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245

Chapter 45


Counsels of Caution–
Excuses



      When men fail, it is because they do not avail themselves of the provisions which God has made; they do not trust in the Lord. 2RH389

      All who apostatize are destitute of any real excuse. 3ST 64

      It is not because He is unwilling to forgive, that He turns from the transgressor; it is because the sinner refuses to make use of the abundant provision of grace, that God is unable to deliver from sin. 6RH 480

      God can never be charged as unjust because He does not send assistance to men; but on the part of the one assailed by temptation there is a negligence to appropriate the freely offered aid. If they had trusted Christ, He would have proved an all-sufficient Saviour, and it is through conflict that the spiritual life is strengthened. We are not left alone, but we are to seek help where it will surely be found. 2RH 578

      Away with your quibbling and caviling! Say not with a smile, “It is not expected that any man can be perfect;” that you do not claim to be inspired. This is a pitiable mask. 2RH 449

      God could not do more than He has done for us. He has left us without excuse. 4RH 338

      In the day of judgment the course of the man who has retained the frailty and imperfection of humanity will not be vindicated. For him there will be no place in heaven; he could not enjoy the perfection of the saints in light. He who has not sufficient faith in Christ to believe that He can keep him from sinning, has not the faith that will give him an entrance into the kingdom of God. 5RH 24

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      He who can not resist temptation, when every facility for overcoming has been placed within his reach, is not registered in the books of heaven as a man. YI 577

      . . . there is no excuse for sin, either great or little. Christ has been provided as the tempted one’s refuge. 3ST 85

      Many who fall under temptation excuse themselves with the plea that Christ’s divinity helped Him overcome, and that man has not this power in his favor. But this is a mistake. Christ has brought divine power within the reach of all. YI 438

      The tempter’s agency is not to be accounted an excuse for one wrong act. Satan is jubilant when he hears the professed followers of Christ making excuses for their deformity of character. It is these excuses that lead to sin. There is no excuse for sinning. A holy temper, a Christlike life, is accessible to every repenting, believing child of God. DA 311

      Because of obstacles that seem insurmountable, the Christian may seek to excuse himself from obeying the truth as it is in Jesus; but he can offer no excuse that will bear investigation. Could he do this, he would prove God unjust, in that He had made for His children conditions of salvation with which they could not comply. AA 466-7

      But many say that Jesus was not like us, that He was not as we are in the world, that He was divine, and that we cannot overcome as He overcame. But Paul writes, “Verily He took not on Him the nature of angels, but He took on Him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted.” “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Jesus says, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne.” 2RH 548

      He has made it possible for you to be an overcomer. Do not say it is impossible for you to overcome. Do not say, “It is my nature to do thus and so, and I cannot do otherwise. I have inherited weaknesses that make me powerless before temptation.” We know you cannot overcome in your own strength; but help has been laid upon One who is mighty to save. 2ST 295

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      The Word of God leaves the responsibility of our ruin at our own door; everything depends upon our obedience or disobedience. 2RH 501

      By faith and prayer all may meet the requirements of the gospel. No man can be forced to transgress. His own consent must be first gained; the soul must purpose the sinful act, before passion can dominate over reason, or iniquity triumph over conscience. Temptation, however strong, is never an excuse for sin. 5T 177

      Those who are overcome have only themselves to blame for their failure to resist the enemy. All who choose can come to Christ and find the help they need. 6RH 38

      We must never forget that God ascribes sin to the one who transgresses; it is not registered against Satan, but against the sinner. God never accepts the agency of Satan as an excuse for the committal of one sin. 4ST 80

      The strongest temptation can not excuse sin. However great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul, transgression is our own act. It is not in the power of earth or hell to compel any one to do evil. Satan attacks us at our weakest points, but we need not be overcome. However severe or unexpected the attack, God has provided help for us, and in His strength we may conquer. 5RH 325

      When the cases of all are judged, and they (the lost) are delivered to suffer for their contempt for God and their disregard of His honor in their disobedience, not one will have an excuse, not one will need to have perished. 1SM 96

      Ignorance is no excuse now for the transgression of law. The light shines clearly, and none need be ignorant, for the great God Himself is man’s instructor. 3T 162

      If man stumbles and falls under the temptations of Satan, he is without excuse; for he has the disobedience of Adam as a warning, and the life of the world’s Redeemer as an example of obedience and self-denial, and the promise of Christ that “to him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne.” 1RH 153

      Jesus is mighty to save His people from their sins. Light from heaven has illumined our pathway. Sin has been revealed to us by the Word and the Spirit of Truth, that we may not be found transgressors of the divine precepts; and there is no opportunity to plead the excuse of ignorance. The command is, “Depart from iniquity.” 2RH 198

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      My sister, excuse not your defects because others are wrong. In the day of God you will not dare to plead as an excuse for your neglect to form a character for Heaven, that others did not manifest devotion and spirituality. 2T 396

      It is Satan’s act to tempt you, but your own act to yield. It is not in the power of all the host of Satan to force the tempted to transgress. There is no excuse for sin. 4T 623

      If man stumbles and falls under the temptations of Satan, he is without excuse. . . . 1ST 75

      (The experience of Joseph) is an example to all generations who should live upon the earth. Although they may be exposed to evil influences, they should ever realize that there is a defense at hand, and it will be their own fault if they are not preserved. God will be a present help, and his Spirit a shield. Although surrounded with the severest temptations, there is a source of strength to which they can apply, and obtain grace to resist them. 1ST 120

      There is no excuse for any one’s being destitute of divine help. There is no reason why any one should be stumbling upon the dark mountains of unbelief. The Word of God is pledged in His abundant promises; and if we fail, the responsibility rests upon us individually, who have accepted the solemn position that makes us a mouth-piece for God; for the promises are made upon plainly stated conditions, and if we perish, we have no one to blame but ourselves. We must depart from all iniquity. 2RH 243

      We have no excuse for remaining in spiritual weakness and poverty . . . Every provision has been made, and it rests wholly with us whether we will believe the words of God. 4ST 112

      Christ came not to lessen the guilt of sin, that man may have liberty to be disloyal. He came to live the law of God, leaving man no excuse for violating one precept. 3ST 457

      More than this, He removed every excuse from fallen man that he could urge for a reason for not keeping the law of God . . . No man can say that he is hopelessly subject to the bondage of sin and Satan. 3ST 264

      Man has fallen by sin; but there is no need of his continually repeating the transgression of Adam and Eve. YI 172

      We shall have no excuse to offer in the day of God if we fail to reach the standard set before us in His word. 1ST 333

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      Let no one seek to excuse his deficiencies of character by saying, It is “my way.” YI 147

      It is not enough to profess to be a child of God. He who has in him this hope will purify himself from all defilement. But this is the work from which every day nine tenths of us excuse ourselves. We seem to think that it does not matter if we get angry now and then, if we cheat now and then, if we are selfish and uncourteous. YI 562

      If the surroundings of youth are unpleasant and positively bad, many make this an excuse for not perfecting Christian character. The example of Christ would rebuke the idea that His followers are, dependent upon place, fortune, or prosperity, in order to live blameless lives. Christ would teach them that their faithfulness would make any place, or position, where the providence of God called them, honorable, however humble. YI 39

      God holds us accountable for the great light that shines upon our pathway. He has done all for us that a God could do. He has placed salvation within our reach, and the question for us to decide now is, Will we make the most of these blessings? 2ST 114

      . . . every provision (is) made that we may have the light, and there will be no excuse in the day of God if we are overtaken in our sins. 2ST 183

      There is no reason that man should fall a prey to the devices of the enemy. Christ has conquered in man’s behalf, and if man places himself under the leadership of the Captain of his salvation, he, too may be a conqueror. 2ST 421

      In order that the human family might have no excuse because of temptation, Christ became one with them. 3ST 422

      To all those who receive Him Christ will give power to become the sons of God . . . Those who are overcome have only themselves to blame for their failure to resist the enemy. All who choose can come to Christ and find the help they need. 4ST 409

      He will not connive at our sins or overlook our defects of character. He expects us to overcome in His name. COL 316

      “According as he hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” There can be no misunderstanding here, unless there is willful blindness. We are to be holy and without blame before Him in love. 5RH 459

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      Do not excuse your defects of character, but in the grace of Christ overcome them. YI 103

      . . . when God issues a command, He means that we shall obey Him. Our circumstances, our surroundings, our financial prospects, are not to be considered in the matter, or made an excuse; for He will give strength to every one who sets about in sincerity to fulfill His Word, because it is God that has spoken. 3ST 20

      By earnest prayer and living faith we can resist the assaults of Satan, and keep our hearts unspotted from pollution.

      The strongest temptation is no excuse for sin. However great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul, transgression is our own act. It is not in the power of earth or hell to compel any one to sin. The will must consent, the heart must yield, or passion cannot overbear reason, nor iniquity triumph over righteousness. 1ST 379

      We should now make diligent inquiry of ourselves, Can I, with my present attainments, stand before the face of the holy God? If in the great day of judgment, we come short, we shall have no excuse; for we have access to the Word of God. Take the Bible for your lesson book; for it is by obedience to its truths that we shall be sanctified. 5RH 349

      There is no reason that man should fall a prey to the devices of the enemy. Christ has conquered in man’s behalf, and if man places himself under the leadership of the Captain of his salvation, he, too may be a conqueror. 2ST 421

      The weakness of our Christian experience is wholly due to the perversity of the human heart. 3RH 629

      Christ says to us, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” The Lord can and will help every one who seeks His help in the effort to become pure and holy. God has given us His word as a guide and counselor, and we are without excuse if we fail to reach the standard set before us. 4RH 267

      There is no excuse for defection or despondency, because all the promises of heavenly grace are for those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. The intensity of desire represented by hungering and thirsting is a pledge that the coveted supply will be given. 7T 213

      . . . since the promises of God are so abundant, there is no excuse for any of us if we continue in sin. YI 128

      There is no excuse for becoming more like Satan, more like human nature. 2RH 336

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      He lived in humanity the life that He requires His followers to live, and therefore there is no excuse for any one to fail of reaching the standard of perfection. 3RH 633

      The plan of redemption provides for every emergency, and for every want of the soul. If it were deficient in any way, the sinner might find some excuse to plead for neglect of its terms; but the infinite God had a knowledge of every human necessity, and ample provision has been made to supply every need. 2RH 469-70

      Many pet and excuse the defects in their characters, but these must all be remedied. Every deviation from the right is sin, and sin must be put away. 1ST 415

      Christ came to teach us how to live. He has invited us to come to Him, to learn of Him, to be meek and lowly of heart that we may find rest unto our souls. Because Jesus has lived our example, we have no excuse for not imitating His life and works. 2ST 499

      There will be no excuse for the sinner who willfully rejects and neglects so great salvation. 2ST 486

      The Lord understands all the defects in human character. He desires to save man. It was for this purpose that He came to this world. In Him all sufficiency dwells. In Him dwells all “the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” The defective characters that remain thus, when One is among them who came to, our world for the express purpose of taking away the sin of the world, make manifest that they do not appreciate the attributes of Christ sufficiently to hunger and thirst after righteousness, and they will not be exalted as worthy . . . Christ is every possible strength to all who will appropriate His words by faith. He is indeed the Bread of life. No man, woman, youth, or child can say, I have cravings that He can not satisfy. All cravings that He does not fill are supplied with a superior sufficiency, which is for the perfection of Christian character. 3RH 585

      We are not to fear that there will be any failure on the part of God. But fear lest because of our own sinful inclinations any of us should seem to come short of the promise. Let the standard be set high, and let there be an earnest striving to reach it in our daily lives till our souls burn with holy desire. We need to talk faith; for it is very feeble, but in talking faith we must speak of that faith that works by love and purifies the soul. 2RH 593-4

      We are without excuse if we fail to avail ourselves of the ample provisions made for us that we might be wanting in nothing. 1RH 523; 2RH 68

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      When the judgment shall sit, and the books shall be opened, and every man shall be judged according to the things written in the books, then the tables of stone, hidden by God until that day, will be presented before the world as the standard of righteousness. Then men and women will see that the prerequisite of their salvation is obedience to the perfect law of God. None will find excuse for sin. 1SM225

      God has made ample provision for His people; and if they rely upon His strength, they will never become the sport of circumstances. The strongest temptation cannot excuse sin. However great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul, transgression is our own act. It is not in the power of earth or hell to compel anyone to do evil. Satan attacks us at our weak points, but we need not be overcome. However severe or unexpected the assault, God has provided help for us, and in His strength we may conquer. PP 421

      It is not because He is unwilling to forgive, that He turns from the transgressor; it is because the sinner refuses to make use of the abundant provisions of grace, that God is unable to deliver from sin. PK 323

      It is true that Satan is the great originator of sin; yet this does not excuse any man for sinning; for he cannot force men to do evil. He tempts them to it, and makes sin look enticing and pleasant; but he has to leave it to their own will whether they will do it or not. 2T 294

      From the Word of God there shines light sufficient to guide us along every step of the way to heaven, and those who lose the way will be without excuse. 5RH 149

      Those who are overcome in the struggle with sin are without excuse, for the Saviour offers to all power that will enable them to overcome the evil that assails them. 4ST 291

      No one need say that his case is hopeless, that he cannot live the life of a Christian. Ample provision is made by the death of Christ for every soul. 5T 215

      . . . but (man) is never brought into such a position that yielding to evil becomes a matter of necessity. No temptation or trial is permitted to come to him which he is unable to resist. PP 332

      Ignorance is no excuse for error or sin, when there is every opportunity to know the will of God. 1ST 446

      Whatever may be our temperament, we are to form a character after the divine Pattern; we have no excuse for retaining the mold and

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superscription of our own nature; for Christ has died that we may have His mold and superscription. 2ST 525

      Many blame circumstances for their defective characters. They say, “I could do so much better if things were only different; but this one tries me, and that one vexes me, and that is the reason that I am not a better Christian.” But this is a deception. There is grace with God to enable you to serve Him just where you are, and excuses of this order have no weight with Him. Do not charge your circumstances with your failure. YI 235

      Let no one say, I cannot remedy my defects of character; for if you come to this decision, you will certainly fail to obtain everlasting life. The impossibility lies in your own will. If you will not, then you cannot overcome. The real difficulty arises from the corruption of unsanctified hearts, and an unwillingness to submit to the control of God. YI 260

      Let no man deceive you with the sophistry that excuses sin. 2RH450

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