The Covenants
Under the new covenant, the conditions by which eternal life may be gained
are
the same as under the old. The conditions are, and ever have been, based
on
perfect obedience. Under the old covenant, there were many offenses of a
daring, presumptuous character, for which there was no atonement specified
by
law. In the new and better covenant, Christ has fulfilled the law for the
transgressors of law, if they receive Him by faith as a personal Saviour.
"As
many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God"
(John
1:12). Mercy and forgiveness are the reward of all who come to Christ
trusting
in His merits to take away their sins. We are cleansed from sin by the
blood of
Christ Jesus our Saviour.--Letter 216, 1906, p. 2. (To "Dear Brother in
Christ
Jesus," July 2, 1906.) Released May 20, 1977.
The Covenants
Conditions of Salvation the Same
Under the new covenant, the conditions by which eternal life may be gained
are
the same as under the old. The conditions are, and ever have been, based
on
perfect obedience . Under the old covenant, there were many offenses of a
daring, presumptuous character, for which there was no atonement specified
by
law. In the new and better covenant, Christ has fulfilled the law for the
transgressors of law, if they receive Him by faith as a personal Saviour.
"As
many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God"
(John
1:12). Mercy and forgiveness are the reward of all who come to Christ
trusting
in His merits to take away their sins. We are cleansed from sin by the
blood of
Christ Jesus our Saviour. Letter 216, 1906 , p. 2. (To "My Dear Brother in
Christ Jesus," July 2, 1906.)
The Covenants
God's messengers must make their minds a treasure house of good things,
from
which they may be able to draw a "Thus saith the Lord" whenever occasion
demands. They are to present things new and old. They must continually
hold up
the covenant of peace between God and man, that He made with His people
Israel.
Ms 64, 1903 , pp. 1-7. ("God's Covenant with Israel," July 2, 1903.)
Words to the Young, Part II
What was the sin of Achan? Listen carefully to the words spoken by Jesus
Christ
from the pillar of cloud: "Israel hath sinned, and they have also
transgressed
my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the
accursed
thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it
even
among their own stuff." Let such plain statements as these given by the
Lord in
the Old Testament, be compared with the same line of instruction given in
the
New Testament. The confession of Achan, although too late to be available
in
bringing to him any saving virtue, vindicated the character of God in his
manner of dealing with him, and closed the door to the temptation that so
continually beset the children of Israel, to charge upon the servants of
God
the work that God did himself. It was the Lord Jesus himself who specified
what
should be the punishment of Achan, or there might have been murmuring
among the
camp of Israel, even though the stolen goods were found in his tent. The
Lord
knew just where the stolen goods were to be found, and had told Joshua
where
they were, although he had not specified who was the guilty one. But the
honor
of God must be vindicated by confession from the sinner's own lips, and
Achan
testified to the truth against himself. In the manner in which the Lord
dealt
with Achan, we can see how great is his displeasure against those who
commit
similar sins. The standard of the gospel to-day is no lower than it was in
the
days of Joshua.
The Perils of the Last Days
The Lord requires no less of man now than he required of Adam,--perfect
obedience to his law, unblemished righteousness. The requirement under the
covenant of grace is just as broad as that made in paradise,--harmony with
his
law, which is holy, and just, and good. The gospel does not weaken the
claims
of the law; it exalts the law and makes it honorable. Under the New
Testament
no less is required than was required under the Old Testament. Let no one
take
up with the delusion, so pleasant to the human heart, that God will accept
of
sincerity, no matter what may be the faith or how imperfect the life. God
requires of his children perfect obedience.
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