Commentary on "Justified by Faith"

JONATHAN BILIMA

 

Day 7: Friday, July 23, 2010 - Further Study

 

Overview

Today’s lesson instructs the reader to engage in a deeper study of “Justified by Faith.” Instead of directing the reader to the Bible for clarity that glorifies Jesus, the lesson points the reader to Ellen White who provides ample spiritual distortion and theological contradiction.

 

Observations

This section contains instructions to read 11 pages from various books and articles by Ellen White and contains four direct quotations from her writings. Nowhere in this section is the reader sent to the Bible to gain insight on Justification by Faith. What quickly becomes clear to us is that the Bible plays no role in the deeper study of Justification by Faith and Ellen White emerges to be the chief voice of authority for this study.

Although the author of this study picks quotations and passages that deceptively appear orthodox in nature, contradictions can be found by reading more of what Ellen White has to say on the matter by some of the very sources used. Listed below is a brief sampling of what else Ellen White had to say on the issue Justification by Faith:

But all cannot enter. Some are left outside with their children, whose characters have not been transformed by submission to the will of God. A hand is raised, and the words are spoken, “You have neglected home duties. You have failed to do the work that would have fitted the soul for a home in heaven. You cannot enter.” The gates are closed to the children because they have not learned to do the will of God, and to parents because they have neglected the responsibilities resting upon them. Child Guidance, p. 13

At the time appointed for the judgment . . . . All who have ever taken upon themselves the name of Christ must pass its searching scrutiny. Both the living and the dead are to be judged “out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” The Great Controversy, p. 486.

In order to let Jesus into our hearts, we must stop sinning. Signs of the Times, March 3, 1898.

It is by continual surrender of the will, by continual obedience, that the blessing of justification is retained.  Selected Messages, bk.1, p. 397

What Ellen White teaches is justification by mortgage, whereby one isn’t justified by faith and faith alone but rather one attains or maintains their justification by keeping up with a payment of good works. This situation leads us to man-made religion where man ultimately is his own savior.

You will be hard pressed to find a human who is overjoyed to inherit an unending and ever increasing  debt. The celebration for a debtor takes place when he finally burns his mortgage or note of credit. The good news of the Gospel is that through belief in the perfect life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, our debt is paid in full. With the Biblical teaching of Justification by Faith, one never has to fear foreclosure, bankruptcy, or repossession. The debt has been fully paid, and we have been ransomed.

The Bible says that Justification is by faith alone, never earned, it is apart from works (Eph. 2:8-9). Paul's entire point in Romans 5:1-11 is that God justifies us on the basis of His grace, and by Christ's blood.

Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. Gal. 2:16 ESV

 

Summary

1. The truth about being “Justified by Faith” is found only in the Bible.
2. The Bible doesn’t contradict itself, and it can be trusted.

 

 

Copyright 2010 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised July 17, 2010. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.

The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.

 

Official Adventist Resources

Standard Edition Study Guide Week 4

Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 4

Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Wk 4

Search the Complete Published Ellen G. White Writings