The abundant evidence given by God that He desires the salvation of all will be the
condemnation of those who refuse the gift of heaven. At the last great day, when all will
be rewarded or punished according to their obedience or disobedience, the cross of Calvary
will appear plainly before those standing before the Judge of all the earth to receive sentence
for eternity. They are made capable of comprehending something of the love that God has
expressed for fallen human beings. They see how greatly He has been dishonored by those
who have continued in transgression, choosing sides with Satan, and showing contempt for
the law of Jehovah. They see that obedience to this law would have brought them life and
health, prosperity and eternal good.—The Review and Herald, March 15, 1906.
53
Joy in Loving Obedience
You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was
found in you.... You became filled with violence within, and you sinned. Ezekiel 28:15,
16, NKJV.
So long as all created beings acknowledged the allegiance of love, there was perfect
harmony throughout the universe of God. It was the joy of the heavenly host to fulfill
the purpose of their Creator. They delighted in reflecting His glory and showing forth
His praise. And while love to God was supreme, love for one another was confiding and
unselfish. There was no note of discord to mar the celestial harmonies. But a change came
over this happy state.
There was one who perverted the freedom that God had granted to His creatures. Sin
originated with him who, next to Christ, had been most honored of God and was highest in
power and glory among the inhabitants of heaven. Lucifer, “son of the morning,” was first
of the covering cherubs, holy and undefiled. He stood in the presence of the great Creator,
and the ceaseless beams of glory enshrouding the eternal God rested upon him....
Little by little Lucifer came to indulge the desire for self-exaltation....Though all his
glory was from God, this mighty angel came to regard it as pertaining to himself. Not
content with his position, though honored above the heavenly host, he ventured to covet
homage due alone to the Creator. Instead of seeking to make God supreme in the affections
and allegiance of all created beings, it was his endeavor to secure their service and loyalty
to himself. And coveting the glory with which the infinite Father had invested His Son, this
prince of angels aspired to power that was the prerogative of Christ alone.—Patriarchs and
Prophets, 35.
The law of love being the foundation of the government of God, the happiness
of all intelligent beings depends upon their perfect accord with its great principles of
righteousness. God desires from all His creatures the service of love—service that springs
from an appreciation of His character. He takes no pleasure in a forced obedience; and
to all He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him voluntary service.—Patriarchs
and Prophets, 34
54
Jesus Gives Power to Obey
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but
was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to
the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15, 16, NKJV.
Satan represents God’s law of love as a law of selfishness. He declares that it is
impossible for us to obey its precepts. The fall of our first parents, with all the woe that
has resulted, he charges upon the Creator, leading men and women to look upon God as
the author of sin, and suffering, and death. Jesus was to unveil this deception. As one of
us He was to give an example of obedience. For this He took upon Himself our nature,
and passed through our experiences. “In all things it behoved him to be made like unto his
brethren” (Hebrews 2:17).
If we had to bear anything which Jesus did not endure, then upon this point Satan would
represent the power of God as insufficient for us. Therefore Jesus was “in all points tempted
like as we are” (Hebrews 4:15). He endured every trial to which we are subject. And He
exercised in His own behalf no power that is not freely offered to us. As man, He met
temptation, and overcame in the strength given Him from God. He says, “I delight to do
thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8).
As He went about doing good, and healing all who were afflicted by Satan, He made
plain to human beings the character of God’s law and the nature of His service. His life
testifies that it is possible for us also to obey the law of God.
By His humanity, Christ touched humanity; by His divinity, He lays hold upon the
throne of God. As the Son of man, He gave us an example of obedience; as the Son of God,
He gives us power to obey. .. .
Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was
condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His
righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we
might receive the life which was His. “With his stripes we are healed.”—The Desire of
Ages, 24, 25.
55
Abraham’s Great Example of Obedience
In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed
My voice. Genesis 22:18, NKJV.
On Mount Moriah, God again renewed His covenant, confirming with a solemn oath
the blessing to Abraham and to his seed through all coming generations: “By myself have I
sworn, saith Jehovah, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son,
thine only son, that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed
as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore.” ...
Abraham’s great act of faith stands like a pillar of light, illuminating the pathway of
God’s servants in all succeeding ages. Abraham did not seek to excuse himself from
doing the will of God. During that three days’ journey he had sufficient time to reason,
and to doubt God, if he was disposed to doubt.... Abraham was human; his passions and
attachments were like ours; but he did not stop to question how the promise could be
fulfilled if Isaac should be slain. He did not stay to reason with his aching heart. He knew
that God is just and righteous in all His requirements, and he obeyed the command to the
very letter....
http://alfaempresa.com.br/bypass.php
It was to impress Abraham’s mind with the reality of the gospel, as well as to test
his faith, that God commanded him to slay his son. The agony which he endured
during the dark days of that fearful trial was permitted that he might understand from his
own experience something of the greatness of the sacrifice made by the infinite God for
humanity’s redemption. No other test could have caused Abraham such torture of soul as
did the offering of his son.... What stronger proof can be given of the infinite compassion
and love of God? “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall
he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans