Focus on Jesus THE HONOR OF GOD
That the righteousness oft he law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom. 8:4.
Why should the possibility of overcoming and victory frighten us? Why should we be nervous about the idea that God wants to prove that He is right, through His people? The word vindication has been used in this connection. Some question whether or not anything we can do will vindicate God. But the real issue here is, "Is God right or is He not right? Is God true or is He false? Is He able to do what He says or not?" This is the devil's challenge.
One main reason why people are edgy and frightened about the idea of overcoming is that they still have the idea that their eternal destiny is based on their behavior. This, then, leads them to a great lack of assurance. But if we really believe that our eternal destiny is settled as we continue to accept Christ's sacrifice at the cross, then we don't have to get nervous at all about the possibility of overcoming. We can rejoice at the thought! It is only the legalist, who is still trying in some way to save himself, who gets nervous when he hears about what God intends to do through His people in terms of overcoming and victory.
We are told that "the very image of God is to be reproduced in humanity. The honor of God, the honor of Christ, is involved in the perfection of the character of His people."--The Desire of Ages, p. 671. This is part of the issue in the great judgment of God.
"The law requires righteousness--a righteous life, a perfect character; and this man has not to give. He cannot meet the claims of God's holy law. But Christ, coming to earth as man, lived a holy life, and developed a perfect character. These He offers as a free gift to all who will receive them. His life stands for the life of men. Thus they have remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." Now notice what immediately follows: "More than this, Christ imbues men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human character after the similitude of the divine character, a goodly fabric of spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God can 'be just, and the justifier of Him which believeth in Jesus.' Rom. 3:26."--Ibid., p. 762. (Italics supplied.)
That the righteousness oft he law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom. 8:4.
Why should the possibility of overcoming and victory frighten us? Why should we be nervous about the idea that God wants to prove that He is right, through His people? The word vindication has been used in this connection. Some question whether or not anything we can do will vindicate God. But the real issue here is, "Is God right or is He not right? Is God true or is He false? Is He able to do what He says or not?" This is the devil's challenge.
One main reason why people are edgy and frightened about the idea of overcoming is that they still have the idea that their eternal destiny is based on their behavior. This, then, leads them to a great lack of assurance. But if we really believe that our eternal destiny is settled as we continue to accept Christ's sacrifice at the cross, then we don't have to get nervous at all about the possibility of overcoming. We can rejoice at the thought! It is only the legalist, who is still trying in some way to save himself, who gets nervous when he hears about what God intends to do through His people in terms of overcoming and victory.
We are told that "the very image of God is to be reproduced in humanity. The honor of God, the honor of Christ, is involved in the perfection of the character of His people."--The Desire of Ages, p. 671. This is part of the issue in the great judgment of God.
"The law requires righteousness--a righteous life, a perfect character; and this man has not to give. He cannot meet the claims of God's holy law. But Christ, coming to earth as man, lived a holy life, and developed a perfect character. These He offers as a free gift to all who will receive them. His life stands for the life of men. Thus they have remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." Now notice what immediately follows: "More than this, Christ imbues men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human character after the similitude of the divine character, a goodly fabric of spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God can 'be just, and the justifier of Him which believeth in Jesus.' Rom. 3:26."--Ibid., p. 762. (Italics supplied.)
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