What Mus Ti Do

8/3/2019 What Mus Ti Do

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PrefaceThe booklet you are holding in yourhands has been the object of afascinating turn of events. The roughcopy was sent to me in the mail atthe beginning of March 2002 forproof-reading. Our mail boxes werevandalized at about the time when itshould have arrived. Another copy

was mailed to me but I never receivedit. This time it must have been lostin the mail!

A month later, a friend invited me togo to The Flats, a park I did notknow the existence of until then. Itis located a few miles from where I

lived in Abbotsford, B.C.

When we arrived there, we startedwalking and immediately I spottedsomething on the ground. It was alittle book covered in mud. As Ireached down to pick it up, a strangefeeling came over me as I immediatelyrecognized the front cover. I justcouldnt bring myself to believe that


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I had just stumbled over the verybooklet that had twice eluded me! Myfriend seemed quite amused by thepuzzled look on my face. After Iexplained to her how it had beenstolen from my mail box a monthearlier, her eyes grew big!

It is now left to the reader todecide whether or not the message itcontains is appropriate for thistime. May God bless you greatly as itunfolds before your eyes!

In Christian love,

Laval Picard


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IntroductionI was born and raised in La BelleProvince, close to the border of NewBrunswick and the State of Maine, inthe small town of Dgelis, near avery beautiful lake. The nameDgelis was given to thispicturesque town after the Madawaskariver. Winding its way along the

north end of town, sections of thisriver, it is claimed, do not freeze,even during the most rigorous winter.Hence the name " Dgelis. "

I received a Catholic education.After graduating from high school, Iattended College for two years. But

it was during my first year at theUniversity, near Quebec city, that Ibegan to ask myself so many questionsabout the meaning of life and death..I suppose one could say that I washungering and thirsting for somethingI did not possess. I determined tofind the answers.


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I began searching for any book Ihoped would help me find the answers.I found myself drawn to a collectionof books by a Buddhist author by thename of Rampa. After I read the wholecollection, though I enjoyed readingevery single book, I still felt thesame emptiness.

Then one day my attention was drawnto a book on display at the CanadianBible Society. I wasted no timepurchasing it and reading it. As aresult, I became convinced, for thefirst time in my life, that I mustbegin to read and study the Bible formyself. I spent the next year doingjust that. At the same time, I keptpurchasing other books from The

Canadian Bible Society. I sensed thatI was going in the right direction bystudying the Bible and reading thesebooks and yet, something was stillmissing. It was not until I wasintroduced to the writings of anexceptional author that the Biblebegan to really make sense to me!


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What a delight it was for me to readthese two books: The GreatControversy and The Desire of Ages byE.G. White. It didnt take longbefore I became convinced that theauthor had to have been inspired. Ispent hours and hours devouringthese books. Impressed with my zealfor knowledge, my new-found friendsconvinced me that the Lord wascalling me to the ministry!

Before I realized what was happeningto me, I found myself in Alberta,Canada, three thousand miles away,taking Theology in an AdventistCollege. During the first two years Ibecame aware that like AncientIsrael, Gods people had been

wandering in the wilderness due tothe rejection of "a most preciousmessage" that the Lord had sent tothem many years ago. See SelectedMessages, Vol.1, pp.234,235.

During the course of my studies, thisburning subject became the topic of

many discussions among some of the


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students. It soon became clear to methat no one seemed to know exactlywhat the message was. Even to thisday, it remains hidden to themajority, even to some who have spentmany years trying to discover it!This we shall see later.

It was not until the month of January1999, after many years of long,protracted search for this message,that the Lord finally succeeded inopening the eyes of my understanding.All should be given the opportunityto see and understand this messagefor themselves. Had the light thatwas to lighten the whole earth withits glory been received, believed,and acted upon, in 1888, the work of

proclaiming the last message of mercyto the world would have been finishedand the Lord would have come for theredemption of His people.

May the Holy Spirit give us hearts toreceive, believe, and act upon thelight that is soon to lighten the

whole earth with its glory. This


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small booklet is the result of manyyears of earnest studies in an effortto make clear the message that someof us have declared to be the mostelusive message ever sent to Godspeople in the history of past ages,though the Lord Himself had declaredit to be "just as simple as ABC."

May the Lord give us hearts toreceive this special testimony is myprayer today.

Laval Picard


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Nothing New Under The SunHistory repeats itself. " The thing that has been, it is that which shallbe: and that which is done is thatwhich shall be done: and there is nonew thing under the sun . Ecc.1:9.

In other words, " The importantmovements of the present have their

parallel in those of the past ." TheGreat Controversy, p.343.

That the Advent Movement is animportant movement of the present noone can deny and it has its parallelin the history of Ancient Israel:" The remnant church is called to go

through an experience similar to thatof the Jews ." Selected Messages,Vol.1, p.387.

Not one of us can afford to ignorethe following warning:

" The trials of the children of

Israel, and their attitude justbefore the first coming of Christ,


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have been presented before me, againand again, to ILLUSTRATE the position

of the people of God in their experience before the second coming of Christ--how the enemy sought every occasion to take control of the mindsof the Jews, and today he is seeking to blind the minds of God's servants,that they may not be able to discernthe precious truth. Selected Messages, Vol.1, p.406.

What was the attitude of the Jewishpeople at the time of the firstcoming of Christ?

" In the days of Christ the religiousleaders of the people felt that they were rich in spiritual treasure. The

prayer of the Pharisee, 'God, I thankthee, that I am not as the rest of men,' expressed the feeling of hisclass and, to a great degree, of thewhole nation. Jesus had presented thecup of blessing to those who feltthat they were 'rich, and increased with goods, and had need of


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nothing. Rev.3:17; Mount of Blessing, p.6.

We are told that this will be theattitude of the Advent people justprior to the second coming of Christ.The next statement, from the samesource, should leave no doubt in themind of the reader:

" Here is represented a people who pride themselves in their possession

of spiritual knowledge and advantages--who are satisfied intheir own self-sufficiency--who claimto know and possess everything. Selected Messages, Vol.1, pp. 357,358.

The illustration is, one must admit,very striking! To a great degree,then, this will be the attitude ofthe majority of the different partiesof Advent believers before the secondcoming of Christ:

" He who feels whole, who thinks he is

reasonably good, and is contented


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with his condition, does not seek tobe a partaker of the grace and

righteousness of Christ. Pride feelsno need, and so it closes the heartagainst Christ and the infiniteblessings He came to give. Mount of Blessing , p.7.

Therefore, " To those who areindifferent at this time, Christ'swarning is, 'I will spew thee out of my mouth.' The figure of spewing outof His mouth means that Christ cannotoffer up your prayers or your expressions of love to God; that Hecannot endorse your teaching of Hisword or your spiritual work inanywise. He cannot present your religious exercises with the requestthat grace be given you. Testimonies, Vol.6, p.408 .

" Christ cannot take up the names of those who are satisfied in their ownself-sufficiency. He cannot importunein behalf of a people who feel noneed of His help, who claim to know


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and possess everything. Selected Messages, Vol.1, p.358 .

In the days of Christ, " there weresome who had a sense of their spiritual poverty, who knew that they could not possibly save themselves,or of themselves do any righteousaction. They were the poor in spiritwhom the Lord declared to beblessed. Mount of Blessing, pp.6,7;Matt.5:3; 1 Cor.1:26-29.

So it is today. While the majorityfeel satisfied with their spiritualcondition, there are some who arethirsting and hungering forsalvation:

" In every congregation in the land there are souls unsatisfied,hungering and thirsting for salvation. By day and by night theburden of their heart is, WHAT MUST IDO TO BE SAVED? They listen eagerly to popular discourses, hoping tolearn how they may be justified

before God. But too often they hear


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only a pleasing speech, an eloquentdeclamation. There are sad and

disappointed hearts in every religious gathering. Review and Herald, March 8, 1881; Faith and Works, p.32.

" There are many who want to know whatthey must do to be saved .Evangelism, p.188. It is to them thatthe gospel is to be proclaimed:

"The gospel is to be preached to the poor. Not to the spiritually proud,

those who claim to be rich and inneed of nothing is it revealed, butto those who are humble and contrite.One fountain only has been opened for sin, a fountain for the poor inspirit. Desire of Ages, p.300; Job22:29.

The " poor in spirit " are " those whorecognize that their great need istheir only claim on God's mercy. Desire of Ages, p.317. They know that" they have nothing to recommend themto God ," and therefore " the plea that


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they urge NOW and EVER is their utterly helpless condition that makes

God's redeeming power a necessity. Ibid, p.317. In other words, " their argument is their great need. Ibid,

p.317; Jer.17:9; Luke 18:13.

In the years preceding theMinneapolis meeting in 1888, " the

poor in spirit " began to seriouslyinquire and agonize about the matterof salvation. Day by day they werecrying out to God saying, " WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED? " To them, the Lord,in His great mercy, sent " a most

precious message. Testimonies toMinisters, p.91.

To the poor in spirit this messagewould have been meat in due season.Matt.24:45; Isa.50:4. But as it wasto be expected, " When light begins toshine forth to make clear the plan of redemption to the people, the enemy works with all diligence, that thelight may be shut away from thehearts of men. Review and Herald,

Sept.3, 1889 .


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These words were penned at a timewhen God had designed that thisprecious message of redemption shouldcome to His people as the latterrain:

" We have been in the time of thelatter rain since the Minneapolismeeting. E.G. White, 1893 GeneralConference Bulletin, p.377.

The next statement removes any doubtas to whether or not the enemysucceeded in shutting away theprecious truth from the hearts ofGod's people:

" Satan succeeded in shutting away from our people, in a great measure,the special power of the Holy Spiritthat God longed to impart to them.The light that is to lighten thewhole earth with its glory wasresisted, and by the action of our own brethren has been kept away fromthe world. Selected Messages, Vol.1,

pp.234,235.


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the soul of man and that has shut inthe mind. It is next to impossible to

break through this atmosphere of doubt and unbelief. It is next toimpossible to arouse man's vitalinterests so that he may understand what he must do to be saved. Faithand Works, p.64.

Not One In One Hundred

Why is it that they were not able todiscern the precious truth? Because" Satan is working with all hishellish power to quench that lightwhich should burn brightly in the

soul and shine forth in good works.He is working against this all thetime. E.G. White, Bible Commentary,Vol.4, p.1179; Faith and Works, p.72;Matt.5:16 .

It is not because the matter ofsalvation is too difficult to

understand. " We do not understand the


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matter of salvation. It is just assimple as ABC. But we don't

understand it. E.G. White, May 11,Manuscript 1, 1889; Faith and Works, p.64. Once again, these words were

penned only a few months after theproclamation of the message atMinneapolis in 1888.

We need to be enlightened in regard to the plan of salvation . In nouncertain terms we are told that wedo not understand it . Not even onein one hundred does: " There is NOT ONE IN ONE HUNDRED who understandsfor himself the Bible truth on thissubject that is so necessary to our

present and eternal welfare. Selected Messages, Vol.1, p.360.

Not one in one hundred! These wordsfrom the apostle Paul to theCorinthians certainly apply to ustoday:

" If any man think he knoweth anything he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to

know " 1 Cor.8:2.


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A Call To ReformThe date is February 6, 1896. SisterWhite is in Australia. She is writingto the brethren in America. Under thesubtitle, " A CALL TO REFORM ," shewrites:

" The people to whom God has entrusted eternal interests, the depositoriesof truth pregnant with eternalresults, the keepers of light that isto illuminate the whole world, havelost their bearings. Testimonies toMinisters, p.397.

The people to whom God had entrustedthe precious light of truth had losttheir bearings! Would that notexplain why, many, especially in thelast fifty years or so, have beentrying to get our bearings back?

Trying To Rediscover The Light


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In 1950, Elders Wieland and Short,who were then missionaries to Africa,published their first edition oftheir well-renown book, THE 1888MESSAGE RE-EXAMINED, in which arethese words found:

" Many even in the world today aretrying to discover the light whichGod revealed to His people in 1888.No one has so far been successful.Religious thinkers are yearning for something no one clearly understands,though it would seem that a few areon the verge of discovery. Wieland and Short, The 1888 Message Re-Examined, 1950, pp.242,243.

Thirty-seven years later, in 1987,Wieland and Short published therevised edition of that book. On page184, we read these words:

" It would seem that 1888 presents a problem unique in the long history of

God's confrontation with His people.

There is a precious truth involved


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therein that seems more elusive thanany in the history of past ages.

Wieland and Short, 1888 Message Re-Examined, Second Edition, 1987.

This begs the question, How could amessage which was said to be " just assimple as ABC ," become " more elusivethan any in the history of pastages, " and that for more than acentury? How could the people of Godfail to grasp a most precious messagewhich Mrs. White declared to be justas simple as ABC? Though the enemy isworking against this message all thetime, should not those inresponsible positions have been thefirst ones to catch the first rays ofthe light that is to illuminate thewhole earth?

It is difficult to believe let aloneto accept that after the Minneapolismeeting in 1888 not one in onehundred understood for himself whathe must do to be saved when the Lordhad made the matter of salvation just


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as simple as ABC! See Faith andWorks, p.64.

Today, it would be wise to seriously" examine ourselves, whether we be inthe faith. 2 Cor.13:5; 1 Cor.8:2 ." Let him who thinketh he standethtake heed lest he fall . 1 Cor.10:12.

It is indeed mind-boggling, to saythe very least of it, that this "mostprecious message, which was said tobe " just as simple as ABC, "" presented in clear and distinctlines , spoken in demonstration of the Spirit, " should somehow havebecome, for more than a century," more elusive than any in the history of past ages! "

The Message

In her address to the brethren whowere assembled at this mostillustrious Conference in 1888,

Sister White spoke solemnly as shereflected upon the message from God.


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She writes, " Be careful how you treatit. Take off the shoes from off your

feet, for you are on holy ground. Testimonies to Ministers, p.90.

In one of the most solemn appeals tothem, she spelled out, in all itsbeauty and simplicity, the verymessage which some of us have, for somany years, been so desperatelytrying to discover:

" How long will you hate and despisethe messengers of God'srighteousness? God has given them Hismessage. THEY BEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD: There is salvation for you butonly through the merits of JesusChrist. Testimonies to Ministers,

pp.96,97.

This statement above contains themost precious message that not onein one hundred understands forhimself! Only as we accept thismessage and act upon it will we getour spiritual bearings back. Believe

it because it is the truth, because


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God says it, and lay hold upon themerits of a crucified and risenSaviour. Faith and Works, p.76.

This is the light God designed thatit should come to His people as thelatter rain! It is written thatthose who received the message weregreatly blessed as the merits ofChrist were applied to their ownhearts. See Testimonies to Ministers,p.95,93.

As soon as the full meaning of thisprecious light begins to dawn in thechambers of the mind, one cannot butbe startled with its beauty andsimplicity and yet it is a mostprofound truth with many

ramifications. One is filled withgratitude to God. As the merits ofChrist are placed upon the believer,he is filled with light and peace andjoy in the Holy Spirit. Looking untoJesus and trusting in His merits, weappropriate the blessings of lightand peace and joy in the Holy

Spirit. Testimonies, Vol.5, p.744.


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To the question, " What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefitstoward me? " the inspired answer is:" I will offer unto Him the sacrificeof praise and thanksgiving . Psalm116:12,17; Heb.13:15.

This is the 1888 message in anutshell. It is the everlastingGospel. " Through the sacrifices and offerings brought to the earthly sanctuary, the children of Israelwere to lay hold upon the merits of aSaviour to come. Spiritual Gifts,Vol.1, p.161.

That there should have been any kindof prejudice against this message orany type of resistance to it may beattributed to the fact that "Theproud heart strives to earn hissalvation. Desire of Ages, p.300.This message of salvation onlythrough the merits of Jesus Christwas sent to the church " that God's

people might discern with

astonishment the utter worthlessness


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of creature merit to earn the wagesof eternal life. Faith and Works,

p.23,27.The people had cherished the ideathat they could do something to makethemselves worthy of God's blessings:" We have long desired and tried toobtain the blessings of the covenantof grace but have not received thembecause we have cherished the ideathat we could do something to makeourselves worthy of them. Faith and Works, p.36.

" Many are losing the right way, inconsequence of thinking that they must climb to Heaven, that they mustdo something to MERIT the favour of God. This they can never accomplish ."(1 S.M.368).

The true light is that We have nomerits except as they come throughJesus Christ. E.G. White, BibleCommentary, Vol.5, p.1128. This isthe Bible truth on this subject that

is so necessary to our present and


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eternal welfare. This is the truelight that was " in great measure "" shut away " from our people " by theaction of our own brethren. " SeeSelected Messages, Vol.1, p.235.

The Only Religion Of The Bible

Isnt it marvelous that in just " a

few words " (Eph.3:3,4), we have,here, simply stated, the truereligion, the only religion of theBible:

"There is salvation for you but onlythrough the merits of Jesus Christ.The grace of the Holy Spirit has been

offered to you again and again.."Testimonies to Ministers, p.97.

To the question, What must I do to besaved? there is only one simpleanswer: " Present your case before God

pleading the MERITS of the blood shed for you upon Calvary's Cross ."


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And here is the reason: " The MERITSof Christ's sacrifice are SUFFICIENT

to present to the Father in your behalf. Faith and Works, p.106;Steps to Christ, p.36.

Either we believe this or we dont.If we do, we have the approval of Godand we are accepted in the Belovedand we may go on from grace to graceand from light to a greater light!

As this study progresses, we shouldbe able to appreciate, more and more,as to why " the MERITS of a crucified and risen Saviour are the FOUNDATION of the Christian's faith ." The GreatControversy, p.73. This is the truelight the Reformers discovered andwhen they did, "They cast themselveswholly upon the merits of theSaviour. Ibid, p.74.

" Luther tried through works to obtainthe favour of God; but he was notsatisfied until a gleam of light fromHeaven drove the darkness from his

mind, and led him to trust, not in


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works, but in the MERITS of the blood of Christ. Spiritual Gifts, p.120.

John Calvin had said, " O Father, wehad 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 allother merits save those of Jesus. The Great Controversy, p.221.

What a Spirit-filled prayer! Itclearly defines the true religion,the only religion of the Bible!

By comparing statement withstatement, as Scripture is explainedby Scripture, (1 Cor.2:13), we shouldbe able to discern and appreciate thepreciousness of this truth. We willsee that it is indeed " a most

precious message " and that it is no" cunningly devised fable ." 2 Peter1:16. It will be seen that thissimple truth is "The truth as it isin Jesus, even " the Third Angel's


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message in verity. " Eph.4:21;Testimonies to Ministers, p.92,93,97.

The Testimony of God HimselfHere it is, again, simply stated:

" We see in the midst of the throneOne bearing in hands and feet and

side the marks of the sufferingsendured to reconcile man to God. Wesee a Father, infinite, dwelling inlight unapproachable, yet receiving us to Himself through the MERITS of His Son ." E.G. White, Acts of theApostles, p.333.

" God will accept every one that comesto Him trusting wholly in the MERITSof a crucified and risen Saviour.Then Love springs up in the heart .There may be no ecstasy of feelingbut there is an abiding, peacefultrust." Selected Messages, Vol.1,p.354. This sums up for us the 1888

message of righteousness by faithand let us not forget that


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" Righteousness is love and love isthe light and the life of God ." Mountof Blessing, p.18.

May God give us hearts to receivethis testimony, for this is theprecious truth that is so necessaryto our present and eternal welfare,that not one in one hundredunderstands for himself!

The righteousness of Christaccomplishes everything, for itimparts all the powers, all thegrace, all the repentance, all theinclination, and all the pardon ofsins. See Faith and Works, p.24. Itis obtained only by appropriating toourselves the all-sufficient meritsof the Saviour. This is the truth asit is in Jesus, the true religion,the only religion of the Bible! TheFather receives us to Himself throughthe merits of His Son! This is theTestimony of God Himself! 1Cor.2:1,2; Gal.6:14.


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Our Part and Gods PartAll that the truth expects from us isthat we receive it, believe it, andact upon it. Implicit faith in theword of God is true humility, trueself-surrender. Desire of Ages,p.535.

When the Holy Spirit shall come intoyour hearts, to impress the truthinto your souls, you will not let itgo easily. Faith and Works, p.56.

" Our part ," the humble servant of theLord wrote, " is to lay hold by faith

of the merits of Christ ."Fundamentals of Christian Education,p.430. It is that simple. And if wedo our part, then God will do His! Asfaith lays right hold upon the meritsof a crucified and risen Saviour, theHoly Spirit brings Christ'srighteousness into the life and" Christ's righteousness accomplisheseverything ." Faith and Works, pp.64-


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66,27. This is what it means to" believe on Him whom God has sent ."John 6:29.

What Must I do to be Saved?Again the answer to this question isa very simple one: " I must ever looktoward Calvary, and with the simple

faith of a little child I must REST in the MERITS of Christ, accepting His righteousness and believing inHis mercy. " Evangelism, p.185.

Little children do not have muchpride of opinion of their own. Grownup ones are not so ready to learn.

" Whosoever shall not receive thekingdom of God as a little child, heshall not enter the kingdom of God. "Mark 10:15. This is spoken of asgiving us a model and example as tohow we are to come to the word of Godand learn. Trusting in the merits ofChrist with the simple faith of a

little child in order to receive


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divine person, TO HIS MERITS and toHis changeless love for the human

family. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world.It is the third angels message,which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with theoutpouring of the Holy Spirit inlarge measure. " Testimonies toMinisters, pp.92,93.

Notice the emphasis again:

" The efficacy of the blood of Christwas to be presented to the peoplewith freshness and power that their faith might lay hold upon ITSMERITS ."

Unless he makes it his life businessto behold the uplifted Saviour and toACCEPT His MERITS which it is hisPRIVILEGE to CLAIM, the sinner can nomore be saved than Peter could walkupon the water unless he kept hiseyes fixed steadily upon Jesus. Testimonies to Ministers, p.93.


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Could the Lord have made the matterof salvation more plain and simple?With the simple faith of a littlechild we are to rest in the merits ofthe Lamb that was slain! All that weneed to do is to hold on to thistestimony for it is the testimony ofGod Himself: He receives us toHimself through the merits of HisSon. Acts of the Apostles, p.333.

For, " The merits of Christ blot outtransgressions and clothe us with therobe of righteousness woven in theloom of Heaven ." Evangelism, p.186.

In 1888 the people were invited tolay hold by faith of the merits ofChrist in order to receive Hisrighteousness which is made manifestin obedience to all the commandmentsof God! See Testimonies to Ministers,p.92.


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Court Week With UsAll the witnesses that we have heard,so far, are of one mind and of oneaccord, testifying to the savingtruth that " the merits of Christ areSUFFICIENT to present to the Father in our behalf ." Steps to Christ,p.36. In other words, it is courtweek with us and we are to " presentour case before God pleading themerits of the blood shed for us uponCalvary's cross, " saying, " Lord, Ihave no merit or goodness whereby Imay claim salvation but I presentbefore you the--MERITS of the--all-

atoning blood of the spotless Lamb of God. THIS IS MY ONLY PLEA ." Faith andWorks p.106.

To apply to the merits of the bloodof Christ is not only our first work but it is the work of a lifetime. Wemust DAILY APPLY to the MERITS of

the blood of a crucified and risen


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Saviour that we may become vesselsfit for the Master's use ." Faith andWorks, p.86.

Habitually Dwelling UponNow, let us take a look at the sureresults of habitually dwelling uponChrist and His all-sufficient merits:

"Habitually dwelling upon Christ andHis all-sufficient merits increasesfaith, quickens the power of spiritual discernment, strengthensthe desire to be like Him and bringsan earnestness into prayer that makesit efficacious ." Gospel Worker,

p.166.

All these blessings are assured tothose who habitually dwell uponChrist and His all-sufficient merits.This is how sinners show theirappreciation of the merits of thespotless Lamb of God. And " As we

acknowledge before God our appreciation of Christs merits,


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fragrance is given to our intercessions. " Our Father Cares,

p.120. We are told that " Jesus hasturned the merits of His sacrificeinto prayer ." E.G. White, BibleCommentary, Vol.7, p.914.

Jesus prays. He pleads His own meritsbefore the Father in our behalf,claiming the gift of the Spirit thatHe may pour it upon us, and Hesucceeds. Ibid, 914. What, then, isour work, as well as the work of theministers? Our part is to lay hold by faith of the merits of Christ. Fundamentals of Christian Education,

p.430. "The work of the ministers isto hang their helpless souls upon themerits of Christ. Testimonies toMinisters, p.247.

This is the only true faith whichbrings Gods blessings to us:

" Looking unto Jesus and trusting inHis merits we appropriate theblessings of light and peace and joy


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in the Holy Spirit ." Testimonies,Vol.5, p.744.

This is " the faith which works by love " to purify the soul. Gal.5:6.Therefore, " The only faith that willBENEFIT us is that which embracesJesus as our personal Saviour: whichappropriates His merits toourselves. " The Desire of Ages,p.347; Our Father Cares, p.192.

Are we getting a glimpse of whattakes place when we " appropriate " themerits of Christ to ourselves? As werealize our great need, we may fallat the feet of Jesus and claim Hismerits. In doing so, our heavenlyFather treats us, not as we deserve,but as Jesus deserves to be treatedand loved! Behold! What manner oflove! " Jesus was treated as wedeserve that we might be treated asHe deserves! " Desire of Ages, p.25.Is this not a mind-boggling truth! Asthe merits of Christs infinitesacrifice are placed upon the

believing sinner he becomes a member


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messages given, as Scripture isexplained by Scripture. SelectedMessages, Vol.1, p.42.

SummaryBefore we go any further, let us nowmake a brief summary of some of thetestimonies we have heard, so far:

1. In 1888, The eyes of the peopleneeded to be directed to Jesus, toHis divine Person, to HIS MERITSand to His changeless love for thehuman family.

2. " There is salvation for you butonly through the MERITS of JesusChrist.

3. " The MERITS of Christs sacrificeare SUFFICIENT to present to theFather in our behalf ."

4. " Our part is to lay hold, by faith, of the MERITS of Christ ."


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5. " The only faith that will benefit

us is that which appropriatesChrists MERITS to ourselves. "

6. " The MERITS of Christ are thefoundation of the Christiansfaith ."

7. " We must daily apply to the MERITSof the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour ."

8. "The Father receives us to Himselfthrough the MERITS of His Son."

9. " Looking unto Jesus and trusting in His MERITS, we appropriate theblessings of light and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit ."

10. You have no merits except asthey come through Jesus Christ.

All these " witnesses " testify to theamazing fact that Jesus was treatedas we deserve that we might be

treated as He deserves! Thus, it is


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our privilege to appropriate toourselves the all-sufficient meritsof a crucified and risen Saviour!

More Witnesses

Now we would like to introduce otherwitnesses in support of this precioustruth! It is impossible tooveremphasize it! The apostle Paulsaid, " To write the same things toyou, to me indeed it is not tedious,but for you it is safe! " Phil.3:2. Isit not safe for us to habituallydwell upon Christ and His all-sufficient merits?

Living FaithIn the next following statement isthe definition of what living faithis: " How has it been with Christ'sdisciples in all ages of the world?

Why, they have learned of Jesus; they


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have been in His school; they havebeen His students, and have learned

the lessons of Christ in regard tothe living connection that the soulhas with God: That LIVING FAITH isessential to our salvation, that weshould lay hold upon the MERITS of acrucified and risen Saviour to bringChrists righteousness into the life!Faith and Works, p.64.65,66.

This, dear reader, is what livingfaith is, and it is according toGod's own idea of it, and notaccording to any of man's ideas! Thisis the teaching of righteousnessaccording to righteousness and in itthere is not one thread of humandevising! Thank God! 1 Cor.2:1-5;Eph.4:21. And you cannot explain it!" You cannot explain this faith thatlays right hold upon the MERITS of the blood of a crucified and risenSaviour to bring Christsrighteousness into the life ." Faithand Works, pp.65,66.


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" Well then, what is our position? Itmust be a position of living faith ."

Faith and Works, p.65. " Living faithis essential for our salvation thatwe should lay hold upon the MERITS of the blood of a crucified and risenSaviour ." Faith and Works, p.64.

This is the true religion, the onlyreligion of the Bible! This is theBible truth on this subject that isso necessary to our present andeternal welfare, that not one in onehundred understands for himself!

By relying solely upon the merits ofJesus Christ for his salvation, thesinner is elevated to the throne ofGod! Christ places His own meritsupon man and thus elevates him in thescales of moral value, with God. OurFather Cares, p.121. " This is thehighest position to which man canattain ." Acts of the Apostles, p.210.Thus "It is the privilege of everybeliever in Christ (who appropriatesHis merits to himself) to possess

Christs nature, a nature far above


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that which Adam and Eve forfeited bytransgression. The Upward Look,p.18.

Thus, Clothed with the robe ofChrists righteousness, and not yourown righteousness, you will notdepend upon what you can do or whatyou will do, for Christ'srighteousness accomplisheseverything. Faith and Works,pp.65,66,27.

A Wonderful Work" Jesus looked forward to the timewhen the Holy Spirit should come to

do a wonderful work in and throughHIS MERITS ." Testimonies toMinisters, p.402.

It is only the fragrance of theMERITS of the blood of Christ thatwill avail anything in our behalf. "E.G. White, BibleCommentary,Vol.5, p.1122.


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If there is anything in our worldthat should inspire enthusiasm, it isthe fact that " Jesus was treated aswe deserve that we might be treated as He deserves. " Desire of Ages,p.25; 2 Cor.5:21.

God forbid that we should glory savein the merits of the blood of acrucified and risen Saviour!Gal.6:14; Col.1:20. This is " the hopethat is set before us ," in theScriptures. And what a lively hope!Heb.6:18.

Soon one interest will prevail, onesubject will swallow up every other:Christ and the necessity ofappropriating His merits toourselves!

Our Only Hope

"Those who live nearest to Jesusdiscern most clearly the frailty and


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in our behalf. " Steps to Christ,p.36.

Who would dare to say, or to suggest,at this point, that it is not enoughto rely solely upon the merits of acrucified and risen Saviour in orderto be justified before God? Thistruth is pregnant with eternalresults. Accepted, it brings thelight that is to burn brightly intothe soul and shine forth in goodworks, works which God preparedbeforehand that we should walk inthem! Eph.2:10.

Speaking With Great AuthorityNow we will make room for morestatements, statements that have anextremely important contribution tomake in support of the truth as it isin Jesus. Eph.4:21. Our firstwitness, in this connection, speakswith great authority. We need tolisten very carefully. May the Lord


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cover us with a canopy of His holyangels that not one word may be lost:

"In His divine arrangement, throughHis unmerited favour, the Lord hasordained that good works shall berewarded. But we are accepted throughCHRISTS MERITS ALONE; and the actsof mercy, the deeds of charity, whichwe perform, are the fruits of faith;and they become a blessing to us; formen are to be rewarded according totheir works. It is the fragrance of the MERITS of Christ that makes our good works acceptable to God, and itis grace that enables us to do theworks for which He rewards us. Theseworks, in and of themselves, have nomerit. When we have done all that is

possible for us to do, we are tocount ourselves as unprofitableservants. Luke 17:10. We deserve nothanks from God. We have only donewhat it was our duty to do, and our works could not have been performed in the strength of our own sinfulnatures. Works without faith are

dead, and faith without works is


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dead. Works will never save us; IT ISONLY THE MERITS OF CHRIST THAT WILL

AVAIL IN OUR BEHALF ." E.G. White,Bible Commentary, Vol.5, p.1122;Faith and Works, p.48.

The two statements above contain thewhole counsel of God. Acts 20:27. Itmust be read again and again untilthe precious truth is assimilated.The statements contain elements ofvital truths which are veryilluminating in their influence andsaving in their power! As we readthese statements, we must not forgetto pray that God will surround uswith a canopy of angels for this isthe precious light the enemy isworking against ALL THE TIME! Faithand Works p.72.

Put up the Bars Behind You!

We need not be confused. "W hen theHoly Spirit shall come into your hearts, to impress the truth into


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your souls, you will not let it goeasily. You have gained such an

experience in searching theScriptures that every point isestablished. And it is important thatyou continually search theScriptures. " Faith and Works, p.56.

And, " If you have seen the truth of God, press right to the light and PUT UP THE BARS BEHIND YOU. We need tohave an individual, personalexperience. We need to be converted as did the Jews. If you see a littlelight, you are not to stand back and say, 'I will wait until my brethrenhave seen it.' If you do, you will goon in darkness ." Faith and Works,p.78.

" Fear God, " that is, " You are tothink for yourself. You are no longer to let other men do your thinking ."E.G. White, This Day With God, p.31.And " Give glory to Him ." Rev.14:7. Weare to give credit to whom credit isdue. " What have you that you did notreceive? And if you did receive it,


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why do you glory as though you did not receive it? " 1 Cor.4:7. " A man

can receive nothing unless it begiven him from God ." John 3:27.

" From the smallest benefits up to thelargest blessing, all flow throughthe one Channel--a superhumanmediation sprinkled with the blood that is of value beyond estimatebecause it was the life of God in HisSon ." Faith and Works, p.22.

" The creation belongs to God. TheLord could, by neglecting man, stophis breath at once. All that he isand all that he has pertains to God.The entire world is Gods. Manshouses, his personal acquirements,whatever is valuable or brilliant, isGods own endowment. It is all Hisgift to be returned back to God inhelping to cultivate the heart ofman. The most splendid offerings maybe laid upon the altar of God, andmen will praise, exalt, and laud thegiver because of his liberality. In

what? All things come of Thee, and


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of Thine own have we given Thee." 1Chronicles 29:14; Faith and Works,pp.22,23.

We stand in favour before God, notbecause of any merit in ourselves,but because of our faith in themerits of a crucified and risenSaviour . Romans 5:9; 3:25;Col.1:14,20.

There is not a point . . .Our next witnesses speak with evengreater authority.

" There is not a point that needs to

be dwelt upon more earnestly,repeated more frequently, or established more firmly in the mindsof all than the impossibility of fallen man meriting anything by hisown best good works ." Faith andWorks, p.19.


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This is as strong a testimony as onewitness can bear, right? However,this testimony does not even comeclose to what we are about to hear.Brace yourself. To my knowledge, thenext testimony is likely to be thestrongest, clearest, and the mostsolemn one mortal ears will ever hearregarding the utter worthlessness ofcreature merit to gain Godsapproval:

" If you would gather together everything that is good and holy and noble and lovely in man and then

present the subject to the angels of God as acting a part in the salvationof the human soul, or in merit, the

proposition would be rejected asTREASON ." Faith and Works, p.24.

To those who cherish the idea thatgood works have, in and ofthemselves, any merit toward oursalvation, (even the works that graceenables us to do), Jesus will say," Depart from me ye workers of

iniquity ." Matt.7:23.


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Solemn words!

Could we possibly hear strongerlanguage? Hardly! But there is more:" Standing in the presence of their Creator and looking upon theunsurpassed glory which enshrouds His

person, they--the angels--are looking upon the lamb of God given from thefoundation of the world to a life of humiliation, to be rejected of sinfulmen, to be despised, to be crucified.Who can measure the infinity of thesacrifice? And any works that man canrender to God will be FAR LESS THAN NOTHINGNESS. The idea of doing anything to MERIT the grace of pardonis FALLACY from beginning to end ."Faith and Works, p.24.

So then, " Justification by faith is placed beyond controversy. And all

this controversy is ended, as soon asthe matter is settled that the meritsof fallen man in his good works can never procure eternal life for him ."

Ibid, p.20,27.


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The Lord will reward the redeemed forthe works which He Himself, by Hisgrace, will have wrought in andthrough them but the merits of Hissacrifice alone will avail anythingin their behalf, for only the meritsand righteousness of Christ will berecognized!

Not One Will Ever Perish WhileDoing This" In all our helpless unworthiness, wemust trust in the MERITS of thecrucified and risen Saviour. Nonewill ever perish while they do this ."Patriarchs and Prophets, p.234.

None will ever perish while they dowhat? Trust in the merits of acrucified and risen Saviour. Praisethe Lord!

And " Through the VIRTUE of theMERITS of the blood of Christ we may


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stand unscathed amid the fire of temptation and trial ." Faith and

Works, pp.86,87. For, " Looking untoJesus and trusting in His merits, weappropriate the blessings of lightand peace and joy in the Holy Spirit ." Testimonies to Ministers,Vol.5, p.744.

And " the gift of the Holy Spirit,rich, full, and abundant ," the giftthat cannot be excelled brings allother blessings in its train. " Actsof the Apostles, p.50; Desire ofAges, p.672.

The Holy Spirit is to be to Gods people as an encompassing wall of

fire that the powers of hell shallnot prevail against. " Testimonies toMinisters, p.18.

The Intercession of Christ

He who spilled His own blood lives to plead its merits in our behalf. " The


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intercession of Christ in our behalf is that of presenting His DIVINE

MERITS in the offering of Himself tothe Father as our Substitute and Surety; for He ascended up on high tomake atonement for our transgressions ." Faith and Works,p.105.

We are living in the greatantitypical Day of Atonement, and itis now time that everyone should repent before God, confess his sins,and by living faith rest upon theMERITS of a crucified and living Saviour ." Testimonies to Ministers,pp.224,225.

" Righteousness is obedience to thelaw. The law demands righteousness,and this the sinner owes to the law;but he is incapable of rendering it.The only way in which he can attainto righteousness is through faith. BY FAITH HE CAN BRING TO GOD THE MERITSOF CHRIST, and the Lord places theobedience of His Son to the sinnersaccount. Christs righteousness is


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accepted in place of mans failure ,and God receives, pardons, justifies,

the repentant, believing soul, treatshim as though he were righteous, and loves him as He loves His Son. Thisis how faith is accounted righteousness; and the pardoned soulgoes on from grace to grace, fromlight to a greater light ." Faith andWorks, p.101.

From Another AngleLet us now look at the precious truthfrom another angle:

" Some seem to feel that they must be

on probation and must prove to theLord that they are reformed beforethey can claim His blessing. Butthese dear souls may claim theblessing even now. They must have Hisgrace, the Spirit of Christ, to helptheir infirmities, or they cannotform a Christian character. Jesus

loves to have us come to him as we


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are--sinful, helpless, dependent ."Faith and Works, p.38.

A preacher once said that the HolySpirit was promised to us on certainconditions such as " humility,confession, repentance, and earnest

prayer. " " And ," he added, " we need to pray that the Lord will show us any

other conditions so that we can berevived and receive the Holy Spirit. "This teaching is not in harmony withthe teachings of the Word of God. TheGood News is that " The Lord specifiesno conditions except that you hunger for His mercy, desire His counsel,and long for His love. Mount of Blessing, p.130; Matt.5:6.

These are the only conditions! Andeven these are the gift of God:

" You cannot have an inclination tocome to Him unless He sets in motioninfluences and impresses His Spiritupon the human mind. And if there isa man on the face of the earth who

has any inclination toward God, it is


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because of the many influences thatare set to work to bear upon his mind

and heart. Those influences call for the allegiance to God and anappreciation of the great work donefor him ." Faith and Works, p.73.

" Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness and for Hiswonderful works to the children of men! " Ps.107:21. And " Let themsacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His workswith rejoicing. " Verse 22.

If there is anything good or holy ornoble in us, it is whollyattributable to the merits of acrucified and risen Saviour.

"He who will lay hold of Christ'srighteousness need not wait onemoment that he himself may blot outhis own sins. He need not wait untilhe has made a suitable repentancebefore he may take hold of Christ'srighteousness. We do not understand

the matter of salvation. It is just


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as simple as ABC. But we do notunderstand it." Faith and Works,pp.76,64.

" The plea that we may urge NOW and EVER is our utterly helplesscondition ." The Desire of Ages,p.317. And then, by living faith, weare to apply to the merits of acrucified and risen Saviour! We mustdaily apply to the merits of acrucified and risen Saviour that wemay become vessels fit for theMasters use. Faith and Works, p.87.

A Vitalizing Power

As we appropriate the merits of theSaviour to ourselves, the love of Godis shed abroad in our hearts by theHoly Spirit which is given unto us.See Selected Messages, Vol.1, p.354;Rom.5:5,9. And this love which isdiffused through the whole being is avitalizing power! Every vital part,the heart, the brain, the nerves, ittouches with healing! It frees the


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soul from the guilt and sorrow, theanxiety and care that crush the lifeforces. By it the highest energies ofthe being are roused to activity.With it come serenity and composure.It implants in the soul a joy thatnothing earthly can destroy, joy inthe Holy Spirit, health-giving, life-giving joy! See Ministry of Healing,p.115.

A Sublime TruthWe cannot afford to forget thissublime truth:

It is only the merits of Christ that

will avail anything in our behalf:" Your birth, your reputation, your wealth, your talents, your virtues,your piety, you philanthropy, or anything else in you or connected with you, your connection with thechurch, the manner in which your brethren regard you, will be of noavail unless by living faith you lay


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hold upon the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour ." Review andHerald, March 28, 1899.

" Faith is the gift of God b ut the power to exercise it is ours ."

Patriarchs and Prophets, p.431; John1:7. Thus, faith is the hand by whichthe soul lays right hold upon themerits of the blood that is of valuebeyond estimate to bring Christ andHis love into the heart!

" If we are conscious of our need, weshould not devote all our powers tomourning over them. While we realizeour helpless condition withoutChrist, we are not to yield todiscouragement, but RELY upon theMERITS of a crucified and risenSaviour. Look and live. Not one whotrusts in the merits of Christ willbe left to perish. Patriarchs and Prophets, p.432.

We have no merits except as weappropriate to ourselves those of

Jesus! AND WHAT MERITS ARE THESE!!!


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Unless we, by faith, appropriate themto ourselves by claiming them, wecannot have the approval of God. Butif we do, His merits are placed uponus and God loves us as He loves Hisonly begotten Son! This is how faithis counted for righteousness!

In Conclusion

As we come before God, hour by hour,moment by moment, presenting our casebefore Him by pleading the merits ofthe blood that was shed for us uponCalvarys cross, we have the promisethat we shall love Him with all ourhearts and our neighbours asourselves. As we learn to hold in

abomination all other merits savethose of Jesus, we shall see thatthere is not a negative in the lawthat proceeds out of the mouth ofGod! We shall realize that the tencommandments are exceedingly greatand precious promises of their ownfulfilment! 2 Cor.1:20.


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Amen!

Extra Quotes" John, while in vision, saw a company clothed with white robe. They wereseen in the temple of God. This willbe the result for all who will lay

hold of the MERITS of Christ and washtheir robes in His blood ." Our FatherCares, p.339.

Lay hold by faith of the MERITS ofChrist and the soul-cleansing bloodwill be applied. Faith and Works,p.96.

" Nothing is apparently more helpless,yet really more invincible, than thesoul that feels its nothingness and relies wholly on the MERITS of theSaviour. God would send every angelin Heaven to the aid of such one,rather than allow him to be

overcome. " Sons and Daughters ofGod, p.35.


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Heaven is a ceaseless approachingunto God through the all-sufficientmerits of Jesus Christ. " Our part isto lay hold by faith of the merits of Christ ." Fundamentals of ChristianEducation, p.430. " The work of theminister is to hang his helpless soulupon the merits of Christ. "Testimonies to Ministers, p.247.

" Centuries, ages, can never diminishthe efficacy of this atoning sacrifice ." Testimonies to Ministers,p.92.

Our Bank Account

Each one of us has a personal bankaccount with God. " Only the meritsand righteousness of Christ will berecognized. But this is placed in our account in rich fullness. We may draw upon God every moment. God has

pledged Himself to open before us all


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the riches of His grace. Our Father Cares, p.149.

" The Redeemer, with a heart of unalterable love, still pleads Hissacred blood in the sinners behalf.The wounded hand, the pierced side,the marred feet, plead eloquently for fallen man, whose redemption was

purchased at such an infinite cost.Oh, matchless condescension! Neither time nor events can lessen theefficacy of the atoning sacrifice.The MERITS of the slain Lamb areaccepted by God today as a purifier from the defilement of sin. Testimonies, Vol.4, p.124.

" Faith can lay hold of the merits of Christ, the remedy provided for sin ."Faith and Works, p.101.

" You cannot save yourself from thetempter's power, but he trembles and flees when the MERITS of that

precious blood are urged ."Testimonies, Vol.5, p.317.


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" If human beings would open thewindows of the soul heavenward inappreciation of the divine gifts, aflood of healing virtue would pour in. " Ministry of Healing, p.116.

" By virtue of HIS MERITS He gives us power to become members of the Royal

family, children of the Heavenly King ." Our Father Cares, p.120.

" The blood of Christ in an ever-abiding efficacy is our only hope,for through HIS MERITS alone we have

pardon and peace ." Our Father Cares,p.143.

" We are to be transformed through theMERITS of Christ. Our Father Cares,

p.204.

"Through the MERITS of Christ we mayfind the APPROVAL of God. Our FatherCares,p.122.

Amen!


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