1. THE TRIAL OF GOD RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE BALANCES RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH SERIES BY CALVIN MARIANO

2. RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH PART II THE PARABLE OF FORGIVENESS Restoring God’s image and righteousness THE KING PAID IT ALL THE PERVERTED MISSION THE TRIAL OF FAITH REFUSAL TO PAY THE PRICE THE FINAL RECKONING THE FINAL JUDGMENT JUSTIFICATION-SANCTFICATION

3. 18:27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. THE BALANCE PAID=EQUITY, OR LEVEL RESTORED RIGHTEOUSNESS=JUSTICE, THE BALANCE MET, EQUITY 5. THE KING PAID IT ALL-JUSTIFICATION

4. The power and authority of God are supreme, and he is true. He gives, to all who accept Christ, power to live the truth under the most trying circumstances. Those who have broken his law are sinners; but he says to them, I gave my only begotten Son to die for sinners. He bore the penalty of the sins of the world. He is sufficient for your redemption... FORGIVENESS—HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE

5. …If you will plant your feet upon the platform of obedience; if you will repent and accept the merits of the Son of God, you may have hope of eternal life. The soul who will take God at his word, and obey his law, may live. To such the assurance is given, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." {RH, September 30, 1909 par. 9} FORGIVENESS—HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE

6. The grace of Christ is freely to justify the sinner without merit or claim on his part. Justification is a full, complete pardon of sin. The moment a sinner accepts Christ by faith, that moment he is pardoned. The righteousness of Christ is imputed to him, and he is no more to doubt God's forgiving grace. {FLB 107.2} JUSTIFICATION—IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS, BALANCE PAID

7. 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took [him] by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 6. PERVERTED MISSION=PERVERTED UNDERSTANDING OF SALVATION

8. SERVANTS MISSION: TO FIND MONEY TO PAY THE DEBT THAT IS ALREADY BEEN COVERED (FORGIVEN) ILLUSTRATION: THE SNAKE STORY (Copperhead killed with a small stick at Chilhowee campsite) SAVING SELF BY SACRIFICING OTHERS?

9. The salvation of the lost was the object of Christ's mission to earth, and he died to redeem sinners of every race and every clime. We are to be laborers together with him; for as long as there are sinners to be saved, so long are the followers of Christ to deny self, to work intelligently, to go forth into the highways and by-ways, showing forth the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light… OUR TRUE MISSION

10. …Christ calls upon all who have discerned the merits of his sacrifice and character to make known the wonders of redeeming love to those who know it not. He would have us bear with others as he has borne with us in our perversity, in our backslidings;… OUR TRUE MISSION

11. …for he has not cast us off in our waywardness, but has forgiven our transgressions, and clothed us with the robe of his righteousness, drawing us to himself by the cords of his love. {PH118 20.3} OUR TRUE MISSION

12. 18:29And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 7. THE TRIAL OF FAITH

13. 1 Peter 1:7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: THE TRIAL OF FAITH; THE TRIAL OF GOD IN US

14. Matthew 7:21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 7:22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 7:23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. IN THE BALANCES

15. In the time of trial God is being represented by a beggar, a stranger, a homeless, a hungry and thirsty person, a sinner or a prisoner, or any needy people. What are you doing with this people? IN THE BALANCES

16. Matthew 25:34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: BALANCED WITH GOD

17. 25:35For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 25:36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

18. Matthew 25:37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink? 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]?. BALANCED WITH GOD

19. 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me. BALANCED WITH GOD

20. Matthew 25:42 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 25:43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. OUT OF BALANCE

21. Matthew 25:44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 25:45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me. OUT OF BALANCE

22. God had permitted trials to come upon his people to prepare them for the accomplishment of his gracious purpose toward them. The church had been brought low, that she might be exalted. God was about to display his power in her behalf, to give to the world another evidence that he will not forsake those who trust in him… Trials’ purpose

23. ... He had overruled events to cause the wrath of Satan and the plots of evil men to advance his glory, and to bring his people to a place of security. Persecution and exile were opening the way to freedom. {GC88 291.1} Trials’ purpose

24. In that day Christ does not present before men the great work He has done for them in giving His life for their redemption. He presents the faithful work they have done for Him. To those whom He sets upon His right hand He will say, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat:.. Trials’ purpose

25. …I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me." But those whom Christ commends know not that they have been ministering unto Him. To their perplexed inquiries He answers, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me." {DA 637.2} Trials’ purpose

26. 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. In the parable, when the debtor pleaded for delay, with the promise, "Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all," the sentence was revoked. The whole debt was canceled…. 8. A REFUSAL TO SHARE THE PRICE

27. …And he was soon given an opportunity to follow the example of the master who had forgiven him. Going out, he met a fellow servant who owed him a small sum. He had been forgiven ten thousand talents; the debtor owed him a hundred pence… A REFUSAL TO FOLLOW THE MASTER’S EXAMPLE

28. … But he who had been so mercifully treated, dealt with his fellow laborer in an altogether different manner. His debtor made an appeal similar to that which he himself had made to the king, but without a similar result… A REFUSAL TO FOLLOW THE MASTER’S EXAMPLE

29. … He who had so recently been forgiven was not tenderhearted and pitiful. The mercy shown him he did not exercise in dealing with his fellowservant He heeded not the request to be patient. The small sum owed to him was all that the ungrateful servant would keep in mind… A REFUSAL TO FOLLOW THE MASTER’S EXAMPLE

30. …He demanded all that he thought his due, and carried into effect a sentence similar to that which had been so graciously revoked for him. {COL 245.2} A REFUSAL TO FOLLOW THE MASTER’S EXAMPLE

31. justification=the receiving of forgiveness, the value of God‘s image is imputed. sanctification=the sharing of forgiveness, the impartation of the value we received from God. SANCTIFICATION: TO SHARE THE PRICE

32. God has instructed me to say to His people, ministers and lay members, "Take your stand on higher ground. Move steadily onward and upward in the path that Jesus trod. Do not trust in your own opinions. Sanctification through the truth is your only safety." … SANCTIFICATION: TO SHARE THE PRICE

33. …The Lord God of Israel would have His people stand in His strength, and in His might, receiving to impart. He will uphold and sustain those who serve Him with mind and heart and strength. {LHU 291.2} SANCTIFICATION: TO SHARE THE PRICE

34. God desires us to shine as lights in the world. Darkness has covered the earth, and gross darkness the people; and Christ says to His followers, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”… SANCTIFICATION: TO SHARE THE PRICE

35. … We are to give the light of truth to others, ever asking, ever receiving, ever imparting, working in all simplicity through the sanctification of the Spirit. {RC 197.2} SANCTIFICATION: TO SHARE THE PRICE

36. No Self-originated Light.--The light that shines from those who receive Jesus Christ is not self-originated. It is all from the Light and Life of the world. He kindles this light, even as He kindles the fire that all must use in doing His service. Christ is the light, the life, the holiness, the sanctification of all who believe, and His light is to be received and imparted in all good works… SANCTIFICATION: TO SHARE THE PRICE

37. …In many different ways His grace is also acting as the salt of the earth; whithersoever this salt finds its way, to homes or communities, it becomes a preserving power to save all that is good, and to destroy all that is evil (RH Aug. 22, 1899). {5BC 1085.2} SANCTIFICATION: TO SHARE THE PRICE

38. The sanctification of the soul is accomplished through steadfastly beholding Him [Christ] by faith as the only-begotten Son of God, full of grace and truth. The power of truth is to transform heart and character. Its effect is not like a dash of color here and there upon the canvas; the whole character is to be transformed, the image of Christ is to be revealed in words and actions. A new nature is imparted. Man is renewed after the image of Christ in righteousness and true holiness… SANCTIFICATION: TO SHARE THE PRICE

39. ... The grace of Christ is essential every day, every hour. Unless it is with us continually, the inconsistencies of the natural heart will appear and the life will present a divided service. The character is to be full of grace and truth. Wherever the religion of Christ works, it will brighten and sweeten every detail of life with more than an earthly joy and a higher than earthly peace (Letter 2a, 1892). {6BC 1117.15} SANCTIFICATION: TO SHARE THE PRICE

40. 25:44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 25:45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you,… The failure to sanctify God

41. ..Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me. 25:46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. The failure to sanctify God

42. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart,... and thy neighbor as thyself." We are altogether too indifferent to God's blessings. We share his loving care through Jesus Christ, and then forget how much it has cost the Father and the Son to make us fallen mortals sharers of his paternal sympathies. We are made the depositaries of rich blessings, and have monopolized them, as if they were wholly our own; SHARE THE PRICE

43. … but all who are enlightened by the grace of Christ should communicate the same to others. For God, through the Comforter, will work with every effort made in sincerity and truth, with his glory in view. He has paid the redemption price for a lost world, the world that Jesus loved, the world for which he died. Let the compassion and love of Jesus urge us to earnest efforts to reveal Christ to the world. {ST, December 7, 1891 par. 6} SHARE THE PRICE

44. Thus in accusing others we are passing sentence upon ourselves, and God declares that this sentence shall stand. Remember this, you who are so ready to criticise others. The sentence which you think to pass upon them you are passing upon yourselves, and thus it stands in the records of heaven. God accepts the sentence, your own verdict against yourselves. Are you willing to abide by it in the final day? {ST, March 21, 1892 par. 6} Sentencing Yourself

45. 18:31So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 9. THE FINAL RECKONING: JUSTIFICATION OR CONDEMNATION FINALE

46. 18:32Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 18:33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 9. THE FINAL RECKONING: JUSTIFICATION OR CONDEMNATION FINALE

47. It is true that he may once have received forgiveness; but his unmerciful spirit shows that he now rejects God's pardoning love. He has separated himself from God, and is in the same condition as before he was forgiven. He has denied his repentance, and his sins are upon him as if he had not repented. {COL 251.2} LOST AFTER THE TRIAL OF FAITH

48. In the great day of final atonement and investigative judgment, the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God. The judgment of the wicked is a distinct and separate work, and takes place at a later period.... The books of record in heaven, in which the names and the deeds of men are registered, are to determine the decisions of the judgment.... {FLB 210.2} FINAL ATONEMENT: FOR THOSE WHO WENT THROUGH THE TRIAL OF FAITH

49. 18:34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 10. THE FINAL JUDGMENT

50. Matthew 25:40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: FORGIVENESS REVOKED

51. 18:35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. APPEAL

52. Summary part 2 Repentance is to obtain forgiveness and Obedience is to retain it forever Justification; we receive back the value we lost and deposited in our account Sanctification; we impart the value with others, with God in the time of need as well as with daily need. In this life we can finish the trial of faith (conversion; justification, sanctification, perfection, case closes, and glorification) Final verdict: salvation or condemnation, the finishing part of the believers’ case in trial

53. THE CHRISTIANS MUST LEARN TO SHARE THE GRACE THEY RECEIVED FROM CHRIST. SHARE WHAT YOU RECEIVED FROM GOD