The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 494

Scripture than that God was in no wise responsible for the entrance of
sin; that there was no arbitrary withdrawal of divine grace, no deficiency
in the divine government, that gave occasion for the uprising of rebellion.
Sin is an intruder, for whose presence no reason can be given. It is
mysterious, unaccountable; to excuse it is to defend it. Could excuse
for it be found, or cause be shown for its existence, it would cease to be
sin. Our only definition of sin is that given in the word of God; it is “the
transgression of the law;” it is the outworking of a principle at war with
the great law of love which is the foundation of the divine government.
Before the entrance of evil there was peace and joy throughout the
universe. All was in perfect harmony with the Creator’s will. Love for
God was supreme, love for one another impartial. Christ the Word, the
Only Begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father,—one in nature,
in character, and in purpose,—the only being in all the universe that
could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God. By Christ the
Father wrought in the creation of all heavenly beings. “By Him were
all things created, that are in heaven, ... whether they be thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers” (Colossians 1:16); and to Christ,
equally with the Father, all heaven gave allegiance.
The law of love being the foundation of the government of God, the
happiness of all created beings depended upon their perfect accord with
its great principles of righteousness. God desires from all His creatures
the service of love—homage that springs from an intelligent appreciation
of His character. He takes no pleasure in a forced allegiance, and to all
He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him voluntary service.
But there was one that chose to pervert this freedom. Sin originated
with him who, next to Christ, had been most honored of God and
who stood highest in power and glory among the inhabitants of heaven.
Before his fall, Lucifer was

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