Charismatic Experiences In Early Seventh-day Adventist History

Chapter 21—Two Oars

She illustrated the relationship between faith and works as follows: CEESDAH 18.2

“The Lord calls upon all who think they know what faith is, to be sure that they are not pulling with only one oar, that their little bark is not going round and round, making no progress at all. Faith without intelligent works is dead, being alone. Faith in the healing power of God will not save unless it is combined with good works.”—Ms. 86, 1897.

She also warned, CEESDAH 18.3

“If we are faithful in doing our part, in cooperating with Him, God will work through us [to do] the good pleasure of His will. But God cannot work through us if we make no effort. If we gain eternal life, we must work, and work earnestly....

“Let us not be deceived by the oft-repeated assertion, ‘All you have to do is to believe.’ Faith and works are two oars which we must use equally if we [would] press our way up the stream against the current of unbelief.... By faith and good works he [the Christian] keeps his spirituality strong and healthy, and his spiritual strength increases as he strives to work the works of God.”—The Review and Herald, June 11, 1901.

Emphatically she declared that the genuine Spirit-filled experience will be marked with “a conscientious regard for all the commandments of God.” CEESDAH 18.4

“Every day our faith should increase. While we say, ‘I know that I am a sinner,’ we can say also, ‘I know I have a Saviour.’ Jesus died for sinners, and He will pardon my sins, if I sincerely repent. It is of no avail to claim to believe on Christ unless we acknowledge the claims of God’s law and daily strive to obey its precepts.”—Ms. 25, 1886.

“True sanctification will be evidenced by a conscientious regard for all the commandments of God, by a careful improvement of every talent, by a circumspect conversation, by revealing in every act the meekness of Christ....

“While they profess to be sinless, and boast of their righteousness, the claimants of sanctification teach that men are at liberty to transgress the law of God, and that those who obey its precepts have fallen from grace. A presentation of its claims arouses their opposition, and excites anger and contempt.... It is by the law of God that the sinner is convicted.”—The Review and Herald, October 5, 1886.

Ellen White pointed out how hard it is to reach those who feel that they have the evidences of God’s acceptance while violating His law. She tells us that even Seventh-day Adventists will be tempted on this point: CEESDAH 18.5

“During the meetings at Orebro, I was urged by the Spirit of the Lord to present His law as the great standard of righteousness, and to warn our people against the modern, counterfeit sanctification which has its origin in will-worship rather than in submission to the will of God. This error is fast flooding the world, and as God’s witnesses we shall be called to bear a decided testimony against it. It is one of the veriest delusions of the last days, and will prove a temptation to all who believe present truth.

“Those who have not their faith firmly established upon the word of God will be misled. The saddest part of it all is that so few who are deceived by this error ever find their way to the light again.”—Ibid.

“None who have had the light of truth will enter the city of God as commandment-breakers. His law lies at the foundation of His government in earth and in heaven. If they have knowingly trampled upon and despised His law on the earth, they will not be taken to heaven to do the same work there; there is no change of character when Christ comes....

“There are to be but two classes upon the earth, the obedient children of God and the disobedient.”—The Review and Herald, August 25, 1885.