Cheap grace, i.e. Slavation

 

I accidentally misspelled the word, “salvation”, and ended up with “slavation.” But, for many worshipers in the churches, what they have should be correctly called “slavation”. They believe they have salvation and the “glorious liberty of the children of God.” (Rom. 8:21). But, the reality is that Satan has pulled the wool over their eyes. How can the soul ever know deliverance from Satan and temptation if it has never looked into the “perfect law of liberty” (Jas. 1:25) and submitted to the righteousness of God as seen in His Law? If they did away with the Law using the cross for a pretext, then they never wrestled with the Law. And, if they never wrestled with Paul over the conviction of the Law in Romans 7 (also seen in Galatians 3:22-24), they never got to walk in the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus as Paul could in Romans 8. They never lost their carnal mind. “The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Rom. 8:7). They struggle with vices and self-indulgence, without comprehending the cause of their failures. The condemnation of God never brought them to the humbled self-defamation, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Rom. 7:24). Thus, they never learn what Paul did when he discovered the key to victory, ―“Jesus Christ” as Lord. And, why is it that they could never use that wonderful key to the successful death of self? Because they were programmed by the mantra, “Grace, grace, God’s grace”—that God only has grace to give. They were taught that they never need worry about God’s condemnation. They were never brought to the brink of the grave, as David was. 

“A Psalm of David. Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my Rock; be not silent to me: lest, if Thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.” (Ps. 28:1).

“When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer.” (Ps. 32:3,4).

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” (Ps. 40:1,2).

 

They never felt the “heat of [the Lord’s] great anger” (Deut. 29:24) against their sin.

 

        The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. 
 

And the same author continues…

 

 Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual communion, we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end. Desire of Ages, p. 324.

 

Without knowing God’s hatred of our sin, we will never need a Saviour who will save us from our sins (see Matthew 1:21). We will never take advantage of His provision for the remission of our sins, which He gave through His Son. Through spiritualism hidden in a false Christianity, Satan keeps the masses in an imaginary, counterfeit peace (see Deuteronomy 29:19). And, thus he destroys them by enabling them. “Through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many.” (Dan. 8:25). “Craft”, Strong’s 4820, “deceit, feigning, guile, subtlety, treachery”. “Policy”, Strong’s 7922, “wisdom, prudence, knowledge, discretion”. This is the same message from Daniel's previous little horn vision. “I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.” (Dan. 7:8). The little horn is Daniel 7 and Daniel 8 represent the same earthly adversary of God.
 

The cheap grace is a subtle counterfeit through a satanic knowledge of easily tempted human nature. And, the counterfeit grace that we looked at in the previous post lines up closely with the following words:

 

Many of the revivals of modern times have presented a marked contrast to those manifestations of divine grace which in earlier days followed the labors of God’s servants. It is true that a widespread interest is kindled, many profess conversion, and there are large accessions to the churches; nevertheless the results are not such as to warrant the belief that there has been a corresponding increase of real spiritual life. The light which flames up for a time soon dies out, leaving the darkness more dense than before.

     Popular revivals are too often carried by appeals to the imagination, by exciting the emotions, by gratifying the love for what is new and startling. Converts thus gained have little desire to listen to Bible truth, little interest in the testimony of prophets and apostles. Unless a religious service has something of a sensational character, it has no attractions for them. A message which appeals to unimpassioned reason awakens no response. The plain warnings of God’s word, relating directly to their eternal interests, are unheeded. 

     With every truly converted soul the relation to God and to eternal things will be the great topic of life. But where, in the popular churches of today, is the spirit of consecration to God? The converts do not renounce their pride and love of the world. They are no more willing to deny self, to take up the cross, and follow the meek and lowly Jesus, than before their conversion. Religion has become the sport of infidels and skeptics because so many who bear its name are ignorant of its principles. The power of godliness has well-nigh departed from many of the churches. Picnics, church theatricals, church fairs, fine houses, personal display, have banished thoughts of God. Lands and goods and worldly occupations engross the mind, and things of eternal interest receive hardly a passing notice. Great Controversy, p. 463, 464. 

 

The enemy of souls…will make it appear that God’s special blessing is poured out; there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian world.  

     In many of the revivals which have occurred during the last half century, the same influences have been at work, to a greater or less degree, that will be manifest in the more extensive movements of the future. There is an emotional excitement, a mingling of the true with the false, that is well adapted to mislead. Yet none need be deceived. In the light of God’s word it is not difficult to determine the nature of these movements. Wherever men neglect the testimony of the Bible, turning away from those plain, soul-testing truths which require self-denial and renunciation of the world, there we may be sure that God’s blessing is not bestowed. And by the rule which Christ Himself has given, “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16), it is evident that these movements are not the work of the Spirit of God.

     In the truths of His word, God has given to men a revelation of Himself; and to all who accept them they are a shield against the deceptions of Satan. It is a neglect of these truths that has opened the door to the evils which are now becoming so widespread in the religious world. The nature and the importance of the law of God have been, to a great extent, lost sight of. A wrong conception of the character, the perpetuity, and the obligation of the divine law has led to errors in relation to conversion and sanctification, and has resulted in lowering the standard of piety in the church. Here is to be found the secret of the lack of the Spirit and power of God in the revivals of our time.

     There are, in the various denominations, men eminent for their piety, by whom this fact is acknowledged and deplored. Professor Edwards A. Park, in setting forth the current religious perils, ably says: “One source of danger is the neglect of the pulpit to enforce the divine law. In former days the pulpit was an echo of the voice of conscience. . . . Our most illustrious preachers gave a wonderful majesty to their discourses by following the example of the Master, and giving prominence to the law, its precepts, and its threatenings. They repeated the two great maxims, that the law is a transcript of the divine perfections, and that a man who does not love the law does not love the gospel; for the law, as well as the gospel, is a mirror reflecting the true character of God. This peril leads to another, that of underrating the evil of sin, the extent of it, the demerit of it. In proportion to the rightfulness of the commandment is the wrongfulness of disobeying it. . . .
     Affiliated to the dangers already named is the danger of underestimating the justice of God. The tendency of the modern pulpit is to strain out the divine justice from the divine benevolence, to sink benevolence into a sentiment rather than exalt it into a principle. The new theological prism puts asunder what God has joined together. Is the divine law a good or an evil? It is a good. Then justice is good; for it is a disposition to execute the law. From the habit of underrating the divine law and justice, the extent and demerit of human disobedience, men easily slide into the habit of underestimating the grace which has provided an atonement for sin.” Thus the gospel loses its value and importance in the minds of men, and soon they are ready practically to cast aside the Bible itself.  

     Many religious teachers assert that Christ by His death abolished the law, and men are henceforth free from its requirements. There are some who represent it as a grievous yoke, and in contrast to the bondage of the law they present the liberty to be enjoyed under the gospel.  Great Controversy, p. 464-466.

 

“Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian world.” While Satan uses many guises of pseudo-Christianity and pseudo-science to do His work of destruction, his most active agency of the enslavement of human hearts and minds has been spiritualism. There he wastes no time in gaining possession of the soul through the occult’s direct system of perverting reality and truth. Therefore, we can substitute the name Satan for the name of his system, spiritualism. And that is what I will do to the above quotation. “Under a religious guise, [spiritualism] will seek to extend [its] influence over the Christian world.”

     Satan’s Strategy in the Final Conflict.― There is now need of earnest working men and women who will seek for the salvation of souls, for Satan as a powerful general has taken the field, and in this last remnant of time he is working through all conceivable methods to close the door against light that God would have come to His people. He is sweeping the whole world into his ranks, and the few who are faithful to God’s requirements are the only ones who can ever withstand him, and even these he is trying to overcome. Selected Messages, book 3, p. 389. 

Little by little he has prepared the way for his masterpiece of deception in the development of spiritualism. He has not yet reached the full accomplishment of his designs; but it will be reached in the last remnant of time. Says the prophet: “I saw three unclean spirits like frogs; . . . they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Revelation 16:13, 14. Except those who are kept by the power of God, through faith in His word, the whole world will be swept into the ranks of this delusion. The people are fast being lulled to a fatal security, to be awakened only by the outpouring of the wrath of God. Great Controversy, p. 562.

 

This is what we see in the doctrine of grace only, “Grace, grace, God’s grace”. Multitudes who never hear of God’s condemnation of their sin, only hear of His grace. They will never wrestle under the mighty hand of God, and never know His redemption. They will never have salvation. This spiritualism of “grace only” religion in the churches is as motivated by rebellion as the spiritualism of witches and warlocks. 

 

This ancient policy now pervading the churches, and which originates from the oldest paganism, has come into the Adventist church. We played around with disobedience to God’s laws, as delineated in the Spirit of Prophecy. As a group, we never repented of our irreverence or sought Jesus with our whole heart to know Him and to have His forgiveness and His power to keep us from falling into temptation. As a group, we turned away from righteousness by faith, which we needed for the battle to stand at the Second Advent of Jesus. This was no different from the children of Israel turning away from Canaan and going into the wilderness to wander. We never got “the only defense against evil” which comes by “the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness.” Desire of Ages, p. 324. And now, Jesus can no longer cover our insolence toward His Father’s Law and toward the provision of His Father’s gospel. Faith in Christ’s righteousness is unheard-of. We are being handed over to Satan, to join with the other denominations in their abominations of Spiritual Formation, celebration, emerging church, women’s ordination. The abomination of desolation is desolating Adventism, just as it did Protestantism and Christianity. With few exceptions among the citizens of Christendom, the abomination of desolation is already sitting in the holy place. And Adventism is no exception.

 

Adventism is captive in Babylon. Worldliness has made it impossible for us to enjoy the grace of God. The revelation of Jesus in the Bible is neither seen, nor missed. We are dead in sin. Throughout Protestantism, and now within Adventism, it can be said,

“Among My people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.

As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.

They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.

Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not My soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and My people love to have it so.” (Jer. 5:26-31).

 

“What will ye do in the end thereof?” (Vs. 31).

 

Notwithstanding His soon-coming judgments, God has a way to prevent their visitation.

 

  Wherever the word of God has been faithfully preached, results have followed that attested its divine origin. The Spirit of God accompanied the message of His servants, and the word was with power. Sinners felt their consciences quickened. The “light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” illumined the secret chambers of their souls, and the hidden things of darkness were made manifest. Deep conviction took hold upon their minds and hearts. They were convinced of sin and of righteousness and of judgment to come. They had a sense of the righteousness of Jehovah and felt the terror of appearing, in their guilt and uncleanness, before the Searcher of hearts. In anguish they cried out: “Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” As the cross of Calvary, with its infinite sacrifice for the sins of men, was revealed, they saw that nothing but the merits of Christ could suffice to atone for their transgressions; this alone could reconcile man to God. With faith and humility they accepted the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. Through the blood of Jesus they had “remission of sins that are past.” 

     These souls brought forth fruit meet for repentance. They believed and were baptized, and rose to walk in newness of life ―new creatures in Christ Jesus; not to fashion themselves according to the former lusts, but by the faith of the Son of God to follow in His steps, to reflect His character, and to purify themselves even as He is pure. The things they once hated they now loved, and the things they once loved they hated. The proud and self-assertive became meek and lowly of heart. The vain and supercilious became serious and unobtrusive. The profane became reverent, the drunken sober, and the profligate pure. The vain fashions of the world were laid aside. Christians sought not the “outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but . . . the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” 1 Peter 3:3, 4. 

     Revivals brought deep heart-searching and humility. They were characterized by solemn, earnest appeals to the sinner, by yearning compassion for the purchase of the blood of Christ. Men and women prayed and wrestled with God for the salvation of souls. The fruits of such revivals were seen in souls who shrank not at self-denial and sacrifice, but rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer reproach and trial for the sake of Christ. Men beheld a transformation in the lives of those who had professed the name of Jesus. The community was benefited by their influence. They gathered with Christ, and sowed to the Spirit, to reap life everlasting. 

     It could be said of them: “Ye sorrowed to repentance.” “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge [emphasis mine]! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” 2 Corinthians 7:9-11.

     This is the result of the work of the Spirit of God. There is no evidence of genuine repentance unless it works reformation. If he restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, confess his sins, and love God and his fellow men, the sinner may be sure that he has found peace with God. Such were the effects that in former years followed seasons of religious awakening. Judged by their fruits, they were known to be blessed of God in the salvation of men and the uplifting of humanity. Great Controversy, p. 461-463.

 

Righteousness! And, even better news is that God has a plan to rescue the gospel and Protestantism.

 

Notwithstanding the widespread declension of faith and piety, there are true followers of Christ in these churches. Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord’s second coming. Great Controversy, p. 464 

 

These folks aren’t only Adventists, but Protestants. And myriads of Catholic children of God!

 

Notwithstanding the spiritual darkness and alienation from God that exist in the churches which constitute Babylon, the great body of Christ’s true followers are still to be found in their communion. There are many of these who have never seen the special truths for this time. Not a few are dissatisfied with their present condition and are longing for clearer light. They look in vain for the image of Christ in the churches with which they are connected. As these bodies depart further and further from the truth, and ally themselves more closely with the world, the difference between the two classes will widen, and it will finally result in separation. The time will come when those who love God supremely can no longer remain in connection with such as are “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”  Great Controversy, p. 390.

 

It is true that there are real Christians in the Roman Catholic communion. Thousands in that church are serving God according to the best light they have. They are not allowed access to His word, and therefore they do not discern the truth. They have never seen the contrast between a living heart service and a round of mere forms and ceremonies. God looks with pitying tenderness upon these souls, educated as they are in a faith that is delusive and unsatisfying. He will cause rays of light to penetrate the dense darkness that surrounds them. He will reveal to them the truth as it is in Jesus, and many will yet take their position with His people.  Great Controversy, p. 565.

  

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.” (Isa. 61:1-3).

 

One day, many among those groups will look at the Bible and see more clearly that everything their Adventist brethren have been saying was true. That will be a day of “light, and gladness, and joy, and honour…a feast and a good day” (Esth. 8:16, 17, cf Rev. 7:9-14).

 

“Thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.” (Isa. 49:25).

 

“And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. As for Me, this is My covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and My words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.” (Isa. 59:20,21).

 

“Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given Me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.” (Isa. 8:18).

 

Satan’s captives will be set free from his slavation. They will become captives of another LORD, who will give them primitive godliness. “Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity captive.” (Ps. 68:18).
  

The voice of this message against lawless grace and the message that exalts obedience to the Law of God is bound to grow louder and louder “unto the perfect day.” (Prov. 4:18). The God of salvation will win over the god of slavation. The counsel of the True Witness upon the heart of everyone who receives it will cause him to speak with truth and grace.

 

   I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God’s people. Early Writings, p. 270.