The Root of Every Sin !
“Nevertheless, not My will, but Thine be done . . . !” Luke 22:42
“When Judas joined the disciples, he was not insensible to the beauty of the character of Christ. He felt the Influence of that divine power which was drawing souls to the Saviour. . . . The Saviour read the heart of Judas; He knew the depths of iniquity to which, unless delivered by the grace* (G5485) of God, Judas would sink. In connecting this man with Himself, He placed him where he might, day by day, be brought in contact with the outflowing of His Own unselfish love.
If he would open his heart to Christ, divine grace* (the divine Influence upon the heart) would banish the demon of selfishness, and even Judas might become a subject of the kingdom of God . . .” – Desire of Ages p.294
“And Jesus said to then all, If any man will come after Me (be My disciple), let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me . . . !” Luke 9:23
“While Jesus was preparing the disciples for their ordination, one who had not been summoned urged his presence among them. It was Judas Iscariot, a man who professed to be a follower of Christ. . . . Judas believed Jesus to be the Messiah; and by joining the apostles, he hoped to secure a high position in the new kingdom . . .
The disciples were anxious that Judas should become one of their number. He was of commanding appearance, a man of keen discernment and executive ability, and they commended him to Jesus as one who would greatly assist Him in His work. . . . But the after history of Judas would show them the danger of allowing any worldly consideration to have weight in deciding the fitness of men for the work of God . . .
Yet when Judas joined the disciples, he was not insensible to the beauty of the character of Christ. He felt the Influence of that divine power (Grace, the Spirit of Christ) which was drawing souls to the Saviour. . . . The Saviour read the heart of Judas; He knew the depths of iniquity to which, unless delivered by the grace of God, Judas would sink. In connecting this man with Himself, He placed him where he might, day by day, be brought in contact with the outflowing of His Own unselfish love. If he would open his heart to Christ, divine Grace would banish the demon of selfishness, and even Judas might become a subject of the kingdom of God.
God takes men as they are . . . and trains them for His service, if they will be disciplined and learn of Him. They are not chosen because they are perfect, but notwithstanding their imperfections, that through the know-ledge (knowing) and practice of the Truth . . . Thy Word is Truth ! . . . through the grace (divine Influence) of Christ, they may become transformed into His image.
Judas had the same opportunities as had the other disciples. He listened to the same precious lessons. But the practice of the Truth (Word of God), which Christ required, was at variance with the desires and purposes of Judas, and he would not yield his ideas in order to receive the Wisdom from Heaven.” – Conflict & Courage p.285
“That no flesh should glory in His Presence . . . For of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of (by) God is made unto us Wisdom, and Righteousness, and Sanctification, and Redemption . . . !” – I Corinthians 2:29-30
“When men see their own nothingness, then they are prepared to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ. When they begin to praise and exalt God all the day long, then by beholding they are becoming changed into the same image.
What is regeneration? — It is revealing to man what is his own real nature (the carnal, first man without Christ), that in himself he is worthless . . .”
– SpTA09 p.62
“What is justification by faith? It is the work of God in laying the glory of man in the dust, and doing for man that which it is not in his power to do for himself . . .” – Testimonies to Ministers p.456
“Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel’s message, and I have answered, ‘It is the third angel’s message in verity!’ – Review and Herald, April 1, 1890. {Evangelism, p.190}
To Uproot Selfishness –
“Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” – Luke 12:1
“The hypocrisy of the Pharisees was the product of self-seeking. The glorification of themselves was the object of their lives. . . . Even the disciples, though outwardly they had left all for Jesus’ sake, had not in heart ceased to seek great things for themselves . . . . As leaven, if left to complete its work, will cause corruption and decay, so does the self-seeking spirit, cherished, work the defilement and ruin of the soul.
Among the followers of our Lord today, as of old, how widespread is this subtle, deceptive sin ! How often our service to Christ, our communion with one another, is marred by the secret desire to exalt self ! . . . To His own disciples the warning Words of Christ are spoken, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.” . . . Only the power of God can banish self-seeking and hypocrisy !
“Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you Rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I Am meek and lowly (humiliated, gentle, humble) in heart: and ye shall find Rest unto your souls !” Matthew 11:28-29
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who . . . made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant . . . and humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross !” Philippians 2:5-8
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up . . . !” James 4:10
“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord (Adoni – the Sovereign) sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train (garment) filled the temple . . . Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen The King, the LORD of hosts . . . !” Isaiah 6:1-5
No one was so exalted as Christ, and yet He stooped to the humblest duty. . . . Christ Himself set the example of humility. He would not leave this great subject in man’s charge. Of so much consequence did He regard it, that He Himself, One equal with God, acted as servant to His disciples. While they were contending for the highest place, He to Whom every knee shall bow, He Whom the angels of glory count it honor to serve, bowed down to wash the feet of those who called Him Lord. He washed the feet of His betrayer. . . . His whole life was under a law of service. He served all, ministered to all. Thus He lived the law of God, and by His example showed how we are to obey it ! – God’s Amazing Grace p.105-106
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another . . . For love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law . . . !” Romans 12:10 & 13:10