ESSENTIALS by G. | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Mar 15, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 11.

ESSENTIALS.

By G.

THE human race is naturally under condemnation of death; because "all have sinned," and "the wages [the unavoidable consequences] of sin is death." There is but one way out of this dilemma, namely, the way provided by the One whose law is violated—the way provided when, because of His great love, God "gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Then, the one essential way of salvation is through faith in Christ. This is the way of truth—the only way; for He Himself says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." And the testimony of the Spirit is that "there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Then, Jesus Christ is an essential to the sinner who would be saved from his naturally lost condition.

But Christ is of no benefit as a Saviour from sin, excepting through faith on the part of the sinner. It is essential that he please God; for notwithstanding the innate love of God, the acceptance of His proffered pardon on the prescribed conditions is the only thing that will bring the sinner within the pale of His pleasure. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him." Enoch was a man of faith; because of his faith he was translated without seeing death. But "before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God."

But faith is not only essential to the sinner, it is also a necessity after his justification; for "it is written, The just shall live by faith." It requires faith to stand in the favor of God as well as to come within the radius of His favor. "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."

Obedience is another essential in the matter of passing from death unto life. Disobedience brought in sin and death, and therefore obedience must be a factor in salvation. "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous." Then, being made righteous by the obedience of One, it is essential that "the righteousness of the law" be "fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." The essential thing is not limited by mere profession; for the Master says, "Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Again, the scripture says, "To obey is better than sacrifice." Faith and obedience are coupled together in the judgment; for those who escape the "wrath of God on the children of disobedience" are designated as "they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

Holiness is cited as essential to salvation. "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." And this involves some very practical living. Referring to the promise of God to those who refrain from certain sins, that they shall be sons and daughters of God, the apostle Paul says: "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Furthermore, "every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure."

The gifts of the Spirit, through the grace of Christ, are essential to the preparation of the church for final acceptance. "Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive [margin, "a multitude of captives"], and gave gifts unto men. . . . And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; 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." So perfection in Christ is an essential to salvation.

And to this end the study of the Scriptures is an essential factor; for "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." The Scriptures, being the Word of God, are essential to sanctification, which is an essential of salvation. "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification." The prayer of our Lord to His Father is, "Sanctify them [His disciples] through Thy truth; Thy Word is truth." And to this we add the testimony of Paul: "We are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth."