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Pastor's Blog February 27, 2020

• "Sin and Righteousness"

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There are two myths Adventists commonly hold which Ellen helps us correct so we can follow Jesus. 

In the first myth, what is so sinful about sin is disobedience - namely, breaking the law of God.  But Ellen's description of the sinfulness of sin in "Steps to Christ" paints a different picture.  According to her, sin has "caused the sufferings of God's dear Son" (15-16; 1977 edition) and can only give "unsatisfying pleasures" (16).  "The sinfulness of our own hearts" is only exposed to us as we see the beauty of Jesus' character and the wonderful love which he displayed toward God and humans alike (16).  It is only the matchless love of Jesus that reveals to us how impure, selfish, defiled, and at "enmity against God" we are (16), and it is only the purity of Jesus' love that shows us how morally spotted is our soul and how morally deformed is our character (17).  Jesus' perfect love shows the sinful desires, the unholy words, and "the infidelity of the heart" for what they truly are: disloyalty to God and his law of love (17).  What is so sinful about sin, states Ellen, is that it doesn't love God; lawlessness is a secondary matter that simply flows from lovelessness for God. 

The second myth, ironically, is that righteousness comes from obeying God's law.  Yet once again Ellen disabuses us of this fallacy by describing righteousness.  The experience of righteousness is peace and rest in the grace of Christ and "the joy of holiness" (16).  This is because true righteousness IS the infinite love of Jesus "in His perfect purity"; "benevolence, unselfish love, was the life of His soul" (16).  Repeatedly, Ellen claims our sinfulness and true righteousness are revealed by the light of Jesus' loving character shining into the hearts and minds of sinners, and not our own disobedience (16-17).  And repeatedly, Ellen maintains that only the blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin's defilement and can "renew our hearts in His own likeness" (16).  Apparently, you learn what righteousness is by going to Jesus and focusing on him, rather than trying to keep the law! 

Friends, we Adventists have been wrestling with these myths for a long time.  But I think the only way we'll get out of sin and into righteousness is if we become infatuated lovers of Jesus - and the only way we can learn to love Jesus is by spending time focusing on him.  Instead of trying to be less sinful and more righteous, why don't we put our energy into getting to know Jesus?

(*) Steps to Christ 1977 edition; Chapter 2, “The Sinner’s Need of Christ”