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“We do not lose heart…Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but all the things which are not seen.” (2 Cor. 4:16-18)

Some say, “I will find something to condemn me every time I look at myself.” To be sure! The freedom from condemnation is not in ourselves, but in Christ Jesus. We are to look at Him instead of at ourselves. There will never be a t me when one will not find condemnation in looking at himself.

The fall of Satan was due to his looking at himself. The restoration for those whom he has made to fall is only through looking to Jesus. “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:14). The serpent was lifted up to be looked at. Those who looked were healed. Even so with Christ.

Getting into Christ is only the beginning, not the end, of Christian life. It is the entrance to the school where we are to learn of Him. He takes the ungodly man with all his evil habits and forgives all his sins, so that he is counted as though he never had sinned. Then He continues to give him His own life, by which he may overcome his evil habits.

Association with Christ will more and more reveal to us our failings, just as association with a learned man will make us conscious of our ignorance. As a faithful witness, He tells us of our failings. But it is not to condemn us. We receive sympathy, not condemnation, from Him. It is this sympathy that gives us courage, and enables us to overcome.

When the Lord points out a defect in our characters, it is the same as saying to us, “There is something that you are in need of, and I have it for you.” When we learn to look at reproof in this way, we shall rejoice in it instead of being discouraged.

Waggoner, Waggoner on Romans, pp. 126, 127

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“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts...Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.” (Hebrews 3: 7,8,12)

We have seen that grace being from God, the power of grace is the power of God, able to accomplish all for which it is given- the salvation of the soul, deliverance from sin, and from the power of it, the reign of righteousness in the life, and the perfecting of the believer. All this- if only it can have place in the heart and in the life to work according to the will of God.

But the power of God is “unto salvation to everyone who believes.”

Unbelief frustrates the grace of God.

Many believe and receive the grace of God for salvation from sins that are past, but are content with that and do not give it the same place to reign against the [present] power of sin, that they did to save from sins of the past. This too is another phase of unbelief. As to the one great final object of grace- the perfection of the life in the likeness of Christ-they receive the grace of God in vain.

God does not want anyone to receive grace in vain, lest its blessed working be misrepresented to the world so people be further hindered from yielding to it. When grace is received in vain, offense is given in many things. Yet when it is not received in vain, “no offense” will be given “in anything” and the ministry will be blessed. 1

Our sins, our weaknesses, were upon Christ. For every soul the victory has been gained, and the enemy has been disarmed. We have only to accept the victory which Christ has won. Our faith in it makes it real to us. The loss of faith puts us outside the reality, and the old body of sin looms up again. That which is destroyed by faith is built up again by unbelief. 2

1. Jones, Review & Herald, Sept. 22, 1896
2. Waggoner, The Glad Tidings, p.43

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“What the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: he condemned sin in the flesh” (Rom. 8:3).

The Lord Jesus took the same flesh and blood, the same human nature, that we have,-flesh just like our sinful flesh. And because of sin, and by the power of the Spirit of God through the divine mind that was in Him, [He] “condemned sin in the flesh.”

Therein is our deliverance. Therein is our victory. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). “I will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit within you” (Eze. 36:26).

Do not be discouraged at the sight of the sinfulness of the flesh. It is only in the light of the Spirit of God, and by the discernment of the mind of Christ, that you can see so much sinfulness in your flesh. And the more sinfulness you see in your flesh, the more of the Spirit of God you have.

This is a sure test.

Then, when you see sinfulness abundant in you, thank the Lord that you have so much of the Spirit of God that you can see so much sinfulness. And know of a surety that when sinfulness abounds, grace much more abounds in order that “ as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ or Lord” (Rom. 5:21).

While knowing the law, we are united in marriage to sin. This sin is in our flesh, since they who are married are one flesh…But sin has in it death; for “the sting of death is sin” (1 Cor. 15:56)…What a terrible condition!

[But] there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ. Why? Because He received the curse of the law, that the blessing might come on us. Nothing can come to us while we are in Him, without first passing through Him; but in Him all curses are turned to blessings, and sin is displaced to righteousness. 

E.J. Waggoner, Waggoner on Romans, pp. 124,126

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“As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous… Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ Our Lord (Romans 5:19- 21).

Can every believer have grace enough to keep him free from sinning?- Yes.

Indeed, everybody in the world can have enough to keep him from sinning. Enough is given; and it is given for this purpose.

If anyone does not have it, it is not because enough has not been given, but because he does not take that which has been given. The measure of the gift of Christ is himself wholly, and that is the measure of “all the fullness of the godhead bodily.”

The boundless measure of the fullness of the Godhead is the only thing that can express the proportion of grace that is given to everyone in this world, in order that sin shall not have dominion over you, because you are under grace.

It is given for the perfecting of the saints (Ephesians 4:12 KJV), for the building up of the body of Christ. This grace is given to everyone where sin abounds; and it brings salvation to everyone to whom it is given.

As boundless grace is given to everyone, bringing salvation to the extent of its own full measure, then if anyone does not have boundless salvation, why is it?- Plainly, only because he will not take that which is given. if sin still reigns in anyone, where lies the fault?- Only in this, that he will not allow the grace to do for him that which it is given to do. By unbelief he frustrates the grace of God. So far as he is concerned, the grace has been given in vain if it is not bringing the believer onward toward a perfect man in “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

The grace of God is fully able to accomplish that for which it is given, if only if it is allowed to work.

Jones, Review & Herald, Sept. 22 1896

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“We…worship God in Spirit, rejoice in Christ, and have no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3)

Conversion does not put new flesh upon the old spirit, but a new spirit within the old flesh. It does not propose to bring the new flesh to the old mind, but a new mind to the old flesh.

Deliverance and victory are not gained by having the human nature taken away, but by receiving the divine nature to subdue and have dominion over the human. Not by the taking away of the sinful flesh, but by the sending of the sinless Spirit to conquer and condemn sin in the flesh.

The Scripture does not say, Let this flesh be upon you, which was also upon Christ; but it does say, “ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5).

The Scripture does not say, Be transformed by the renewing of your flesh, but it does say, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2). We shall be translated by the renewing of our flesh; but we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds. 1

The pagan proverb has it that God helps those who help themselves. The truth is that God helps those who cannot help themselves: “I was brought low, and He helped me” (Ps. 116:6, KJV). No one ever cries in vain for help. When the cries goes up for help, the Deliverer is at hand; and so, although sin is working death in us by all the power of the law, we may exclaim, “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57, KJV). 2

1Jones, Review & Herald, April, 18 1899
2 Waggoner, Waggoner on Romans, p.124

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“Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven…You shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5: 44, 48)

The Lord wants us to be perfect; and so it is written: “ You shall be perfect, jus as your Father in heaven is perfect.” He has given us , every one, all the grace that He has, bringing the fullness of His salvation, that everyone may be presented perfect in Jesus Christ.

The very purpose of this gift of His boundless grace is that we may be made like Jesus, who is the image of God. It is written: “to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift…till we all come…to a perfect man” (Ephesians 4:7, 13).

Do you want to be like Jesus? Then
Receive the grace that He has so fully and so freely given.
Receive it in the measure in which He has given it, not in the
measure in which you think you deserve it.
Yield yourself to it, that it may work in you and for you the
wondrous purpose for which it is given, and it will do it.
It will make you like Jesus.
It will accomplish the purpose and the wish of Him who has given
it.

“Yield yourselves unto God.” 1

Let no professed Christian take counsel of his own imperfections and say that it is impossible for a Christian to live a sinless life. It is impossible for a true Christian, one who has full faith, to live any other kind of life. “How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:2 RSV). 2

1 Jones, Review & Herald, April 17, 1894
2 Waggonner, The Glad Tidings, p. 42

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“What I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do...It is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For

I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells...O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God-through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7: 15-25).

There is a very bothersome mistake made by many in thinking that when they are converted, their old sinful flesh is blotted out.

In other words, they think that they are to be delivered from the “flesh” by having it taken away from them altogether.

Then when they find this is not so, that the same old flesh with its inclinations, besetments, enticements, is still there, they become discouraged and think they were not converted at all.

If they would think a little they ought to see that that is all a mistake. Did you not have the same body, the same flesh, and bones and blood, after you were converted as before? Everybody will promptly say, Yes.

Further: Was not that flesh of the same quality as before, still natural flesh? Yes.

Is it not still sinful flesh as it was before?

To this last question many are inclined to answer “No,” when it must be a decided “Yes.” And this “Yes” must be maintained so long as we continue in this natural body.

The converted person is so thoroughly convinced that in his flesh dwells no good thing that he will never allow a shadow of confidence in the flesh. His sole dependence is upon something other than the flesh-upon the Holy Spirit of God.

Being everlastingly watchful, suspicious, and thoroughly distrustful of the flesh, he is prepared to beat back and crush down without mercy every impulse or suggestion that may arise from it. So he does not fail or become discouraged, but goes on from victory to victory, and from strength to strength.

Jones, Review & Herald, April 18, 1899

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“The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:11-13 NIV)

This boundless grace is all given, given freely to ‘every one of us.’ To you and me, just as we are. We need just that much grace to make us what the Lord wants us to be. And He is just so kind as to give it all to us freely, that we may be indeed just what he wants us to be.

The Lord wants every one of us to be saved, and that with the fullness of salvation. And therefore He has given to every one of us the fullness of grace, because it is grace that brings salvation. It is written, “the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” Thus the Lord wants all to be saved, and therefore He gave all of His grace, bringing salvation to all. The marginal reading of this text is just as true as the reading in the verse itself: “ The grace of God that brings salvation to all men, has appeared.” [Editors note: the Greek of Titus 2:11 allows this reading.]

All the grace of God is given freely to every one, bringing salvation to all. Whether all or any one will receive it, that is another question. What we are studying now is the truth and the fact that God has given it. Having given it all, He is clear even though men may reject it. 1

God has sent grace and peace, bringing righteousness ans salvation to all men-even to you, whoever you are, and to me. Do not read this as a complimentary phrase or mere passing salutation, but as the creative word that brings to you personally all the blessings of the peace of God. It is to us the same word that Jesus spoke to the woman: “Your sins are forgive.” “Go in peace.” (Luke 7:48, 50). 2

1 A.T. Jones, Review & Herald, April 17, 1894
2 Waggoner, E.J., The Glad Tidings, p. 11

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“He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

How complete and all-pervading is the reign of grace in the life where it is not received in vain?

The Lord has set down the following list embracing “all things” in which we shall approve ourselves unto God. Read it carefully (2 Cor. 6:4-10).

“In much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well-known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

This list covers all the experiences that can ever enter the life of any believer in this world.

Where the grace of God is not received in vain, that grace will so take possession and control of the life that every experience will be turned to making us “approved unto God,” and building us up in perfection “to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” 1

“We, then, as workers together with Him, also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain” (2 Cor. 6:1).

1. Jones, Review & Herald, Sept. 22, 1896