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161

SECTION V

The Vehicles of Power



162

Chapter 29


Christ Empowers Us
Through His Grace



      We are now ready to consider the question, How is this all-pervading power of God made available to us? By what means do we receive it, exercise it, apply it, retain it? What are the vehicles of power whereby it is transmitted to us?
Beginning with some rather general statements about God’s grace as a vehicle of His power, Ellen White then directs our attention to God’s transmission of power to us by His Holy Spirit, by the combined force of all the heavenly angels, by the scriptures, and by the sanctifying influence of truth. Reduced to its simplest terms, the power needed to obey a command of God is present in the very command itself, since all His biddings are enablings.
      In total disagreement with many modern theologians, she affirms that in every generation that has lived upon this earth there have been some who have understood God’s power, have laid hold of it, and by it have been transformed into His likeness. Even so, she says, it may be with us. His biddings are still enablings.

      The grace of God will beautify, ennoble, and sanctify the character. 3RH 265

      A living faith means an increase of vigor, a confiding trust, by which, through the grace of Christ, the soul becomes a conquering power. MH 62

      In the character and teaching of Christ, the disciples had both precept and example, and the grace of Christ was a transforming power, working marvelous changes in the life of the disciples. 2ST 432

      God stands ready to furnish His children with light and grace and power. 4ST 131

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      At the cross (the sinner) leaves his sins, and through the grace of Christ his character is transformed. 1SM 349

      There is everything to encourage any soul who by faith claims the promises that God has given us, for through His grace we may be overcomers. 2RH 416

      We may believe on Him, knowing that He will give us grace and power to do just as He bids us. 4ST 487

      The perfection of Christian character depends wholly upon the grace and strength found alone in God. 3T 188

      Without Christ you can do nothing, but with Him you can do all things, tor His grace will be sufficient for you. 2ST 436

      The gospel is the good news of grace, or favor, by which man may be released from the condemnation of sin, and enabled to render acceptable obedience to the law. 1ST 458

      He promised to give those who believed in Him grace to resist temptation, and power to build up a righteous character, through keeping the commandments of God. Our Saviour purchased this privilege for us at an infinite cost. 2RH 186

      We are to copy His pure, spotless, and holy life; and through His grace we may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 1RH 499

      The grace of Christ is needed to refine and purify the mind; this will enable us to see and correct our deficiencies, and to improve that which is excellent in our characters. 1RH 463

      Paul never doubted the ability of God or His willingness to give him the grace he needed to live the life of a Christian. 1RH 545

      Every temptation resisted, every trial borne, gives us a new experience, and advances us in the work of character building. We have a better knowledge of the working of Satan, and of our own power to defeat him through divine grace. 1RH 567

      Through the imparted grace of Christ, he (man) may be enabled to overcome. 1SM 381

      Those who follow Christ will be continually looking into the perfect law of liberty, and through the grace given them by Christ, will fashion the character according to the divine requirements. YI 196

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      But through the grace of Christ man may render acceptable obedience, and gain a home in the beautiful Eden restored. 2ST 54

      Divine grace has been abundantly provided for every soul, so that each one may engage in the conflict and come off victorious. YI 227

      The grace of Christ alone could change the heart of stone to a heart of flesh, make it alive to God, and transform the character, so that a degraded child of sin might become a child of God and heir of heaven. 4ST 528

      Jesus came to our world to bring divine power to man, that through His grace, we might be transformed into His likeness. 2ST 395

      (Christ) makes an end of the controlling power of sin in the heart, and the life and character of the believer testify to the genuine character of the grace of Christ. 1SM 395

      For it is only by the grace of Christ, which we receive through faith, that the character can be transformed. 2ST 409

      By repentance and faith (wrongdoers) might be freed from the condemnation of sin, and through the grace of Christ be enabled henceforth to render obedience to the law of God. AA 393

      Before the believer is held out the wonderful possibility of being like Christ, obedient to all the principles of the law. But of himself man is utterly unable to reach this condition. The holiness that God’s word declares he must have before he can be saved, is the result of the working of divine grace, as he bows in submission to the discipline and restraining influences of the Spirit of truth. AA 532

      The crown and the throne are the tokens of a condition attained - tokens of self-conquest through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. AA 543

      0 let us be witnesses for Christ, testifying to the power of His grace by representing Him in character! 2RH 221

      He who calls upon the Lord in humble, fervent prayer will receive the strength and grace which he needs to battle with temptation and to endure trials. YI 97

      Moral and spiritual perfection, through the grace and power of Christ, is promised to all. AA 478

      Look to Him for grace to overcome your special faults, to put away every darling sin. 1ST 440

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      Christ has demonstrated that through His grace humanity can keep the law of God. 4RH 461

      His grace is sufficient to subdue sin. 5RH 456

      In the work of overcoming sinful habits, special grace will be given to all that sincerely desire it. 2ST 225

      Children, if you overcome your besetments you must pray, and watch yourselves with jealous care. The grace of God is sufficient for you. It is sufficient for the weakest, and the strongest must depend upon the same grace, or perish. YI 33

      By His grace He is able to keep every man from transgression. 4ST 94

      Divine grace is needed at the beginning, divine grace at every step of advance, and divine grace alone can complete the work. 3RH 443

      Christ’s fullness is to be presented to the world by those who have become partakers of His grace. They are to do that for Christ which Christ did for the Father, - represent His character. 2RH 453

      Those who have Christ abiding in the heart will work the works of Christ. Such are entitled to all the promises of His word. Becoming one with Christ, they do the will of God, and exhibit the riches of His grace. 2RH 510

      It is through the impartation of the grace of Christ that sin is discerned in its hateful nature, and finally driven from the soul temple. 2RH 436

      But forgiveness of sins would be of no avail unless the course of transgression was abandoned, and the grace of Christ imparted to the sinner to renovate, purify, and ennoble him who had fallen by iniquity. 3RH 445

      The grace of God ruling in the heart, and bringing the mind and thoughts into subjection to Jesus, will -make us strong to work for Him. 3RH 407

      . . . through His grace men may possess Christlikeness of character, and may rejoice in the assurance of His great love. MH 99

      The grace of Christ is to work a wonderful transformation in the life and character of its receiver. . . . 2RH 315

      The claims of His law are just and reasonable, and through the grace of Christ He expects us to fulfill His requirements. 2RH 371

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      Full to overflowing will be the heart that is transformed by grace. Divine love will be revealed in the manner, in the speech, in the life. 1ST 475

      The great Teacher, in His lessons, presents the life-diffusing power of His grace, declaring that through His grace men and women may live the new life of holiness and purity. 4ST 391

      No temptation comes to us that Christ has not withstood, no trial that He has not borne. He knows each one of us by name. When a burden is placed on us He stands by to lift the heaviest weight. He assures us that His grace is sufficient. To-day we have His help. 4ST 358

      If they will heed His instruction, He will cleanse away their perverse tendencies, saving them with an everlasting salvation, and making them eternal monuments of the power of His grace. 4ST 208

      In His strength all may be wholly obedient. Through His grace they can show to the world a character like His, holding up by precept and example the high and holy standard of the divine law. 3ST 470

      The administraton of His grace is in His hands, and He ever liveth to dispense blessings in abundant measure of grace. He will give power to His children, according as their circumstances demand. 3RH 359

      The disciple of Christ will be fitted by His grace for every trial and test as he strives for perfection of character. 3RH 357

      Through His own transforming grace, Christ is multiplied in the lives of those who are restored to His image. 3RH 308

      The Lord Jesus condescended to clothe His divinity with humanity, and to stand as a representative of God upon earth, an example of what God would have humanity become through the grace of Christ. 3RH 307

      We are to form characters free from sin - characters made righteous in and by the grace of Christ. 5RH 243

      He who repents of his sin and accepts the gift of the life of the Son of God, can not be overcome. Laying hold by faith of the divine nature, he becomes a child of God. He prays; he believes. When tempted and tried, he claims the power that Christ died to give, and overcomes through His grace. This every sinner needs to understand. He must repent of his sin, he must believe in the power of Christ and accept that power to save and to keep him from sin. 5RH 491

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For Further Study:
1RH 10
1RH 187
1RH 261
1RH 271
1RH 287
1RH 519
2RH 229
2RH 299
2RH 345
2RH 570
3RH 65
3RH 367
3RH 379
3RH 493
1ST 415
1ST 421
2ST 364
3ST 40
4ST 152
4ST 200
4ST 282
4ST 292
YI 141
AA 313
MH 85
MH 180
1SM 398
1T 158
3T 183
4T 446
4T 556
6T 43



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