The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 469

While it promises life to the obedient, it declares that death is the portion
of the transgressor. The gospel of Christ alone can free him from the
condemnation or the defilement of sin. He must exercise repentance
toward God, whose law has been transgressed; and faith in Christ, his
atoning sacrifice. Thus he obtains “remission of sins that are past” and
becomes a partaker of the divine nature. He is a child of God, having
received the spirit of adoption, whereby he cries: “Abba, Father!”
Is he now free to transgress God’s law? Says Paul: “Do we then
make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”
“How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” And John
declares: “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments:
and His commandments are not grievous.” Romans 3:31; 6:2; 1 John
5:3. In the new birth the heart is brought into harmony with God, as it
is brought into accord with His law. When this mighty change has taken
place in the sinner, he has passed from death unto life, from sin unto
holiness, from transgression and rebellion to obedience and loyalty. The
old life of alienation from God has ended; the new life of reconciliation,
of faith and love, has begun. Then “the righteousness of the law” will
“be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Romans 8:4. And the language of the soul will be: “O how love I Thy
law! it is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97.
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” Psalm 19:7.
Without the law, men have no just conception of the purity and holiness
of God or of their own guilt and uncleanness. They have no true
conviction of sin and feel no need of repentance. Not seeing their
lost condition as violators of God’s law, they do not realize their need
of the atoning blood of Christ. The hope of salvation is accepted
without a radical change of heart or reformation of life. Thus superficial
conversions abound, and multitudes are joined to the church who have
never been united to Christ.

468