~Our Greatest Need~

In the beginning our first parents were perfect, not only spiritually, but mentally and physically, also. But tragedy struck when, “through disobedience, [their] powers were perverted, and selfishness took the place of love.”

It is absolutely impossible of us, of ourselves, to escape from the mire of sin that we are sunken in. Our hearts are desperately evil, and we can’t change them. Job says, “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one.” (Job 14:4) And Paul says, “The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Rom. 8:7) On page 18 of Steps to Christ, it says, “...Education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, all have their proper sphere, but here they are powerless. They may produce an outward correctness of behavior, but they cannot change the heart; they cannot purify the springs of life.” Doing all the good things that we know we as Christians do isn’t enough. These produce an outward appearance of Christianity. They can’t purify and change the heart. What must happen in us in order for us to become like Christ? “There must be a power working from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ. His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, and attract it to God, to holiness.” (SC 18.1)

“...Unless [we] shall receive a new heart, new desires, purposes, motives, leading to a new life...” in Christ, we will not be able to see the kingdom of God.

Christ says, “ Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (Jn. 3:7) And the only way that we can be “born again,” is by allowing the grace of Christ to work in our hearts. “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.” (Jn. 1:4) He is the only “name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Does our knowledge of Christ and the right understanding of the His law alone have the power to save us? She says, “It is not enough to perceive the loving-kindness of God, to see the benevolence, the fatherly tenderness, of His character. It is not enough to discern the wisdom and justice of His law, to see that it is founded upon the eternal principle of love. Paul the apostle saw all this when he exclaimed, ‘I consent unto the law that it is good.’ ‘The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.’ But he added, in the bitterness of his soul-anguish and despair, ‘I am carnal, sold under sin.’ Romans 7:16, 12, 14. He longed for the purity, the righteousness, to which in himself he was powerless to attain, and cried out, ‘O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death?’ Romans 7:24, margin. Such is the cry that has gone up from burdened hearts in all lands and in all ages. To all, there is but one answer, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’ John 1:29.” {SC 19.1}

In Jacob’s vision of the ladder, Christ made known to Jacob that which met the need and longing of his soul,--a Saviour. “...Through Christ, earth is again linked with heaven. With His own merits, Christ has bridged the gulf which sin had made, so that the ministering angels can hold communion with man. Christ connects fallen man in his weakness and helplessness with the Source of infinite power.” {SC 20.1}

All our dreams and efforts in the well-being of this life are in vain if we “neglect the one Source of hope and help for the fallen race. ‘Every good gift and every perfect gift’ (James 1:17) is from God. There is no true excellence of character apart from Him. And the only way to God is Christ. He says, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.’ John 14:6.” {SC 21.1}

Now, listen to this paragraph. It’s beautiful! “The heart of God yearns over His earthly children with a love stronger than death. In giving up His Son, He has poured out to us all heaven in one gift. The Saviour's life and death and intercession, the ministry of angels, the pleading of the Spirit, the Father working above and through all, the unceasing interest of heavenly beings,--all are enlisted in behalf of man's redemption.” {SC 21.2} Friends, what love! All heaven is enlisted in behalf of our salvation.

“Oh, let us contemplate the amazing sacrifice that has been made for us! Let us try to appreciate the labor and energy that Heaven is expending to reclaim the lost, and bring them back to the Father's house. Motives stronger, and agencies more powerful, could never be brought into operation; the exceeding rewards for right-doing, the enjoyment of heaven, the society of the angels, the communion and love of God and His Son, the elevation and extension of all our powers throughout eternal ages--are these not mighty incentives and encouragements to urge us to give the heart's loving service to our Creator and Redeemer?” {SC 21.3}

“Shall we not regard the mercy of God? What more could He do? Let us place ourselves in right relation to Him who has loved us with amazing love. Let us avail ourselves of the means provided for us that we may be transformed into His likeness, and be restored to fellowship with the ministering angels, to harmony and communion with the Father and the Son.” {SC 22.1}

One of the steps that is essential in our salvation, is understanding, recognizing, and accepting our need of Christ, our Redeemer. “There must be a power working from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ. His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, and attract it to God, to holiness.” Christ wants to work in us to will and to do of His good pleasure, but He won’t do that Friends unless we come to Him and tell Him, I NEED YOU! Come into my life, my heart and transform me into your likeness. Without you, I’m am lost. I am week and helpless, bent to sin. I claim the promise that “I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me.”

Our greatest need is Christ!