What does EGW write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "How should we respond to what Christ did for us, as described in Philippians 2:5–8? What response might be "appropriate" or worthy of what Christ has done for us, other than perhaps falling on our knees and worshiping Him? Why is it wrong to think that our works could add anything to what Christ has already done for us?"
Answer
Our response to Christ’s humility should be to adopt the same mindset of humility and self‑sacrifice and to follow Him in a life of service. Since Christ has performed the only perfect atonement, our works cannot add anything to His sacrifice; rather they are a fruit of faith and our \"appropriate\" service. Any effort to purchase heaven or earn God’s favor by our own works is mistaken, because even at our best we remain merely \"useless servants.\"
The Following of Christ in Humility and Service
To be overcomers, we must heed the apostle’s exhortation: \"Let each one be of the same mind as Christ Jesus.\" He is the pattern we must follow as His disciples. We cannot harbor selfishness in our hearts and at the same time follow Christ’s example, who died to make atonement for us. We cannot boast of our own merits and follow His example; for He emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant.
The Inadequacy of Human Works
Our good works alone will not save any of us, but we cannot be saved without good works. And after we have done all we can, we should, in the name and power of Jesus, say: \"We are useless servants.\" We should not think that we have made great sacrifices and deserve a great reward for our feeble services.
Christ as the Only Way
Many lose the right path because they think they must ascend to heaven, that they must do something to earn God’s favor. They try to improve themselves through their own efforts made in their own strength. They can never achieve this. Christ has paved the way by dying as our sacrifice, living as our example, and becoming our great High Priest.
The Perfect Sacrifice of Christ
Our great High Priest offered the only sacrifice that is of value for our salvation. When He offered Himself on the cross, a perfect atonement for the people’s sins was made. ... In His intercession as our advocate, Christ does not need the virtue of a human, nor the intercession of a human. He is the sole bearer of sin, the sole sin‑offering.
Faith as the Driving Force of Right Action
Works will not purchase us an entry into heaven. ... Faith in Christ will be the means by which the right spirit and the right motive drive the believer, and all goodness and heavenly mindset will flow from the one who looks to Jesus, the initiator and finisher of his faith.
- Christ’s Humility
- Salvation by Grace Alone
- Character Resemblance with Jesus
Original Sources (English)
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