the claims of justice, Christ does not release the sinner from his obligation to keep that law. By His death Christ makes it possible for us to keep that law. The sinner is held under obligation to the law. Altho Christ died in the sinner's stead, the sinner is liable to all the penalty of the law if he does not comply with the conditions of the Gospel; and these prescribe obedience, if he would be benefited by the obedience offered. The atonement was made to take away the sin of the world. The suffering of Christ upon the cross is a living testimony borne to all human intelligences that sin is the transgression of the law. And in bearing the penalty of transgression, Christ speaks to every soul, saying, “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all,” that through His merits He should become an accepted substitute for the sinner, “how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?”ST August 4, 1898, par. 1

God will save no man while he continues in transgression after the light has come. The great sacrifice of the Son of God was made that it might be possible for man to become obedient through faith. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The atonement in the offering of Christ for the sin of the world is the great argument that the law of God is binding upon every human being. “Think not that I am come,” said Christ, “to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in nowise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”ST August 4, 1898, par. 2

The same evidence that was given by God to prove His divine authority gave a representation of His character when there was no power to save, when no arm brought salvation. In the depths of omnipotent wisdom and mercy the Father took the work of salvation into His own hand. He sent His only-begotten Son into the world to live the law of Jehovah. The law, revealed in the character of Christ, was a perfect manifestation of the Father. And by His perfect obedience and the sacrifice of Himself, which He through the eternal Spirit once offered up unto God, He has fully satisfied the justice of the Father, and purchased not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven for all those whom the Father has given him.ST August 4, 1898, par. 3

The everlasting inheritance is purchased only for the elect. Says the apostle Peter: “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue; whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fail; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”ST August 4, 1898, par. 4

Christ is everything to us. We can not even repent unless divine impressions are made upon the heart. While Christ pardons none but the penitent, those whom He pardons are first made repentant. Those who have that faith which works by love and purifies the soul, have direct testimony in the Word of the grace bestowed by an ever-living Saviour. Without the saving grace of God, man can not endure the test of temptation. He is fit for no good work. Did the wonderful miracles wrought by Christ bring the Jewish nation to repentance?—No; the Jews who witnessed these miracles wickedly charged Him with performing these through Beelzebub, the prince of the devils. Bethsaida and Chorazin, tho they witnessed miracles of sufficient power to have convinced the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, did not submit to the evidence of truth.ST August 4, 1898, par. 5

These wonderful manifestations of the power of God produced the same effect upon the Jews as the power of the Gospel now exerts upon the multitude. They are convicted, but not converted. They are determined not to yield their will to the will of God. The danger of resisting the heavenly manifestation is presented before them, but they frame excuses for not yielding. Many are deceiving their own souls. They do not love Jesus, nor accept the terms of salvation. They act out the same spirit as did the disciples who turned from Christ because they did not immediately comprehend His words. “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.” The Holy Spirit's power is working upon mind and heart; the understanding is convinced, the conscience is aroused, and yet Christ says of them, “Ye will not come unto Me, that ye might have life.”ST August 4, 1898, par. 6

A test will come to every soul. The natural faults of character, if not determinedly overcome for Christ's sake, will completely master the human soul. Daily there is a battle to be fought which will cost mortification. It may cost reputation; but Jesus risked all this and a hundred-fold more that He might bring salvation within the reach of every soul. All the humiliation that man could bring upon Him He endured, that through His amazing condescension man might become the sure stepping-stone to His fellow-man, so sinful, so weak in moral power. Why, then, should fallen man be unwilling for Christ's dear sake to become a partaker of shame and reproach?ST August 4, 1898, par. 7

When the grace of God works upon the heart, a fervent zeal, a heavenly spirit, a melting, overflowing sympathy for souls that are impenitent, is seen in the life. The humble follower of Christ delights to contemplate His wondrous, surpassing beauty. He has discovered that the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and he loves to think of His matchless charms. Day by day a transforming power is at work upon his own life and character, and is filing his soul with an inexpressible love. He finds that the Saviour is willing to be his guide in this life, and his portion through eternity. His heart is won, his choice is made. He yokes up with Christ, and has a compelling power in winning souls to the Saviour. He can not change the heart, but He may convince of the truth which defines their duty and convicts of sin.ST August 4, 1898, par. 8

This subject is but dimly comprehended. It will bear searching, and the patient, persevering, diligent seeker for truth will be rewarded. Every spiritual muscle is to be put to the stretch to comprehend the Word. And after long-continued taxation, of intellect, of patience, of the whole man, he will find an infinity beyond. The prayer of the great apostle, whose heart was burning to know and understand these things, should be our prayer: “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.”ST August 4, 1898, par. 9

Mrs. E. G. White