Fasting or prayer that is actuated by a self-justifying spirit is an abomination in the sight of God. NOTE: “A legal religion can never lead souls to Christ for it is a loveless, Christless religion. Against which false “gospel” did Paul warn the believers in Galatia? Galatians 2:16. You may make this claim, when you feel that Jesus died for you on the cruel cross of Calvary when you have an intelligent, understanding faith that His death makes it possible for you to cease from sin, and to perfect a righteous character through the grace of God, bestowed upon you as the purchase of Christ’s blood.” Review and Herald, July 24, 1888. Do you know that a holy and just God will accept your efforts to keep His law, through the merits of His own beloved Son who died for your rebellion and sin? You may say that you believe in Jesus, when you have an appreciation of the cost of salvation. Do you believe that Christ, as your substitute, pays the debt of your transgression? Not, however, that you may continue in sin, but that you may be saved from your sins that you, through the merits of His righteousness, may be re-instated to the favor of God.

They have no realization that Christ has died to save them from the penalty of the law which they have transgressed, in order that they may be brought back to loyalty to God. But do you believe with all your heart that Jesus is your Savior? Do you bring Him into your life, and weave Him into your character, until you are one with Christ? Many accept Jesus as an article of belief, but they have no saving faith in Him as their sacrifice and Savior.

NOTE: “Today let the question come home to the heart of every one who professes the name of Christ, `Dost thou believe in the Son of God?’ Not, `Do you admit that Jesus is the Redeemer of the world?’ Not to soothe your conscience and the consciences of others by saying, `I believe,’ and think that is all there is to be done. Against what particular false “gospel” did Paul warn the believers in Rome? Romans 6:1, 2. That liberality which regards a correct religious faith as unimportant found no favor with these holy defenders of the truth.” The Great Controversy, 520. Elijah, Jeremiah, Paul, firmly and fearlessly opposed those who were turning men from the word of God. From the beginning the servants of God have contended against false teachers, not merely as vicious men, but as inculcators of falsehoods that were fatal to the soul. He knows that the truth, received in the love of it, sanctifies the soul of the receiver therefore he is constantly seeking to substitute false theories, fables, another gospel. NOTE: “The position that it is of no consequence what men believe is one of Satan’s most successful deceptions. What warning did Paul give about alternative “gospels”? Galatians 6:9. If one goes forth preaching one thing, and another differing with him preaches something else, how can those who believe through their word be one?” Testimonies, vol. Jesus designed that the faith of His people should be one. Satan opposes this, and is determined to scatter, and divide, and bring in different sentiments, that the prayer of Christ may not be answered: `Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word that they all may be one as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.’ John 17:20, 21. Heaven and holy angels are working to unite, to bring into the unity of the faith, into the one body. He will not use individuals of different faith, opinions, and views, to scatter and divide. The present truth is not difficult to be understood, and the people whom God is leading will be united upon this broad, firm platform. They will see its harmonious connections, link after link uniting into a great whole, and will lay hold upon it. INTRODUCTION: “Honest souls will see the straight chain of present truth. MEMORY VERSE: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word that they all may be one as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.” John 17: 20, 21.

Steps to christ bible study guide