The All-Sufficiency of Christ's Perfect Sacrifice

Our works can add absolutely nothing to the perfect sacrifice of Christ, and the idea that they could is a dangerous rejection of His all-sufficient graceFW 25.3+1. The proud heart naturally strives to earn salvation, but both our title to heaven and our fitness for it are found exclusively in the righteousness of ChristDA 300.1.

The Perfection of Christ’s Sacrifice

Jesus Christ is our substitute, our surety, and our power; he is the only hope for a penitent soulST December 16, 1897, par. 12. When we look with firm and entire reliance upon Him, we realize that souls and bodies polluted by sin cannot be cleansed by human struggle or finite strengthFW 25.3.

• A Complete Work: Christ worked out a perfect example of true religion and is the Life-giver who has been sealed by God the FatherST December 16, 1897, par. 12+1.

• All-Sufficiency: In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, meaning He is our complete sufficiency for time and eternity Colossians 2:96LtMs, Ms 40a, 1890, par. 10.

• The Only Hope: If we do not see Christ as our all-sufficiency, we will inevitably be ensnared by earthly things that cannot satisfy the soulST August 1, 1895, par. 15.

Why Human Effort is Insufficient

The attempt to earn salvation by works is the root principle of every false religion and is fundamentally a denial of the GospelPTUK September 13, 1894, page 583.3. It is a fatal deception to believe that we can lay up a store of merits through our own deedsST August 1, 1895, par. 15+1.

• Spiritual Blindness: Trusting in one's own works creates a spirit of self-sufficiency that obscures spiritual discernment and leads to a refusal of heaven-sent light1888 1656.1.

• Human Inventions: When people see they fail to keep the law, they often pile up human exactions and rules to force obedience, which only turns the mind further from God toward selfMB 123.1.

• A Burden of Sin: Struggling in finite strength to "do the rest" of the saving alongside Jesus is an error that defiles the heart and estranges it from GodFW 25.3.

The True Role of Works

True religion does not consist of doing words to earn favor, but doing them because we have already received the gift of His loveST May 18, 1904, par. 4. Good works are the fruit of a heart already cleansed by the blood of Christ Matthew 7:20GCDB February 5, 1893, page 137.1.

• Justification by Faith: We must learn that we cannot earn righteousness by our own merit; rather, we must hunger and thirst after the righteousness of ChristFW 25.3+1.

• A Gift Received: God can do nothing toward the recovery of a person until they are stripped of all self-sufficiency and yield to His controlDA 300.1.

• Living for God: When we receive Him, we are made free and live His life, understanding that He is the source of all strength and powerGCB April 1, 1899, page 35.4+1.

We must always remember that the Lord is against all self-sufficiency because it prevents Him from working with His people15MR 162.2. Those who are truly alive to their own weakness and insufficiency will find the door open for Christ to enter and abide with them Isaiah 57:15T33 12.2. Seek the Lord with a humble and contrite spirit, for the ransom has already been paid at a very dear priceDA 300.1+1.