The Merits Of Christ: An Open Access To The Throne Of Infinite Power (Grace)

The merits of the crucified and risen Saviour are the foundation of the Christian's faith.

The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

The dependence of the soul upon Christ is as real as that of a branch to the vine.

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.

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up, 

that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:14, 15.

Therefore, Christ is our only hope of salvation and restoration of the image of God in us.

There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12.

Thus Gad has done for humans what they can't do for themselves.

Do you have the assurance of the Saviour's love? 

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

God has given His Only-begotten Son, that through His shame, suffering, and death you might have glory, honor, and immortality.

Therefore, These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; 

and that believing ye might have life through His name. John 20:31.

Through the merits of Christ’s blood

Do you want to be among the number who are to stand without fault before the throne of God.

Moreover, who came out of great tribulation and washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:14.

The provision has been made for us to wash at infinite expense. Therefore, the burden of washing rests upon us.

We need it done, cooperating with God in order to stand before Him. 

We must wash our robes in the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot. 1 Peter 1:19.

Thus appropriating the merits of Christ’s blood by faith, and through His grace and power we may have strength to overcome our errors, sins, and imperfections of character.

People's faith in Jesus as the Messiah rests on the excellence of His character, which never had been found, neither could be in another.

(Christ) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; Romans 3:25.

All who love virtue, purity, and holiness would be drawn to Christ, and would see sufficient evidence of His Messiahship as foretold by prophecy.

Those who thus trust in the Word of God, would receive the benefits of the teachings, promises an gifts of Christ, and finally of His atonement.

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; Ephesians 4:13.

Behold the Lamb of God

God shows us in His Word our terminal, sinful condition. It is why we are at enmity with Him.

Moreover, it is impossible for us to escape from sin on our own strength. We can’t change our own hearts.

Behold, I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalm 51:5.

Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. Job 14:4.

The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Romans 8:7.

The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: 

neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14.

Therefore, there must be a new life from above before humans can be changed from sin to holiness.

Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3.

In other words, the sinner needs to receive a new heart, desires, purposes, and motives, leading him/her to a new life.

The power and grace of Christ alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul and attract it to God and holiness.

In Him was life; and the life was the light of men - the only name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. John 1:4; Acts 4:12.

Therefore, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29.

Worthy is the Lamb

Jesus’ sacrifice for the sin of the world had been accepted by the Father. The angels testified with a loud voice:

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Revelation 5:12.

All power in Heaven and on earth is now given to the Prince of life. He is the representative of humanity and Head of the church.

They are justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, 

through the forbearance of God. Romans 3:24, 25.

Moreover, they are granted to:

• Be with Jesus where He is, sharing His glory

• Reign with Him in His kingdom after they suffer with Him on earth

• Be sons and daughters of God with new rights and titles gained through Him.

Furthermore, Christ reconciled God to repentant and obedient one, taking them into divine favor through His own merits.

He guarantees that He will make him/her more precious than fine gold, even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Isaiah 13:12.

I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death; because I live, ye shall live also. Revelation 1:18, John 14:19.

Thus by the sacrifice of Himself, Christ connects earth with Heaven, and finite humankind with the infinite God.

A state of being

As the Bible describes who we really are, it points right after to who we can become in Christ.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18.

Check out these examples.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

Being justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. Romans 3:24, 25.

For the wages of sin is death; Romans 6:23

But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, 

ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Romans 6:22, 23.

For when we were yet without strength, while we were yet sinners. 

In due time Christ died for the ungodly.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6, 8

Even when we were dead in sins; Ephesians 2:5

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, hath quickened us together with Christ, 

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-6

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin; Romans 6:11.

But alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I am carnal, sold under sin. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  Romans 7:14, 24.

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29.

Jesus came into this world to save sinners. We are saved by His infinite, amazing and matchless love.

It required the merits of His blood to make an atonement for those who receive His love, and follow in His footsteps.

We may obtain pardon and peace only through Him who has loved us, and who will wash us from our sins in His own blood.

Those who have been convinced of sin before the law, and have exercised repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ - cease to make void the Law of God.

Moreover, whom He has forgiven most will love Him most. They will stand nearest to His throne to praise Him for His great love and sacrifice.

The only medium of communication

Jacob fled from home after deceiving his father, taking the first born blessings instead of his brother Esau. He was weighed down with a sense of guilt.

He feared that his sin had cut him off from God, that he was forsaken of Heaven.

And he dreamed, and beheld a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: 

and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. Genesis 28:12.

Moreover, the divine voice was heard in a message of comfort and hope. Thus was made known to Jacob that which met the need and longing of his soul - a Savior.

With joy and gratitude he saw the way by which he, a sinner, could be restored to communion with God.

The ladder of his dream represented Jesus - the only medium of communication between God and people.

This is the same figure to which Christ referred in His conversation with Nathanael.

Ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. John 1:51.

Thus through Christ, earth is again linked with Heaven. With His own merits, He connects fallen humans in their weakness and helplessness with the Source of infinite power.

In Him human and the Divine were united. His mission was to reconcile God and humans, to unite the finite with the infinite.

This was the only way in which fallen humanity could be exalted to be partakers of the Divine nature. 

He gives us power to climb every round of the ladder into the portals of glory.

His personal intersession

Christ is the connecting link between Heaven and earth. He has become the medium of prayer and blessings between humans and God. He ever lives to intercede for them.

In becoming the human’s substitute, the Son of God has pledged himself on behalf of the race to maintain the sacred claims and exalted honor of His Father's law.

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, 

and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:17.

Here was the assurance to the Son of God that His Father accepted the fallen race through their representative.

The communication between Heaven and earth, between God and humans, which had been broken by the fall of Adam, was resumed.

He who knew no sin, became sin for the race, that his righteousness might be imputed to humans.

The virtue of His righteousness is on the side of the suppliant. Fragrance is given to our intercessions as we acknowledge before God our appreciation of Christ's merits.

What does the cross of Calvary tell?

It tells how Christ has magnified and made honorable the law of Jehovah. 

Thus through an understanding of the exalted claims of the law, we come to know the value of Christ.

Moreover, a comprehension of the precepts of truth helps us to appreciate Christ’s rescue mission.

Furthermore, we can’t understand the depth of the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, unless we behold the marvelous character of the law of Heaven and earth - the law of love.

In the light of that holy law, the sinner sees the Redeemer as He is - full of mercy, compassion, goodness, and love.

Thus by looking to Jesus and contemplating His matchless love to such a sinner as oneself, his/her heart is filled with gratitude and heavenly peace.

A contemplation of the cross of Christ on Calvary enables the mind to form correct ideas of the plan of redemption.

Those who do this will have a better appreciation of what the sinner must become in character and life if they would be accounted worthy of eternal life.

The law of God will stand out in clear distinctness before one’s mind.

A symbol of union

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. John 15:1, 2.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. John 15:8, 9.

The condition of this union is:

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in His love. John 15:10.

The followers of Christ derive from Him wisdom, strength and righteousness. Without Christ they:

• Cannot be reconciled to God, whose law they have transgressed

• Are unable to subdue a single sin or overcome the smallest temptation.

The soul united to Christ as the branch to the vine is accepted by God through the merits of His Son, and becomes an object of the Father's special care.

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:11, 12.

Christian’s joy is not found in transgression of the Law of God, but in obedience of all its precepts. None are in slavery and bondage to the law but those who transgress it.

Obedience produces love to God and man - the two great principles of the Law of God.

Conclusion

Christ has brought Divine power within our reach through the merits of His blood.

With His sacrifice He rescues us from the bondage of sin, and elevates us through His own righteousness to a seat upon His throne.

He imparts to the repentant sinner the Divine nature, that we may honour our Creator upon the earth.

Jesus has made it possible for us to lay hold of infinite power that we may be strong in His might.

References

1. ST Jan, 1978; ST Aug, 1879; ST Jul, 1888; GC88 74, 477; ST Sep,1899; 3SP 203; SC 18-21; 3T 183; ST Apr, 1909 - The Ellen G. White Estate

2. The Bible, King James Version (KJV)

Why Wait Longer

Your Creator And Redeemer Longs For You - Take Him At His Word

Learn to trust in God's love and His power to save and restore His moral image in you.

The Spirit of God is pleading with you to seek for those things that alone can give you peace and rest - the grace of Christ and the joy of holiness.

Give to Christ your guilt and fear today. He can satisfy the craving of your heart. Believe the Son of God.

His hand is stretched out still. Why wait longer?