Ellen White on Justification by Faith and Human Effort

Yes, Ellen White explicitly affirmed that we are justified by faith alone, while also emphasizing that this genuine faith will naturally produce a life of obedience to God's law.

The Nature of Justification by Faith Alone

Justification is a divine favor where God pardons the sinner, treats them as if they had never sinned, and receives them into favor through the merits of Christ's righteousness1SM 389.1. This experience is obtained solely through faith, which includes not only a mental belief but a deep trust in the atonement made by Jesus1SM 389.1. It is fundamentally impossible for fallen man to merit anything through his own best works, as salvation is a free gift received by faith in Jesus Christ alone1888 811.2+1.

Faith and the Fruits of Obedience

While the doctrine of "faith only" can be perverted into an easy religion that ignores self-denial, true justification by faith is the "third angel's message in verity" and always bears fruit unto holinessMMM 351.1+4.

• A Working Faith: Faith does not absolve a person from keeping God's unchangeable law; rather, it enables the possessor to bring forth the fruits of the SpiritST March 24, 1890, par. 1.

• Connection to Christ: Genuine faith is a working faith that operates through love and acknowledges Christ not just as Redeemer, but as Ruler and King1888 823.1.

• Balance of Truth: There is a danger in presenting justification in a one-sided manner that ignores works altogether, but it remains a settled truth that creature merit can never purchase the gift of salvation1888 815.2+2.

Historical Context and Importance

During the 1888 Minneapolis General Conference, this message was presented as "old truth in new framework," essential for giving spiritual health and vigor to the church8MR 276.2+1. The doctrine had been largely lost sight of, but it is the article of our true standing in the sight of God and should be presented clearly to the youth and the world13MR 191.1+2.

Relevant Bible Verses

• "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" Romans 3:28.

• "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" Romans 5:1.

• "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" Ephesians 2:8.

• "Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone" James 2:17.

• "You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" James 2:24.

... blood, and believe that we have life through his name. Let not the fallacies of Satan deceive you; you are justified by faith alone, but faith in Christ does not absolve you from obligation to keep God's unchangeable law, whic...— ST March 24, 1890, par. 1 (1874)

...m the penalty of transgression, only by virtue of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ. Faith is the only condition upon which justification can be obtained, and faith includes not only belief but trust— 1SM 389.1 (1958)

...he minds of all, than the impossibility of fallen man meriting anything by his own best good works. Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ alone. When this question is investigated, we are pained to the heart to see how trivial are the remarks ...— 1888 811.2 (1987)

“The present message—justification by faith—is a message from God; it bears the divine credentials, for its fruit is unto holiness.”—Review, Sept...— 6LtMs, Ms 8, 1890, par. 4 (1889)

...e, received by man as a sinner because he receives and believes in Jesus. It is wholly a free gift. Justification by faith is placed beyond controversy. And all this controversy is ended, as soon as the matter is settled that the merits of fallen man...— 3MR 420.3 (1990)

Justification is not the only process required for salvation; rather, it is the initial work of God that prepares the heart to receive the essential blessing of sanctificationST December 17, 1902, par. 3. While justification provides the sinner with pardon and the imputed righteousness of Christ, both divine and human agencies must cooperate to complete the work of redemptionCT 22.1+1. Salvation is a comprehensive process that involves not only the forgiveness of sins but also the restoration of the moral image of God through the work of the Holy Spirit11MR 366.1+1.

The Role of Justification

Justification is the great work wrought for the sinner where God declares the repentant soul righteous and transfers their sins to Jesus, their suretyST March 13, 1893, par. 1.

• It is the work of God in laying the glory of man in the dust and doing for man what he cannot do for himselfTM 456.3.

• By faith, the sinner obtains the virtue of Christ's spotless character and is granted a second opportunity to keep the law of God in the strength of their RedeemerST May 19, 1890, par. 10.

• Pardon and acceptance are provided through the merits of a crucified, risen, and exalted Saviour1T 556.3+1.

The Necessity of Sanctification

Sanctification is the result of union with Christ and is just as necessary for an inheritance in the future, immortal lifeST August 10, 1891, par. 3+1.

• True sanctification is the result of surrendering all to God and involves perfect love and perfect obedience to His willRH December 31, 1908, par. 9+1.

• It is a work that must be experienced by all who would gain eternal life, requiring the sanctification of the soul, body, and spirit2SM 32.3+1.

• This process is not the work of an hour but the constant effort of a lifetime in which the believer struggles against the powers of darkness and subdues natural tendencies to sinST February 10, 1888, par. 6.

Faith and Works Combined

Salvation is not built upon our own works of righteousness, yet genuine faith is always made manifest through works of righteousness16MR 223.3+1.

• Faith without works is dead, and the Lord requires a faith that works by love and purifies the soulST May 19, 1890, par. 10+2.

• We are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, while God works within us to will and to do of His good pleasure Philippians 2:13ST December 17, 1902, par. 3+1.

• While good works cannot pay the price of redemption, they are the indispensable fruit of faith in Jesus Christ, who is our righteousnessPH118 7.1.

A Complete Salvation

Christ is a complete Saviour who offers a perfect sacrifice so that man may have a full and complete sanctificationYI September 21, 1899, par. 5.

• The divine influence and the strong, living faith of the believer are the two agencies revealed in the work of salvation 2 Thessalonians 2:13CT 22.1.

• God has made every provision whereby man may have full and free salvation and be complete in Him2MCP 457.1.

• Those who are justified by faith will be one with Christ, and the Lord will carry forward in them His work of redeeming love to perfect their redemption2MCP 457.1+1.

Relevant Bible Verses

• "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification" 1 Thessalonians 4:3.

• "For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" Philippians 2:13.

• "But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you... because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth" 2 Thessalonians 2:13.

• "But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" 1 Corinthians 1:30.

• "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

True success in the spiritual life is found in the perfect union of divine power and human effortCM 106.2+1. It is a dangerous error to believe that the blessing of God serves as a substitute for the taxing effort required of us in our duties4BC 1167.5+1. We must put forth as earnest an effort as though success depended upon our own strength alone, while simultaneously maintaining an implicit reliance upon the AlmightyCM 106.2+1. Every person must act their part faithfully in the game of life, for our happiness for both this world and the future depends upon our own active exertions1T 407.1+1.

The secret of success is the combination of human energy with the divine agencyCM 106.2+1. While we can do nothing without Christ, the Lord does nothing for the salvation of the soul without the cooperation of the human agentSC 69.1+1. We are called to bring all of our ability and the highest capabilities of our minds to the work of GodCS 15.1+1. This involves a severe taxation of our powers and a resolute purpose to make the most of every opportunity for study and labor1MCP 7.4+1.

Divine grace is never given as a replacement for human effortMYP 147.2. We must engage in agonizing and determined effort to overcome the enemy and gain the future, immortal life5MR 124.2+1. Character building, in particular, is a work that demands the whole being, requiring solid timbers of integrity and persevering effort to break away from worldly customs1MCP 352.3+1. God has arranged that our happiness and spiritual prosperity depend upon this personal effort and strict fidelity to HimCSW 138.2+1.

The Lord desires us to be workers, persevering in effort, for no one else can do the work that He has left for us to doGW92 106.1. Even in the natural world, the blessing of a harvest is not bestowed independent of the human effort of plowing the soil and sowing the seedRH December 7, 1886, par. 1. Similarly, in the spiritual realm, we must use the faculties God has given us and cooperate with every saving agency at our commandRH May 6, 1890, par. 11+1. By combining divine influence with human effort, we may elevate ourselves and reach the high standard of excellence God has set for usCM 64.1+1.

... of Israel alone. He did all that human energy could do, and then he cried in faith for divine aid. The secret of success is the union of divine power with human effort. Those who achieve the greatest results are those who rely most implicitly upon the Almighty Arm.&md...— CM 106.2 (1953)

17. God's Blessing No Substitute for Effort—When the four Hebrew youth were receiving an education for the king's court in Babylon, they did not feel that the...— 4BC 1167.5 (1955)

... we must act our part. The Lord does not propose to perform for us either the willing or the doing. His grace is given to work in us to will and to do, but never as a substitute for our effort. Our souls are to be aroused to cooperate. The Holy Spirit works in us, that we may work out our own...— MYP 147.2 (1930)

How few have qualified themselves in the science of saving souls! How few understand the work that should be done in building up the church, in communicating light to those who sit in...— RH February 14, 1893, par. 12 (1851)

...ment. Our mental activity will not grow without exercise. God made our powers for use, not to rust. All that is useful and elevating in life depends upon our own exertions. If God had intended that any of us should be idle, He would have built houses, made clothes, cooked...— 2LtMs, Lt 46a, 1874, par. 30 (1869)

God's blessings are not bestowed upon men independent of human effort. We see this principle illustrated in the natural world. God has given us the earth with its t...— RH December 7, 1886, par. 1 (1851)

Would you like a summary of the next section regarding how this effort is applied specifically to our daily habits?