"Your experience is that of many thousands of sincere Christians, but it is not real Christian experience, because it is not the experience of Christ. He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” It was not because He was of a different nature from us, for inasmuch as the children were partakers of flesh and blood, “He also Himself likewise took part of the same” (Heb. 4:15; 2:14), and in all things was “made like unto His brethren” (vs. 17)." ~Robert J. Wieland
"To have faith is not merely to trust the Lord like you trust the bank or the insurance company. You can do that and still remain as selfish as you were before, because such trust is a self-centered concern. The John 3:16 idea of faith solves the problem and lifts our naturally self-centered hearts out of a dark cave into the sunlight: faith is a heart-melting appreciation of what it cost the Son of God to save us." ~Paul E. Penno
"Sin cannot live in the sight of God, as mould cannot live in the bright sunshine. In the light of God’s countenance is life, and that light comes to us through Jesus, the propitiation for our sins." ~Ellet J. Waggoner
Robert J. Wieland
Some day yet to come those who choose to follow Jesus will be "of one accord" as were His disciples at Pentecost--oh! may that day come soon! (cf. Acts 2:1).
[The relationship between faith and works is often misunderstood, especially if one finds they are still approaching the Gospel with an Armianian mind set. Ellet J. Waggoner expalins this relationship clearly and brings hope to the one that has become discouraged in all their attempts to make themselves right with God. D. Peters]
"The great characteristic of faith is, that it works. We do not mean that works are attached to it, but works come from it."
Just as it was natural for us to ‘try’ to show good works through our own effort, which always ended up with depression and discouragement as a necessary consequence to our predictable failure, so with the new creation it is natural to do the good works of Him who now dwells in us.
Christ, who was altogether of the divine nature, was made partaker of human nature, in order that we who are altogether of the human nature "might be partakers of the divine nature." 2 Peter 1:4
Bear this in mind that while the Sabbath day is the seventh day of the week, the rest, which the Sabbath day brings to view, is continuous. Only those who rest in the Lord all the time keep the Sabbath. When Jesus cried, “It is finished,” He was announcing that through His cross could be obtained the perfect works of God, which were finished from the foundation of the world.
The year following the 1888 General Conference, E. J. Waggoner wrote, “The great characteristic of faith is that it works. We do not mean that works are attached to it, but works come from it. “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26. Faith ‘works by love,’ says Paul. There may be that which is called faith, but if no works proceed from it, it is not faith."
Since the Sabbath is the sign of a perfect creation completed, and by the cross of Christ a new creation is accomplished, the Sabbath must be the sign of the cross. Try it and see if it is not.