3:26Romans 3:26

At this time God declares His righteousness by setting forth Christ as a propitiation through faith in His blood, justifying freely by grace for the remission of past sins.Lt 45, 1892, par. 8–12+2 He remains just while justifying him who believes in Jesus, pardoning the sinner without excusing continued guilt, for pardon and justification are one and the same thing and the opposite of condemnation.ST May 19, 1898+2 Christ became humanity's Substitute and Surety, taking its guilt and curse upon Himself and bearing the punishment the guilty deserved though He was sinless.ST Mar 30, 1915+2 Saving the sinner in this way does not abolish or weaken the law, which stands immutable and eternal as God's throne, holy and just and good.18MR 335.2–337.3+2 Justification is full pardon given freely without any merit of the sinner, received by faith alone resting in Christ's blood and righteousness as its only basis.ST May 19, 1898+2

At this time God declares His righteousness by setting forth Christ as a propitiation through faith in His blood, justifying freely by grace through redemption for the remission of past sins, so that He is both just and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus.Lt 45, 1892, par. 8–12+2 Jesus is the world's Redeemer, full of grace and truth, the only Potentate and the propitiation for sins, and angels and human agents work together to present Him as He is, with transforming grace restoring the agent to prepare a people to stand in the day of preparation.Lt 45, 1892, par. 8–12 Faith in Him as righteousness does not make void the law but establishes it, and true knowledge of Him is shown by keeping His commandments.Lt 45, 1892, par. 8–12 The sinner comes as one drawn by Christ, views Him lifted on the cross, sees the transgressed law and his own sinfulness and conviction as a sinner, and by living faith lays hold wholly upon the merits of the blood of the crucified and risen Saviour as the only cleansing from sins and transgressions.6MR 32.2–33.1+1

The object of the atonement is at-one-ment with God while the divine law and government are maintained.Ms 163, 1897, par. 31–33+1 The sinner is pardoned through repentance toward God and faith in Jesus, receiving forgiveness of sin, yet the law stands immutable, eternal as His throne, unable to be weakened or strengthened, repealed or changed in one principle, but as it always has been, eternal and immutable as God Himself, holy and just and good and complete in itself.Ms 163, 1897, par. 31–33+1 Christ honored the law by implicit obedience, and in punishing sin reveals holiness and love even for those punished.Ms 163, 1897, par. 31–33 Because men did not obey, God in love gave probation and gave His only begotten Son to bear all guilt of transgression, and if they receive the Son and believe they find through His merits the way back to the place of sons and daughters of God, but if they refuse that costly offering and will not obey and show gratitude and love by keeping the commandments, Christ can do no more for them.Ms 163, 1897, par. 31–33

The verse declares pardon of sin as justification by faith in Jesus, with access to God only through a Mediator because of lost condition, guilt and sin.10MR 331.2 It requires knowledge of God and of the only way to approach Him, and a genuine sense of what constitutes sin and what constitutes righteousness.10MR 331.2 That pardon comes through the coming Messiah whom the sacrificial offerings represented, a truth of which the people had little conception, dimly understood by all and entirely extinct in the minds of many.10MR 331.2 Those who have broken God's law can be pardoned through the merits of Christ's blood when they repent toward God and trust in Jesus, and this is the transgressor's only hope.ST Jan 3, 1878

The object of Christ's death was to declare His righteousness, which no man, woman, or child can declare in human strength or by human words, so the work is to point souls to the uplifted Saviour who alone declares it.11MR 338.1–2+1 Jesus the Prince of Life coming as a babe in Bethlehem to be an offering for sin declares God's righteousness at this time.Ms 24, 1889, par. 54 His mission fulfills predictions given to prophets and seers, the counsels of heaven, and verifies His own Word, and in pledging Himself to accomplish full salvation of every son and daughter of Adam His ample sacrifice is wholly consistent with the justice and honor of the holy law, the Innocent suffering for the guilty.Ms 24, 1889, par. 54 Because the heavenly gift is fully provided, those who do not accept it have only themselves to blame, and every soul is under solemn obligation and should respond with full and complete gratitude.Ms 24, 1889, par. 54

God declares His righteousness at this time by transferring the sentence of death from the obedient and faithful to a substitute, since fallen man in guilt could not come directly before God and death is the consequence of sin.2SP 85.3 In the slain victim man saw fulfilled Ye shall surely die, with flowing blood signifying atonement and pointing forward to a Redeemer who would come and die for the sins of men, so that God remains just in punishing sin while justifying believers and fully vindicating His Father's law.2SP 85.3 The righteousness of Christ and the entire sacrifice made in behalf of man are great and glorious and precious truths, and the message for this time.12MR 193.1–2 The crucifixion declares God's righteousness with great and wonderful effects that open a view of God's character to the universe, reveal His attributes and show His love far surpassing all human love, lift the law to its eternal dignity and vindicate its holy requirements, and its effects are still felt, so that all who would be saved must themselves have an interest in the crucified One.18MR 73.3+1

To declare at this time His righteousness means that God remains just while justifying him who believes in Jesus, pardoning the sinner without excusing continued guilt.ST May 19, 1898+4 Pardon and justification are one and the same thing, and the opposite of condemnation.ST May 19, 1898+4 Justification is a full pardon given freely by grace through redemption without any merit or claim from the sinner, for faith does not save by its own power or remove guilt, but Christ's merits and redemption through His blood are its basis through faith in His blood.ST May 19, 1898+2 God imputes Christ's righteousness to every repenting, believing sinner, pronounces them just, and treats them as His children and as righteous though sinners in themselves, with guilt laid on Jesus.ST May 19, 1898+4 This truth is plainly stated to be believed even when its workings cannot be explained.ST May 19, 1898+1

He upholds His law and vindicates its justice while still pardoning, which was accomplished by Heaven pouring out its dearest gift to save a guilty and ruined race.ST Jul 13, 1904 Believers cannot answer the accuser's charges by appealing to themselves but appeal to Christ's merits, for Christ took their guilt upon Himself and the cross silences the accuser.ST Mar 30, 1915+1 Through His human nature He is linked with humanity and through His divine nature He is one with God, bringing help within reach of the perishing.ST Mar 30, 1915+1 Justice and mercy are joined and blended in redemption at the cross, each standing separate in dignity yet united.RH Nov 8, 1915+4 The cross is the stupendous means by which God's love and justice are harmonized, where mercy and truth meet and righteousness and peace kiss.Ms 94, 1899, par. 48–50+3

The law is the rule of right by which all are tested, and Christ pleads His blood before the mercy-seat for sinners, raising the fallen and clothing them in His spotless righteousness to restore fellowship with God and unite them with angels who never fell to dwell forever in His presence.RH Nov 8, 1915+1 Only infinite wisdom could devise this union and infinite power accomplish it, filling heaven with wonder and adoration as cherubim and the heavenly host contemplate it with reverent interest.4SP 261.3 This was made possible because the only-begotten Son united the attributes of Deity with human nature, standing as a perfect specimen of perfected humanity, so the sinner need not perish but is saved by accepting Christ by faith as a personal Saviour through the wonderful efficacy of the cross as the only means of salvation.18MR 80.2+1 His mercy is not weakness but power to punish sin because it is sin and power to draw human love.Ms 94, 1899, par. 48–50 Through Christ justice is enabled to forgive without sacrificing one jot of its exalted holiness, for justice comes to the cross and sees One equal with God bearing the penalty for all injustice and sin, and with perfect satisfaction bows in reverence saying It is enough, so God can punish the transgressor justly and forgive without losing dignity or purity.Ms 94, 1899, par. 48–50+1

Christ clothed His divinity with humanity and worked out a character without spot or blemish, and planted His cross midway between heaven and earth to draw justice and mercy together across the gulf, placing sinners on vantage ground so that the sinner drawn from the confederacy of sin to the uplifted cross becomes a new creature with a new heart, cleansed and purified so that holiness has nothing more to require.Ms 94, 1899, par. 48–50 The atonement made by Christ is wholly and abundantly satisfactory to the Father.Ms 28, 1905, par. 14+2 When Christ died and cried It is finished, God looked upon the expiring victim and bowed satisfied.12MR 409.1–3+1 The redemption price was paid, the controversy over rebellion was answered, and the human race was given another trial with an open door set before them, the rending of the Temple veil from top to bottom manifesting the way into the Holiest, with Christ making of none effect Satan's power and destroying him that had the power of death, so that Satan fell like lightning.12MR 409.1–3+1

Contemplating this great plan of redemption gives a just appreciation of the character of God, revealing beyond creation the infinite depths of divine tenderness, compassion, and love.ST Jul 13, 1904+1 The crucifixion declares God's righteousness with great and wonderful effects that open a view of God's character to the universe, reveal His attributes, and show His love as far surpassing all human love.18MR 73.3 It lifts the law to its own eternal dignity and vindicates its holy requirements, its effects still being felt, and all who would be saved must themselves have an interest in the crucified One.18MR 73.3

Christ became humanity's Substitute and Surety, taking its liabilities, transgressions, guilt and curse upon Himself and bearing the punishment the guilty deserved though He was sinless and undeserving.ST Mar 30, 1915+4 The penitent who discerns that atonement and accepts it as his only hope passes from rebel child of sin to adopted loyal subject, not for inherent goodness but because the Substitute bears his sins, reprieves him from death, intercedes claiming him as beloved child, gives eternal life and imputes His own righteousness, so that clothed in that righteousness he stands faultless in favor with strong hope of eternal life.Ms 21, 1891, par. 32–35 Beholding the cross of the only-begotten exposes the offensiveness of sin and gives a feeble comprehension of God's love for a fallen apostate race, and believers answer the accuser not by appealing to themselves but by appealing to Christ's merits which silence him.ST Mar 30, 1915+2

His life and death preserve the justice of the unchanging law while making forgiveness possible, for since people cannot provide the righteousness the law requires He offers His righteous life and perfect character as a gift, grants remission of past sins and builds God's attributes into believers so that the law's righteousness is fulfilled in them.DA 762.1–4 He was treated as a sinner that sinners might be treated as righteous, and justice was fully satisfied because He took the sinner's place and suffered the extreme penalty of the law without abatement even though He was the Son of God.18MR 335.2–337.3+1 The wrath was not withheld from Him who was made sin but fell without abatement upon the divine-human Substitute, as His cry of being forsaken shows, proving God just and leaving those who refuse the atoning sacrifice without excuse, for Calvary condemns all indifference.18MR 335.2–337.3+1

Through His human nature He is linked with humanity and through His divine nature He is one with God, bringing help within reach of the perishing.ST Mar 30, 1915+1 He humbled Himself to become man, taking human nature as a robe of humiliation, clothing divinity with humanity and working out a spotless character without blemish as a sinless Lamb and perfect specimen of perfected humanity, revealing in sanctified human nature what humanity may and must become.ST Jun 18, 1896+3 He suffered the wrath which sin has made, triumphing over sin and death, with God suffering with His Son as only the Divine could suffer in order that the world might be reconciled and men saved from eternal ruin.Lt 43, 1895, par. 44–48 He planted His cross midway between heaven and earth to draw justice and mercy together across the gulf, so that justice seeing One equal with God bearing the penalty bows in satisfaction saying It is enough, and mercy is not weakness but power to punish sin because it is sin and power to draw human love.Ms 94, 1899, par. 48–50

In humanity He perfectly obeyed the law and gave it implicit obedience, honoring it, and by His complete active obedience He paid all man owes to God and brought in everlasting righteousness, giving His life to atone for transgression and to enable obedience, so justice is satisfied.Ms 21, 1896, par. 6–8+4 He Himself gave the law and has not lessened its claims, yet knowing the sinner's trials because He took human nature, was tempted, wept and knew sorrow, He becomes a hiding place to all who believe and trust in Him.Ms 16, 1890, par. 82–84 The sins of everyone who receives Him were charged to Him, and by fully satisfying God's justice He makes it possible for the believer to be accepted through His righteousness and to render perfect obedience.Ms 21, 1896, par. 6–8+2

He offered His life as a ransom to purchase the right to re-create the sinner and form God's image again, taking the sentence of death upon Himself and through the merits of His blood and obedience providing pardon, favor, restoration and access to the tree of life.SG1 22.2+1 Coming as the Prince of Life as a babe in Bethlehem as an offering for sin, His ample sacrifice pledges full salvation of every son and daughter of Adam wholly consistent with the justice and honor of the holy law, the Innocent suffering for the guilty.Ms 24, 1889, par. 54 He passed over the ground where Adam failed, overcoming in human nature every temptation on appetite in the wilderness fast of forty days and nights by meeting Satan with Scripture and resisting every temptation, thereby redeeming Adam's failure and placing fallen man on vantage ground with evidence that in every temptation there is help in God if man will take hold of His strength.Ms 49, 1897, par. 18–20 So uplifting, pardon and redemption come not by law but by Christ as righteousness, clothing divinity with humanity with heaven's wealth to counteract Satan's ruin, magnifying the law while restoring fallen people to more than former dignity as overcomers reconstructed after Christ's image.ST Dec 12, 1895

He is now Advocate, Intercessor and High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, pleading the efficacy of His blood before the mercy-seat, in whom the Old Testament sacrifices centered, and through Him believers find peace and pardon.AA 230.2+2 His work as crucified, risen and ascended reveals God's wisdom and power to convert souls and bring them back to loyalty, closely connected with the office work of the Holy Spirit sent with divine power and gifts.Lt 86, 1895, par. 4 Because His death satisfies justice and vindicates the broken law while providing forgiveness, He as Sin-bearer, substitute and surety is man's only hope, and through Him those on probation are prisoners of hope, forgiven and reconciled when they repent, become contrite and believe in Him as atoning sacrifice, to be uplifted from degradation.Lt 60, 1895, par. 6–7

The redemption price was paid, the controversy over rebellion answered, and the human race given another trial with an open door set before them.12MR 409.1–3+1 When He cried It is finished God looked upon the expiring victim and bowed satisfied, and then justice and mercy could blend, mercy and truth meeting and righteousness and peace kissing.12MR 409.1–3+1 The rending of the Temple veil from top to bottom manifested the way into the Holiest of all, Christ made of none effect Satan's power and destroyed him that had the power of death, and Satan fell like lightning from heaven.12MR 409.1–3

Saving the sinner through grace and atonement does not abolish, dishonor, weaken, change, abrogate, repeal, or set aside the law.18MR 335.2–337.3+4 The law stands immutable, eternal as His throne, holy and just and good and complete in itself, not to be weakened or strengthened or altered in one principle, with its claims remaining in force as God's moral standard and great rule of right.18MR 335.2–337.3+3 Christ honored the law by giving it implicit obedience, and when He took the sinner's place and suffered the extreme penalty of the law without abatement, even though He was the Son of God, justice was fully satisfied, its demands met and its authority maintained in holy dignity.18MR 335.2–337.3+2 God's justice is proved because the sword was not sheathed until bathed in the blood of His only begotten Son, and His love is proved because He spared not His Son but delivered Him up for all, giving probation and giving His Son to bear all guilt of transgression, so that Calvary leaves those who refuse the atoning sacrifice without excuse.18MR 335.2–337.3+1 In punishing sin He reveals His holiness and His love even for those He punishes, and if sinners repent toward God and believe in Jesus they are pardoned and their efforts to obey through faith in His merits are accepted, finding through Him the way back to the place of sons and daughters of God, but if they refuse that expensive offering and will not obey His commandments in gratitude and love, Christ can do no more for them.1SP 49.1–50.2+1

The sacrifice required to redeem people from the penalty of transgression proves the law is unchanging.ST Apr 15, 1875+1 Christ's death testifies that the law is immutable and remains God's moral standard, showing God is just because the law is unchangeable.ST Apr 15, 1875+2 He died on the cross to pardon all transgression and sin and to bring man back to loyalty to the commandments, proving Him the justifier because in redemption He embraces man and places him once more on vantage ground with God, with moral capacity recognized as accountable to God as supreme Ruler, the cross laid as the foundation and made its center and glory.Ms 1, 1897, par. 22

Christ came to die to magnify the law of God and make it honorable, lifting it to its own eternal dignity and vindicating its holy requirements.Ms 27, 1889, par. 5+2 Holding Him up as the only source of strength, with the guilt of men's sins charged to His account and His own righteousness imputed to man, in no case does away with the law or detracts from its dignity.12MR 204.2 Rather it places the law where correct light shines upon and glorifies it, through light reflected from the cross of Calvary.12MR 204.2 The law is complete and full in the great plan of salvation only as it is presented in the light shining from the crucified and risen Saviour, and this can be only spiritually discerned, kindling in the beholder ardent faith, hope, and joy that Christ is his righteousness, a joy only for those who love and keep the words of Jesus, which are the words of God.12MR 204.2 The crucifixion declares God's righteousness with great and wonderful effects that open a view of God's character to the universe, reveal the attributes of God, and show His love for man as far surpassing all human love, effects still felt, so that all who would be saved must themselves have an interest in the crucified One.18MR 73.3

Christ's sacrifice for sin makes redemption possible without setting aside the dignity of God's law.STSE 61.2–62.1 In giving His Son, God reveals His own character and gives an immeasurable gift to those who accept Christ's sacrifice and return to allegiance to Him.STSE 61.2–62.1 The law is not set aside to save sinners, but God bears sin's penalty in His Son, and through that sacrifice people are redeemed from Satan's power and brought back into harmony with God, while the justice and unchanging authority of God's law are upheld.ST Nov 25, 1913 God remains just while justifying those who believe in Jesus, and He justifies through faith without making His law mutable or unjust.FE 369.1+2 The law exposes sin, but people cannot withstand Satan's power by themselves; Christ bore the punishment for human transgression as humanity's substitute and surety, His sacrifice satisfies justice and vindicates the honor of God's law and vindicates God's character, making reconciliation possible, so that through faith in His atoning sacrifice sins are pardoned, people can return to allegiance, and perfect obedience becomes possible.FE 369.1+1

Justification is full pardon, given freely by grace through redemption in Christ's blood, without any merit or claim on the sinner's part.ST May 19, 1898+1 Faith itself does not save by its own power nor remove guilt; its basis is Christ's merits and redemption, and this truth is plainly stated to be believed even when its workings cannot be explained.ST May 19, 1898+1

God imputes Christ's righteousness to every repenting, believing sinner, pronounces him just, and treats him as His child and as righteous though in himself a sinner.ST Mar 13, 1893+2 The believing sinner is counted innocent while his guilt is laid on Jesus as Substitute and Surety, Christ's righteousness is put to the debtor's account, and against his name are written pardoned and eternal life.Ms 21, 1891, par. 32–35+2 Pardon and justification are one and the same thing, the opposite of condemnation, received when the penitent discerns Christ's atonement and accepts it as his only hope for this life and the future life, passing from rebel, a child of sin and Satan, to loyal subject by adoption, not because of inherent goodness.Ms 21, 1891, par. 32–35+1 The Substitute takes his guilt, suffers for his sins, reprieves him from the condemnation of death, intercedes with the Father claiming him as child and beloved son, gives him eternal life, and fully satisfies the demands of justice, so that the Father forgives for Jesus' sake, mercy is exercised toward the wholly undeserving, and the pardoned one clothed in Christ's righteousness stands faultless before God in favor and strong hope of eternal life, not cast off without mercy when he errs while his hope remains repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.Ms 21, 1891, par. 32–35+2

No one has any righteousness of his own and cannot make a single virtue in himself even working to the very best of his ability; it is the righteousness of Christ alone.6MR 32.2–33.1+2 A holy God accepts sinners only through Christ's righteousness and redemption through His blood, since no member of the human family can by himself meet the claims of God's law or satisfy God's justice.6MR 32.2–33.1+2 Righteousness based on anything besides Christ misses the golden opportunity and leaves the sinner lost.Ms 24, 1889, par. 44 Faith rests in Christ's blood as the atoning sacrifice and accepts His righteousness as a free gift; all the guilty and lost need is found in Jesus, whose righteousness fully acquits from the law's condemnation, a glorious, priceless treasure precious every hour giving firm faith and rejoicing.Ms 24, 1889, par. 44

There are only two religions: invented religions in which man tries to save himself by ceremonies and good works, and Bible religion in which salvation comes solely by the free grace of God through faith in Jesus.GC88 219.2–221.1 Before a holy and just Judge the sinner stands without an intercessor and under eternal despair, and no mediation of saints, good works, ceremonies of the church, confession, or penance can atone for sin or reconcile the soul with God, with all merits besides those of Jesus to be abhorred.GC88 219.2–221.1 Christ's sacrifice appeases the Father's wrath, His blood washes away impurity, His cross bears the curse, and His death makes atonement, so that trust in Christ alone gives peace and courage even in death, in contrast to the darkness and despair of strict obedience to the church without Christ.GC88 219.2–221.1

The grace of God in Christ is the foundation of hope as a free gift without money and without price, not won by prayers and fasts, almsdeeds, self-denial, reproach, and humiliation.GC88 256.1–3+4 Human effort cannot free from sin's condemnation or break its power, holiness pursued through self-denial and good conduct cannot secure God's favor, and hope rests not on best efforts but on Christ's atoning death and blood as the only ground, with true religion depending entirely on His righteousness and not on works of merit.GC 254.1+4 That grace is manifested in obedience, with the renewing power of the Holy Spirit upon the heart bringing forth fruit in a life conformed to Christ's example, so a strict and self-denying life continues not as the ground but the result of faith, not the root but the fruit of holiness.GC88 256.1–3

Forgiveness and justification are given through Christ's blood as propitiation and deliverer who condemns sin and frees from it, not one who licenses sin for money, in direct opposition to offering pardon for money and granting license for crime to fill the church treasury.GC88 178.2–3 Sinners cannot lessen sin's guilt or escape its punishment through their own works; salvation comes through repentance toward God and faith in Christ as a free gift not purchased, and looking in faith to the crucified Redeemer rather than relying on penance or self brings peace and joy.GC88 178.2–3+1 Justification by faith is God's work alone in laying man's glory in the dust and doing for man what is not in his power to do for himself, for no one can save or regenerate himself and none but God can subdue the pride of the heart, so glory belongs to God alone and not to man who loves, washes, and redeems himself.20MR 117.2–3+1 When men see their own nothingness and worthlessness and their real nature, and learn of Christ His meekness and lowliness, they are prepared to be clothed with Christ's righteousness, and by beholding God in praise all the day long they are changed into the same image, with no song in heaven to self.20MR 117.2–3+1

Sinners are on trial for breaking God's law and their only hope is to accept Jesus as Substitute, who redeemed the fallen race from the curse by being made sin and a curse for them, since nothing but His grace can free the transgressor from bondage.Lt 134, 1902, par. 9–10 When sinners repent their pardon is secured through Christ's merits, and through His grace those obedient to God's commandments are made free.Lt 134, 1902, par. 9–10 The decisive question for each person is whether he is justified or condemned by the holy precepts of God's law, not speculative argument over the exact definition of Christ as righteousness or over the precise relation of the two laws.Lt 134, 1902, par. 9–10

God's law stands fully vindicated in the plan of atonement, where God is just and yet the justifier of all who believe in Jesus, and nothing less than this atonement could convince the whole universe of God's justice.4SP 323.2+1 God's justice is revealed both in the condemnation of Satan and in the redemption of man, for Satan had claimed that because the law is changeless and its penalty cannot be remitted, every transgressor must be forever shut out from favor as his rightful prey, but that claim is overthrown because the penalty of the law was not set aside but fell upon Christ who is equal with God, God being just in permitting His wrath to fall upon Him.ST Mar 12, 1885+2 This manifests God's abhorrence of rebellion and clears His character from lying charges that He sought only His own exaltation, practiced no self-denial while exacting it, and had lost the sinful race beyond redemption, since the Ruler of the universe made the greatest sacrifice love and God could make for a fallen race.ST Mar 12, 1885+1 On that ground men are set free to accept Christ's righteousness and by a life of penitence and humiliation to triumph over Satan's power as the Son of God triumphed.ST Mar 12, 1885+2

This union of justice and mercy in redemption is represented in the most holy place in heaven, where God's law as the great rule of right by which all mankind are tested is enshrined in the ark and covered by the mercy-seat, before which Christ pleads His blood in the sinner's behalf for the repenting sinner.RH Nov 8, 1915+2 Only infinite wisdom could devise this union and infinite power accomplish it, filling all heaven with wonder and adoration as a mystery of mercy the cherubim and heavenly host contemplate with reverent interest.4SP 261.3 Through it Christ stoops to raise multitudes from ruin and clothes them with the spotless garments of His own righteousness, renewing fellowship with the fallen race to unite with angels who never fell and dwell forever in God's presence.RH Nov 8, 1915+2

In the councils of heaven hope was furnished for the fallen race when Jesus Christ offered His life as a ransom to purchase the right to re-create the sinner and form again the image of God in the soul, clothing His divinity with humanity with the wealth of heaven at His command to counteract the ruin Satan wrought, magnifying the law and making it honorable while restoring fallen people to more than their former dignity and glory as overcomers.ST Dec 12, 1895 From the ruins wrought by sin the fallen temple of the Lord rises again in purity and holiness, reconstructed after the image of Christ to walk in newness of life, while treasures hidden for ages in Christ are displayed before a wondering universe amid angels, cherubim and seraphim rejoicing and hastening through the heavenly courts proclaiming that a ransom has been found.ST Dec 12, 1895 The atonement is one of the great facts taught by inspired writers and one of the very pillars of the Christian faith, yet it is now practically rejected wholly or in part by a large share of the professedly Christian world, while infidelity prevails not only in the world but in the church and God's holy Word is but little valued as the guide of life.GC88 582.3

Drawn by the love of Christ to the cross, the sinner who bows and believes is made righteous by God Himself, so that holiness has nothing more to require of him.ST Jun 4, 1902+1 That making righteous is a new creation, giving a new heart and making him a new creature in Christ Jesus, cleansed and purified.COL 162.4–163.1+2 Though shame and degradation came through sin, still greater honor and exaltation come through redeeming love, raising from sin's shame to honor and exaltation unto glorification.COL 162.4–163.1+2 Those striving for likeness to God receive heavenly treasure and power that will place them higher than angels who never sinned.ST Jun 4, 1902 At the cross justice and mercy are reconciled so each stands separate in dignity yet united, mercy being not weakness but power to punish sin because it is sin and power to draw human love, while justice forgives without sacrificing one jot of its holiness upon seeing One equal with God bearing the penalty until with satisfaction it bows saying It is enough.Ms 94, 1899, par. 48–50 By that offering sinners are placed on vantage ground, and hope furnished in the councils of heaven when Christ offered His life as ransom to purchase the right to re-create the sinner and form again God's image, clothing divinity with humanity with heaven's wealth to counteract Satan's ruin, magnifying the law while restoring fallen people to more than former dignity as overcomers, reconstructed after Christ's image so the fallen temple rises again in purity amid rejoicing angels proclaiming a ransom found.Ms 94, 1899, par. 48–50+1

Clothed with Christ's righteousness alone, for no one has any righteousness of his own nor can make a single virtue even working at his best, the believer receives imparted power and strength with Christ working with and by him.6MR 32.2–33.1+1 In that position he will not want to sin and cannot sin, hating the sins that caused the Son's suffering because they are transgressions of God's law, though still liable to mistakes and errors.6MR 32.2–33.1+1 Through Christ he renders perfect obedience to the law and does not continue in sin but perfects a character after Christ's similitude, working the works of righteousness with responsive love, gratitude, and thank offerings.6MR 32.2–33.1+1 Christ's complete, active obedience paid all man owes to God and brought in everlasting righteousness, vindicating His justice, holiness, and truth in the law so nothing hinders abundant, free, full mercy to take away sin and impute His righteousness.Ms 21, 1896, par. 6–8

Christ restores and heals people from sin's damage while they lay hold by faith of His merits and cooperate with divine power in forming righteous characters, and in this way God's righteous law is vindicated while God remains just in saving the sinner.STMW7 25.2+2 Those justified by His righteousness are to live magnifying His power.AA 547.3–4 During probation people may lay hold of the Saviour by faith and receive His merits while choosing to form a character like His unto God's moral image, but refusing Christ's character means losing heaven.SPBC 178.2–4

Christ became humanity's substitute and surety, taking its liabilities and transgressions, giving His life to redeem people and reveal God's love and fulfilling God's will while vindicating His law, and those who believe are to reflect His character to the world.ST Jan 16, 1907 Those accepting pardon become channels in co-partnership with Christ to communicate pardoning grace to those in darkness, while God justly condemns all who will not receive and believe in Jesus as personal Saviour.Ms 21, 1896, par. 6–8

Christ presents the Father as loving the guilty and shows the value God places on human souls.5T 204.1 Bearing human sin on the cross, His sacrifice purchases sinners so God can remain just while justifying believers, and those who surrender to Christ receive eternal life.9T 193.2+1 God's plan to restore sinners is accomplished through His Son's self-sacrifice as substitute and surety, and those taking hold of Him by faith receive power to overcome through His merits.CE 112.1

Christ stands at the door of the heart longing to pardon and give life, faithful and just to forgive sins and cleanse from all unrighteousness all who hear His voice and open the door.Ms 21, 1896, par. 6–8 They then stand before God and the heavenly universe as innocent though undeserving while Jesus carries their guilt and bears the load they were to bear, every obstruction removed and access secured.Ms 21, 1896, par. 6–8 Through Christ, who is equal with the Father, believers may claim peace and rest while God pardons the transgressor in full retention and display of His justice and glory.Ms 21, 1896, par. 6–8+1

It is God who justifies, so no man is to occupy God's place by justifying his own unjust acts or by using position, power, and associates to have injustice sanctioned.Ms 93, 1903, par. 3–5 One placed where equity, compassion, and God's love must predominate must keep a humble, contrite, grateful spirit because Christ pardoned his many transgressions, and must not deal with fellow men on wrong principles.Ms 93, 1903, par. 3–5 Forgetting this unfits him to represent Christ, and associates who vindicate a wrong action are guilty with the one who erred and stand condemned as working on Satan's side.Ms 93, 1903, par. 3–5