For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.« (John 3,16:XNUMX)

Provisions for everyone who believes

This message goes out to the world because "all" means everyone who meets this requirement will receive this blessing. Those who look to Jesus and trust Him to save Him personally will "not perish but have eternal life."

Every provision is made so that we can receive the eternal reward: Jesus is our sacrifice, our substitute, our guarantor, our divine advocate; it means righteousness, sanctification and redemption for us. "For Christ did not enter the sanctuary made with hands, which is only a type of the true sanctuary, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." (Hebrews 9,24:XNUMX)

Jesus does everything

Jesus intercedes for us, showing his Father what he has accomplished through his sacrifice as our Vicar and Surety; for he ascended into heaven to atone for our transgressions. “And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, who is righteous. And he is the propitiation for our sins, not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.« (1 John 2,1:2-XNUMX)

»This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.« (1 John 4,10:7,25) »Therefore he is able to save forever those come to God through him; for he lives forever and intercedes for them.« (Hebrews XNUMX:XNUMX)

Draw near to God instead of remaining in fear

One thing is clear from these verses: God does not want you to worry suspiciously that he will not accept you because you are sinful and unworthy. "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you!" (James 4,8:XNUMX)

Present your own case and make admissions

Lay your case before him, pointing out the merits of the blood shed for you on the cross at Calvary. True, Satan will accuse you of being a great sinner. You have to admit that too. But you can say:

“I know I'm a sinner, and that's why I need someone to save me. Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 'The blood of his Son cleanses us from all sin. … But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' (1 John 1,7.9:XNUMX) I have done no good by which I am entitled to salvation . But I bring before God the all atoning blood of His spotless Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. That's my only request. The name of Jesus gives me access to the Father. His ear and heart are open to my faintest pleas, and he satisfies my deepest yearnings.”

New birth happens when we trust

Jesus' righteousness makes the penitent sinner acceptable to God and effects his justification. No matter how sinful his life has been, if he trusts Jesus as his personal Savior, he stands before God in the spotless robe of Jesus' imputed righteousness.

The sinner, just dead in trespasses and sins, comes alive by trusting Jesus. In this way he sees that Jesus is his Savior, who lives forever and can fully save all who come to God through him. In the atonement made for him the believer sees such a broad, long, lofty, and deep potency - he sees in it such complete salvation, bought with such infinite price, that he becomes full of praise and thanksgiving. He sees the glory of the Lord as in a mirror and is transformed into the same image by the Holy Spirit.

He knows that the garment of Jesus' righteousness was woven in the loom of heaven, formed by Jesus' obedience, and the repentant will have it imputed by trusting his name. When the sinner knows something of the matchless attraction of Jesus, sin is no longer attractive to him; for he sees him who is "supreme among ten thousands" (Song of Songs 5,10:5,16), the One in whom all things are lovely (Song of Songs XNUMX:XNUMX). He now knows from personal experience the power of the gospel, which is gigantic and works wonders upon wonders.

Jesus is our guarantee

Our savior lives. He is not in Joseph's new tomb; He rose from the dead and ascended as representative and guarantor for everyone who trusts in him. "Because we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5,1:XNUMX)

The sinner is justified by what Jesus did. God accepts the ransom paid for man as perfectly sufficient. Jesus' obedience to the point of death on the cross guarantees the Father's acceptance of the repentant sinner. Should we then allow ourselves to vacillate between doubt and trust, trust and doubt? Jesus guarantees that God accepts us. We are not in God's favor because we have done something, but because we trust in the Lord our righteousness. (Jeremiah 23,6:XNUMX)

Jesus is not a servant of sin

Jesus is standing in the Holy of Holies to come before God for us now. There he represents his people perfectly moment by moment. But because he represents us before the Father, we must not imagine that we can take advantage of his grace and become neglectful, indifferent, and self-indulgent. Jesus does not serve sin.

Remain in Jesus by continuing to trust Him fully

We are perfect in him, accepted in the beloved, only so long as we abide in him through our trust.

stay humble

We can never attain perfection by our own good works. Those who trust Jesus reject their own righteousness. He sees himself too imperfect, his repentance too shallow, his strongest trust too weak, his dearest sacrifice too meager, and he humbly bows down at the foot of the cross.

Let go

But a voice speaks to him of the prophecies in God's Word. He was amazed when he heard the message: »In him you have been filled to the full. ' (Colossians 2,10:XNUMX). Now all is calm in his soul. No longer must he search within himself for eternal worth or meritorious deeds by which to earn God's favor.

As he beholds the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, he finds Jesus' peace; for forgiveness is written next to his name and he accepts the words of God: "Ye are perfect in him."

How difficult it is for mankind, long accustomed to doubt, to comprehend the great truth! But what peace it brings to the soul, what a powerful life! If we look within ourselves for righteousness by which we might find acceptance with God, we are looking in the wrong place, for "all are sinners, lacking in the glory of God" (Romans 3,23:2). Yes in Jesus we find them; for »But now we all, with open face, behold the glory of the LORD as in a mirror, and are transfigured into his image from one glory to another.« (3,18 Corinthians XNUMX:XNUMX) You find perfection in being the Lamb of God contemplate that takes away the sin of the world.

holiness in Jesus

When the sinner stands before the broken law, he cannot purify himself; but if he trusts Jesus, his infinite love meets him and he is clothed in his spotless righteousness. Jesus prayed for those who trust him: “Sanctify them in truth; your word is truth... that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they must also be in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. And I gave them the glory that you gave me, that they might be one as we are one... Righteous Father, the world knows you not; but I know you, and these have recognized that you sent me. And I have made your name known to them and will make it known to them, so that the love with which you love me may be in them and I in them.« (John 17,17.21:22.25-26-XNUMX)

Who can fully comprehend the nature of righteousness that makes the trusting sinner perfect, presenting him before God without spot or wrinkle? God promised us in His Word that Jesus was made for us to be righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. God allows us to enjoy the richest blessings when we trust His word implicitly. "For he himself, the Father, loves you, because you love me and believe that I came from God." (John 16,27:XNUMX)

Ellen White in Signs of the Times, 4. July 1892

First published in German in Our solid foundation, 3-1997