By John Thiel

The mind looks to the cross after its been bombarded with the law, the law, the law, and with imperfect sight is discerned Christ on the cross. What is happening there? He died because of sin? What is sin? Sin is the transgression of the law. What? Isn’t Jesus sinless? And he died because of transgression of the law? Then the eyes are opened.

The law is broken but cannot pardon the transgressor. It is our schoolmaster, condemning to punishment. Where is the remedy? The law drives us to Christ, who was hanged upon the cross that He might be able to impart His righteousness to fallen, sinful man and thus present men to His Father in His righteous character (MS 50, 1900). {6BC 1110.8}

Here is something to enter into. This is not just a theory this is an experience which I know you are able to identify with. How many of us are struggling through these horrifying experiences? The atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross, what is he hanging there for? Because he actually experienced not only the consequence of transgression, he experienced you and me and now it strikes, what have I done to him? And why has he done that? So that now through him I might have his faith that I might come to faith. This is the light of 1888. This is what was rejected. Can you see why? Because proud leaders of Adventism are no different than Pharisees and the Pharisees rejected Christ as it unveiled to them their true decrepit condition.

The Faith of Jesus 

According to this inspiration in the time of 1888, this was the condition of the Adventist church. They did not understand the faith of Jesus. How do we stand today? Is it any better today? In fact it is deteriorating. This whole subject is actually in reference to what Sr White was writing about in reference to the message of Waggoner and Jones.

When I stated before my brethren that I had heard for the first time the views of Elder E. Jones. Waggoner, some did not believe me. {3SM 172.1}

Some thought she already had the message of Waggoner and she said she only heard it for the first time.

What is the Faith of Jesus?

The faith of Jesus is him becoming our sin bearer.

Jesus becoming our sin-bearer that He might become our sin-pardoning Saviour. He was treated as we deserve to be treated. He came to our world and took our sins that we might take His righteousness. And faith in the ability of Christ to save us amply and fully and entirely is the faith of Jesus. {3SM 172.3}

If I just read that statement to you now, you will say now I understand. You don’t unless you explore it. They are only words on a page. We need to go into the detail of these words and appreciate what they are trying to communicate.

Meeting the Laws Demands

We are to hear the constant sound that Jesus was to be made sin for us so we may be made the righteousness of God in him and then comes this other music and God permits it. Next time you feel overwhelmed, by your sinfulness, remember it’s a test whether you are going to believe that God has already done away with them by your confession and repentance through Jesus Christ. What are you to answer those suggestions? How are you to answer them? Satan may tell you many times that you are a sinner; but you can answer: True, I am a sinner; but Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”‘ {5T 629.1} As you keep getting the overwhelming waves of Satan’s attacks and you continually apply this answer in what we are contemplating, there is an ever escalating relief of joy and comfort that comes from that experience. It’s meant to be the opposite from where Satan wants you to go.

Walk in Him

It’s the law that follows me, that plagues me, that keeps on taking away my peace until I hang weak with nothing more left in me to bring me to my knees. Are you there? If you are not, it’s going to pester you and if unheeded it will take you to the grave and will judge you at the end. Where was the school master to lead me to if heeded? If I’m all broken up and depraved of every sense of self worth, then what is left? Christ Crucified among you. When the law shows me my deplorable condition, I meet myself at the cross because there Jesus suffered sin. Your sin and my sin that cause me by the school master to deprave me of every sense of self worth.

Self Versus God’s Love

Man tried to patch the old garment of Phariseeism rather than to discard his self-righteousness for that garment which is new throughout, the righteousness of Christ. {1888 1311.2} This is what we do. We come face to face with the Ten Commandments and the selfisms in the human nature will begin to patchwork. There will come an action of voluntary humility where according to Colossians 2, we will start doing things to make us feel better. Man’s devices and methods are much more in harmony with the natural inclinations; men choose to have some of self and some of Jesus. To accept the entirely new fabric does not give sufficient honor to the natural feelings and sentiments of the human mind. The religion that must reshape the man, transforming the entire character, is very distasteful, and here man’s plans and God’s plans come into collision. Ibid This is what happens when sinners begin to open their mind to the law of God and God’s will and there comes this patchwork mentality; some of self and some of Jesus. In this work where God wants to take entire control to change the garment. It is distasteful to the natural man.