Commandments Of God And The Faith Of Jesus

God alone could say the very thing needed for our salvation, so that no one needs to error therein.

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12.

This message is the last to be given before the second coming of Christ. Right after the prophet sees the Son of Man coming in glory to reap the harvest of the earth.

God Himself explains in His Word what He would have the sinner do to inherit eternal life.

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

This do, and thou shalt live. Luke 10:27, 28. This is what God requires of us.

Through faith in Jesus Christ as our substitute, surety, and righteousness, we may lay hold upon Divine power,

So that the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:4.

Therefore, keeping the God's commandments is an evidence of our faith in Christ as our divine Savior.

This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not grievous. 

And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:3, 4.

Therefore, the object of Christ’s atonement - at-one-ment with God was that the Divine Law and Government might be maintained and the image of God restored in humanity.

Thus the sinner is pardoned through repentance toward God and faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

There is forgiveness of sin, and yet the Law of God stands immutable and eternal as His throne.

It is written

It is in the Word of God where we can:

• Look into the Law of God - The Ten Commandments and discover the defects of our moral character.

• Find what is the effective remedy for the leprosy of sin - the ransom that has been provided.

• Hear the gracious invitation to Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world and to live.

• Discover God’s tender compassion and benevolent love - 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.

• Find encouragement to turn our eyes to Christ and  lift up our voice in hope and expectation  - Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

The Law condemns us when we break any of its requirements. Then our garments are defiled by sin.

We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6.

Furthermore, all the efforts we make in our own strength will not efface one spot of sin.

Therefore, with humble hearts we must go to Jesus, confess our sins and forsake them.

Moreover, we must cease to transgress the Law of God.

Nevertheless, we must repent toward God for violating His Law and exercise faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Read on: Law And Gospel: Restoring The Divine Image In You

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. Hebrews 3:1.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. Romans 1:16-19.

Jesus is the only one who can remove these defiled garments of sin, and clothe us in the robe of His righteousness.

The mystery of godliness

It is the Divine plan to restore the moral image of God in humanity. 

Moreover, it is the Divine power that operates in the re-creation of humans through the plan of salvation.

The remedy for the sinner is of a supernatural character.

The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. 

The only-begotten of the Father came in the likeness of sinful flesh to condemn sin in the flesh. John 1:14, Romans 8:3.

God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 Timothy 3:16.

Christ came to our broken world to testify to the unchangeable character of the Law of God. 

Therefore, not one jot or tittle of it could be changed to meet humans in their fallen condition.

Think not that I am come 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 no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:17, 18.

He lived the law in humanity, in order that every mouth might be stopped and that Satan might be proved an accuser and a liar.

Read on: Law, Love And Gift Of God: Magnificently Blended In Christ

Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me; I delight to do Thy will, O my God: 

yea, Thy Law is within my heart. Psalm 40:7, 8.

Christ revealed to the world the character of God as full of mercy, compassion and inexpressible love.

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him. John 1:18

Furthermore, He came to uplift humanity, providing salvation to everyone, who accepts Him as his/her personal Savior.

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. 2 Peter 1:3, 4.

Thy Word is truth

He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, 

He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it; Revelation 3:7, 8.

Christ opened the door into the Most Holy, passing within the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Hebrews 9:3.

This door was not opened until His mediation was finished in the Holy Place of the Heavenly Sanctuary in 1844 - the end of the 2300 days prophecy.

Therefore, our High Priest of good things to come now stands by the Ark of the covenant, containing the Ten Commandments.

The temple of God was opened in Heaven, and there was seen in His temple the Ark of His testament. Revelation 11:19

Thus the inspiration tells us that the time for the Commandments of God to shine out with all their importance is when Jesus set before us an open door of the Most Holy place.

Moreover, it is the time for God's people to be tried on the Sabbath truth.

Furthermore, it is the place where our faith in God now is, following our High Priest on the Day (time) of atonement we now live in.

In the typical service, when the high priest entered the most holy place, all Israel were required to gather humbly about the sanctuary and afflict their souls by repentance of sin before God.

Thus they might have their sins pardoned and not be cut off from the congregation.

Therefore, it is essential in this anti-typical day (time) of atonement that we understand the work of our High Priest and know what God requires of us.

Christ’s intercession in behalf of sinners in the Holiest of all is described by the following verses:

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, 

and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before Him. Daniel 7:13.

And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. Daniel 8:14.

And the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: 

behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:1.

It is through love

The world saw God represented in the purity and benevolence of Christ.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6.

The truth about God’s character can come to humanity only through Christ, for He is the image of the invisible God.

He represented the power and glory of the Father, and the Divine signature was upon all His words and works.

The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works. John 14:10.

The Son of God became humans’ substitute, that He might save us from our sins and call us from transgression to obedience.

He is the head of the human race, satisfying every claim made against them as a people bound in the slavery of sin.

Through this gift of God to the world, humans have been given every opportunity of knowing God and the laws of His government.

God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, 

because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:8, 9.

Love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:10

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, 

and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

Love is the fulfillment of the law

God Is Love. Therefore, when we love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves - we reflect the character of the Father and the Son.

He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; 

and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him. John 14:21.

If a man loves me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 

He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings; and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. John 14:23, 24.

That the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. John 14:31.

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. 1 John 2:3-5.

Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. 1 John 2:7.

That we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after His commandments. 

This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 2 John 1:5, 6.

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1 John 5:3.

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14.

Therefore, those who truly love God will be obedient to all His commands. Obedience is the test of love.

It is by faith

What constitutes the faith of Jesus that belongs to the Third Angel's Message of Revelation 14?

Jesus bore our sins that He might become our sin-pardoning Savior. He was treated as we deserve to be treated.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. Psalm 103:10.

On the other hand:

But He (Jesus) was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: 

the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; 

and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:5, 6.

Christ came to our world and took our sins that we might take His righteousness. 

And faith in the ability of Christ to save us amply, fully and entirely is the faith of Jesus.

By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:22, 25.

The only safety for the ancient Israel was the blood upon the doorposts. All other devices for safety would be without benefits.

When I see the blood, I will pass over you. Exodus 12:13.

Likewise, there is salvation for the sinner in the blood of Jesus Christ alone, which cleanseth us from all sin.

Therefore, we need a saving knowledge of Christ crucified for us. 

Furthermore, we need by faith to lay hold of the righteousness of Christ.

Believe in Jesus who pardons your sins and wants you to be happy in the mansions He has gone to prepare for you.

He wants you to live in His presence, having eternal life and a crown of glory.

The robe of Christ’s righteousness

Our only hope is through Jesus Christ and the robe of His righteousness if we would lay off our filthy garments.

The pure and holy garments are not prepared to be put on by anyone after he or she has entered the gate of the city.

All who enter will have on the robe of Christ's righteousness and the name of God will be seen in their foreheads.

This name is the symbol which the apostle saw in vision, and signifies the yielding of the mind to intelligent and loyal obedience to all of God's commandments.

Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14.

There will be no covering up of sins and faults to hide the deformity of character. No robes will be half washed. All will be pure and spotless.

Therefore, Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 

but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 

and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8.

Nevertheless, He didn't take the guilt of humans and impute to them His righteousness in order that they might continue to violate the precepts of Jehovah’s Law?

He came to bring them strength to obey the precepts of the law, for it was impossible to do it in their own strength.

Therefore, the sinner, repenting of his/her transgression may come to God and plead forgiveness through the merits of the crucified and risen Savior.

Moreover, He is the power, might, sanctification and righteousness of all who believe in Him.

Through the grace of Jesus

God has elected a certain excellence of character for all who would have an entrance into the kingdom of glory.

Moreover, they will have to employ the means that God has provided to this end.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. John 15:5.

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Matthew 7:16.

Thus it is a miracle when one yields to the drawing of God and comes to understand moral truth, and learns to love God and keep His commandments.

Like so the promise of God is fulfilled: A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. Ezekiel 36:26.

The change in human heart - the transformation of human character is a miracle that reveals an ever-living Savior.

Furthermore, a consistent life in Christ is a great miracle. It is the Holy Spirit that makes the Word a regenerating power to those that hear.

Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: 

for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

 He shall glorify Me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:1, 14.

This is God's witness before the world to the divine mission of His Son.

There is great reward in keeping God’s commandments: Great peace have they which love Thy Law: and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119:165.

Christ lays no more upon His servants than He gives them strength to perform. 

When heart and flesh fail He will be the strength of their heart and their portion forever.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee;

The Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:6.

By true sanctification

This is the will of God, even your sanctification. The very God of peace to sanctify you wholly. 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23.

Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy Word is truth. John 17:17.

This prayer of Jesus applies down the timeline to us as well.

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe in Me through their word.

That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us; 

 I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; 

and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me. John 17:20-23.

Moreover, Paul speaks of himself: being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. 

I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. Romans 15:16, 17.

Furthermore, we learn that: Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy Law is the truth. Psalm 119:142.

Thus by the Word and the Spirit of God we understand the principles of righteousness embodied in His law.

Therefore, since the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good - a transcript of the Divine perfection, then it follows that a holy character is formed by obedience to the law.

Christ is a perfect example of such a character. Amen!

I have kept my Father's commandments. I always do those things that please Him. John 15:10; John 8:29.

Thus by the grace of God the followers of Christ are to become like Him - with characters in harmony with the principles of His Holy Law.

Symbolically, they represent Christ’s perfect purity who was to offer Himself as a lamb without blemish and without spot. 1 Peter 1:19.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1.

Conclusion

It is impossible for anyone to keep the Commandments of God except through the merit of Jesus. 

Without the shedding of His blood there is no remission of sin nor imputation of His righteousness.

This infinite Price was not paid for human's redemption that:

• we might be saved in our sins

• the Law of God be made void.

Do we then make void the law of God through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the law. Romans 3:31.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1, 2.

Whosoever transgresseth (The Law of God), and abideth not (by faith) in the doctrine of Christ (His Gospel) hath not God. 2 John 1:9.

References

• ST Mar, 1901; 3SM 168-184; ST Feb, 1910; YI  Aug, 1886; ST Jul, 1896; DA 407: ST Nov, 1899; GC88 469; EW 42; ST Jun, 1894 - The Ellen G. White Estate

• The Bible, King James Version (KJV