In a world without commitment and full of distractions, it’s easy to lose our way. God offers us a foundation that withstands all storms and truly transforms us. By Ellen White

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God’s law is the only standard by which our character can truly be measured. Jesus showed us what it means to live in harmony with this law. Through His conduct, His words, and His entire being, He became the perfect example for us humans.

We cannot simply decide for ourselves what is right and wrong. We lack the perspective to see God’s perfect purity. Without His help, we cannot truly grasp the value of His holy guidelines. As long as someone does not understand how binding God’s law actually is, they do not give any thought to their own mistakes and weaknesses. They lull themselves into a false sense of security and remain completely unconcerned because they measure themselves by the wrong standards.

Just believe?

Many people today proclaim, “You just have to believe! Everything is fine—the main thing is peace!” But in doing so, they only seem to soothe people’s consciences, rather than steering them away from their wrong course. They understand God’s guidelines only superficially. In this state, some even claim to be doing everything right. But this supposed flawlessness stems from sheer ignorance—they simply have not grasped what God’s law truly requires.

The good feeling that arises from this self-satisfaction is a false peace. As soon as these people are confronted with the real truth, their peace vanishes instantly. Then it becomes clear that their peace did not come from Jesus.

His enemy rebelled against God’s law even in heaven. Ever since, as a skilled and experienced strategist, he has been working to nullify this law with ever-new deceptions. He wants to render ineffective the only reliable means of bringing our mistakes to light: God’s heavenly standard of justice.

Most people today live thoughtlessly and irresponsibly, taking each day as it comes, without seriously engaging with questions of eternal significance. A major reason for this indifference in our society is that even the Christian world has declared God’s law invalid. Many already consider themselves above it all and want nothing to do with binding rules. They deliberately ignore who God is, what His law requires, what true religion means, and just how flawed their own character actually is.
If the light of truth—which Jesus embodied—were to dawn on them, they would have to cry out in horror, “I am unclean!” If they were honest with themselves, they would be sorry for having broken God’s law. For it is only through the law that we recognize what sin actually is (Romans 3:20). They would begin to trust in Jesus Christ, whose blood alone cleanses us from all guilt. Only then would they experience Jesus’ peace—a deep, balanced peace that surpasses all human understanding (Philippians 4:7).

The False Checklist

Many people seem to believe that it is enough to strictly observe outward religious forms and customs in order to be saved. But mere formalism does not give us the deep peace of God. Only Jesus alone can give us that. He promises us: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Let not your hearts be troubled, nor let them be afraid.” (John 14:27). Whoever carries this peace in their heart will not be troubled by the truth, for they are already in harmony with its Spirit.

Those who self-righteously claim to be saved are rarely models of piety. It is often true that those who place the greatest value on their moral superiority are the farthest from God’s standards. This is a dangerous self-deception. They set their own rules, judge their own character by them, and pat themselves on the back for their own ideas and achievements. They rely entirely on their feelings instead of basing their faith on God’s Word.

This results in a distorted religion. Such people speak of God’s love, yet at the same time claim that He isn’t too strict and is willing to turn a blind eye. In doing so, they are essentially repeating the serpent’s ancient lie from the Garden of Eden: “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’? […] You will certainly not die! But God knows that on the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:1–5 ELB)

Then as now, the argument goes: God is only warning us for show; there’s no need to worry—He isn’t that strict. When it comes to the guidelines of His law, people resort to excuses for why they can continue to disregard the commandments and convince themselves that their behavior has no consequences.

God has long since planned a way out

But let’s think about this very soberly: Will God change His holy law to suit our wishes? Will He condone wrongdoing and simply overlook violations of the law? If God were so fickle, we could neither respect Him nor take Him seriously. Every violation of His law has consequences. God watches over the honor of His law, for it is the foundation of His reign in heaven and on earth—and it stands forever. The prophet Ezekiel states quite clearly: “The soul who sins shall die!” (Ezekiel 18:20) Sin simply means breaking God’s law.

At the same time, however, there is great comfort for anyone who is sorry for their sins: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8 ELB)

God will not change or water down His law to save us. But He does something far greater: He gives us His own Son so that we may have a second chance. That is why Jesus became human—what an incredible expression of His love for us! He experienced the same emotions and temptations as we do, yet remained completely sinless. He was made sin for us, even though He knew no sin, so that in Him we might be made righteous before God. He gave Himself for us “to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14).

Deep Cleansing

Let us be mindful of what our Lord deserves from all who call themselves His disciples, instead of deceiving ourselves! The truth seeks to purify and refine our very being. It seeks to sanctify us. Only when we allow it to transform our lives will we bear the title: God’s “people for His own special possession.”

We live in a time full of distractions and temptations. If we keep ourselves away from bad influences, others may call us “strange,” “old-fashioned,” or “eccentric.” But that is precisely God’s goal: He desires people who allow themselves to be tangibly transformed and who do good.

Anyone who claims to believe in the truth but acts just like the world in everyday life—conducting business out of self-interest and disregarding God’s Word—harms the community. Such a double life is pure hypocrisy. Everything we do should be as clear and transparent as sunlight. For just because a wrong goes undetected does not make it honest or right.

Temptations surround us on all sides. Our only security lies in truly becoming that peculiar people from whom God washes away all iniquity and whom He redeems for Himself. Then we will be ready for His eternal kingdom.

Ellen White, “A Peculiar People,” in Review and Herald, November 18, 1890