p. 156 | Fallen from Grace by E. R. Jones

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · May 17, 1877

“Fallen from Grace.”

By E. R. Jones

FREQUENTLY is it the case when the claims of God's law are presented, and especially that part of it which is so generally disregarded by professors and worldlings alike, that we are met with that which, in the mind of the objector, no doubt seems to be a most valid objection which sweeps away all our arguments like chaff before a mighty rushing wind. It is this: “Christ is become of none effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” Gal. 5: 4.

First, we wish to correct a wrong impression usually conveyed by this quotation, by showing that we do not believe that we shall be justified by the law independent of Christ, but through faith in him we are justified from sin; neither do we believe we can thus be justified when we are openly violating the law of God. “But the doers of the law shall be justified.” Rom. 2: 13. And this very clearly shows that faith in Christ must be accompanied by obedience to the law in order to avail unto justification.

Secondly, we ask, How is it shown that we are so far fallen from the favor of God by obedience to that which the apostle says we establish through faith? Rom. 3: 31. Is it because we have no gods before the Lord, neither worship graven images, nor take his name in vain? Is it because we honor our parents, and in heart and act refrain from killing, committing adultery, stealing, lying and coveting? Are these the evidence that we are fallen from grace? If so, then how greatly has God changed since the time he brought his people out of Egypt when he promised them his favor in great and innumerable blessings, if they would obey him and keep his commandments. And to the father of the faithful too, he promised that he and his children should have salvation and a part in the heavenly inheritance because he obeyed God's voice and kept his law. Gen. 26: 4, 5.

Oh no, says the objector, your obedience to these which you have mentioned is not the evidence that you have fallen, but there is one you have not mentioned. Ah yes! It is the fourth commandment against which the objection is aimed. And is the keeping of the Sabbath of the Lord which was made for man, the evidence that we have separated ourselves from grace and turned our backs on Christ? Yes, is the triumphant reply. And pray, if your objection be a valid one, why single out one precept from the ten, when the apostle says “the law?”

But to show that in this even there is no soundness, we turn to another scripture written some six years after. “But when they departed from Perga they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down.” Acts 13: 14. After reading from the law and the prophets, the apostle preached to the people. When he had finished his sermon, the Gentiles besought that the same words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. Verse 42. “Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.” Verse 43. Here were Jews and religious proselytes. No doubt they were converts to Christianity. They were keeping the Sabbath and hungering for the word of life. They followed the apostle, anxious to hear more of that instruction so dear to them. Did he reprovingly tell them that so long as they continued keeping the Sabbath they could not hope for the favor of God? No indeed! He “persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.” Being now in that grace, he earnestly desired them to remain there. And, after this sound advice and earnest entreaty of the servants of the Lord, the very next expression is: “And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.” They were not fallen from grace because they observed the Sabbath, but that was an essential part of the means whereby they still continued in it; thus by obeying his commandment they secured to themselves his continued favor.

And now, the devil, for devil it is, having dwindled down to one point, its utter emptiness is quickly shown from the word of God, and will more forcibly appear to those who by it excuse themselves from obedience, in that day when he shall judge the doings of every one in the light of his law. Eccl. 12: 13, 14; Rom. 2: 12, 16. E. R. JONES.