Some will cry, Legalism! when they read the Straight Testimony. Is this a message of righteousness by works, or a message of righteousness by faith? A gross misunderstanding of the message of righteousness by faith has been spreading throughout our ranks. Great confusion has developed. It is up to each one of us, individually, to study this matter out for ourselves so that we understand it clearly. We dare not depend upon unsanctified men to interpret it for us, tainting our minds with their bitterness. The message of Christ our Righteousness is the message of the hour. "One interest will prevail, one subject will swallow up every other,--Christ our righteousness. . . ." {SD 259.3}
Dearest Father, I confess my tendency toward self-righteousness, and see how disgusting it is to You. I renounce any belief in the deception that my prideful works will impress You. I acknowledge that in and of myself I can do no good thing. Strip me of all self-exaltation, and humble me, so that all my self-glory is laid in the dust. All the praise goes to You for any holy impulses You plant in my heart. Let me trust fully in Your saving merits, for You are my only hope! In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
I choose for God to soften my heart toward Him
Is not the divine Messenger knocking at the door of the heart for entrance? Is not the Spirit striving with sinners? Has not Christ invited sin-sick souls to sit at His feet and learn of Him, to wear His yoke of submission and obedience? Has He not traversed the length and breadth of the land, scattering blessings in His path? There is no wearying of His patience, no repressing of His love. Hear His voice speaking to the weak, the weary, the helpless. "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Will you not let grace soften the heart of stone? {RH, December 3, 1901 par. 9}
The Holy Spirit is given to all who will heed its voice; it is a purifier, a sanctifier. Not a soul is safe without it, for all are struggling with natural defects of character, with sinful tendencies. Who will be so foolish as to think they can struggle single-handed with enemies that have overmatched them again and again? The heart needs to be constantly softened and subdued by the Spirit of Christ. In contact with the world, or even with that which has to do with the advancement of God's cause, the heart grows hard and selfish, unless constantly brought in contact with the heart of Infinite Love. The conscience grows callous and feeble when we neglect to receive the rays of the Sun of Righteousness. Those who flatter themselves that they can safely occupy their time in business, having no special seasons of prayer either in public or private, drawing no spiritual strength from the Source of all light and power, are under a delusion of the enemy. {ST, October 17, 1892 par. 8}
I desire to be receptive to every Word of God
By every word of God we are to live. Nothing that God has spoken is to be lost. Not one word that concerns our eternal salvation are we to neglect. Not one word is to fall useless to the ground. {MH 48.1}
Obedience to every word of God is another condition of success. Victories are not gained by ceremonies or display, but by simple obedience to the highest General, the Lord God of heaven. {6T 140.1}
It is essential to live by every word of God, else our old nature will constantly reassert itself. {YRP 34.4}
I desire that nothing will stand in the way of entire consecration to God.
God has graciously given men a probation, that they may through Christ obtain that power which will constitute them his sons. But full and entire consecration to God is required of us. {ST, July 8, 1897 par. 13}
God calls for complete and entire consecration, and anything short of this He will not accept. {CTr 94.4}
I praise God for pardoning all my sins, and cleansing me from all unrighteousness.
Satan seeks to draw our minds away from the mighty Helper, to lead us to ponder over our degeneration of soul. But though Jesus sees the guilt of the past, He speaks pardon; and we should not dishonor Him by doubting His love. The feeling of guiltiness must be laid at the foot of the cross, or it will poison the springs of life. When Satan thrusts his threatenings upon you, turn from them, and comfort your soul with the promises of God. The cloud may be dark in itself, but when filled with the light of heaven, it turns to the brightness of gold; for the glory of God rests upon it. {TM 518.3}
I accept the gift of righteousness through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
God is waiting to bestow the blessing of forgiveness, of pardon for iniquity, of the gifts of righteousness, upon all who will believe in His love and accept the salvation He offers. Christ is ready to say to the repenting sinner, "Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." The blood of Jesus Christ is the eloquent plea that speaks in behalf of sinners. This blood "cleanseth us from all sin." {TM 517.1}
I claim justification by faith in the Lamb of God, and rejoice in my acceptance into His family.
All who are found worthy to be counted as the members of the family of God in heaven, will recognize one another as sons and daughters of God. They will realize that they all receive their strength and pardon from the same source, even from Jesus Christ who was crucified for their sins. They know that they are to wash their robes of character in His blood, to find acceptance with the Father in His name, if they would be in the bright assembly of the saints, clothed in the white robes of righteousness. {1SM 259.1}
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
