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Chapter Seven

YOU CAN OVERCOME SIN

The true invisible church must separate true theology from false theology. Knowing this difference will give every sincere SDA Christian a decided advantage. That we can overcome and live victoriously in Christ is a very positive theology. Ellen White puts it plainly.

“Every besetting sin must be put away. Warfare must be waged against it until it is overcome. The Lord will work with your efforts. As finite, sinful man works out his own salvation with fear and trembling, it is God who works in him, to will and to do of His own good pleasure. But God will not work without the cooperation of man. He must exercise his powers to the very utmost.” FE 134; RH 8/21/1888

Why is
character
so
important?

“Through defects in the character, Satan works to gain control of the whole mind, and he knows that if these defects are cherished, he will succeed. Therefore he is constantly seeking to deceive the followers of Christ with his fatal sophistry that it is impossible for them to overcome.” GC88 489

Did you catch that? It is Satan’s philosophy, a very fatal philosophy indeed, that you cannot overcome sin! True theology will always project that overcoming all known sin is within your grasp. Ask the True Witness for help to recognize and reject any other theology.

“God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:3,4

Any other gospel is a false gospel and will no doubt be believed by false brethren.

“He (Christ) brings His divine power to combine with your human efforts, that through His righteousness appropriated to yourself, you can keep His law.” RH 7/29/1890

“He (Christ) knows that a demon power is struggling in every soul, striving for the mastery; but Jesus came to break the power of Satan and to set the captives free.” ML 300

God can only bring the last generation church to so high and holy a position of honor if they give themselves totally to Him. We must not be willing to trade one step with Him for anything this world has to offer.

If you provide the commitment, God will provide the power. Like Jude, you can “praise the God that is able to keep you from falling.” You can experience the fact that you can “do all things through Christ who strengthens us” and find yourself literally standing among those who are actually “keeping the commandments of God” and demonstrating before the entire world the “faith of Jesus” (See Jude 24; Phil. 4:13, Rev. 14:12).

“The commandments of God are not the dry theories and maxims growing on the trunk of Phariseeism. Every jot and tittle of the law of God is a pledge of perfect rest and assurance in obedience. If you will obey these commandments, you will find, in every specification, a most precious promise. Take Jesus as your partner. Ask Him to help you keep God’s law. He will be to you a safeguard and counselor, a guide that will never mislead.” RH Jan. 26, 1897

“But though you may be weak, erring, and sinful, the Lord holds out to you the offer of partnership with Himself.” 6T 438

Yes, partnership with Jesus. This is all the advantage over Satan and his angels a person will ever need.

“The people of God must be prepared to withstand the wily foe. It is this resistance that Satan dreads. He knows better than we do the limit of his power and how easily he can be overcome if we resist and face him. Through divine strength the weakest saint is more than a match for him and all his angels.” 5T 293; Mar. 60

So, “Being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Rom. 6:22

Remember, “The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Timothy 2:19

Shun any other theology that does not teach total victory in Jesus! Strive to be among the 144,000!

So far we have seen that the church will be judged before the judgment of the living who are outside the church. The invisible church of the 144,000 is sealed before the Sunday law. The rest of God’s people, now in the world, will be sealed as they hear and accept the final truth filled messages during the time of trouble.

FIRST COMES THE SIFTING

The sifting of the church comes as God separates a remnant out to do a great work. This may be a very painful process. Separations are seldom without pain and sadness. A larger proportion than we now anticipate will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. (See letter 3, 1890 or EV. 281,360,36).

The sealing of those to be holy unto God in the last days will be taking place while there are changes in the way music is conducted, theology is shifting to the right and left, and sighing and crying is coming from the hearts of a dedicated few from among millions in the church.

These precious few are concerned with the changes in the World and in the Church and that the two are merging. The dedicated few are totally serious about becoming clean in mind and character. Praise our heavenly Father and His dear Son for these faithful people. They will soon be used to present the final message of hope to a dying world. Pentecost will happen!

Nevertheless, “By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers.” GC88 612

After the final warning is given probation will close on the world. Satan will have his final fling, only to be stopped in his tracks at the great deliverance of God’s people by the voice of God. Soon after, Christ will come. Hallelujah!

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